Spline screw payload fastening system

Details Spline screw payload fastening system Spline screw payload fastening system

1992-09-21

1993-09-14

McGlynn, Joseph H.

Electrical connectors

With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...

Retaining means

H01R 1300

Patent

active

052444066

ABSTRACT:
A system for coupling an orbital replacement unit (ORU) to a space station structure via the actions of a robot and/or astronaut. A first female spline connector is located on the space station structure, a male spline connector is positioned on the ORU to connect to the first female spline connector, and a second female spline connector is located on the ORU. A compliant drive rod interconnects the second female spline connector and the male spline connector. A robotic end effector is used for mating with and driving the second female spline connector. Also included are alignment tabs located on the ORU for berthing with the space station structure. The first and second female spline connectors each include a threaded bolt having a captured nut located thereon which can translate up and down the bolt but are constrained from rotation. The nut has a mounting surface with a first electrical connector for translating with the nut. A complementary second electrical connector on the ORU mates with the first electrical connector on the nut. When the driver on the robotic end effector mates with the second female spline connector and rotates, the male spline connector and the first female spline connector lock together, the driver and the second female spline connector lock together, and the nut translates up the threaded bolt carrying the first electrical connector up to the complementary second connector for interconnection.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4641798 (1987-02-01), DeHaan et al.
patent: 4771971 (1988-09-01), Ludwig et al.
patent: 4906123 (1990-03-01), Weskamp et al.
patent: 4929184 (1990-05-01), Emadi et al.
patent: 4948369 (1990-08-01), Braccio et al.
patent: 4993132 (1991-02-01), Manz

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