Unfolding and locking joint for space elements

Details Unfolding and locking joint for space elements Unfolding and locking joint for space elements

1993-11-10

1995-02-28

Barefoot, Galen L.

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

With payload accommodation

16325, B64G 146

Patent

active

053930185

ABSTRACT:
A joint is provided for the unfolding and locking of space elements, such as solar generator panels. On one joint half, a detent lever is swivellably connected having a clamping nose as well as a finger as the guiding element. During the unfolding operation, the finger slides on a guiding contour of the other joint half. Shortly before the fully unfolded condition is reached, the finger engages in a depression, and the clamping nose runs up onto a cam and clamps down on the latter under the effect of the spring tension directed to the common axis of rotation. A movable stop element, e.g. universal ball joint, simultaneously presses against a stop surface so that both joint halves are braced with respect to one another. An arrangement of high stiffness which is as free from play as possible results.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3187373 (1965-06-01), Fisher
patent: 3643292 (1972-02-01), Mayer
patent: 4880188 (1989-11-01), Roth et al.

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