Clamping mechanism for a berthing system

US10793298B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA · US

Inventors

• Kelvin R. Garcia · Bethesda, US
• Thomas J. Hanyok · Clarksville, US
• Matthew Ashmore · Woodbine, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 16, 2018
• Grant date: Oct 6, 2020
• Expiry date: Mar 21, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/6462
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is a berthing system to receive a client module, including a plurality of berthing posts, a plurality of clamping mechanisms each mounted to a respective berthing post, the plurality of clamping mechanisms movable along a berthing post to clamp a received module, wherein the plurality of clamping mechanisms are configured to assert a radial force upon the received module, wherein the plurality of clamping mechanisms each include a rotary clamping jaw that includes drawdown portion and a radial contact portion.