Thermally isolating joint assembly in a space vehicle
US10934029B2 · kind B2 · utility
5Cited by
12References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2018 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/6459
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A joint assembly thermally isolates a warm structure, such as a payload, from a cold structure, such as a cryogenic fuel tank, in a space vehicle while maintaining structural interconnection within the joint assembly. The joint assembly includes a primary joint that is capable of separating, and a secondary joint connected to and adjacent to the primary joint. The secondary joint includes an inflatable annulus structure and one or more restraining members, where separation of the primary joint causes the inflatable annulus structure to be in compression and the one or more restraining members to be in tension.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.