System and method to attach and remove space vehicles
US11572202B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2021 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/44
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for installing, deploying, and recovering a plurality of spacecraft that provides an ease of use and structural stability, and facilitates a standardization of spacecraft design. In embodiments of this invention, threaded rods are arranged orthogonal to a surface of a baseplate, and each spacecraft includes a coupling mechanism that selectively engages or disengages each threaded rod. Each spacecraft is added to the stack by engaging its coupling mechanism and rotating the threaded rods while the preceding spacecraft on the stack disengage their coupling mechanisms, thereby enabling the spacecraft to travel along the threaded rods toward the baseplate. When all of the spacecraft are added to the stack, the stack is preloaded by rotating the treaded rods into a terminator component at the top of the stack while the coupling mechanisms in all of the spacecraft are disengaged. Spacecraft are deployed by reversing the process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.