Suitport extra-vehicular access facility

US4842224A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventor

• Marc M. Cohen · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 20, 1987
• Grant date: Jun 27, 1989
• Expiry date: Oct 20, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G4/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a system (20) for entering and leaving a space station, a bulkhead (30) divides module (22) into an antechamber (32) and an airlock (34). A space suit (36) has a portable life support system (PLSS) interface (38) on its back. The suit is removably attached to bulkhead (30) by the interface (38) at a hatch (40) in the bulkhead (30). A PLSS (42) is detachably mounted in hatch cover (44), which is pivotally mounted at (46) to move away from the hatch (40) to allow an astronaut (48) to enter the suit (36) through the open hatch (40) and the PLSS interface. After entering the suit (36), the astronaut closes the hatch (44) and attaches the PLSS (42) to the suit (36) by operating control (52) to which glove portion (54) of the suit (36) is attached. The astronaut initiates pumpdown of the airlock (34) with the control (52). When pumpdown is complete, the astronaut opens hatch (64), disconnects the PLSS from the hatch cover 44, pivots pressure vessels (56) of the control (52) to one side on their supports (57), disconnects the glove portions (54) from the pressure vessels (56) and goes EVA.