Lubrication system for a mechanism, in particular for a rotary bearing in a spacecraft
US6085871A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/2082
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to a lubrication system for a mechanism (27), on-board a spacecraft. It comprises a non pressurized tank (20) communicating with the mechanism (27) via a tube (220). A piston (23) closes the tube (220) while the mechanism is at rest. The piston (23) is controlled by a first spring (5) and by a second, shape memory, spring (24) opposing the latter, which lengthen by thermal effect. A controller (25, 26) supplies this spring with a current (I) to actuate it. An annular element(7), pushed by a cylindrical spring (6), defines a capillarity filled pumping chamber (22). When the temperature of the shape memory alloy (24) falls back below a threshold, the spring (24) recovers its original shape, the first spring (5) pushes back the piston (23) and expels a dose of lubrication fluid (4).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.