Space transportation node including tether system
US7503526B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 2005 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/50
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A transportation node system orbits a celestial body. The node system includes a truss having two ends, the truss rotating around its center of mass while orbiting the celestial body. The truss stores payloads. The node system also includes tether tips, each attached to one end of the truss via a tether so that each tether tip can extend from the truss and retract to the truss for transfer of payloads. The tether runs through the length of the truss and connects to each tether tip, each tether tip being capable of engaging payloads. The node further includes at least one tether cable reel that reels in and reels out the tether so the tether tips can extend from and retract to the truss.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.