Method for capturing a container of planet-ground samples traveling in open space
US8608113B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 1, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/6462
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for capturing a container of planet ground samples moving in space by a probe also moving in space includes, when the probe is on the orbit of the container, at a distance of a few meters therefrom and the receiving face of the probe is oriented toward the container, generating, on board the probe, a first controlled magnetic field to reduce the angular speeds of the container and orient it in a preferred direction for the capture, and, when these speeds have become negligible and the probe is positioned in the correct orientation, while the probe is being brought closer to the container, a process of attraction of the container relative to the probe is begun using another field whose field lines converge toward the capture zone of the probe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.