Active ERM damper for spacecraft telescoping structures

摘要

A damped latch mechanism 116 is provided for a telescoping structure 10 including an inner tubular member 114 slidingly received within an outer tubular member 112. A first latch member 122 is coupled within the one tubular member 114 and a second latch member 126 is coupled to the other tubular member 114 so as to selectively interfere with the first latch member 122 to prevent the inner tubular member 114 from moving in an axial first direction relative to the outer tubular member 112. A fluid chamber 134 is provided on one of the first and second latch members 122, 126 opposite the other of the first and second latch members 122, 126. A magneto-rheological fluid 136 is disposed within the fluid chamber 134 to absorb shock between the first and second latch members 122, 126. A magnetic field source 140 is provided proximate the magneto-rheological fluid 136 for imposing a magnetic field upon the magneto-rheological fluid 136 to change the viscosity thereof to effectuate different damping characteristics between the first and second latch members 122, 126.