SPACECRAFT CAPTURE MECHANISM

摘要

The present invention provides a capture mechanism for capturing and locking onto the Marman flange located on the exterior surfaces of spacecraft/satellites. The capture mechanism achieves its goal of quickly capturing a client spacecraft by splitting the two basic actions involved into two separate mechanisms. One mechanism performs the quick grasp of the target while the other mechanism rigidises that grasp to ensure that the target is held as firmly as desired.

主权项

1. A system for capturing a capture feature on a free flying spacecraft, comprising:
a capture mechanism including
i) a quick grasp mechanism mounted for movement in a housing, said quick grasp mechanism including at least two spaced pairs of grasping jaws and a closing/opening mechanism connected to said at least two pairs of grasping jaws for closing/opening each pair of grasping jaws, said quick grasp mechanism being configured for forcing said at least two spaced pairs of grasping jaws together around said capture feature to grasp the capture feature;ii) said at least two pairs of grasping jaws including structural features configured to accommodate local variations in size and shape of the capture feature at at least two locations on the capture feature being grasped by said at least two pairs grasping jaws; andii) a rigidizing mechanism including a rigidizing contact feature, said rigidizing mechanism being configured to force said at least two spaced grasping jaws further together to a closed position and at the same time driving said rigidizing contact feature into contact with said capture feature within said at least two grasping jaws to secure said capture feature within said closed grasping jaws between said rigidizing contact and said closed grasping jaws, to rigidize the capture feature and the spacecraft.