Coupling unit for detachable coupling parts of a spacecraft
AssigneeAerospace Propulsion Products B.V.
InventorsPeter Christiaan Bruins, Antonius Marinus Christoffel Matthijsen
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Abstract
A coupling unit is disclosed for detachable coupling two pars of a spacecraft, the coupling unit connecting the two parts of the spacecraft in a connected condition and the coupling unit distancing the two parts of the spacecraft, when the coupling unit is in detached condition. The coupling unit comprises a first element and a second element engaged to each other in connected condition, with the second element comprising a gas generator for generating gas under pressure to detach the first and the second element to bring them in the detached position, thereby distancing the first element and the second element from each other, and thus also the first part and the second part connected to the respective elements.
Claims17
A coupling unit for detachable coupling of two parts of a spacecraft, wherein the coupling unit comprises:
- a first element configured for fixed connection to a first part of the spacecraft, wherein the first element comprises a strut;
- a second element configured for fixed connection to a second part of the spacecraft;
- wherein the first element and the second element are engageable to each other in a connected condition;
- wherein the strut of the first element, in the connected condition, is engaged inside of the second element by extending through a bore of the second element and is fixedly connected to the second element via at least one breakable fixation element;
- wherein the second element comprises a gas generator that is configured to generate gas under pressure inside of the second element to break the at least one breakable fixation element and push the first element, including the strut, outside of the second element, so as to distance the two parts of the spacecraft, by complete separation of the first element from the second element;
- wherein the strut is configured to guide the first element with respect to the second element after the at least one breakable fixation element is broken;
- and
- wherein the second element is further configured to contain all of said gas, generated by the gas generator, within the second element.
A method for the assembly of a coupling unit for detachable coupling of two parts of a spacecraft comprising the steps of:
- inserting a strut of a first element in a bore of a second element container;
- fixedly connecting the strut of the first element to the second element container via at least one breakable element;
- fixedly connecting the first element to a first part of the spacecraft;
- fixedly connecting the second element to a second part of the spacecraft;
- mounting a gas generator on a second element lid;
- and
- fixedly connecting the second element lid to the second element container,
- wherein the gas generator is configured to generate gas under pressure inside of the second element to break the breakable element and push the first element, including the strut, outside of the second element, so as to distance the two parts of the spacecraft, by complete separation of the first element from the second element;
- wherein the strut is configured to guide the first element with respect to the second element after the at least one breakable fixation element is broken;
- and
- wherein the second element is further configured to contain all of said gas, generated by the gas generator, within the second element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.