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US 12,354,777 B2Granted
Integrated electro-magnetically preloaded kinematic joint for on-orbit assembly of modular space vehicles
AssigneeThe Aerospace Corporation
InventorsDonald Wayne Denham, Timothy P. Woodard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A payload-bus kinematic interface system includes one or more kinematic devices. Each kinematic device includes a first contacting surface and a second contacting surface. The first contacting surface kinematically interfaces with the second contacting surface, passing loads or forces to the second contacting surface.
Claims20
A payload-bus kinematic interface system, comprising:
- one or more reusable kinematic devices, each of which comprise a first internal contacting surface and a second internal contacting surface, wherein
- the first internal contacting surface kinematically interfaces with the second internal contacting surface, passing loads or forces to the second internal contacting surface;
- and
- one or more electropermanent magnets (EPMs) is associated with each of the one or more of kinematic devices.
1 more element
A system configured to provide an interface between a first device and a second device, the system comprising:
- a plurality of kinematic devices arranged in a pattern to support expected on-orbit maneuver loads;
- and
- one or more electropermanent magnets (EPMs) surrounding each of the plurality of kinematic devices, wherein
- each of the plurality of kinematic devices comprises a first complementary surface attached to a first adjacent surface of the first device and a second complementary surface attached to a second adjacent surface of the second device, and
- the first complementary surface and the second complementary surface are configured to provide a mechanical connection integrated with the one or more EPMs.
2 more elements
A payload-bus kinematic interface system, comprising:
- one or more kinematic devices arranged in a pattern between a payload and a bus, each of which comprise a first contacting surface, a second contacting surface, and a plurality of electropermanent magnets (EPMs) surrounding the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface, wherein
- each of the plurality of EPMs apply a magnetically induced preload, the magnetically induced preload with the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface constrain up to 6 degrees of freedom (DOF).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.