US 12,698,102 B2Granted

System, method, and bracket assembly for a stable and repeatable spacecraft platform structure

AssigneeMacdonald, Dettwiler and Associates Inc.

InventorsSamuel Donato, Sébastien Dame, Patrick Le Rossignol

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Abstract

Systems, methods, and bracket assemblies for a stable and repeatable spacecraft platform structure are provided. The method includes: providing a plurality of panel interconnect (PIC) bracket assemblies for connecting first and second adjacent platform panels; supporting and aligning the first and second platform panels in a vertical configuration using three points of support; installing the PIC bracket assemblies between the first and second platform panels; co-drilling a subset of the PIC bracket assemblies to establish co-drilled holes that traverse the first and second bracket; disassembling the bolted interfaces of PIC bracket assemblies to remove the first or second platform panel; and reinstalling the first or second panel using an expansion pin in the co-drilled holes to return the first or second platform panel to its quasi 0 G shape.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of assembling a spacecraft platform structure comprising a plurality of platform panels, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of panel interconnect (PIC) bracket assemblies for connecting first and second adjacent platform panels, each PIC bracket assembly comprising:
a first bracket comprising a U-clip portion for receiving an edge of the first platform panel and a flange plate extending from the U-clip portion orthogonal to the edge when the edge is disposed in the U-clip portion;
a second bracket comprising a U-clip portion for receiving an edge of the second platform panel;
wherein the edge of the first platform panel and the edge of the second platform panel are orthogonal to one another in an assembled configuration of the spacecraft platform structure;
wherein the U-clip portions of the first and second brackets each include first and second bracket arms that attach to face sheets of the first and second platform panels, respectively;
and
a bolted interface for connecting the flange plate of the first bracket to a portion of the second bracket disposed along the edge of the second platform panel;
supporting and aligning the first and second platform panels in a vertical configuration using three points of support;
installing the PIC bracket assemblies between the first and second platform panels, the installing including temporarily securing the PIC bracket assemblies in place without direct attachment to the first and second platform panels;
applying adhesive between the first and second bracket arms of the first and second brackets to bond the PIC bracket assemblies to the first and second platform panels;
co-drilling a subset of the PIC bracket assemblies to establish co-drilled holes that traverse the first and second bracket;
disassembling the bolted interfaces of PIC bracket assemblies to remove the first or second platform panel;
and
reinstalling the first or second panel using an expansion pin in the co-drilled holes to return the first or second platform panel to its quasi OG shape.

11 more elements

A system for connecting first and second adjacent panels of a spacecraft platform, the system comprising:

a plurality of bracket assemblies for connecting the adjacent panels along first and second orthogonal edges, respectively, each bracket assembly comprising:
a first bracket mounted on the first orthogonal edge, the first bracket comprising first, second, and third sides defining a square U shaped recess for receiving the first orthogonal edge, the first and second sides being generally parallel to one another and extending in the same direction from opposing edges of the third side, the third side generally orthogonal to the first and second sides, the first bracket further comprising a flange plate generally orthogonal to and extending from the third side in a direction opposite the first and second sides, the flange plate disposed between the first side and the second side;
a second bracket mounted on the second orthogonal edge, the second bracket comprising first, second, and third sides defining a square U shaped recess for receiving the second orthogonal edge, the first and second sides being generally parallel to one another and extending in the same direction from opposing edges of the third side, the third side generally orthogonal to the first and second sides;
and
at least one fastener for securing the flange plate to the third side of the second bracket;
wherein the first and second sides of the first bracket are bonded to top and bottom face sheets of the first adjacent panel and the first and second sides of the second bracket are bonded to top and bottom face sheets of the second adjacent panel.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.