US 2025/0197032 A1 · RELIABLE SEPARATION OF A CLAMPED HDRM INTERFACE

Abstract

A Hold Down Release Mechanism (HDRM) interface for attachment of a first spacecraft to an adjacent structure of a launch vehicle or a second spacecraft, wherein the HDRM interface is configured for forming part of a single-point or multi-point releasable attachment of the first spacecraft to the adjacent structure. The HDRM interface includes first and second connector parts, wherein one of the first and second connector parts is configured to be fastened to the adjacent structure, and the other of the first and second connector parts is configured to be fastened to the first spacecraft. The first connector part has a tapered projection and the second connector part has a matching formed tapered recess configured for receiving the tapered projection, enabling load transfer between the first and second connector parts when the tapered projection is located in the tapered recess and the first and second connector parts are pressed together.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A Hold Down Release Mechanism (HDRM) interface for attachment of a first spacecraft to an adjacent structure of a launch vehicle or to an adjacent structure of a second spacecraft, wherein the HDRM interface is configured for forming part of a single-point or multi-point releasable attachment of the first spacecraft to said adjacent structure, wherein the HDRM interface comprises a first connector part and a second connector part, wherein one of the first and second connector parts is configured to be fastened to said adjacent structure, and the other of the first and second connector parts is configured to be fastened to the first spacecraft, wherein the first connector part has a tapered projection, wherein the second connector part has a matching formed tapered recess configured for receiving the tapered projection, for enabling load transfer between the first and second connector parts when the tapered projection is located in the tapered recess and the first and second connector parts are pressed together, and wherein a dry solid lubricant has been applied on a surface of the tapered projection and/or on a surface of the tapered recess.

A method for applying a dry solid lubricant on surface of a tapered projection of the first connector part and/or on surface of a matching formed tapered recess of a second connector part of a Hold Down Release Mechanism (HDRM) interface, the method comprising:

providing a first tool having a tapered recess with matching geometry to the tapered projection of the first connector part;
applying a dry solid lubricant on the tapered recess of the first tool or on the tapered projection of the first connector part;
pressing the tapered projection of the first connector part against the matching tapered recess of the first tool, or oppositely, while the first connector part or the first tool is rotating;
and/or
providing a second tool having a tapered projection with matching geometry to the tapered recess of the second connector part;
applying a dry solid lubricant on the tapered projection of the second tool or on the tapered recess of the second connector part;
pressing the tapered recess of the second connector part against the matching tapered projection of the second tool, or oppositely, while the second connector part or the second tool is rotating.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reliable separation of a clamped hdrm interface

Life of this patent

Reliable separation of a clamped hdrm interface

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15