# US 4,391,423 A · Satellite retrieval system

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 4,391,423 A
- Document ID: US4391423A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/248,745
- Filed: 1981-03-30
- Granted: 1983-07-05
- Earliest claimed: 1981-03-30
- Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Inventors: Edwin C. Pruett; Kem B. Robertson; Tomas E. Loughead
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4391423A

## CPC

- B64G 1/6462: {characterised by the means for engaging other vehicles}
- B64G 1/641: {Interstage or payload connectors (docking systems B64G1/646)}
- B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR

## Abstract

A satellite retrieval system (10) wherein first and second pairs of coacting parallel bars (40), and (94) are separately mounted in spaced parallel planes on the front of a spacecraft (14). The bars of one pair are at right angles to bars of the other pair, and together the two pairs of bars effect a variable aperture adapted to close around a rod (26) extending from a second spacecraft (22) to thereby effect the capture of the latter.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A satellite retrieval system for employment with a spacecraft comprising:
a cubical first frame adapted to be fixedly attached to a spacecraft;
a rectangular second frame positioned around said cubical first frame and including support means for movably supporting said second frame on said cubical first frame;
a first pair of parallel bars movably mounted on said cubical first frame for balanced relative movement with respect to a center line through said cubical first frame and normal to a plane of said second frame, being movable across said first frame;
a second pair of parallel bars, orthogonal to said first pair of parallel bars, movably mounted on said second frame for balanced relative movement with respect to said center line, and positioned within said cubical first frame;
first operating means for selectively moving bars of said first pair of parallel bars toward and away from each other;
second operating means for selectively moving bars of said second pair of parallel bars toward and away from each other; and
retracting means including drive means coupled between said cubical first frame and said second frame for selectively moving said second frame along said center line and between extended and retracted positions.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A retrieval system as set forth in claim 1 including a first pair of spaced threaded rods mounted on said cubical frame, in turn threadably supporting said first pair of parallel bars, and said first operating means comprises means for rotating said threaded rods and relatively moving said last-named parallel bars.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A retrieval system as set forth in claim 2 including a second pair of spaced threaded rods rotatably supported on said second frame and threadably supporting said second pair of parallel bars, and said second operating means includes means for rotating said second pair of threaded rods and effecting the relative movement of said second pair of parallel bars.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A retrieval system as set forth in claim 3 including:
a rod attachable on one end to a satellite to be retrieved, said rod having an enlarged region at an end opposite to said one end, whereby with said retraction means on said spacecraft in an extended position, and said bars of said pairs of bars relatively spaced apart, the spacecraft would be maneuvered until a portion of said rod and said enlarged end region of said rod extend through said parallel bars;
said first operating means is operated to cause said first parallel bars to approach each other to loosely grip said rod, and thereby effecting an initial, soft, attachment between the spacecraft and satellite;
then said second operating means would be operated to cause said second pair of parallel bars to move toward each other and effect a firm engagement between said spacecraft and said rod, and thereby the satellite; and finally
said retraction means would be operated to a retract position and thereby draw in said second frame and satellite to a selected docking position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A retrieval system as set forth in claim 4 further comprising:
a third frame mounted on and spaced parallel with said cubical frame;
a fourth frame supportable on said satellite and generally conforming to said third frame; and
latch means comprising:
first latch elements supported by said third frame, and
second latch elements supported on said fourth frame and adapted to mate with said first latch element for finally making a firm latch connection between a said space vehicle and satellite.