US 4,542,858 AGranted

Rotatable electric cable connecting system

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

InventorDavid R. Manges

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Abstract

A cable reel assembly particularly adapted for, but not limited to, a system for providing electrical connection of power and data signals between an orbiter vehicle (12), such as a space shuttle, and a recovered satellite (14) and being comprised of two mutually opposing ring type structures (18, 20) having .+-.180.degree. relative rotation with one of the structures being held in fixed position while the other structure is rotatable. Motor controlled berthing latches (16.sub.1, 16.sub.2, 16.sub.3) and umbilical cable connectors (17.sub.1, 17.sub.2) for the satellite are located on the rim (26) of the rotatable ring structure (18). The electrical cable assembly (56) is fed in two sections (58, 60) from the orbiter vehicle into the outer rim portion (40) of the fixed ring structure (20) where they are directed inwardly and attached to two concentrically coiled metal bands (67, 68) whose respective ends are secured to inner and outer post members of circular sets of guide pins (70, 72) located on opposing circular plate members (28, 42), one rotatable and one fixed, forming part of and located along a central axis (44) of the two structures. The cable sections (58, 60) are fed out as three output cable sections (62, 64, 66) through openings (63,65) in the central portion of the circular plate (28) of the rotatable ring structure (18) where they are directed to the latches (16.sub.1, 16.sub.2, 16.sub.3) and connectors (17.sub.1, 17.sub.2) located on its rim (26).

Claims12

Dependent claims

A cable reel assembly for providing electrical connection between two structures having relative movement therebetween, comprising in combination:

first and second support members having mutually opposing inner surfaces spaced apart a predetermined constant distance, said support members being centered about a common axis and wherein said first support member is rotatable about said common axis while said second support member remains fixed relative to said first member;
a first plurality of means projecting outwardly from the inner surface of said first support member and being arranged in a generally circular configuration in relatively close proximity to and around said common axis;
a second plurality of means projecting outwardly from the inner surface of said second support member and arranged in a generally circular configuration around said common axis at a distance substantially greater than said first plurality of band stop means;
at least one elongated flexible band member located between said opposing inner surfaces of said support members and being attached at one end to one of said first plurality of means and at the other end to one of said second plurality of means whereby rotation of said first support member causes said band member to coil and uncoil depending upon the direction of rotation of said first support member;
a second elongated flexible band member located in substantial parallel arrangement with said first recited band member between said support members and being attached at one end to another of said first plurality of means and at the other end to another of said second plurality of means;
and
electrical connecting cable means secured to said at least one flexible band member and having thereby a rotatable moving end located at said one end of the member and a stationary end at said other end of the flexible band member.

4 more elements

A cable reel assembly for providing electrical connection between two structures having relative movement therebetween, comprising in combination:

first and second support members comprising first and second generally circular plates having mutually opposing inner surfaces spaced apart a predetermined constant distance, said support members being centered about a common axis and wherein said first support member is rotatable about said common axis while said second support member remains fixed relative to said first member;
a first plurality of means projecting outwardly from the inner surface of said first support member and being arranged in a generally circular configuration in relatively close proximity to and around said common axis;
a second plurality of means projecting outwardly from the inner surface of said second support member and arranged in a generally circular configuration around said common axis at a distance substantially greater than said first plurality of band stop means;
at least one elongated flexible band member located between said opposing inner surfaces of said support members and being attached at one end to one of said first plurality of means and at the other end to one of said second plurality of means whereby rotation of said first support member causes said band member to coil and uncoil depending upon the direction of rotation of said first support member;
electrical connecting cable means secured to said at least one flexible band member and having thereby a rotatable moving end located at said one end of the member and a stationary end at said other end of the flexible band member;
wherein said first plate comprising said first support member includes at least one opening in the vicinity of said first plurality of means for the passage of the rotatable moving end of said electrical cable means therethrough;
and
first and second ring members located outwardly of and respectively connected to said first and second circular plates.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/613,140Filed 23 May 1984
Granted: 24 Sep 1985
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B65H 75/4449
Constructional details: arrangements or adaptations to avoid movable contacts or rotary couplings, e.g. by the use of an expansion chamber for a…
B25J 19/0029
Means for supplying energy to the end effector: arranged within the different robot elements
H01R 35/025
Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members: having a flexible conductor wound around a rotation axis
H02G 11/00
Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts