Space station architecture, module, berthing hub, shell assembly, berthing mechanism and utility connection channel

A controlled atmosphere environment comprising a plurality of interconnected modules having opposed connection ports configured to be connectable to a like port of another module in the environment by sideways movement with respect to said like port, said modules being interconnected to form a plurality of triangular configuration, interconnected closed loop paths in three dimensions, said environment including a berthing hub located on an outside corner of said interconnected modules to give a reverse angle cone of approach for berthing.

A controlled atmosphere environment comprising a plurality of interconnected modules having opposed connection ports configured to be connectable to a like port of another module in the environment by sideways movement with respect to said like port, said connection ports being joined together by an assembly including a plurality of latch sections hinged together along their length and extending circumferentially around said connecting ports, and a pressure seal between said connection ports.

A berthing assembly for a controlled atmosphere environment, which comprises first and second axially aligned and opposed, flanged connecting ports, a plurality of latch sections hinged together along their length and extending circumferentially around said connecting ports, and a pressure seal between said connection ports.

A berthing assembly for a controlled atmosphere environment, which comprises first and second axially aligned and opposed, flanged connecting ports, a plurality of latch sections hinged together along their length and extending circumferentially around said connecting ports, a pressure seal between said connection ports, and a utilities feedthrough channel extending between said connection ports, said utilities feedthrough channel comprising a shell with a radius of curvature dimensioned to engage a wall of a passageway defined by the connection ports, a plurality of utilities connecting members positioned along opposing ends of said shell and being movably mounted for extension from the ends and withdrawal toward the ends, means connected to said connecting members for extending and withdrawing said connecting memberes, and means to form a hermetic seal with mating connecting members in the controlled atmosphere environment.

A utilities feedthrough channel for a modular controlled atmosphere environment, which comprises a shell with a radius of curvature dimensioned to engage a wall of a passageway defined by interconnected ports of modules in said environment, a plurality of utilities connecting members positioned along opposing ends of said shell and being movably mounted for extension from the ends and withdrawal toward the ends, means connected to said connecting members for extending and withdrawing said connecting members, and means to form a hermetic seal with mating connecting members in the modules.

A berthing hub for a controlled atmosphere environment formed from a plurality of modules, which comprises a substantially globular walled enclosure having a plurality of openings, each opening having a cylindrical port extending through the enclosure wall, said ports having a flanged distal end for attachment to a like flanged port on the modules said openings being arranged in said walled enclosure so that the modules, when connected through a plurality of said berthing hubs, may be arranged in a triangular configuration in two dimensions.

A controlled atmosphere module, which comprises a cylindrical chamber having a substantially dome-shaped end cap with a plurality of openings, each opening having a flanged, cylindrical port extending from said dome end cap, said substantially dome-shaped cap being attached to said cylindrical chamber by means of a frustoconical band adapter section.

A method for assembling a space station, which comprises interconnecting a plurality of modular components in a configuration in which a center of gravity of the space station and an axis of shape symmetry are maintained in proximity to one another, and repositioning at least some of said plurality of modular components as additional modular components are added to the space station so as to maintain proximity between the center of gravity of the space station and the cross axes of shape symmetry of the space station.

A controlled atmosphere environment, which comprises a plurality of elongated controlled atmosphere modules interconnected with substantially globular-walled hubs in a two-dimensional triangular configuration.

A space station comprising a plurality of elongated controlled atmosphere modules and a plurality of substantially globular-walled hubs, said modules and said hubs each having ports, said modules and hubs being interconnected at their ports to form a sealed environment having at least one triangular-shaped, closed loop path in two dimensions.