US 7,118,077 B1Granted

Platform and system for mass storage and transfer in space

OwnerWalter P. Kistler, Robert A. Citron +1inventors

InventorsWalter P. Kistler, Robert A. Citron, Thomas C. Taylor

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Abstract

A platform for storage and transfer of payloads in space includes a plate for supporting a payload, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the payload to and from the plate. A groove extends diametrically between two edges of the plate for receiving a rail provided on the payload. The rail includes a plurality of teeth, and the transfer mechanism includes a gear which interacts with the teeth for moving the rail. Two platforms may be positioned adjacent to each other for transferring a payload. Docking of the two platforms includes engagement of tapered pins and tapered holes on the platforms. In this manner, the grooves of the platforms are aligned. The rail is passed between the grooves of the platforms for transferring the payload between the platforms.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for storage and transfer of payloads and propellant tanks in space, comprising

supporting and holding a payload in position on a plate of a first platform;
positioning the first platform adjacent to a second platform in space, in such a manner that the plate of the first platform is adjacent to a plate of the second platform;
engaging a docking mechanism provided on the first platform with a docking mechanism provided on the second platform for precisely aligning the plates of the platforms, each docking mechanism comprising a plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes provided on an edge portion of the plate, the tapered pins and tapered holes being shaped to permit rotating engagement and disengagement;
transferring the payload from the plate of the first platform to the plate of the second platform;
and
supporting and holding the payload in position on the plate of the second platform.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.