Device for securing a payload to a spacecraft in a releaseable manner, and method for securing and releasing a support ring.

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for securing a payload to a spacecraft in a detachable manner, and a method for securing and releasing the payload. [Solution] A device for removably securing a payload to a spacecraft comprises a support body for securing to the spacecraft and a support ring for securing to the payload, and is provided with a clamp ring for fastening the support ring to the support body.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for releasably fixing a payload to a spacecraft, the device comprising a support for fixing to the spacecraft, a support ring for fixing to the payload, and a clamping ring having a central axis for fastening the support ring to the support.

Background Art

[0002] Such devices are known from the prior art and are used to fixedly connect a payload to a spacecraft during transportation and then release the payload in space. The basic problem here is, on the one hand, the need to fixedly connect the payload to the spacecraft. On the other hand, in order to avoid unwanted wobbling etc. after the release of the payload, it is necessary to ensure that no unwanted forces are applied to the payload during the release of the payload. Finally, since the available space on the spacecraft is always limited, it is desirable for such a device to have a compact design.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to further develop such a device, to realize a fixed connection between the support and the support ring in a compact design, and to prevent unwanted forces from occurring when the support and the support ring are released.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1, in particular by moving the clamping ring along its central axis, in particular by only translational movement, from a clamping position where the support ring and the support are fastened to each other to a release position where the support ring can be released from the support.

[0005] The solution according to the present invention offers the significant advantage of being able to move the clamp ring from the fastening position to the release position while it remains in a clamped state, without the need to release the preload of the clamp ring. The force exerted by the clamp ring is perpendicular to its central axis, i.e., radially inward, and therefore these fastening forces are maintained until the clamp ring moves along its central axis from the fastening position to the release position. However, at this point, the support and the support ring are connected to each other without any play due to the action of the clamp ring. Furthermore, since the clamp ring moves only in the axial direction, no circumferential force acts on the support ring (and consequently the payload) when it is released.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the specification, drawings, and dependent claims.

[0007] According to a first advantageous embodiment, the clamp ring is operatively connected to a plurality of clamp levers attached to a support, which wedge the support ring against the support. By applying a radially inward fastening force, the clamp ring can force a force on a plurality of clamp levers, for example, spaced apart on the periphery of the support ring, so that all clamp levers can apply a fastening force between the support ring and the support. If the support surfaces of the clamp levers and / or the support ring are wedge-shaped, a play-free connection with high fastening force can be achieved.

[0008] In a more advantageous embodiment, a toggle lever can be provided between the clamping ring and each clamping lever. This allows the translational motion of the clamping ring to be converted into the rotational motion of the clamping levers. In this respect, it is also advantageous that the toggle lever reaches a dead center at the fastening position but does not exceed it. In this respect, tension can be applied to the clamping ring, for example, by tightening the separation point, and the resulting fastening force is transmitted uniformly to all the clamping levers. Since the toggle lever is at its dead center at this fastening position, it transmits the force exerted by the clamping ring to the clamping levers without buckling.

[0009] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the clamping ring is coupled to a lifting ring that is movable along the central axis, particularly one that is movable only translationally. This is because such a lifting ring transmits the lifting movement of the lifting ring to the clamping ring, allowing the clamping ring to also move translationally.

[0010] In a more advantageous embodiment, it is beneficial that the toggle lever is articulated at one end to a clamp lever and at the other end is radially floating within a lifting ring. This radial floating support of the toggle lever ensures that the radially inward fastening force of the clamping ring is uniformly transmitted to all clamp levers.

[0011] In a more advantageous embodiment, the clamping ring can be connected to the lifting ring via rollers, particularly multiple pairs of rollers. When contact between the clamping ring and the lifting ring occurs solely via rollers, friction between the clamping ring and the lifting ring is minimized. On the other hand, if the diameter of the clamping ring is reduced (even slightly), the clamping ring can move circumferentially relative to the lifting ring during fastening, and friction is also minimized in this case. When multiple pairs of rollers are provided as the contact points between the clamping ring and the lifting ring, the generation of tilt moments is further suppressed.

[0012] Furthermore, to realize the lifting motion of the lifting ring, it is advantageous that the lifting ring is movable by a control ring that is rotatable, particularly around its central axis. Such a control ring can be preloaded in a known manner and rotated by a predetermined angle by activating a release device. To convert this rotational motion into a translational lifting motion of the lifting ring, it is advantageous that the control ring is connected to the lifting ring via a pivot lever.

[0013] To move the control ring to the release position of the lifting ring and clamp ring, it is advantageous that the control ring is preloaded against the force of one or more circumferential springs in the fastened position. It is also advantageous that the lifting ring is preloaded against the force of one or more axial springs in the fastened position. When the preloaded control ring is released by activating the release device, the control ring rotates due to the preload, causing the lifting ring to translate and move together with the clamp ring. This motion can be supported by the force of at least one spring that applies preload to the lifting ring in the fastened position.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the clamp ring may have a clamp screw having two oppositely oriented threads at the separation point. This allows tension to be easily applied to the clamp ring by rotating this screw when the clamp ring is in the fastening position. Such a clamp screw constitutes a very simple, effective, and compact means for tightening the clamp ring.

[0015] In a more advantageous embodiment, the device can be configured such that the diameter of the clamp ring does not increase when transitioning from the fastened position to the released position; that is, the clamp ring does not, for example, open, blow off, or otherwise separate when the clamp is released. Rather, the clamp ring remains closed after release, and its diameter decreases by at most slightly. This also avoids undesirable effects that may occur when the payload is released.

[0016] The present invention also relates, in a further aspect, to a method for securing a support ring to a support of a spacecraft and releasing the support ring from the support, in which the types of devices described herein may, but may not, be used for this purpose. In this method, a support ring, which is normally connected to a payload, is fastened to the support of the spacecraft by a clamping ring connected to a clamping element that fastens the support ring to the support via a toggle lever. The clamping element may be a swivelable clamping lever. However, other clamping elements such as claws, locking bolts, and sliding wedges may also be used. In this method, in order to secure the support ring, the toggle lever is moved from a bent position to a dead center position with the help of the clamping ring, thereby allowing the clamping ring to transmit a fastening force to the clamping element at the dead center position via the toggle lever. The clamping ring can then be tightened at the separation point, thereby slightly reducing the diameter of the clamping ring and increasing the fastening force of the clamping element that exerts the fastening force. When the payload is to be released into space, the support ring needs to be released from the support. For this purpose, in this method, the toggle lever is moved from a dead center position to a bent position, thereby releasing the clamping element from the support ring. The bending position when releasing the support ring may be the same as the bending position before fixing the support ring, but it does not necessarily have to be the same.

[0017] A toggle lever can have two or more pivot points. This allows the toggle lever to be moved from the dead center position to the bent position by translating the clamping ring parallel to its central axis. However, other mechanisms are also possible. For example, the toggle lever can be released from the dead center position by another mechanism, without the use of the clamping ring.

[0018] The present invention will be described below, with reference to advantageous embodiments and accompanying drawings, merely as examples. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1]Perspective view of a device for releasably securing a payload to a spacecraft, with the support ring released from the support. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional perspective view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] View corresponding to FIG. 2 in the fastening position. [Figure 4] Partial perspective view excluding the clamp ring and lifting ring of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] Partial cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 1 in the release position. [Figure 6] Shows the view of FIG. 5 in the fastening position. [Figure 7] Plan view of the cross-section in the fastening position of FIG. 2.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device for releasably securing a payload (not shown) to a spacecraft (also not shown). This device includes a support 10 for fixing to the spacecraft and a support ring 12 for fixing to the payload. The support ring 12 can be released from the support via a suitable ejection mechanism and then ejected with the payload fixed.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the ejection device includes a plurality of shear levers 14 that are distributed around the support 10 and are movable to the position shown in FIG. 1 by springs 15. The support ring 12 is supported in such a way that it is disposed at the outer free ends of the arms of the shear levers, whereby the support ring 12 with the payload fixed can be lifted off from these free ends into space.

[0022] Note that the illustrated ejection mechanism is merely an example, and various mechanisms, such as using a central coil spring, can be used to ensure that the support ring is reliably separated from the support after ejection.

[0023] For transportation into space, the support ring must be firmly and play-free connected to the support 10. For this purpose, the illustrated device has a central axis A and a clamping ring 16 for fastening the support ring 12 to the support 10.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the support 10 and the support ring 12 are formed in an annular shape having a common central axis A. However, it should be understood that other ring shapes are possible in principle as long as the support ring 12 can be releasably fixed to the support 10 by the clamping ring 16, and the support 10 can also have other designs.

[0025] A clamping lever 18 is attached to the support 10 so as to fix the support ring 12 to the support 10, and the lower ends thereof are supported by shafts 20 oriented in the tangential direction (see FIGS. 2 and 3). On the other hand, at the upper ends on the opposite sides of each clamping lever 18, locking protrusions 22 extending in the radial direction are provided, and the locking protrusions 22 can pivot into corresponding locking recesses 24 of the support ring 12. A sliding support 26 for reducing friction for the support surface of the clamping lever 18 is applied or attached to the locking recess 24. Since the support surface between the locking protrusion 22 and the support ring 12 is also wedge-shaped (oriented at an angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the central axis A), when the clamping lever 22 pivots into the locking recess 24, a perpendicular fastening force in the direction of the support 10 acts on the support ring 12.

[0026] As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support ring 12 has, on its lower side, an annular flange 28 having a V-shaped cross section that fits into complementary annular grooves in the support 10, thereby ensuring that the support ring 12 fits stably onto the support 10. It should be understood that other designs such as individual pins, protrusions, recesses, etc. can also be used here to ensure that the support ring 12 fits firmly onto the support 10.

[0027] Figures 2 and 3 further illustrate that the clamp ring 16 does not directly contact the support ring 12 or the support 10 to fasten them. Rather, in the illustrated embodiment, the clamp ring 16 acts indirectly on the support ring 12, that is, on the support ring 12 via a plurality of clamp levers 18, each connected to the clamp ring 16 via toggle mechanisms 30, 32. Each toggle lever includes a pivot lever 30, one end of which is articulated to the upper end of the clamp lever 18. The other end of the pivot lever 30 is articulated to a roller receiver 32, which is also part of the toggle lever mechanism.

[0028] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing how the roller receiver 32 is connected to the clamp lever 18 via the pivot lever 30, and it can be seen that the roller receiver 32 supports two rollers 34 and 36 fixed to the roller receiver 32 via roller axes arranged parallel to the central axis. In this regard, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 7, all rollers 34 and 36 are guided only at their radially outermost portions in the U-shaped annular groove 40 (Figure 7) on the inner circumferential surface of the clamp ring 16. As a result, the clamp ring 16 can be tightened (tension applied) at the fastening position shown in Figure 3, and while the diameter of the clamp ring 16 is reduced in this process, the clamp ring 16 can slide along the rollers 34 and 36 with low friction.

[0029] To apply tension to the clamp ring 16, the clamp ring 16 is provided with, for example, a single separation point 42 (Figure 1). At this separation point 42, the clamp ring 16 is provided with a clamp screw 44, which has opposite threads at both ends and is screwed into the clamp eye of the clamp ring 16. As shown in Figure 1, a rotatably supported screw-in insert is attached to the clamp eye, so that bending force is not applied to the clamp ring 16 and the clamp screw 44 when the clamp screw 44 is tightened. By rotating the clamp screw 44, the diameter of the clamp ring 16 changes, and the clamp ring 16 can be tightened. This increases the fastening force acting on the clamp lever 18.

[0030] As a comparison of Figures 2 and 3 shows, in the illustrated embodiment, the clamp ring 16 can be moved from the fastened position (Figure 3) to the released position (Figure 2), or vice versa, solely by translational motion (motion parallel to the central axis A). When the clamp ring 16 is in the released position, levers 30 and 32 bend, and the clamp lever 18 pivots until the lock projection 22 disengages from the lock recess 24. By translating the clamp ring 16 upward from the released position, the fastened position shown in Figure 3 is obtained. In this fastened position, the toggle lever mechanisms 30 and 32 have reached their dead centers but do not exceed them, so the pivot axes of the toggle levers 30 and 32 are positioned on a straight line perpendicular to the central axis A, and the lock projection 22 of the clamp lever 18 is fixed (wedged) against the lock recess 24. In this position, by turning the clamp screw 44, a further radial force can be applied to all the clamp levers 16, increasing the fastening force acting on the support ring 12. However, even from this state, by moving the clamp ring 16 parallel to the central axis A in the direction of the support 10 (downward), the clamp ring 16 can be moved to the release position, thereby releasing the toggle levers 30 and 32 from their dead center positions and bending open.

[0031] To move the clamp ring 16 in a direction parallel to the central axis A, the clamp ring 16 is connected to a lifting ring 46 that is similarly capable of translational movement only, and the outer diameter of the lifting ring 46 is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the clamp ring 16. In the lifting ring 46, the roller receiver 32 is mounted to float radially, thereby allowing the roller receiver 32 to move freely in the radial direction. In this respect, contact between the clamp ring 16 and the lifting ring 46 occurs only within the annular groove 40 of the clamp ring 16, via the sides of the rollers 34 and 36 positioned therein.

[0032] A control ring 48, positioned below the lifting ring 46, is provided for the translational movement of the lifting ring 46. The control ring 48 is rotatably supported on the support 10 about a central axis A, and with the help of a spring 50, it can rotate by a predetermined angle to move the lifting ring 46 from a locked position (Figures 3 and 6) to a released position (Figures 2 and 5). To convert the rotational motion of the control ring 48 into the lifting motion of the lifting ring 46, the two rings are connected to each other via a pivot lever 52, which is articulated at one end to the control ring 48 and at the other end to the lifting ring 46. In the released position, the pivot lever 52 is positioned at a small acute angle with respect to the control ring 48, so that as the control ring 48 moves relative to the lifting ring 46, the pivot lever 52 pivots due to the rotational motion of the control ring 48.

[0033] In the fastening position shown in Figure 6, the pivot lever 52 is positioned perpendicular to the control ring 48 and the lifting ring 46, so that the lifting ring 46, and consequently the clamp ring 16, are fixed in this position. In this position, the spring 50 is tensioned, and the control ring 48 is held in this tensioned position by the release device 54 (Figure 1) which locks the control ring 48 in this position. This lock is released by an electrical release signal, causing the control ring 48 to rotate circumferentially around the central axis A by the spring 50, and as a result, the pivot lever 52 moves from the position shown in Figure 6 to the released position shown in Figure 5. In this regard, the lifting ring 46, which cannot rotate around the central axis A, descends, the toggle levers 30 and 32 are released from their dead center positions (Figure 3), and all the clamp levers 18 release the support ring 12.

[0034] To apply an additional force to the lifting ring 46 during its movement from the locked position to the released position, the lifting ring 46 is guided along its circumference by a guide pin 56 surrounded by coil springs 58. In this regard, tension is applied to the coil springs 58 during the transition from the released position to the locked position, so that the lifting ring 46 is pre-pressed into the locked position by the force of the springs 58. After the control ring 48 is released, the springs exert a further force on the lifting ring 46 parallel to the central axis A, moving the lifting ring 46 from the locked position to the released position.

[0035] As can be seen from the above description, the clamp ring 16 surrounds the outer circumference of the support ring 12, i.e., its outside. In this case, the diameter of the clamp ring 16 does not change with the change between the fastened position and the released position. Therefore, it is not necessary to open or widen the clamp ring 16 to release the support ring 12. Furthermore, the fastening force exerted by the clamp ring 16 (on the clamp lever 18) is directed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the clamp ring 16 when the clamp ring 16 is moved to the fastened position. Therefore, while the clamp ring 16 moves parallel to the central axis A, i.e., axially, when transitioning to the fastened position, the fastening force exerted by the clamp ring is directed radially in the direction of the central axis A.

Claims

1. A device (10) for securing a payload to a spacecraft in a releaseable manner, wherein the device (10) - A support (10) for fixing to the spacecraft, - A support ring (12) for fixing to the payload, - A clamp ring (16) having a central axis (A) for fastening the support ring (12) to the support body (10), Equipped with, The apparatus wherein the clamp ring (16) is movable from a fastening position in which the support ring (12) and the support body (10) are fastened together to a release position in which the support ring (12) can be released from the support body (10) by translational movement, particularly along the central axis (A).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamp ring (16) is attached to the support body (10) and is operably connected to a plurality of clamp levers (18) that fix the support ring (12) so as to press against the support body (10).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that toggle levers (30, 32) are provided between the clamp ring (16) and the clamp lever (18).

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the toggle levers (30, 32) reach their dead center at the fastening position and do not exceed the dead center.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clamping ring (16) is connected to a lifting ring (46) that is movable along the central axis (A), and in particular, is only capable of translational movement.

6. The apparatus according to claims 2 and 5, characterized in that one end of the toggle lever (30, 32) is articulated to the clamp lever (18), and the other end is supported so as to float radially within the lifting ring (46).

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the clamping ring (16) is connected to the lifting ring (46) via rollers (34, 36), particularly via a plurality of pairs of rollers.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the lifting ring (46) is movable by a control ring (48) that is rotatable particularly about the central axis (A).

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the control ring (48) is connected to the lifting ring (46) via a pivot lever (52).

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, at the fastening position, the control ring (48) is pre-pressurized against the circumferential force of at least one spring (50).

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that, at the fastening position, the lifting ring (46) is pre-pressurized against the axial force of at least one spring.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the clamp ring (16) has a clamp screw (44) with two oppositely oriented threads at its separation point (42).

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the diameter of the clamp ring (16) does not increase when transitioning from the fastening position to the release position.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the fastening force exerted by the clamping ring (16) is directed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the clamping ring (16).

15. A method for fixing a support ring (12) to a support (10) of a spacecraft and releasing the support ring (12) from the support (10) of the spacecraft, wherein the support ring (12) is fastened to the support (10) by a clamp ring (16), and the clamp ring (16) is connected via toggle levers (30, 32) to a clamp element (18) that fastens the support ring (12) to the support (10), In order to fix the support ring (12), - The toggle levers (30, 32) are moved from the bending position to the dead center position by the clamping ring (12), and then, - The clamp ring (12) is tightened at its separation point (42), In order to release the support ring (12) from the support body (10), - Move the toggle levers (30, 32) from the dead center position to the bending position, thereby releasing the clamp element (18) from the support ring (12). A method for fixing and releasing a support ring, which includes the ability to do so.

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