Spacecraft Fluid Coupling Assembly With Torque-Locked Valve Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacecraft valves designed for pre-launch filling and draining pose challenges in making fluid connections in space, risking accidental fluid release into space, which can contaminate instruments and alter thermal properties.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assembly with a drive mechanism, actuating member, and lock system that ensures the valve is not opened until a proper fluid connection is made, using a torque-based mechanism to securely attach and then open the valve, preventing accidental fluid leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a valve is designed for pre-launch filling and draining, then the valve structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it is difficult to make a fluid connection with the valve and perform the movement necessary to open the valve once in space, risking accidental fluid release
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is divided into separate components: a connector that attaches to the valve and an actuating member that opens the valve. This segmentation allows the valve to remain simple for manufacturing while the connector provides the necessary connection interface for space operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary between the simple valve structure and the complex space operation requirements. It provides the threading interface for secure attachment and the actuating interface for controlled valve opening, bridging the gap between manufacturing simplicity and operational complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the valve is opened before a proper fluid connection is made, then the valve can be opened easily, but fluid is released into space causing contamination and thermal property alterations
Solution Approach 1:
The connector must be fully attached to the valve before the valve can be opened. The threading mechanism ensures that connection establishment precedes valve actuation, preventing fluid release into space by requiring the proper fluid connection to be made first.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector structure prevents premature valve opening by physically blocking the actuating member from moving until the connector is properly threaded onto the valve. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the potential harmful effect of accidental fluid release.
3Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to prevent valve opening before connection, then fluid release is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the connector structure itself. The actuating member is integrated into the connector such that its movement is mechanically constrained by the connection state, eliminating the need for a separate lock mechanism while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector serves multiple functions: it provides the fluid connection interface, the locking mechanism, and the actuating interface. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining what would otherwise be separate components into a single integrated assembly.
4Reliability
If a torque-based mechanism is used to securely attach the connector, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the device complexity increases compared to simple attachment methods
Solution Approach 1:
The threading mechanism is self-service in that it automatically provides both secure attachment and locking functionality through the natural mechanics of screw threads. The torque applied during connection inherently creates the secure attachment and engages the locking feature without requiring additional active components or control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures safe and controlled fluid transfer by preventing valve opening until a secure connection is established, minimizing contamination and thermal alterations.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling member configured to couple to the drive mechanism such that the drive mechanism is operable to exert a torque on the coupling member to rotate the coupling member
Implementation Method 2
a second connector configured to screw on to the valve until the stop portion engages the valve
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a coupling assembly for fluidly connecting first and second spacecraft. The first spacecraft comprises a drive mechanism and the second spacecraft comprising a valve for filling and/or draining the second spacecraft. The coupling assembly comprises first and second connectors and a lock. The first connector comprises an actuating member configured to engage and open the valve and a coupling member configured to couple to the drive mechanism such that the drive mechanism is operable to exert a torque on the coupling member to rotate the coupling member. The second connector comprises a stop portion and a bore for transferring fluid, the second connector configured to screw on to the valve until the stop portion engages the valve. In use, the lock is initially in a locked state wherein the coupling member is rotationally fixed relative to the second connector such that operation of the drive mechanism rotates the coupling member and the second connector together such that the second connector is screwed on to the valve until the stop portion engages the valve, the actuating member being prevented from moving relative to the second connector to engage and open the valve whilst the lock is in the locked state. The lock is configured such that, once the stop portion engages the valve, operation of the drive mechanism to exert a torque on the coupling member that is greater than a predetermined torque level moves the lock to an unlocked state wherein the actuating member is moveable relative to the second connector to engage and open the valve. The present disclosure also relates to a kit of parts for a coupling and to a method of fluidly connecting first and second spacecraft using a coupling.