Spacecraft Mating Mechanisms Soft Hard Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spacecraft docking mechanisms lack precision and reliability, particularly in emerging zones like cislunar space and lunar orbit, where external forces can cause shearing forces and separation issues during and after mating, necessitating enhanced systems for precise alignment and resistance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a spacecraft mating system with bar assemblies and clamp assemblies that include soft capture and hard capture elements, along with cup-cone alignment mechanisms, which provide a soft capture phase for initial coupling and a hard capture phase for precise alignment and umbilical connections, while also incorporating preload features to absorb shocks and external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex pressurized docking mechanisms are used for hard docking, then human transfer capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking mechanism is divided into two distinct phases: soft capture phase using a robotic arm for initial contact and positioning, and hard capture phase using direct coupling mechanisms for final connection. This segmentation allows each phase to use simplified mechanisms appropriate to its specific function, reducing overall complexity while maintaining human transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft capture phase performs preliminary actions by using the robotic arm to establish initial contact, position the spacecraft, and prepare the docking interfaces before the hard capture phase. This preliminary positioning reduces the precision requirements for the final hard docking, simplifying the hard capture mechanism design.
2Reliability
If precision alignment mechanisms are added to resist external forces, then docking reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment and force resistance functions are merged into the hard capture mechanism itself. The direct coupling structure inherently provides both precision alignment and resistance to external forces through its rigid connection, eliminating the need for separate alignment mechanisms and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking interfaces use spherical or conical geometries that naturally guide alignment through geometric constraints. The curved surfaces provide self-alignment capabilities during the hard capture phase, reducing the need for complex active alignment mechanisms while maintaining precision and reliability.
3Measurement precision
If soft capture phase is implemented before hard capture, then docking precision is improved, but docking time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The soft capture phase performs preliminary positioning and alignment actions that prepare the spacecraft for hard capture. By completing theç²— alignment and positioning work during soft capture, the subsequent hard capture can proceed quickly with minimal adjustment, reducing the overall time penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
Once the soft capture phase has established adequate positioning, the system rapidly transitions to hard capture without prolonged dwelling in the intermediate state. The hard capture mechanism is designed to complete the final connection in a single rapid action, minimizing the time spent in the transition phase and reducing overall docking time.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are various enhancements to spacecraft or other vehicles, including spacecraft docking mechanisms and vehicle mating systems. In one example, a vehicle mating mechanism includes a latch assembly of a vehicle having soft capture elements and hard capture elements. The soft capture elements accept a bar element of a mating vehicle and retain the bar element to within an envelope that provides a soft capture with the mating vehicle. The hard capture elements move within the envelope to engage the bar element and draw the bar element toward the vehicle to provide a hard capture with the mating vehicle. The vehicle mating mechanism can also include a cup-cone interface element of the vehicle that mates with a cup-cone interface element of the mating vehicle during the hard capture to establish an alignment between the vehicle and the mating vehicle.