RU2457985C1 - Device for docking and undocking of space rockets - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: proposed device relates to aerospace engineering. Proposed device comprises circular band accommodating several cramps sliding thereon to interact with appropriate surfaces of end face frames of compartments to be docked. Ends of said band are tightened by coupling consisting of tie element. Ends of con-rods are pivoted to tie element ends, every said tie-rod having its other end pivoted to circular band appropriate end and that of fixture assembly retaining tie element in closed position of the device. Aforesaid coupling additionally comprises second tie element. Ends of con-rods are pivoted to tie element ends, every said tie-rod having its other end pivoted to circular band appropriate end. Both tie elements feature equal weight and are arranged in one plane. Fixture assembly of coupling is arranged on tie rods to couple them in closed position.

EFFECT: higher reliability.

3 cl, 13 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of rocket and space technology and is intended primarily to ensure the docking and undocking of space objects with their launching stages of rockets, and among themselves. It is also possible to use this device for docking and undocking rocket stages.

Docking and separation systems are currently quite common, in which pyro-bolts, pyro locks (see US Pat. US 5402728, US 6925939, US 6929486, RF 213448, etc.) and pyrocords (see US Pat. US 5535502, US 5585596, US 5969278 and others).

Such docking and separation systems are well combined with the designs of traditional power compartments, as they allow you to transfer loads from one compartment to another discretely through the installation points of these elements and at the same time provide a sufficiently high reliability of separation of rocket and space objects.

However, the presence of a large number of pyrotechnic elements in the composition of such docking and separation systems is the reason for such a serious drawback as the high level of shock and vibration overloads that occur when they are triggered. These overloads negatively affect the adjacent structural elements, as well as devices and assemblies located on board space rocket objects.

The direction, which allows to drastically reduce the level of shock and vibration overloads on rocket and space objects, is the use for this purpose of tie-down tape systems for docking and undocking.

Among the tape docking and separation systems, the most famous at present is the Marman Clamp Band system, developed by Saab Ericsson Space AB. The components of this system of docking and undocking, as well as variants of its execution are presented in patents US 2002/0088903, US 2003/0198512, WO 01/02248, WO 01/85542, WO 03/033349 and others.

Patent tape docking systems are also known [1].

These systems, especially the Marman Clamp Band system, are quite widely used in launching primarily telecommunication satellites.

The systems for docking and undocking rocket and space objects of a ribbon type usually include two V-shaped end frames on the joined objects, several brackets that tighten the frames and are kept in contact with them by a flexible coupling tape, which in turn is held in a tightened state by means of special castles.

The main advantage of tape systems for docking and undocking is their high reliability, which is ensured by limiting the number of pyroelements, for example, pyro locks used to trigger them. A decrease in the number of pyroelements used simultaneously reduces the level of shock and vibration overloads affecting space-rocket objects when such a docking and separation system is triggered.

In addition, tape docking and undocking systems provide a good constructive combination with modern hull structures such as, for example, three-layer compartments, winding compartments, as well as other composite structures. The transfer of power loads in such compartments through their docking frames is carried out in a distributed form, which provides them with high weight perfection.

The disadvantages inherent in tape systems of docking and undocking include:

- the presence in the composition of such systems sufficiently “powerful” end frames of the connected objects; this is due to the fact that the size of the area and the weight of the frames are determined in this case by the requirement to ensure guaranteed compaction of the compartments through the brackets due to the application of radially directed forces to them, which requires increased radial stiffness of the above frames; the corresponding parameters of the end frames of conventional compartments, determined on the basis of the requirements for ensuring their bearing capacity, are, as a rule, smaller;

- the occurrence of unwanted shock loads on the structure in the objects being joined, which are the result of a sharp release of the end frames deformed during the joining process when the tape docking and undocking systems are triggered;

- the need to introduce into such a system the docking and undocking of catchers and other additional elements to keep scattered tapes, staples and other components of the system that are released after its operation.

Also known is a tape docking and undocking system protected by a patent [2], this system was developed by EADS CASA ESPASI, SL (MADRID) and is taken in this case as a prototype.

This device for docking and undocking rocket and space objects contains a U-shaped tape, in the inner groove of which several brackets are placed with the possibility of slipping, tightening the frames, which are the interfaces between the two objects, a connecting and dividing lock with a fixing unit that holds the ends of the tape, while each of the staples located in the inner groove of the tape interacts with it by means of one or more adjusting elements made in the form of screws combined with nuts located in the through radial holes of the tape wall, at the same time, the connecting and dividing lock consists of a clamping element of mass M and two connecting rods, each of which is pivotally connected at one end to the support and the other to the corresponding end of the tape, and the fixing unit, when the system is in the closed position docking and undocking, fixes and holds the coupling element in the radial direction.

This embodiment is taken as a prototype of a device for docking and undocking rocket and space objects allows you to:

- facilitate the docking of objects due to the fact that the degree and uniformity of the clamping of brackets to the frames can be regulated not only by tensioning the tape, as is the case in the docking and undocking system of rocket-space objects of the “Marman” type, but also by adjusting the clamping of the brackets through the radial adjusting elements provided for each bracket;

- reduce the level of shock loads that occur when the device for docking and undocking is triggered by the introduction of a lever or similar system that implements a controlled opening of the joint in two stages after the operation of the fixing unit, which attracts the coupling element of the lock in the closed position to one of the frames.

However, taken for the prototype device docking and undocking according to the patent [2] has, according to the authors, and some significant disadvantages:

- firstly, this is the presence of a mechanical connection between the coupling element of the connecting and dividing lock and the frame of one of the abutting compartments; this connection occurs due to the fixation unit, which, when the docking and undocking system is closed, must keep the coupling element of the connecting-separation lock pulled to this frame; as a result, the mutual movements of the frame and the annular tape arising during the operation of rocket and space objects from the influence of thermal or mechanical factors on the structure can lead to movements of the said coupling element, including relative to the annular tape; the consequence of this may be a change in the degree of tension of the annular tape with respect to its initial state and the non-calculated nature of the separation of objects;

- secondly, this is the radial nature of the movements of the coupling element of the connecting-dividing lock after its release; as a result, after releasing the clamping element, under the action of the tension force of the annular tape, it initially moves outward relative to the latter, when it reaches its maximum distance from the annular tape, the clamping element is instantly inhibited and, under the action of the annular tape that continues to contract, begins to move in the opposite direction - to the annular tape, final braking occurs after the ring tape reaches its maximum contraction; at the moments of its braking, the coupling element inevitably acts on the adjacent part of the annular tape, moving it in the direction corresponding to the direction of its movement before braking; as a result, some of the V-brackets associated with the annular ribbon can begin to move together with the annular ribbon in the direction of the frames of the divided compartments until they collide with them; such a collision is fraught with interruption of the process of separation of compartments and the message of additional disturbances to the detachable object.

The objective of the present invention is to remedy these disadvantages of the above device for docking and undocking, namely:

- elimination of the mechanical connection between the coupling element of the lock and the frame of one of the shared compartments when the docking and undocking system is closed and the possible effects on the coupling element of the lock during operation of the product are closed;

- elimination of possible non-calculated movements of the annular tape and the brackets connected with it during the opening of the device for docking and undocking from the radially moving coupling element of the connecting and dividing device lock.

The technical result of this invention is a device for docking and undocking rocket and space objects - is:

- firstly, the complete elimination of the mechanical connection between the coupling element of the connecting and dividing lock and any of the frames of the separated compartments when the docking and undocking system of the inventive device is closed;

- secondly, the complete exclusion of the possibility of moving and re-tensioning the annular tape in the process of opening the device for docking and undocking the rocket and space objects under the action of a radially moving coupling element.

This technical result is achieved by the fact that in the device for docking and undocking rocket and space objects, which includes an annular ribbon on which several brackets are placed with the possibility of slipping, interacting with the corresponding surfaces of the end frames of the abutting compartments, while the ends of the annular ribbon are pulled together in a docked position by means of a connecting and separating lock consisting of a coupling element, to the ends of which the ends of the connecting rods are pivotally connected, each of which is at the other end, it is pivotally connected to the corresponding end of the annular tape, and the fixation unit holding the coupling element in the closed position of the device, a second coupling element is additionally introduced into the connecting and separating lock of the device, to the ends of which the ends of the connecting rods are also articulated, each of which simultaneously its other end is pivotally connected to the corresponding end of the annular tape, while both coupling elements and their connecting rods have respectively the same weight and position They are located in the same plane, in addition, the fixing unit of the connecting-dividing lock is placed on the coupling elements and, when the device is in the closed position, connects them together. In this case, the fixing unit, which is part of the connecting-dividing lock, includes eyelets with holes made on each of the coupling elements, and a latch with a movable rod, while in the closed position of the device, the eyes overlap each other, and their holes form a channel, in which there is a movable locking rod connecting the coupling elements to each other. Or the fixation unit, which is part of the connecting and dividing lock, includes eyelets with holes made on each of the coupling elements, an earring with holes at its ends and two clamps with movable rods, while in the closed position of the device, the eyes overlap the ends of the earrings, and the holes of the eyes form channels with the corresponding holes of the earring, in which the movable rods of the clamps are located, connecting the coupling elements to each other.

The invention is illustrated by drawings, while:

- figure 1 presents a General view of the inventive device for docking and undocking rocket and space objects in the docked position, that is, when the connected position of the coupling elements, as well as the supporting frames of the objects being joined together;

- figure 2 shows a view of the inventive device in section AA in the docked position, that is, when the tensioned position of the supporting frames of the joined objects;

- figure 3 shows the connecting and dividing lock of the inventive device in the closed position on the remote element B;

- figure 4 shows a variant of the connecting and dividing lock with one lock in the closed position in the form In;

- figure 5 shows a variant of the connecting and dividing lock with one lock in the open intermediate position in the form In;

- figure 6 shows a variant of the connecting and dividing lock with one lock in a fully open position in the form In;

- Fig.7 shows the fixation unit of the inventive device in the closed position in the section GG;

- Fig.8 shows the fixation unit of the claimed device in the open position in the section DD;

- figure 9 shows a variant of the connecting and dividing lock with two latches in the closed position in the form In;

- figure 10 shows a variant of the connecting and dividing lock with two latches in the open intermediate position with a single trigger lock in the form In;

- figure 11 shows a variant of the connecting and dividing lock with two latches in the open position with another triggered lock in the form In;

- Fig. 12 is a variant of a connecting and separating lock with two latches in an open intermediate position with both latches activated in view B;

- Fig.13 is a variant of the connecting and dividing lock with two latches with both triggered in the open position in the form of B.

The inventive device for docking and undocking rocket and space objects interacts with the end frames 1 and 2 of the joined objects 3 and 4 and includes an annular ribbon 5 on which several V-shaped brackets are placed 6. These brackets 6 are pressed against the frames 1 when pulling together the annular ribbon 5 and 2 and through the surfaces 7 of these brackets hold the objects 3 and 4 in the docked position. The pulling together of the annular tape 5 and the subsequent release of its ends 8 provide a connecting and dividing lock 9. This connecting and dividing lock 9 includes two coupling elements 10 and 11, which are also pivotally connected to the ends 8 of the annular tape through the connecting rods 12 pivotally connected to their ends. 5 in such a way that the coupling elements 10, 11 have the ability to move in the same plane, but in opposite directions. In this case, both the coupling elements 10, 11 and their connecting rods 12 have respectively equal weight. To keep the annular tape 5 in the pulled position, the junction lock 9 must be in the closed position (FIGS. 4, 9), and the ends of the connecting rods 12 that are not connected with the coupling elements 10 and 11 are turned towards their middle and located along them. At the same time, the coupling elements 10 and 11 are maximally close to each other and interlocked by means of a fixing unit, which, in addition to the latch 13 containing the movable rod 14 and pyroelements 15, also includes additional elements made on the coupling elements 10 and 11, for example, facing each other and the eyes 16, 17 mutually overlapping when the device is in the closed position. In this case, any of the eyes can be made, for example, with a slot into which the other eye enters so that the holes in the eyes form a channel 18. P In this case, the latch 13 is installed on the eye with a slot, and its extended movable rod 14 is located in the channel 18, providing a connection of the coupling elements 10 and 11 of the connecting and dividing lock 9.

The operation of the device for docking and undocking rocket and space objects and the separation of the latter are carried out as follows. An electrical signal is supplied to the pyroelements 15 included in the latch 13, the movable rod 14 of the latch 13, under the action of the combustion products generated when the pyroelements 15 are activated, moves in the channel 18 formed by the eyes 16 and 17, freeing the eye of the eye 16. As a result, the coupling elements 10 and 11 are disconnected and under the action of the tension force of the annular tape 5, transmitted to them through the connecting rods 12, begin to diverge in opposite directions, while freeing the ends 8 of the annular tape. After reaching the maximum distance from each other, the coupling elements 10 and 11 under the influence of the same tension force of the annular tape 5 change the direction of their movement in the opposite direction and begin to move towards each other. At the same time, the ends 8 of the annular tape continue to diverge, increasing the length and diameter of the annular tape 5 together with the coupling elements 10 and 11 connected to it to a design value that ensures the undocking of the end frames 1 and 2 of the joined objects 3 and 4. When expanding the annular tape 5, V-shaped the brackets 6 along with it move away from the surfaces 7 of the end frames 1 and 2 of the joined objects 3 and 4, which as a result are disconnected and can disperse under the action, for example, of pushers specially provided for this.

Thus, in the process of its movement during the opening of the annular tape 5, the coupling elements 10 and 11 are twice accelerated to significant speeds and are twice braked to a complete stop relative to the annular tape 5. However, the forces arising from this do not exert any disturbing effect on the annular tape 5 itself , including in the radial direction - the direction of its expansion. This is due to the fact that the aforementioned forces are balanced due to the fact that two coupling elements 10, 11 are now included in the connecting-separating lock 9, these elements have equal mass and move in the same plane in opposite directions to each other. This embodiment of the connecting and separating lock 9 of the inventive device eliminates possible radial movements and tension of the annular tape 5 in the process of opening it from the action of the coupling elements 10, 11 of the connecting and separating lock. At the same time, this makes redundant mechanical fastening of the coupling elements 10, 11 to one of the frames of the separated compartments for holding the annular tape 5 in the tensioned position when the device is in the docked position, since it is enough to connect the coupling elements 10 and 11 with each other using the lock 13.

To increase the reliability of the device in question, one more latch 19 can be added to the connection-separation lock 9. In this case (Figs. 8, 10 ... 13), the eyes 16, 17 of both coupling elements 10 and 11 included in the fixation unit are made shorter, in Slots can be made of them, and the latches 13, 19 are mounted on the respective side surfaces of both of the aforementioned eyes. To connect the coupling elements 10 and 11 with each other, an earring 20 with holes is additionally introduced into the composition of the connecting and separating lock 9. In the closed position of the connecting and separating lock 9, the earring 20 overlaps and is inserted into the slots of the eyes 16, 17 of both coupling elements 10 and 11 and is held in this position by the sliding rods 14 of the clamps, which enter the channels 18 formed by the holes of the eyes 16, 17 and the earrings 20. Thus, when at least one of the latches 13, 19 is activated, the corresponding end of the earring 20 is released and the connecting-dividing lock 9 opens in the described manner. To prevent collision of the eyes 16 and 17 of the coupling elements with the earring 20, an elastic element 21 is introduced into the composition of this variant of the connecting and dividing lock, which ensures the removal of the earring from the movement zone of the above-mentioned eyes 16, 17 both in the case of the operation of one or both of the latches 13 , 19.

The triggering procedure for the device for docking and undocking rocket and space objects equipped with one or two latches 13, 19 practically coincides, however, in the variant with two latches, the reliability of the triggering of the device increases, since in the presence of a doubled number of latches, the device opens even when triggered one of them.

As a result of this embodiment of the connecting and dividing lock of the inventive device for docking and undocking rocket and space objects:

- there is no need for radial mechanical fastening of its clamping element to any of the frames of the separated compartments to hold the annular tape in a taut position when the device is in the docked position, it is enough to connect the clamping elements to each other using a fixation unit;

- the influence of the locking element of the lock on the annular tape disappears after it is opened, since after the release of the lock, the released locking elements of the lock under the action of the tension of the annular tape begin to move first in the direction from each other, and then towards each other, resulting in inertial forces mutually balanced, which eliminates the possibility of their impact on the annular tape.

Literature

1. Patent ES 2131476, cl. B64G 1/64, F42B 15/36.

2. Patent EP 1944237 A1, cl. B64G 1/64, F16L 23/06.

Claims (3)

1. A device for docking and undocking rocket and space objects, including an annular tape on which several brackets are placed with the possibility of slipping, interacting with the corresponding surfaces of the end frames of the mating compartments, while the ends of the annular tape are pulled together in a docked position by means of a connecting and dividing lock consisting of a clamping element, to the ends of which the ends of the connecting rods are pivotally connected, each of which is pivotally connected with its other end to the corresponding end of the annular tape, and the fixing unit holding the coupling element in the closed position of the device, characterized in that the second coupling element is additionally introduced into the connecting and separating lock of the device, the ends of the connecting rods are also pivotally connected to the ends, each of which simultaneously has its other end pivotally connected to the corresponding end of the annular tape, while both coupling elements and their connecting rods have the same mass and are located in the same plane, except Moreover, the fixing unit of the connecting-dividing lock is placed on the coupling elements and, when the device is in the closed position, connects them together. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing unit, which is part of the connecting-dividing lock, includes eyelets with holes made on each of the coupling elements and a latch with a movable rod, while in the closed position of the device, the eyes overlap each other, and their holes form a channel in which there is a movable clamp rod connecting the coupling elements to each other. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing unit, which is part of the connecting and dividing lock, includes eyelets with holes made on each of the coupling elements, an earring with holes at its ends and two clamps with movable rods, while in the closed position of the device, the eyes overlap the ends of the earrings, and the holes of the eyes form channels with the corresponding holes of the earring, in which the movable rods of the clamps connecting the coupling elements are located.

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