RU2556869C2 - Device for transportation and routing of cables on outer surface of space object by astronaut wearing space suit and operating method of device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to space equipment, namely to devices and methods of performance of technological operations under conditions of open space by an astronaut wearing a space suit, namely to equipment for the transportation and routing of cables on the outer surface of space objects, for example an orbital station. The device includes a load-carrying element for the arrangement of cables, which is made in the form of a blanket from an elastic material, on one side of which there longitudinally fixed are the cables; on the opposite side of the blanket there installed are soft handles and a mechanism for the fixation of the device on the object surface; when in the state of transportation, the blanket is folded from ends to its middle in the form of spiral rolls; with that, by means of easily detachable connectors the spiral turns in the spiral rolls are attached to each other in series, and the spiral rolls, when in the state of transportation, are attached to each other into a unit. An operating method of the device consists in the fact that the rolls are unfolded to different sides through the full length of the blanket.

EFFECT: invention provides the high level of safety and ergonomics, stable position of the cables on the surface of the object under gravity free conditions.

2 cl, 6 dwg

Description

The invention relates to space technology, in particular to means and methods for performing technological operations in open space by an astronaut in a spacesuit, namely, equipment for transporting and laying cables on the outer surface of space objects, for example, an orbital station.

The trend towards an increase in the overall dimensions, structure and operating life of orbital stations has been steadily maintained in the world cosmonautics. The assembly of multimodular orbital stations is carried out in assembly orbits. There are problems of ensuring intermodular communications. Some of them are carried out by means of electrical connectors located in the plane of the connecting frames. The other part is done by laying cables between the modules inside the compartments. But this is an extremely undesirable approach, since it makes it difficult to close the hatches between the modules in case of emergency depressurization. Therefore, intermodular communications are carried out mainly by laying cables on the outer surface of the station modules by the crew.

The effect of weightlessness affects not only the state of the human body, but also on the implementation of technological operations, which require a clear fixation of all objects [1]. Especially unpredictable are cables that are characterized by internal stiffness or springing, suppressed by gravity under ground conditions, and in weightlessness causing rings, spirals, twisting, etc., which not only complicates their laying, but sometimes makes it impossible for an astronaut in a spacesuit . This is especially true when laying cable groups, that is, more than two. At the same time, it is impossible to assemble a group of cables into one bundle, since the bundle becomes stiff, preventing the formation of necessary bends during installation.

The labor activity of astronauts outside the pressure compartments puts forward specific requirements for the equipment, tools and infrastructure of space objects. In relation to technological operations carried out in outer space, the following set of technical and ergonomic requirements is presented:

- compliance with the functional capabilities of the astronaut in a spacesuit;

- mandatory fixation of objects of labor in zero gravity;

- minimization of energy consumption of astronauts;

- minimization of operational time costs;

- minimization of the mass and overall dimensions of the equipment;

- ensuring safety when the equipment contacts the spacesuit and structures on the outer surface of the space object;

- the exclusion of technological waste - space debris.

A device for transporting a cable, containing a frame on which a hollow drum with a cable [2]. The disadvantages of this device are: its inability for use by an astronaut in a spacesuit in zero gravity; lack of means of fixing the frame on the surface of the object; inability to minimize overall dimensions; cable insecurity from damage during transportation; in the process of laying the cable is folded into rings, maintaining the shape of the drum.

Close to the target and technical function is the known device for transporting a cable, in which a coil in the form of a cylinder with two end disks with a cable wound around the cylinder is used as a bearing element, while the coil is mounted on a frame that is made of rods forming a closed loop covering the coil. When unwinding the cable, it is necessary to move the frame with the coil on the surface of the space object (prototype of the device and method [3]).

The disadvantages of the prototype are as follows. In the process of moving the frame, damage to elements of external equipment is possible. After unwinding the cable, it is necessary to return it to the pressurized compartment, but there is a possibility of its loss, that is, clogging of outer space. In the process of laying the cable is folded into rings, repeating the shape of the coil, which complicates the work of the astronaut. When laying two or more cables, the same number of coils with frames will be required, which is unacceptable for delivery from Earth and operation in outer space. Unwinding the cable from the reel takes a relatively long time in the process of extra-ship activity, which increases the time the astronaut stays overboard and increases the level of risk.

The objective of the invention is to ensure safety, ergonomic operation of the device, minimize time, energy costs of the astronaut and eliminate technological waste during transportation and laying of two or more cables simultaneously on the outer surface of space objects by an astronaut in a spacesuit.

The problem is solved in that the supporting element for placing the cables is made in the form of a panel of elastic material, on one side of which the cables are longitudinally fixed, soft handles are installed on the opposite side of the panel and means for fixing the device on the surface of the object, the panel is folded from its ends to the transport in the middle in the form of spiral scrolls, while by means of easily removable connectors, the turns of the spiral in the scrolls are fastened together in series, and the spiral scrolls are fastened together block.

The method of operation of the device is that the device in the transport state in the form of a block of spiral scrolls is fixed on the surface of the object in the middle of the planned cable route, the astronauts by the hand, rolling the cloth from elastic material in different directions, destroy the easily removable connectors and turn the spiral scrolls in different directions for the full length of the cloth.

Figure 1 shows the panel in the expanded state when viewed from the installation side of the cables.

Figure 2 shows the cloth in a folded state in the form of two spiral scrolls connected in a single unit.

Figure 3 shows an example of fastening cables to the panel using one-piece connectors.

Figure 4 shows the order of fastening of the adjacent turns of the spiral to each other by means of easily removable connectors.

Figure 5 shows the panel in the expanded state when viewed from the installation side of the handles.

Figure 6 shows the installation of the handle.

In the figures:

1 - cloth;

2 - cables;

3 - one-piece connector;

4 - pen;

5 - means for fixing the device on the surface of the object;

6 - spiral scroll;

7 - easily detachable connectors;

8 - spiral coil.

A device for transporting and laying cables on the outer surface of space objects contains a panel 1 made of an elastic material, for example, an arimide fabric. 56420 TU 17-04-003-20-963-32-00, on which cables 2 are longitudinally fixed, for example, by means of one-piece connectors 3 in the form of ring stitches of polyamide threads TU 8.147-016-05 / 38074-01, on the opposite side panels 1 mounted handles 4 of the material of the panel and means for fixing the device on the surface of the object 5; the cloth 1 is folded from the ends (along the arrows G) into spiral scrolls 6 to the middle of the cloth; the turns of the spiral 8 in the spiral scroll 6 are fastened to each other sequentially with easy-disconnect connectors 7, for example, from cotton thread Extra 30, GOST 6309-87; spiral scrolls 6 are fastened to each other in a block by easily removable connectors 7, for example, from cotton thread Extra 30, GOST 6309-87.

The method of operation of the device consists in the fact that the device in the transport state in the form of a block of spiral scrolls 6 is fixed on the surface of the object in the middle of the planned route by means of fixing the device on the surface of the object 5, the astronauts by the handles 4, rolling the banner in different directions, destroy (breaking , for example, threads) are easily detachable connectors 7 and unfold spiral scrolls 6 in different directions (along arrows E) over the full length of the cloth 1 with cables 2.

This invention provides the following advantages:

- stabilization of the location of the cables on the outer surface of the space object, which is achieved by fixing the panel to which the cables are attached;

- minimized the mass and overall dimensions of the device due to the lack of a metal frame and coil as load-bearing elements for cables;

- minimized the time spent on the use of the device, since the device is deployed by astronauts simultaneously in both directions; as a result, the energy expenditures of the astronauts and their time in outer space are minimized, which reduces the risk levels for the astronaut’s life;

- the safety of the suit and objects of external equipment in contact with the device is ensured by the absence of a metal structure, sharp corners, edges, while the cables during transportation and laying are protected from damage during transportation and laying with a sheet of elastic material;

- there is no technological waste, since all the components of the device are used for their direct technological purpose - for transportation of cable laying.

Literature

1. O.S. Gypsies. Labor activity in unsupported space. “Flight”, No. 3, 2012, p. 3-12.

2. Patent RU No. 2077101, IPC7: H02G 11/02.

3. Patent RU No. 2296405, IPC7: H02G 11/02.

Claims (2)

1. A device for transporting and laying cables on the outer surface of a space object by an astronaut in a spacesuit containing a carrier for cable placement, characterized in that the carrier is made in the form of a panel of elastic material, on one side of which the cables are longitudinally fixed, on the opposite side of the panel soft handles and means of fixing the device on the surface of the object are installed, the panel in the transport state is folded from the ends to its middle in the form of spiral scrolls, while by means of easily removable connectors, the coils of the spiral in spiral scrolls are fastened together in series, and the spiral scrolls in a transport state are fastened together in a block. 2. A method of operating a device for transporting and laying cables on the outer surface of a space object, characterized in that the device in a transport state in the form of a spiral scroll block is fixed on the surface of the object in the middle of the planned cable route, the astronauts by the handles, rolling the elastic fabric in different directions material, destroy easily detachable connectors and deploy scrolls in different directions to the full length of the panel.

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