DEVICE FOR ROTATION UNDER CONDITION OF MICRO-GRAVITATION (VERSIONS) Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: spacecraft equipment; control of rotation parameters of rotator with experimental objects and measurement of mass of these objects.

SUBSTANCE: proposed device has body with grooves (10a, 10b) and rotating shaft (30) whose both ends are fitted in bearings (11, 12) of grooves (10a, 10b). Lower end of shaft (30) is connected with engine (13). Four arms (24-27) are mounted horizontally and are secured on shaft (30) at one end; experimental boxes (20-23) are fitted on other ends. Objects of constant or increasing weight, such as plants or animals and human being are placed in boxes (20-23) where artificial micro-gravitation is formed by rotation for conducting experiments or work in space. Vibration of shaft (30) and boxes (20-23) is absorbed by bearings (11,12). Provision may be also made for special-purpose vibration generator. Side plates (1a-1d), acceleration sensors (2a-2d) and sensors (3a-3d) showing the distance between objects and plates are mounted in boxes (20-23). Mass of object is determined by means of computer unit on basis of signals received from sensors (2,3) at collision of object with side plate. These and similar signals from additional sensors are used for control of said vibration generator and motion of counter-weights (not shown) for elimination of unbalance of rotator and suppression of vibrations.

EFFECT: enhanced efficiency; simplified procedure.

42 cl, 64 dwg