UNIT FOR COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS IN SEPARABLE COMPARTMENTS OF SPACECRAFT Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: devices for coupling and uncoupling spacecraft modules.

SUBSTANCE: proposed unit includes first and second parts of connector and plate. First part is secured on first compartment and second part is secured on second compartment. Plate is mounted on second compartment by means of rods; it has hole and may move in plane passing through axis of coupling of first compartment. Rods are spring-loaded relative to each other for adjustable axial motion; they are provided with travel limiters and are engageable with plate and second compartment by means of articulated bearings. First part of connector is provided with cover for closing this part on side of second part after uncoupling. Plate has hole with stops mounted on opposite sides of this hole in plane of motion of plate; these stops are engageable with second part of connector by their spherical tips. Pin and dowel are secured in this part. Pin is mounted at spaced relation in hole of plate and bearing member of pin forms clearance between its inner bearing surface and plate. End of pin projecting above second part of connector is engageable with first part lengthwise.

EFFECT: enhanced reliability of coupling and uncoupling electrical connector under operating loads.

4 dwg