PASSIVE PAYLOAD FIXATION DEVICE, PRIMARILY TO BODY OF ORBITAL SPACECRAFT Russian patent published in 2016 - IPC B64G1/64 B64G4/00 

FIELD: astronautics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to docking means and tools for extravehicular activity. Device includes body (1) fixed on the outer surface of the spacecraft, with ring (2) having guiding projections (3) and contact sensors (4) with interacting active device (AD). Body houses disc (5) with receiving unit (6). Diameter of its cylindrical part (8) corresponds to the diameter of AD. Inner tapered surface (9) makes a stop for AD elements when creating a rigid mechanical interface. Movements of disc (5) up and down are ensured by sleeve (10) in guide assembly (11). Installed on disc (5) are parts of electrical connectors, sensors (13) of the disc position and rods (14) of springs unit (15). Under the action of these springs, disc (5) stays in the lower initial position. Belleville springs (17) ensure an effort for connecting the passive device with AD. Target (18) serves to guide the manipulator from AD.

EFFECT: technical result of the invention is automatic (without using manual operations) electromechanical docking of payload with elements of the spacecraft.

1 cl, 2 dwg