SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SATELLITES REFUELING Russian patent published in 2017 - IPC B64G1/40 B25J5/00 B64G4/00 

FIELD: space.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to space crafts (SC), e.g. artificial satellites orbital fueling. In-flight refueling system contains served (14) and serving (12) SC with fuel transfer facilities from SC (12) tanks into tanks of SC (14). It also contains valve tool (30) for connection and disconnection of fueling pipe (25) with opening (23) for fuel and with opening (27) for oxidant at corresponding tanks of SC (12). There is tool positioning mechanism (16) (manipulator arm, for example, with two degrees of freedom) with end actuating element (18). Using sensors array (26) offsets between tool and openings (23) and (27) are determined. Mechanism (16) can capture, besides (30), and other tools, which are stored in container (20). System can be independent and/or remotely controlled by operator located in space or on the Earth.

EFFECT: group of inventions technical result is robotic (remotely controlled) refueling of previously not prepared satellites.

90 cl, 12 dwg