SPACECRAFT TRANSFORMABLE STRUCTURE SECTION RETENTION DEVICE Russian patent published in 2024 - IPC B64G1/44 

FIELD: cosmonautics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to space engineering and can be used in multi-section structures of antenna rods, solar batteries and other mechanical systems of spacecraft. Device for holding a section of a transformable structure of a spacecraft comprises a hook fixed in a movable manner on a bracket, which retains the section of the transformable structure from opening. Bracket has a conical hole, and the hook has a flat grip holding the spherical element with an eccentric hole within the limits of this conical hole. Spherical element is installed with possibility of free rotation on middle section of stepped axis, made with eccentricity relative to its ends, equal to eccentricity of spherical element hole, and axial movement of the spherical element is limited by locking rings installed on the middle section of the stepped axis on both sides of the spherical element. At that, stepped axle is installed on bracket of retained section through bushings installed on ends of stepped axle, providing its free rotation and axial movement relative to bracket of retained section. At the ends of the stepped axis protruding beyond the bracket of the retained section, there is a thread, on which nuts are installed, which fix the axial position of the stepped axis. Also, one hole at each end of the stepped axis is arranged, which are connected to a separate hole of the bracket of the retained section by means of wire twisting in such a way that each wire twisting creates torque on the stepped axis in the opposite direction to each other, fixing its radial position.

EFFECT: reduction of labour intensity of manufacturing of elements of retention device of transformable structure section and of spacecraft, reduction of time for manufacturing of spacecraft structure, provision of high rate of its production.

1 cl, 3 dwg