METHOD OF CONTROLLING TIGHTENING FORCE OF LOCKING LOCKS Russian patent published in 2025 - IPC G01L5/24 B64G1/00 

FIELD: cosmonautics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to mechanisms for retaining and releasing movable elements of structures of transformable mechanical systems or for retaining and releasing components of separation devices of small spacecraft. Method consists in the fact that the lock joint tightening force is controlled by measuring the size characterizing the deformation of the lock mechanism element. At that, design of this element provides deformation value sufficient for control by means of manual measuring tool at nominal tightening force, and the measured value of bending (deformation) is compared with the reference value of this size, determined by calculation for the nominal tightening force and adjusted by tightening the joint under the effect of the design retention force. Adjustment of tightening force of the lock joint is carried out during lock cocking by tightening the lock joint under the action of the holding force until the controlled size corresponds to the design value corresponding to the rated value of the tightening force.

EFFECT: improved manufacturability of locking mechanism in terms of control of tightening force during manufacture and operation of locks, as well as during manufacture of spacecraft as a whole.

1 cl, 2 dwg