Space vehicle coupling mechanisms

Claim 2

A mechanism for the coupling of one space vehicle to another including a coupling means on each vehicle, each coupling means having a primary engagement device and a secondary engagement device in axially spaced relationship with one another, the secondary engagement device on one vehicle being of annular form and the primary engagement device of the other vehicle being so dimensioned to pass therethrough to engage the primary engagement device of said one vehicle, there being provided latching means for locking the two primary engagement devices together, shock absorbing devices on one vehicle operatively inter-connecting the primary engagement device with the secondary engagement device on that vehicle to at least partly absorb the shock of such engagement, and actuation means to axially relatively move the primary engagement device and the secondary engagement device on one vehicle to a position wherein the secondary engagement devices engage there being provided further latching means to lock the two secondary engagement devices together on such engagement.

Claim 3

A mechanism according to claim 1 having a fixed annulus forming part of the said tubular member, in which the actuation means comprising a plurality of units capable of uniform limited movement around the said annulus, a plurality of pairs of tie rods, one tie rod of each pair being pivoted at one end to one of said units and at the other end to the primary engagement device, one unit having one tie rod, the other tie rod of each pair being pivoted at one end to the primary engagement device and at the other end to the said annulus, the tie rods of each pair lying in a generally V-formation, the V-formation having at its apex the pivotal connections to the primary engagement device.

Claim 4

A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein all four engagement devices are of annular form and the two primary engagement devices and the two secondary engagement devices respectively have mating frustro-conical surfaces which tend to urge the vehicles into alignment on engagement.

Claim 5

A mechanism according to claim 3 in which the shock absorbing devices and the actuation means are inCorporated in the coupling means on one vehicle and are each attached to an intermediate tubular member.

Claim 6

A mechanism for the coupling of one space vehicle to another including a coupling means on each vehicle, each coupling means having a primary engagement device and a secondary engagement device in axially speed relationship with one another, there being provided latching means for locking the two primary engagement devices together and further latching means for locking the two secondary engagement devices together, and shock absorbing devices on one vehicle operatively inter-connecting the primary engagement device with the secondary engagement device on that vehicle, actuation means being provided to axially move the primary engagement device and the secondary engagement device on one vehicle from a first position wherein only the primary engagement devices engage and lock together, to a second position wherein the secondary engagement devices engage and lock together; all four engagement devices are of annular form and the two primary engagement devices and the two secondary engagement devices respectively have mating frustro-conical surfaces which tend to urge the vehicles into alignment on engagement; the primary engagement device on the other vehicle being dimensioned to pass through the annular secondary engagement device on the one vehicle and to engage the primary engagement device on said one vehicle; the shock absorbing devices and the actuation means being incorporated in the coupling means on one vehicle and each being attached to an intermediate tubular member, a fixed annulus forming a part of the said tubular member, the actuation means comprising a plurality of units capable of uniform limited movement around the said annulus, a plurality of pairs of tie rods, one tie rod of each pair being pivoted at one end to one of said units and at the other end to the primary engagement device, one unit having one tie rod, the other tie rod of each pair being pivoted at one end to the primary engagement device and at the other end to the said annulus, the tie rods of each pair lying in a generally V - formation, the V-formation having at its apex the pivotal connections to the primary engagement device.

Claim 7

A mechanism for the coupling of one space vehicle to another including a coupling means on each vehicle, each coupling means having a primary engagement device and a secondary engagement device in axially speed relationship with one another, there being provided latching means for locking the two primary engagement devices together and further latching means for locking the two secondary engagement devices together, and shock absorbing devices on one vehicle operatively inter-connecting the primary engagement device with the secondary engagement device on that vehicle, actuation means being provided to axially move the primary engagement device and the secondary engagement device on one vehicle from a first position wherein only the primary engagement devices engage and lock together, to a second position wherein the secondary engagement devices engage and lock together; all four engagement devices are of annular form and the two primary engagement devices and the two secondary engagement devices respectively have mating frustro-conical surfaces which tend to urge the vehicles into alignment on engagement; the primary engagement device on the other vehicle being dimensioned to pass through the annular secondary engagement device on the one vehicle and to engage the primary engagement device on said one vehicle; the shock absorbing devices and the actuation means being incorporated in the coupling means on one vehicle and each being attached to an intermediate tubular member, a fixed annulus forming a part of the said tubular member, the actuation means comprising a plurality of units capable of uniform limited movement around the said annulus, a plurality of pairs of tie rods, one tie rod of each pair being pivoted at one end to one of said units and at the other end to the primary engagement device, one unit having one tie rod, the other tie rod of each pair being pivoted at one end to the primary engagement device and at the other end to the said annulus, the tie rods of each pair lying in a generally V - formation, the V-formation having at its apex the pivotal connections to the primary engagement device.

Claim 8

A mechanism according to claim 5 wherein extendable means are provided on one vehicle and the coupling means on that vehicle is attached thereto for extension from and retraction into said one vehicle.