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US5050821A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Modular payload transport and operating device for space vehicle

Assignee: Erno GmbH
•
Filing: 1987-03-20
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Granted: 1991-09-24
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Expires: 2007-03-20
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Abstract

Abstract A payload transport and operating device for space vehicles is assembled from a plurality of standardized payload fastening plates and a plurality of container parts for assembling therfrom a plurality of different payload transport and operating containers; and selected ones of those plates are fastened to a selected one of the containers upon being assembled in a releasable and exchangeable fashion.

Inventors

  • 👤 Lothar Kerstein
  • 👤 Manfred Riess
  • 👤 Juergen Weydandt

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 19:24
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/14

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 52 words
Payload transport and operating device for space vehicles, comprising: a planar payload fastening plate; and a plurality of payload transport and operating containers releasably and exchangeably fastened to said plate and assembled from a plurality of plates, walls and bottoms selected respectively from a plurality of different size plates, walls and bottoms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 52 words
Payload transport and operating device for space vehicles, comprising: a planar payload fastening plate; and a plurality of payload transport and operating containers releasably and exchangeably fastened to said plate and assembled from a plurality of plates, walls and bottoms selected respectively from a plurality of different size plates, walls and bottoms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 94 words
A payload transport and operating device for space vehicles, comprising: a plurality of standardized payload fastening plates of different size; a plurality of container parts including bottoms; side walls of different dimensions and tops or covers of different dimensions for assembling therefrom containers by interconnecting respective selected walls, a bottom and a top, as selected from said parts, to obtain a plurality of different payload transport and operating containers; and a selected one of said plates being fastened to a selected one of said containers upon being assembled, in a releasable and exchangeable fashion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 94 words
A payload transport and operating device for space vehicles, comprising: a plurality of standardized payload fastening plates of different size; a plurality of container parts including bottoms; side walls of different dimensions and tops or covers of different dimensions for assembling therefrom containers by interconnecting respective selected walls, a bottom and a top, as selected from said parts, to obtain a plurality of different payload transport and operating containers; and a selected one of said plates being fastened to a selected one of said containers upon being assembled, in a releasable and exchangeable fashion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plate is mounted to a satellite structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
Device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said plates are mounted to a satellite structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 57 words
Device as in claim 1, including first plug means on the plate, and first counter plug means on the container to be plugged-in the first plug means for providing electric power and data signal communication; further comprising: second plug means on the plate, and second counter plug means on the container for interconnecting a fluid flow conduction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 53 words
Device in accordance with claim 1, said containers each having a bottom provided with a plurality of indexing pins, and centrally located fastening screws, said plate having bores for receiving the indexing pins, the bores being provided with counter fastening means as well as with conical surfaces for facilitating insertion of the pins.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 63 words
Payload transport and operating device for space vehicles as in claim 5, said container further having a bottom provided with a plurality of indexing pins, and centrally located fastening screws, said plate having bores for receiving the indexing pins, as well as counter fastening means with conical insertion; and said plug and counter plug means engage upon fastening the bottom to the plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 28 words
Payload transport and operating device for space vehicles as in claim 2, there being conical matching fastening means on the selected plate and bottom of the selected container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 48 words
Payload transport and operating device for space vehicles as in claim 2, wherein plug means and counter plug means are provided for the transport of liquid and electrical signals between the selected plate and the selected container, the plug means being similar regardless of plate and container sizes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
Payload transport and operating device for space vehicles as in claim 2, wherein the tops include liquid cooling means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 28 words
Payload transport and operating device for space vehicles as in claim 2, including a plurality of handle means for selective attachment to a selected one of the tops.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 28 words
Payload transport and operating device for space vehicles as in claim 1, including holder means on one of the side walls for positioning and indexing a screwing machine.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3380687A Cited
US3832811A Cited
US4079904A Cited
US4132373A Cited
US4298178A Cited
GB2173467A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-09-23 1995-03-25 1995-09-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-09-23 1999-03-25 1999-09-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-09-23 2003-03-25 2003-09-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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