Systems and methods for delivering, storing, and processing materials in space

    公开(公告)号:US12116148B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-10-15

    申请号:US17731030

    申请日:2022-04-27

    申请人: Orbit Fab, Inc.

    发明人: Daniel Faber

    IPC分类号: B64G1/10 B64G1/24 B64G1/64

    摘要: Systems and methods for transferring, storing, and/or processing materials, such as fuel or propellant, in space, are disclosed. A representative system includes a flexible container that is changeable between a stowed configuration in which the flexible container is contained within a satellite, and a deployed configuration in which the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The system can include a tanker with a storage container to dock with and refuel a satellite. Another representative system includes a controller programmed with instructions that position a spacecraft with a storage container in a first orbit, transfer the spacecraft to a second orbit, dock the spacecraft with a satellite in the second orbit, transfer material between the storage container and the satellite, undock the spacecraft from the satellite, and, optionally, return the spacecraft to the first orbit. An androgynous coupling system with mechanical and fluid connectors facilitates docking and material transfer.

    Fluid transfer interface
    2.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US12030674B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-07-09

    申请号:US17194277

    申请日:2021-03-07

    IPC分类号: B64G1/64

    CPC分类号: B64G1/641

    摘要: A fluid transfer interface is provided. The fluid transfer interface includes one or more of first and second interface portions. The first interface portion includes a first portion of a fluid connector and one or more ferromagnetic surfaces. The second interface portion includes an extendable second portion of the fluid connector and one or more electropermanent magnets, laterally disposed around the second portion of the fluid connector, configured to be magnetized or demagnetized in unison. The one or more electropermanent magnets are further configured to provide attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when magnetized and couple the first interface portion to the second interface portion and provide no attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when demagnetized and allow the first interface portion to be decoupled from the second interface portion.

    RETAINING AND RELEASING DEVICE AND ASSEMBLY FOR SPACECRAFT

    公开(公告)号:US20240132234A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-04-25

    申请号:US18547501

    申请日:2021-02-25

    IPC分类号: B64G1/64

    CPC分类号: B64G1/641 B64G1/645

    摘要: A retaining and releasing device for spaceships retains and releases a body to/from a support structure. A releasing bolt keeps the releasable body and the support structure connected in a position for locking the retaining and releasing device. A locking device for locking the releasing bolt in the support structure has a case and a segmented ring. The case is movable axially relative to the releasing bolt and includes an end with a through-slot. A releasing system includes an actuator, a rod having the same orientation as the releasing bolt, with a locking pin, cooperating with the slot, and a compression spring. The actuator locks the rod in a position for locking the retaining and releasing device. The compression spring is in contact with the case of the locking device and disposed around the rod to rotate the rod. The device includes a system for removing the releasing bolt.

    SATELLITE DEPLOYER METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS

    公开(公告)号:US20230348116A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-11-02

    申请号:US18218545

    申请日:2023-07-05

    申请人: OMNITEQ, LLC

    IPC分类号: B64G1/64

    摘要: The disclosure relates to an improved satellite deployer system and method utilizing a novel geometric configuration employing a draft geometry between a satellite and a deployer that prevents jamming of a satellite during deployment while simultaneously reducing satellite deployment tipoff rates. The satellite deployer system includes a receptacle having the general shape of an extruded cylinder or polygon with draft. The satellite deployer system includes a satellite shaped to conform with the inside of the receptacle. The satellite deployer system includes a releasable mechanism to hold the satellite in the receptacle. The satellite deployer system includes an ejector mechanism that pushes or pulls the satellite out of the receptacle. The satellite is deployed from the launch vehicle by the ejector mechanism after the releasable mechanism is released.