Latching separation system

Abstract

Latching elements on a first structure are configured to securely engage corresponding bearings on a second structure, via a lateral member that drives all of the latching elements simultaneously. When engaged, or when disengaged, the system is in a stable state, requiring no active force by the controlling system to maintain the system in each state. Preferably, each latching element is coupled to the lateral member via a pinion that provides a mechanical advantage that substantially reduces the force required on the lateral member to effect the coupling or decoupling. Also preferably, the elements are formed from extruded aluminum forms, thereby providing for a relatively inexpensive and lightweight configuration that is particularly well suited for spacecraft applications.

1 . A coupling device for coupling a first element to a second element, comprising: 
 a first structure that is configured to be attached to the first element, and includes a plurality of transverse-mounted bearings;    a second structure that is configured to be attached to the second element, and includes:    a plurality of latch elements that are configured to engage the plurality of bearings via a rotation of the latch elements, and a lateral member that is configured to provide the rotation of the latch elements via a lateral movement of the lateral member.    
   
   
       2 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the latch elements are configured such that, upon coupling with the bearings, lateral forces on the lateral member are substantially nil.    
   
   
       3 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein 
 each latch element of the plurality of latch elements includes 
 a hook element that is configured to engage a corresponding bearing of the plurality of bearings and to apply a force that draws the first structure toward the second structure during the rotation of the latch element.  
   
   
   
       4 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the first and second structures each include two lateral side walls,    the bearings extend between the side walls of the first structure,    the latch elements and the lateral member are contained within the side walls of the second structure, and    the side walls of the first structure abut the side walls of the second structure when the latch elements are coupled with the bearings.    
   
   
       5 . The coupling device of  claim 4 , wherein 
 the side walls of the first structure and the side walls of the second structure are joined in compression when the latch elements are coupled with the bearings.    
   
   
       6 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the first and second structures comprise extruded aluminum.    
   
   
       7 . The coupling device of  claim 6 , wherein 
 the latch elements comprise extruded aluminum.    
   
   
       8 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the second structure includes a ball-bearing track within which the lateral member travels.    
   
   
       9 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , further including 
 a plurality of pinions that are each configured to couple each corresponding latch element to the lateral member, to facilitate the rotation of each latch element.    
   
   
       10 . The coupling device of  claim 9 , wherein 
 the lateral member includes a first gear surface, and    each pinion of the plurality of pinions is pivoted within the second structure, and includes a second gear surface that is configured to engage the first gear surface, to thereby provide a rotation of the pinion during the lateral movement of the lateral member.    
   
   
       11 . The coupling device of  claim 10 , wherein 
 each pinion is coupled to each corresponding latch element by a roller bearing.    
   
   
       12 . The coupling device of  claim 9 , wherein 
 each pinion includes a tang that is configured to urge an adjacent latch element toward a latch position during the lateral movement of the lateral member.    
   
   
       13 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , further including 
 a motor assembly that is configured to provide the lateral movement to the lateral member.    
   
   
       14 . The coupling device of  claim 13 , wherein 
 the motor assembly includes: 
 one or motors that are configured to turn a ball screw; and  
 a ball nut assembly, rotatably attached to the ball screw, that is coupled to the lateral member by a link element, and is configured to extend the link element to provide the lateral movement as the ball screw is turned.  
   
   
   
       15 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the latch elements and the bearings are configured so as to facilitate alignment of the first and second elements as the latch elements are engaged with the bearings.    
   
   
       16 . A system comprising: 
 a first element that includes 
 a first structure that includes 
 a plurality of transverse-mounted bearings;  
 
   a second element that includes 
 a second structure that includes: 
 a plurality of latch elements that are configured to engage the plurality of bearings via a rotation of the latch elements, and  
 a lateral member that is configured to provide the rotation of the latch elements via a lateral movement of the lateral member.  
 
   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein 
 each latch element of the plurality of latch elements includes 
 a hook element that is configured to engage a corresponding bearing of the plurality of bearings and to apply a force that draws the first structure toward the second structure during the rotation of the latch element.  
   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein 
 the first and second structures each include two lateral side walls,    the bearings extend between the side walls of the first structure,    the latch elements and the lateral member are contained within the side walls of the second structure, and    the side walls of the first structure abut the side walls of the second structure when the latch elements are coupled with the bearings.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein 
 the side walls of the first structure and the side walls of the second structure are joined in compression when the latch elements are coupled with the bearings.    
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 16 , further including 
 a motor assembly that is configured to provide the lateral movement to the lateral member.    
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein 
 the motor assembly includes: 
 one or motors that are configured to turn a ball screw; and  
 a ball nut assembly that is coupled to the lateral member by a link element, and is configured to extend the link element to provide the lateral movement as the ball screw is turned.  
   
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein 
 the first and second elements include one of: 
 a spacecraft and a launch vehicle;  
 two stages of a launch vehicle;  
 two halves of a launch vehicle's fairings;  
 two components of a space station; and  
 two sections of a payload.  
   
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein 
 the first and second elements include one of: 
 two components of a habitat;  
 two lengths of pipe;  
 two sections of a fuselage; and  
 a cargo container and access door.  
   
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein 
 the latch elements and the bearings are configured so as to facilitate alignment of the first and second elements as the latch elements are engaged with the bearings.    
   
   
       25 . A method for deploying spacecraft, comprising: 
 attaching a first and second element of a coupling system to the spacecraft and a launch vehicle;    bringing the spacecraft and launch vehicle in proximity to each other;    engaging a motor on the first element to a first state that is configured to apply a lateral force to a lateral member of the first element so as to rotate latch elements on the first element in a first direction to engage bearings on the second element, thereby coupling the spacecraft to the launch vehicle;    disengaging the motor so that the lateral force on the lateral member is effectively nil;    launching the launch vehicle and coupled spacecraft;    engaging the motor to a second state that is configured to apply an opposite lateral force to the lateral member so as to rotate the latch elements in a second direction to disengage the bearings, thereby decoupling the spacecraft from the launch vehicle.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein 
 engaging the motor to apply a lateral force includes 
 turning a ball screw so as to effect a movement of a coupled ball nut assembly that extends a link element that is coupled to the lateral member.  
   
   
   
       27 . A method of coupling a first structure to a second structure, comprising: 
 bringing the first and second structures in proximity to each other;    engaging a motor on the first structure to a first state that is configured to apply a lateral force to a lateral member of the first structure so as to rotate latch elements on the first structure to engage bearings on the second structure, thereby coupling the first and second structures.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein 
 engaging the motor to apply a lateral force includes 
 turning a ball screw so as to effect a movement of a coupled ball nut assembly that extends a link element that is coupled to the lateral member.