Enclosure for spaceflight hardware

Abstract

An enclosure is disclosed for transporting articles upon a satellite. The enclosure is composed of a plurality of interconnected walls coupled via elongated edge connecting members to define an internal space shaped and dimensioned for receiving an article to be transported upon a satellite. The walls are honeycombed aluminum sheets or solid aluminum panels and the edge connecting members are lightweight high strength members shaped and dimensioned for secure attachment to the walls without the use of mechanical coupling members.

1 . An enclosure for ensuring that the payload survives launch requirements and space environment, comprising:
 a plurality of interconnected walls;   elongated edge connecting members;   corner connecting members; and   flange members;   wherein the elongated edge connecting members, corner connecting members, and flange members connect adjacent interconnected walls to define an internal compartment shaped and dimensioned for receiving an article to be transported upon a spacecraft.   
     
     
         2 . The enclosure according to  claim 1 , further including an internal support structure supporting the article as it sits within the enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . The enclosure according to  claim 2 , wherein the internal support structure includes a center mounting panel. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The enclosure according to  claim 2 , wherein the internal support structure includes a first slot support assembly positioned adjacent the first end of the enclosure where a first end wall is secured and a second slot support assembly positioned adjacent the second end of the enclosure where a second end wall is secured. 
     
     
         6 . The enclosure according to  claim 5 , wherein the first slot support assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth slot flange members secured along an interior surface of the first end wall on opposite sides of an opening. 
     
     
         7 . The enclosure according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interconnected walls includes four sidewalls, a first end wall, and a second end wall. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The enclosure according to  claim 1 , wherein, when viewed along an end, each of the edge connecting members exhibits a generally V-shaped construction and includes a core section from which first and second flange members extend. 
     
     
         10 . The enclosure according to  claim 9 , wherein the core section is composed of first and second planar members connected at their respective first ends such that the first and second planar members are oriented perpendicular to each other, and the respective second ends of the first and second planar members are connected by an arcuate member, wherein the first planar member, the second planar member, and the arcuate member define a cavity that extends an entire length of the edge connecting member. 
     
     
         11 . The enclosure according to  claim 10 , wherein exposed surfaces of the first and second planar members respectively define first and second end surfaces which function to support sidewalls, a first end wall, and a second end wall. 
     
     
         12 . The enclosure according to  claim 11 , further including outwardly extending flange members that extend perpendicular to the first and second end surfaces to further define a surface structure used to support the sidewalls and the second end wall, wherein the first and second end surfaces are oriented at a 90 degree angle such that they may support walls at a desired perpendicular orientation. 
     
     
         13 . The enclosure according to  claim 1 , wherein the corner connecting members includes a core section from which first, second, and third coupling members extend. 
     
     
         14 . The enclosure according to  claim 13 , wherein the core section is composed of first, second, and third planar members connected at their respective first ends, with a common central meeting point for the corners of the first, second, and third planar members, such that the first, second and third planar members are oriented perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         15 . The enclosure according to  claim 14 , wherein the respective second ends of the first, second, and third planar members are connected by a spheroidal member and the first planar member, the second planar member, the third planar member, and the spheroidal member define a cavity that sits at each of the corners of the enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The enclosure according to  claim 15 , wherein outer surfaces of the first, second, and third planar members respectively define first, second, and third core surfaces from which edge coupling structures extend, wherein the edge coupling structures are shaped and dimensioned for male/female coupling with the edge connecting members. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The enclosure according to  claim 1 , wherein flange members are secured along an interior surface of a first end wall and are adapted for engagement with the ends of the edge connecting members and an interior surface of sidewalls. 
     
     
         19 . The enclosure according to  claim 18 , wherein each flange member is an elongated L-shaped member having first and second planar coupling members oriented perpendicular. 
     
     
         20 . The enclosure according to  claim 19 , wherein the first planar coupling member being shaped and dimensioned for coupling to the interior surface of the first end wall and the second planar coupling member is shaped and dimensioned for coupling to the ends of the edge connecting members and interior surfaces of the respective sidewalls.