DE1506134A1 - Electric coupling for spacecraft and detachably associated flight capsules or the like. - Google Patents

Description

GOMPAGHIE GERMAN
SAINT-CLOUD (92) PRANCIA m8, rue henri Regnault

Electric coupling for spacecraft and detachably connected plug capsules or the like

The invention relates to an electrical coupling for a spacecraft and detachably connected flight capsules or the like. That has a plurality ¹ of electrical line contacts, as used in spacecraft with rapid release of the connected capsule. The problem of the rapid release of the connections occurs in particular with spacecraft that are launched by means of a detonator.

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flight certain capsule, only low tension; it just has to be designed so that it can handle the Can tolerate thermal shock to which they are exposed after a space flight when they re-enter the airspace of the earth in which it is heated from about 100 ° C to about 1000 ° C in about 2 minutes and then cooled again. Included is the period of time during which a temperature of about 1000 ° C must be withstood, for example about 20 seconds.

The parts of the coupling that remain connected to the spacecraft must be designed in such a way that they not only ensure a completely tight seal of the plug body, in the interior of which there is an overpressure of about 3 atmospheres prevails, but also to be resistant to this temperature surge, so that none Short circuits occur that lead to accidents on the surface, called the death zone.

It is also important with these clutches that the release be instantaneous. It must therefore be the separation of the two parts of the coupling can be carried out very precisely and in an extremely short time.

The coupling according to the invention fully meets these requirements. It is characterized by all or part of the features described below, which can be taken individually or together.

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1) The part of the coupling that is firmly connected to the spacecraft (hereinafter referred to as the space part), carries an insulating shield that protects against heat, that slides and when the connection is made between this part and the part that is firmly attached to the separable drive oldgl. sits. The protective shield remains after loosening on the room part.

2) The protective shield is held on the space part with the interposition of a spring, with its stops

Limit slide way. W.

3) The protective shield is penetrated by a plurality of electrical conductors on one side open into a plug and on the other side into a socket or a socket on one Part and a plug on the other part of the coupling.

4) In its end position, the insulating protective shield forms a tight unit with the shell of the room part.

!?) The part of the coupling that is firmly attached to the drive "

part, such as an igniter, is (hereinafter referred to as the detachable part of the coupling), is in the connection position by means of handles held, which can be spread radially and are in engagement with corresponding grooves of the room part. The release is done by simply spreading the handles by pulling on a cord of the releasable Part.

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6) The detachable part is ejected in an instant by a powerful spring that moves relaxed when the handles are released.

7) The grooves mentioned under point b are in the form of thread cutting and are interrupted by lines parallel to the axis, which allow them to be joined by inserting in the axial direction after the detachable part has been rotated.

8) The radially expandable handles are carried by an intermediate box, which is inside the housing of the detachable Part is housed. These handles include projections with which corresponding connection threads when connecting of the said housing cooperate against which the said handles are pushed by the springs are.

9) There are several pawls between the shell of the adjustable protective shield and the body of the room part provided, which prevent an unintentional return of the protective shield after triggering.

10) The release spring rests on the releasable part with the interposition of a ring with pawls is provided, which prevent an unwanted return of this ring.

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11) Optical marks and tactile marks that are a Aligning with the face or with the feeling, give the opportunity to find out about the correct angular position the detachable part and the correct locking of the handles in the connection connection.

The invention also comprises various features, in particular with regard to the locks and the symbols, which is explained in more detail below with reference to the description of the drawing, which reproduces an exemplary embodiment.

Show it

Big. 1 is a partially broken away side view in natural size;

Fig. 2 shows an axial section on a larger scale, the left, upper part showing the position of the parts established connection and the right, lower part shows the position at the end of the release process;

3 shows a section corresponding to FIG. 2 of the lower right part of FIG. 2, but is located the housing of the detachable part in the state of triggering this triggering process;

Fig. 4 · a section corresponding to the upper right Part of Figure 2, in which the parts are in the position of the release;

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FIG. B shows a partial section for FIG. 2j, which shows the position of the optical marker before the connection is established.

From training after the Pig. 1 shows that the coupling consists of part A, which is hereinafter referred to as "space part". This is accommodated by a wall P of the spacecraft, which can comprise, for example, a chamber, a satellite or some other closed body, and from a part B, hereinafter referred to as the "detachable part", the drive, such as a detonator or other equivalent means records. The part a comprises a plurality of connecting sleeves in an insulating block within a body 1 which is fastened by means of a housing 2 to the wall P of the plug body, and a sliding part C which is adjustable in the longitudinal direction on the housing, this part consisting of one Insulating body consists of a material that is resistant to high temperatures and is penetrated by cables which, when the connection is established, establish the electrical connections between parts A and B. This insulating body is called "protective shield" for the description below and, when the uncoupling is carried out, is pushed back by a spring 54 by a certain distance from the blind surface 60 of the part A, but without being able to fall off the body 1, in this way that it ensures in connection with this a thermal protection and a tightness, as it is necessary.

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ORtQJNALlNSPECTEO

Under these conditions, the internal parts of the part A are adequately protected, since it up to 3OO ^Q at most temperatures - are exposed when the missile is returned to the earth's atmosphere.

The box 2 of the body 1 of the part A is made of a metal according to FIG. 2, the high temperatures, can withstand around 1000 C, for example

made of chrome-nickel steel. The housing 2 is attached to the wall P of the spacecraft by a collar 61 or others

not shown means attached.

In the body 1 is the insulating block of part A, which is penetrated by conductors 63, the extension of which Form sleeve b4. The insulating block includes a center piece 65 made of hard insulating material, such as one Phenolic resin, which is surrounded by two parts, a rear part 66 and a front part 62, which is made of an elastic or soft insulating material, such as chlorosilicone.

The ladder 63 ″, the part 66 in an opening enforce, are provided with a certain number of throttling points 67, which despite a complete tightness Ensure the prevailing overpressure in the spacecraft. A good fastening of the block 66, 65, 62 in the body 1 is achieved by shrinking on a threaded sleeve 7, which these parts against a splash

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I \ J \ J KJ IOT

in the body 1 based. The mutual situation of this Parts is secured by an insulating foot 3 which is firmly attached to the body 1. It is advantageous between the vGewindemuffe 7 and the part 66 of the insulating block, a ring 8 used, for example made of Teflon, which can be through Shrunk-on circumferential thread prevents deformation of the elastic insulating body 66 and "the good." Hold the ladder and ensure its introduction into the block.

The shield C comprises an inner insulating block made of sufficiently refractory material to withstand high temperatures to be able to resist. In the exemplary embodiment, the combination of an inner part 17 is made of compressed Glass fiber and an outer part 24 made of ceramic material or steatite is provided. The outside part 24 ensures good protection against heat surges, but is not enough to ensure adequate tightness to ensure for the ladder who enforce the Löeher in this fixed part, on the other hand, takes care of the under high pressure pressed part 17 for tightness. The conductors that enforce the protective shield end on the one side in plugs 26, which receive the sockets 64, and on the other side in plugs 70, which Record sockets 30 of the releasable part B, which will be described.

The insulating block of the protective shield is in a sleeve

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

16 made of a metal with high thermal resistance, for example chrome-nickel steel. These The shell has a disk 56 on the outside, on which sealing rings (similar to the piston rings of engines) sit, which are supported on the cylindrical inner surface 58 of the body 1 of part A. These piston rings have expedient the shape and size of Figure 2 to allow for losses of successive charges and thereby to improve the tightness. The unit thus formed is the protective shield, which is the inner edge 60 of the insulating block of part A protects against the heat shock.

In order to understand the interaction of the protective shield C with the insulating block of the part A to facilitate, is in the upper part of FIG. 2, the protective shield in the connected position, that is shown of the insulating block of the part A in contact with the part 62. In the lower part of this figure, the switched-off position is shown, in which the protective shield is separated from the insulating block. The plugs 26 are separated from the sockets 64 by about 5 mm, for example.

Between the body 1 of the part A and the assembly 16 of the protective shield C, a spring 54 is provided which is guided through a sleeve 57 in order to prevent undesired lateral shifts, the sleeve 57 firmly attached the body 1 sits and a sleeve 15 which forms the left part of the piece 56. The sheath 16 has in the part

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facing the part A, an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the Bushing 57. An elastic half-bolt nose 59 close to the end of the insulating block 62 ensures tightness, when the sleeve 16 slides in the sleeve 57 when the protective shield approaches the insulating block 62. With the same movement, the piston rings 19, 20, 21 ensure the tightness between the protective shield and the body 1 of the part Ao

The displacement of the protective shield is limited by one or more stops 55, which are in grooves in the Engage sleeve 15, which sits on the shell of the protective shield.

A locking element prevents the protective shield when it is in the cut-off position under the action of the spring 54 is spent, unintentionally in the connection position runs back. The locking elements used are ^ pawls 22, three of which are shown in the drawing are evenly distributed over the circumference of the axis 22a and influenced to the outside by an annular spring 23 and their lugs in the switched-off position of the protective shield into a groove on the inner surface of the body 1 (see lower part of the pig, 2) enter.

It thus follows that when the protective shield is shifted against part A, which is then the pail,

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when the connection A and B is established, the Spring 54 tensioned. The sleeve 16 penetrates the sleeve and the hemispherical airbag 59 », which ensures the tightness, as soon as the approach is sufficient, the plugs 26 enter the sockets 64 and take the position as shown in FIG. 2 in the upper part.

When it is triggered, the reverse movement takes place automatically, since the spring 54 relaxes until the screws 55 rest against the end of the sliders 15, as is the case

M Fig. 2 shows in the lower part. It can be seen that in this separation division, the shell made of the resistant metal 1 and the protective shield C, through the combination, form a complete and tight thermal protection for the interior of the "space part" A of the coupling.

The disengageable part B comprises an outer housing 36 which slides longitudinally with respect to a body 31 can. An insulating block 29> is accommodated in this

29a, 29b, the plug 30 carries the sockets 70 _; .

correspond. Between the housing 36 and the body 31 there is an intermediate sleeve 37 which has windows, engage in the noses 39 which are suitable for being received by the thread 39a of the "broaching part" to become (cf. upper part of FIG. 2) or to step out of this in the radial direction under the effect of ring springs 40 to enable the instant release at the time of uncoupling.

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The insulating block of the releasable part comprises an inner, hard one in a manner similar to that of the space part Insulating part 29a, which is bordered by two soft or elastic insulating parts 29 and 29b. In the latter the insulated cables 63a are inserted through the constrictions 67a in order to ensure the tightness Afford.

This insulating block is held by means of a union nut 71, which is in the substantially cylindrical Body 31 is screwed in and by means of a centering pin 35, which is inserted into the body 31 with the interposition of a ring 8a made of Teflon to a to achieve additional locking of the conductors and the intermediate part of the insulating block and a bring about better tightness.

The front part of the sleeve 31 is intended to be in the connection position on the outer edge 18 of the Support body 16 of the protective shield. A sealing ring 33 ensures the tightness. To the connection bring about, the release spring 53 must be stretched between the body 1 and the outer shell 2 of the space part will.

The can 36 of the releasable part is supported on this spring 53 with the interposition of a two-part ring 10, 11 by which the end of the can 36 is supported and also the stop 37a at the end of the beech tree β _{57 #} 009814/0024

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The intermediate sleeve 37, which carries the handles 39, is received in a displaceable manner relative to the body 31, with a coil spring 32 interposed to provide sufficient entanglement and a good seal to achieve the insulating pieces against each other.

The intermediate sleeve 37, which consists for example of an aluminum alloy, carries guide hooks 41, which are received by pins 42 and serve to ensure good alignment when connecting. This ^ Leithaken can slide 41a of the body 1 and pass through the thread 39a which is provided on the body 1 of the space part in grooves. About 3 grooves 31a are provided, which are evenly distributed over the circumference.

The socket 37 also has windows which are distributed over the circumference and between which the hooks 39 are provided are, which have thread on the inside, which is used to lock or separate parts A and B to effect. The threaded handles are at the two ends under the action of coil springs 40, of which they are influenced in the sense of centrifugal force. she have inwardly protruding beads 72, 73, with which they are connected to beads 74, 75 on the inside of the housing 36 of the work together detachable part.

It follows from this that when the detachable part B is moved against the haum part A, the handles 39 on the thread 39a of the shell of part A come to rest, the

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Springs are pressed together while "reversing." the rabbits 39 then engage with beads 72, 73 in recesses 76, 77 and thus solve the instantaneous of part B.

The housing 36 can with respect to the intermediate sleeve slide under the action of a pull exerted by loosening bands 52, the ends of which are attached to a ring 51 are attached and loosely rotatable from the housing 36 is recorded. Between the housing 36 and the sleeve 37 there is a plurality - approximately 24 - springs which are supported on the one hand on the plug 44 and on the other hand on a nose of the sleeve 37 and on a ring 46. These feathers serve a dual purpose; they prevent 1. relative rotation of the parts 36 and 37 against each other and 2. they oppose the return of the housing 36; they also secure the engagement the hook 39 into the thread 39a when the straps 52 are not being pulled.

In addition, the sleeve 37 is in the abutment position on the ring 31a held, which is a snap ring and by an annular spring 32, which is supported on the inner shoulder 32a.

As already stated, the release spring 53 is between the bottom of the shell 2 and a double ring 10, 11 held on which the front end is in the connecting position 374 of the sleeve 37 is supported. The rings 10, 11 carry the return blocking pawls 12, the axis 11a of which is connected to one another of the two rings is held, the

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the two rings are held together by pins 13 . A ring spring 14 influences the pawls 12 in the direction of the axis of the device.

It is necessary to provide means that allow a good connection during assembly. An optical one is used for this and a tactile control.

A circular target mark, for example 81, which is engraved on the rear part of the body 31 of the detachable part and is exposed when the ring 83 and the sleeve 37 to which it is attached are in the connected position serves as a visual control. The ring 83 also bears marks 82 which, when properly adjusted, coincide with the mark 81a.

The tactile control is realized by a center pin 47a which is influenced by a spring 48 to the outside against the body 31. The grains pin has a groove 50. When the sleeve end position is in the concentration, is the groove 50 of the punch tip 47a on counter M, which thus protrudes. If the connection is not yet complete, the end 47 projects over the housing 36.

The device described above operates as follows. To establish the connection between the parts A and U, the portion B is held so that the pawls engage into the grooves 41 of the Bewindes 39a of the part A, whereby a substantial pressure is applied. The connector pins are then in front of the corresponding connector sockets 70.

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

With the advancement of the part B against the part A, the protective shield C enters the part A under tensioning the Spring 54. During this movement, the end 37a of the sleeve 37 and the end of the housing 36 are supported on the double ring 10, 11 and the spring 53 has been tensioned. While this movement act the handles 39 under the influence of the beads 74, 75 on the parts 72, 73 and the thread 39a is closed. The housing 36 of part B is then rotated; daiaei the housing 36 takes the sleeve 37 according to the springs 45 with, whereby the part to be released is blocked in this position. When continuing the Rotational movement, the housing 36 is advanced further because of the thread 39 until the handles 39 through the connecting cams 74, 75 are fully engaged with the thread on the threads 39. During these movements to manufacture the connection, the drivers 28 of the body 31 are supported against the pawls preventing the return movement 22 of the protective shield, despite the counteraction, the spring have taken the switch-off position. (See upper part to the left of Fig. 2). Also, the beveled part 37b the shut-off position of the drivers, which prevent the return, extinguished and the annular spring 14 is opened, so that the pawls 12 assume the position according to FIG. 2 at the top left. These two groups of disconnect pawls can therefore do not oppose the previously described uncoupling process.

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To check that the movement of the coupling has been carried out exactly, it is determined whether the flag 81 is completely exposed or is released by the advancement of the sleeve 37 to which the ring 83 is attached is. The token is then in front of Makke 81a. It can also be determined by feeling whether the pin 37a no longer protrudes over the sleeve 49 and has been properly pressed into the groove 50. To uncouple the Straps 52 exerted a tension, the ends 52a of which are fastened to a loose ring 51 which is freely positioned in the sleeve 36 turns. During this movement, the sleeve 36 assumes the position shown in the upper right of the pig. 2 reproduced is while the springs 45 (Fig. 3) are stretched.

The housing 36, which moves back to the right (cf. 4) the protruding beads 72, 73 reach the corresponding hollow parts of the housing 36, see above that the handles are suddenly pivoted outwards under the influence of the springs 40.

The strong spring 53 also relaxes and pushes the nose 37a of the sleeve 37 and over the double ring 10, 11 takes the body 31 of the detachable part with it via the stop 31a, which is thus quickly repelled.

Simultaneously with the pushing off of the detachable part, the spring 54 can relax, whereby the protective shield G of the insulating piece 60 is brought into the position according to FIG. 2 linka below.

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By relaxing the spring 53, the double ring 10, 11 is also in the position on the lower right of the pig. 2 have been spent. The pawls preventing the return are engaged with the thread 3b) a of the space part under the action of the annular spring 14. It is therefore not possible for the double ring 10, 11 to run back, which prevents the detachable part from being picked up again and a heat shield is formed in this zone.

The above description is based on the assumption that the detachable part is intended for a spatial body, but the features of the invention can be applied in the same way to other purposes for which it is on a quick solution of two connected parts is important.

Patent claims:

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Claims (1)

Patent claims: 1) Coupling of a spacecraft (hereinafter missile called), which includes an insulating shield that, when connected to one of the Space body detachable part remains on the space body, characterized in that the ^ j Thermal insulation shield is slidably received by the space body and after releasing the detachable Part remains on the space body. 2) Coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat-insulating shield is guided with the interposition of a spring to a limited extent displaceable. 5) coupling according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the protective shield is penetrated by a plurality of electrical conductors overall ± ke η η ζ e <i seframe the each of the carry an end of a plug and at the other end by a Socket are limited, each corresponding to a socket and a plug on the other part of the coupling. 4) Coupling according to claims 1-3 »characterized in that the insulating shield 0098U / 0024 -20- -Zu lu the one displacement end position with the outer shell of the space body forms a tight unit. 5) Coupling according to claim 1-4, characterized in that that the coupling part is firmly attached to the detachable part in the coupling position is held by handles, which by radially expanding from an engaged position with the grooves of these can be lifted out, the release being carried out by simply spreading the handles by pulling them on a rope W of the detachable part. 6) Coupling according to claims 1-5, characterized in that that the detachable part is separated at the moment by releasing a strong spring released when the handles are spread apart. 7) Coupling according to claims 1-6, characterized that the grooves in which * the handles are held according to axially parallel lines are interrupted and the assembly by axial insertion followed by a brief twisting of the detachable part takes place. 8) Coupling according to claims 1-7, characterized in that the expandable handles are housed by an intermediate sleeve in the interior of the housing of the detachable part and the handles have undercut parts that are 0098U / 0024 - 21 - ORIGINAL INSPECTED housing work together and against which the handles are pressed by springs. 9) Coupling according to claims 1-8, characterized in that between the shell of the Protective shield and the space part a plurality of pawls is provided that an unwanted return the protective shield after pushing off the detachable part. 10) Coupling according to claim 1-9> characterized in that that the launch spring on the launchable part with the interposition of a ring is supported, which is provided with the backflow preventing pawls that prevent unwanted backward movement prevent this ring. 11) Coupling according to claims 1-10, characterized in that the shootable part is provided with optical and tactile marks, g that allow the alignment of the shootable part exactly and monitor the correct locking of the handles in the closed position. 0098U / 0024 Blank page