Magnetic capture docking mechanism

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 7815149
SERIAL NO

12388345

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Abstract

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A mechanism uses a magnetic field to dock a satellite to a host vehicle. A docking component of the mechanism residing on the host vehicle has a magnet that is used to induce a coupled magnetic field with a docking component of the mechanism residing on the satellite. An alignment guide axially aligns the docking component of the satellite with the docking component of the host device dependent on the coupled magnetic field. Rotational alignment guides are used to rotationally align the docking component of the satellite with the docking component of the host device. A ball-lock mechanism is used to mechanically secure the docking component of the host vehicle and the docking component of the satellite.

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Patent Owner(s)

  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Howard, Nathan League City, US 1 13
Nguyen, Hai D League City, US 21 1470

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