Retractable protective dome for space vehicle equipment
First Claim
1. A retractable covering for protecting a feature disposed on a surface, wherein the covering comprises:
- a plurality of arcuate segments, each having opposite ends respectively pinioned at opposite sides of the feature at about the surface for independent rotational movement of the segment about an axis of rotation extending through the opposite ends thereof and through an arcuate path of revolution extending over the feature, and a respective radial size arranged such that, in a fully deployed position of the covering, in which adjacent segments are rotated apart at a maximum relative angle therebetween, the segments combine with each other to form an arcuate shield over the feature, and in a fully retracted position of the covering, in which adjacent segments are rotated together at a common angle relative to the surface of the vehicle, the segments are nested in radial alignment with each other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A retractable rigid dome for protecting a feature, such as a docking mechanism, a hatch or other equipment on an exterior surface of a space vehicle, includes a plurality of rigid arcuate segments, each having opposite ends respectively pinioned at opposite sides of the feature at about the surface of the vehicle for rotational movement about an axis of rotation extending through the opposite ends thereof and through an arcuate path of rotation extending over the feature. The radial sizes of the segments are staggered such that, in a fully deployed position of the dome, in which adjacent segments are rotated apart from each other at a maximum relative angle therebetween, the segments combine to form an arcuate shield over the feature, and in a retracted position of the dome, in which adjacent segments are rotated together at a common angle relative to the surface of the vehicle, the segments are nested in radial alignment with each other.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A retractable covering for protecting a feature disposed on a surface, wherein the covering comprises:
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a plurality of arcuate segments, each having opposite ends respectively pinioned at opposite sides of the feature at about the surface for independent rotational movement of the segment about an axis of rotation extending through the opposite ends thereof and through an arcuate path of revolution extending over the feature, and a respective radial size arranged such that, in a fully deployed position of the covering, in which adjacent segments are rotated apart at a maximum relative angle therebetween, the segments combine with each other to form an arcuate shield over the feature, and in a fully retracted position of the covering, in which adjacent segments are rotated together at a common angle relative to the surface of the vehicle, the segments are nested in radial alignment with each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A retractable covering for protecting a feature disposed on a surface of a vehicle, wherein the covering comprises:
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a plurality of semicircular, spherical segments, each having opposite ends respectively pinioned at opposite sides of the feature at about the surface of the vehicle for independent rotational movement of the segment about an axis of rotation extending through the opposite ends thereof and through a hemispherical path of revolution extending over the feature, and a respective radius that is sized such that, in a fully deployed position of the covering, in which adjacent segments are rotated apart at a maximum relative angle therebetween, the segments combine with each other to form a generally hemispherical shield over the feature, and in a fully retracted position of the covering, in which adjacent segments are rotated together at a common angle relative to the surface of the vehicle, the segments are nested in radially alignment with each other. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for protecting a feature disposed on a surface of a vehicle, the method comprising:
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attaching respective opposite ends of a plurality of rigid, generally arcuate segments to pivot points respectively disposed on opposite sides of the feature; and
,pivoting the segments about the pivot points such that, in a closed position, the segments overlap at edges to form a generally arcuate protective covering over the feature, and in an open position, the segments nest in radial alignment with each other at the surface of the vehicle to expose the feature. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification