PLATFORM AND SYSTEM FOR MASS STORAGE AND TRANSFER IN SPACE

• US 20070063108A1
• Filed: 08/30/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Citron, Thomas Taylor, Walter Kistler
• Original Assignee: Robert Citron, Thomas Taylor, Walter Kistler
• Inventors: TAYLOR, Thomas, CITRON, Robert, KISTLER, Walter
• Granted Patent: US 7,370,835 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/173.300
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1078 Maintenance satellites refuelling in space B64G1/4024
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/646 Docking or rendezvous systems refuelling in space B64G1/4024
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/6462 characterised by the means for engaging other vehicles

Abstract

A platform for storage and transfer of payloads in space includes a plate for supporting a payload, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the payload to and from the plate. A groove extends diametrically between two edges of the plate for receiving a rail provided on the payload. The rail includes a plurality of teeth, and the transfer mechanism includes a gear which interacts with the teeth for moving the rail. Two platforms may be positioned adjacent to each other for transferring a payload. Docking of the two platforms includes engagement of tapered pins and tapered holes on the platforms. In this manner, the grooves of the platforms are aligned. The rail is passed between the grooves of the platforms for transferring the payload between the platforms.

Claims

1. A system for supporting and transferring a payload in space, the system comprising:

a first platform comprising a first plate and a first docking, mechanism, the first platform supporting the payload; and

a second platform comprising a second plate and a second docking mechanism, the second platform being positioned adjacent to the first platform;

wherein the first docking mechanism comprises a first plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes on an edge portion of the first plate, and the second docking mechanism comprises a second plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes on an edge portion of the second plate, the first plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes being configured to rotatably engage and disengage with the second plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes for aligning the first plate and the second plate, enabling the payload to be transferred from the first plate to the second plate.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to be positioned in orbit around a celestial body.

3. The system platform according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to transport the payload from an Earth orbit to a lunar orbit.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first plate defines a first groove provided in a surface of the first plate, and the second plate defines a second groove provided in a surface of the second plate, each of the first groove and the second groove being configured to receive a rail provided on the payload.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the first plate and the second plate comprises a substantially circular disk.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the first plate and the second plate comprises a substantially hexagonal disk.

7. The system according to claim 4, wherein each of the first groove and the second groove includes opposed lip portions configured to maintain an enlarged portion of the rail within the first groove and the second groove.

8. The platform according to claim 7, wherein the enlarged portion of the rail includes a plurality of teeth for moving the rail parallel to a longitudinal axis of each of the first groove and the second groove during the transfer.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first platform and the second platform comprises a thruster for positioning the at least one of the first platform and the second platform in space.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first platform and the second platform comprises a motor for moving the at least one of the first platform and the second platform through space.

11. An apparatus for supporting and transferring a payload in space, comprising:

a first plate configured to support the payload, the first plate comprising an edge portion defining a first plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes configured to rotatably engage and disengage a second plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes defined on an edge portion of a second plate for aligning the first plate and the second plate;

wherein the payload is transferable from the first plate to the second plate when the first plate is positioned adjacent to the second plate, enabling the first plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes to rotatably engage and disengage with the second plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus is configured to be positioned in orbit around a celestial body.

13. The apparatus platform according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus is configured to transport the payload from an Earth orbit to a lunar orbit.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

at least one thruster for positioning the apparatus in space.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

a motor for moving the apparatus through space.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first plate defines a groove in a surface of the first plate, the groove being configured to receive a rail provided on the payload.

17. The platform according to claim 16, wherein the first groove includes opposed lip portions configured to contain an enlarged portion of the rail.

18. The platform according to claim 11, wherein the first plate comprises a substantially hexagonal disk.

19. The platform according to claim 11, further comprising:

a central structure, the first plate being connected to one end of the central structure; and

a frame member connected to the central structure at a position spaced from the first plate, the frame member being configured to releasably support a plurality of propellant tanks around the central structure.

20. An apparatus for supporting and transferring a payload in space, the payload having an external rail, the apparatus comprising:

a first platform comprising a first plate for supporting the payload, the first plate having a first groove configured to receive the rail of the payload and an edge portion defining a first plurality of pins and holes, the first plurality of pins and holes being configured to rotatably engage a second plurality of pins and holes defined in a second plate of a second platform for aligning the first plate and the second plate; and

a transferrer comprising a gear for engaging a plurality of teeth on the rail to move the rail, and a motor for transferring the payload from the first platform to the aligned second platform by rotating the gear.