DEBRIS REMOVAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF

• US 20110139936A1
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel W. Allen, Robert L. Spicer
• Original Assignee: Daniel W. Allen, Robert L. Spicer
• Inventors: Allen, Daniel W., Spicer, Robert L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,485,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/158.2
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1078 Maintenance satellites refueling in space B64G1/4024
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/222 for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/40 Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/64 Systems for coupling or separating cosmonautic vehicles or parts thereof, e.g. docking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/66 Arrangements or adaptations of apparatus or instruments, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A debris removal management system and a method of removing space debris. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a frame, (2) a plurality of net sections coupled to the frame and (3) a plurality of microvehicles coupled to the plurality of net sections and configured to be ejected relative to the frame to deploy the plurality of net sections, the plurality of net sections cooperating to form a net configured to capture space debris.

Claims

1. A debris removal management system, comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of net sections coupled to said frame; and

a plurality of microvehicles coupled to said plurality of net sections and configured to be ejected relative to said frame to deploy said plurality of net sections, said plurality of net sections cooperating to form a net configured to capture space debris.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said frame includes a base and a support member.

3. The system as recited in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of microvehicle housings coupled to said support member and corresponding to said plurality of microvehicles.

4. The system as recited in claim 3 wherein said frame includes a cap and said plurality of microvehicle housings have doors.

5. The system as recited in claim 2 further comprising a lower enclosure fairing hingedly coupled to said base and an upper enclosure fairing hingedly coupled to said lower enclosure fairing.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of net sections are stored as a generally cylindrical roll.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said debris removal management system commands said plurality of microvehicles to be ejected relative to said frame.

8. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said microvehicles include propulsion units configured to cause said microvehicles to be ejected relative to said frame.

16. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising employing propulsion units on said microvehicles to cause said microvehicles to be ejected relative to said frame.

9. A method of removing space debris, comprising:

causing a plurality of microvehicles to be ejected relative to a frame of a debris removal management system, said plurality of microvehicles being tethered to a plurality of net sections;

consequently causing said plurality of net sections to be deployed, said plurality of net sections cooperating to form a net configured to capture space debris; and

intercepting said space debris.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein said causing comprises causing said plurality of microvehicles to be ejected from a corresponding plurality of microvehicle housings.

11. The method as recited in claim 9 further comprising opening a plurality of upper enclosure fairing sections before carrying out said causing.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising opening a plurality of lower enclosure fairing sections before carrying out said causing and after said opening said plurality of upper enclosure fairing sections.

13. The method as recited in claim 10 further comprising causing said plurality of microvehicles to close said net sections.

14. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein said consequently causing comprises consequently causing said corresponding plurality of net sections to be deployed from a generally cylindrical roll.

15. The method as recited in claim 9 further comprising commanding, with said debris removal management system, said plurality of microvehicles to be ejected relative to said frame.

17. A debris removal management system, comprising:

a frame including a base and a support member;

a plurality of net sections coupled to said frame;

a plurality of microvehicle housings coupled to said support member and having propulsion units;

a plurality of microvehicles coupled to said plurality of net sections and configured to be ejected relative to said frame to deploy said plurality of net sections using said propulsion units, said plurality of net sections cooperating to form a net configured to capture space debris; and

an enclosure fairing hingedly coupled to said base.

18. The system as recited in claim 17 further comprising a plurality of microvehicle housings coupled to said support member and corresponding to said plurality of microvehicles.

19. The system as recited in claim 17 wherein said support member is coupled to a cap and said plurality of microvehicle housings have doors.

20. The system as recited in claim 17 wherein said upper enclosure fairing converges proximate said cap when closed.

21. The system as recited in claim 17 wherein said plurality of net sections are stored as a generally cylindrical roll.

22. The system as recited in claim 17 wherein said debris removal management system commands said plurality of microvehicles to be ejected relative to said frame.