Fluid transfer umbilical assembly for use in zero gravity environment

• US 3,929,164 A
• Filed: 09/08/1972
• Issued: 12/30/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harold J. Richter
• Original Assignee: Harold J. Richter
• Inventors: Richter, Harold J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldstein, Herbert
• Application Number:
  US05/287,342
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 138/113,114,118,120,137,178,DIG.8 285/114
• US Class Current: 138/120
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/121 specially profiled cross sections
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/22 Multi-channel hoses
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 39/02 for hoses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 138/08 Bent shaped retained

Abstract

A fluid transfer umbilical assembly for use in a zero gravity environment, the umbilical being constructed and arranged to contain the end forces developed during pressurization of the umbilical, thereby preventing elongation or longitudinal growth, whereby the umbilical is maintained flexible to facilitate the maneuverability of an astronaut to whom the line is attached. The umbilical assembly may include a single tube or hose, or a cluster of tubes, and in one embodiment a tensioned cable extends longitudinally within the umbilical assembly and is connected at each end to a respective end fitting on the umbilical assembly. In another embodiment, in lieu of the tensioned cable, a cluster of tubes is positioned within an outer retaining jacket which is pressurized thereby permitting the design of the inner tubes to be based on a pressure differential. The umbilical assembly may be encapsulated by a ball and socket-type housing adapted to be selectively placed in compression thus rigidifying the entire length of the umbilical, whereby the position and particular shape of the umbilical at the time of compression of the housing will be maintained.

Claims

1. A fluid transfer umbilical assembly for use in a zero gravity environment comprising, hose means, means positioned within and operatively connected to said hose means for containing the end forces developed during pressurization of the umbilical, thereby preventing longitudinal growth of the umbilical, whereby the umbilical is maintained flexible to facilitate the maneuverability of an astronaut to whom the line is attached;

a plurality of spherical members and tubular sockets alternately positioned on the hose means and slidably supported thereon, a bellows having one end fixedly mounted on the umbilical supply line, the opposite end of the bellows being slidably mounted on the umbilical supply line and adjacent one of the spherical members, and valve means connected to the bellows for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid from the umbilical supply line to the bellows, whereby when the valve means is opened pressurized fluid is allowed to flow into the bellows thereby expanding the bellows to slide said opposite end of the bellows axially toward said one spherical member which, in turn, transmits the rigidifying force to the remaining spherical members and tubular sockets, whereby the hose means may be selectively rigidified to thereby maintain the umbilical assembly at a fixed attitude once a desired position at a work station has been attained.