Platform and system for mass storage and transfer in space

• US 7,118,077 B1
• Filed: 03/11/2005
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Citron, Thomas C. Taylor, Walter P. Kistler
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Citron, Thomas C. Taylor, Walter P. Kistler
• Inventors: Citron, Robert A., Kistler, Walter P., Taylor, Thomas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Teri Pham
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLZEN, STEPHEN A
• Application Number:
  US11/076,950
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 244/173.1, 244/173.2, 244/173.3, 244/173.4, 244/173.5, 244/159.4
• US Class Current: 244/173.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1078 Maintenance satellites refueling in space B64G1/4024
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/646 Docking or rendezvous systems refueling in space B64G1/4024

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 method for storage and transfer of payloads and propellant tanks in space, comprising

supporting and holding a payload in position on a plate of a first platform;

positioning the first platform adjacent to a second platform in space, in such a manner that the plate of the first platform is adjacent to a plate of the second platform;

engaging a docking mechanism provided on the first platform with a docking mechanism provided on the second platform for precisely aligning the plates of the platforms, each docking mechanism comprising a plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes provided on an edge portion of the plate, the tapered pins and tapered holes being shaped to permit rotating engagement and disengagement;

transferring the payload from the plate of the first platform to the plate of the second platform; and

supporting and holding the payload in position on the plate of the second platform.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising positioning the first platform or the second platform in orbit around a celestial body.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transporting the first platform or the second platform from an Earth orbit to a lunar orbit.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising propelling the first platform or the second platform through space using a motor.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first platform and the second platform are positioned adjacent to each other using thrusters.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein supporting and holding the payload in position on the plate of the first platform includes receiving a rail provided on the payload in a groove provided in a surface of the plate of the first platform.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein supporting and holding the payload in position on the plate of the first platform includes engaging a rail provided on the payload with a gear provided in the plate of the first platform.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein supporting and holding the payload in position on the plate of the second platform includes receiving a rail provided on the payload in a groove provided in a surface of the plate of the second platform.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein supporting and holding the payload in position on the plate of the second platform includes engaging a rail provided on the payload with a gear provided in the plate of the second platform.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one tapered pin provided on the first platform engages in at least one tapered hole provided on the second platform, and at least one tapered pin provided on the second platform engages in at least one tapered hole provided on the first platform.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the docking mechanism of each platform includes magnets provided at both ends of flat edges of the plate, the magnets aligning one plate with respect to an adjacent plate, and rotating the one plate with respect to the adjacent plate, wherein the polarity of the magnets can be changed.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein positioning the first platform adjacent to the second platform includes aligning a groove provided in a surface of the plate of the first platform with a groove provided in a surface of the plate of the second platform in such a manner that a rail provided on the payload can pass from the groove of the first platform to the groove of the second platform.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein aligning the groove of the first platform with the groove of the second platform includes engaging the docking mechanism provided on the first platform with the docking mechanism provided on the second platform.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein at least one tapered pin provided on the first platform engages in at least one tapered hole provided on the second platform, and at least one tapered pin provided on the second platform engages in at least one tapered hole provided on the first platform.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein transferring the payload from the plate of the first platform to the plate of the second platform includes engaging a rail provided on the payload with a gear provided on the first platform and also engaging the rail with a gear provided on the second platform.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the gear is rotated to move the rail.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the gear engages a plurality of teeth provided on the rail.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the rail is received in a groove provided in a surface of the plate of the first platform.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein transferring the payload from the plate of the first platform to the plate of the second platform includes moving a rail provided on the payload from a groove provided in a surface of the plate of the first platform to a groove provided in a surface of the plate of the second platform.