Platform and system for mass storage and transfer in space
First Claim
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; and
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.
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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.
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Citations
18 Claims
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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; and 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for supporting and transferring a payload in space, comprising:
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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, the first plate having a groove in a surface of the first plate, the groove being configured to receive a rail provided on the payload; 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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for supporting and transferring a payload in space, the payload having an external rail, the apparatus comprising:
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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.
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Specification