Multi-purpose cargo delivery and space debris removal system
First Claim
1. A debris removal system, comprising:
- a control module, wherein said control module includes;
a debris contact module storage area,a maneuverable arm and camera storage area,a maneuverable arm,a camera, anda coupler socket;
a guidance, control, and communications unit;
a maneuvering module, wherein said maneuvering module includes;
fuel/propellant storage containers that provide fuel/propellant, via a control and fuel/propellant delivery conduit, to one or more control thrusters;
at least one primary thrust device;
a propulsion module coupled to said maneuvering module, wherein said propulsion module includes;
fuel/propellant storage containers that provide fuel/propellant to said at least one primary thrust device; and
a debris contact module, wherein said debris contact module includes;
a debris contact member attached or coupled to a debris contact element, andwherein a coupler device coupler pin extends from said debris contact member so as to allow said debris contact module to be attached or coupled to said coupler socket of said control module;
wherein said control module, said maneuvering module, and said propulsion module each include;
a coupler socket anda coupler device coupler pin,wherein each coupler socket includes;
a recess that is appropriately sized and shaped to receive a coupler device coupler pin so that a coupler device coupler pin may be releasably attached or coupled within a coupler socket,wherein said coupler devices and coupler sockets of each module are configured to couple with another of said coupler devices and/or coupler sockets of another module, andwherein said guidance, control, and communications unit is connected to at least one module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A debris removal system that includes at least a control module that includes a debris contact module storage area, a maneuverable arm and camera storage area, a maneuverable arm, a camera, and a universal coupler socket; a guidance, control, and communications unit; a maneuvering module, wherein the maneuvering module includes fuel/propellant storage containers that provide fuel/propellant, via a control and fuel/propellant delivery conduit, to one or more control thrusters; a propulsion module, wherein the propulsion module includes fuel/propellant storage containers that provide fuel/propellant to at least one primary thrust device; and a debris contact module, wherein the debris contact module includes a debris contact member attached or coupled to a debris contact element, and wherein a universal coupler pin extends from the debris contact member so as to allow the debris contact module to be attached or coupled to the universal coupler socket of the control module.
89 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A debris removal system, comprising:
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a control module, wherein said control module includes; a debris contact module storage area, a maneuverable arm and camera storage area, a maneuverable arm, a camera, and a coupler socket; a guidance, control, and communications unit; a maneuvering module, wherein said maneuvering module includes; fuel/propellant storage containers that provide fuel/propellant, via a control and fuel/propellant delivery conduit, to one or more control thrusters; at least one primary thrust device; a propulsion module coupled to said maneuvering module, wherein said propulsion module includes; fuel/propellant storage containers that provide fuel/propellant to said at least one primary thrust device; and a debris contact module, wherein said debris contact module includes; a debris contact member attached or coupled to a debris contact element, and wherein a coupler device coupler pin extends from said debris contact member so as to allow said debris contact module to be attached or coupled to said coupler socket of said control module; wherein said control module, said maneuvering module, and said propulsion module each include; a coupler socket and a coupler device coupler pin, wherein each coupler socket includes; a recess that is appropriately sized and shaped to receive a coupler device coupler pin so that a coupler device coupler pin may be releasably attached or coupled within a coupler socket, wherein said coupler devices and coupler sockets of each module are configured to couple with another of said coupler devices and/or coupler sockets of another module, and wherein said guidance, control, and communications unit is connected to at least one module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A debris removal method, comprising:
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controlling a debris removal system to maneuver to a determined terrestrial orbit, wherein said determined terrestrial orbit is an approximate terrestrial orbit of a portion of debris, wherein said debris removal system comprises; a control module, wherein said control module includes; a debris contact module storage area, a maneuverable arm and camera storage area, a maneuverable arm, a camera, and a coupler socket; a guidance, control, and communications unit; a maneuvering module, wherein said maneuvering module includes; fuel/propellant storage containers that provide fuel/propellant, via a control and fuel/propellant delivery conduit, to one or more control thrusters; at least one primary thrust device; a propulsion module coupled to said maneuvering module, wherein said propulsion module includes; fuel/propellant storage containers that provide fuel/propellant to said at least one primary thrust device; and a debris contact module, wherein said debris contact module includes; a debris contact member attached or coupled to a debris contact element, and wherein a coupler device coupler pin extends from said debris contact member so as to allow said debris contact module to be attached or coupled to said coupler socket of said control module; wherein said control module, said maneuvering module, and said propulsion module each include; a coupler socket, and a coupler device coupler pin, wherein each coupler socket includes;
a recess that is appropriately sized and shaped to receive a coupler device coupler pin so that a coupler device coupler pin may be releasably attached or coupled within a coupler socket,
wherein said coupler devices and coupler sockets of each module are configured to couple with another of said coupler devices and/or coupler sockets of another module, and
wherein said guidance, control, andcommunications unit is connected to at least one module; attaching or coupling, when said debris removal system is within a determined distance of said portion of debris, said debris contact module, via interaction of a coupler device coupler pin and a coupler socket, to said control module; controlling said debris removal system to approach and overtake said debris such that at least a portion of said debris contact element makes contact with said debris; and controlling said debris removal system to urge said debris to a deteriorating terrestrial orbit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification