Spar Aerospace Limited

Spar Aerospace Products Ltd.

Ernest Groskopfs

Douglas W Knowles

James H White

Ronald G Dennys

A three axes controller comprises a support platform in which a first carriage is mounted for movement in a first direction fore and aft of a first neutral position. A second carriage is mounted on the first carriage for movement in the direction of a second axis fore and aft of a second neutral position. A third carriage is mounted on the second carriage for movement in the direction of a third axis fore and aft of a third neutral position. Centering springs are provided for centering each carriage with respect to its neutral position. The first, second and third axes are orthogonally arranged and have a common origin when the carriages are in their neutral positions. A control lever is supported by a gimbal mounted on the first carriage at a point spaced from the proximal and distal ends thereof and a universal joint is provided at the distal end of the control lever for mounting the distal end on the third carriage. The control lever has a longitudinal axis aligned with the first axis when the carriages are in their neutral position and signalling devices are provided which are operative in response to movement of the various carriages to generate a signal proportional to the displacement of the carriages with respect to the member on which they are mounted for movement.

Three axes controller

A module exchange system including a module manipulator mechanism for use in manipulating modules between a module storage magazine and a satellite. The manipulator includes an adjustable terminal device which is capable of accommodating satellite modules of different geometrical proportions and a latching probe mechanism for releasably latching the modules with respect to the satellite and the module manipulator. The module manipulator is designed for movement along three mutually normal axes and is rotatable about one axis. The adjustable terminal device comprises two pairs of mutually crossed angularly adjustable arms having fingers at their outer ends for securing the modules, the arms being mutually angularly adjustable with respect to one another and telescopic so that the positions of the fingers may be adjusted to be received by modules of different proportions. The satellite is provided with passive latching probes having heads and each module has active latching members which have one end movable into and out of latching engagement with a head of a latching probe to engage the probe to releasably secure the module with respect to the satellite, the active latching members return to earth with the module for servicing. Active latch operators are mounted in the module manipulator to secure and release the module with respect to the satellite, the latch operators remaining with the manipulator to be returned to earth with the shuttle for servicing.

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Caledon East, Canada

Ernest Groskopfs