Eads Space Transportation Gmbh

Astrium Gmbh

Ingo Retat

Wolfgang Tritsch

Horst Koehler

Barbara Klotz

Kiyoumars Abdoly

Jens Wendorff

Volker Groth

Oliver Hoeni

Guenter Boerchers

Horst Köhler

Günter Börchers

Oliver Höni

A multi-axis spring damping element includes two spring damping cushion members received between caps on a bolt shaft, and an axial adjustment mechanism at a free end of the bolt shaft. The other end of the bolt shaft is connected to a support structure, and a load to be supported in a vibration-damped manner is carried by intermediate caps between the two spring damping cushion members. A plurality of such spring damping elements forms a spring damping system, for example for supporting a payload-carrying pallet on a load platform of a spacecraft.

Multi-axis spring damping system for a payload in a spacecraft

An arrangement for releasably securing or connecting together at least two components includes a securing element that interconnects the components and that can be melted, thermally decomposed or otherwise separated by applying heat thereto. The securing element is preferably a monofilament or multifilament thread of natural or synthetic material, such as high strength polymer material. The arrangement further preferably includes a compression bracing structure such as a housing that bears compression forces between the components, while the securing element bears tension forces. The arrangement further preferably includes an electric resistance heating element that can be electrically energized and is arranged to apply heat to the thread, so as to melt or decompose and separate the thread and thereby release and separate the two interconnected components.

Non-explosive device for releasably securing components

A load, such as a pallet, is releasably secured to a fixed structure, e.g. a cargo bay of a space shuttle. The pallet () is secured to a support (), which holds the pallet and is secured in the cargo bay. A first interlocking device (ID) is provided at each end of the support. A second interlocking device (ID) is provided at each end of the pallet. The first interlocking device (ID) includes a shaft () rotatably held in a shaft mounting bracket (A) secured to a respective support end (). The second interlocking device (ID) includes a bracket () secured to an end of the pallet (), a claw (A) secured to the bracket, a groove in the claw (A) and a fork () in the groove of the claw (A). A central shaft section (A) is received in the fork () for the interlocking. The shaft () is movable in the fork () in the direction of the x-axis and of the z-axis. The shaft is also rotatable about the x-axis and tiltable relative to the y-axis. The fork is turnable about the z-axis. These motions are possible in the locked state due to the construction of the interlocking devices (IDand ID). In the unlocked state, jamming and even seizing are avoided or minimized by increasing play.

Apparatus for releasably securing a load to a structure

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Achim, Germany

Ingo Retat