The Boeing Company

Raju Dharmaraj

Patrick A Swartzell

James Michael Engle

Thomas L Hoffman

Karl David Heiman

Travis Andrew Moseman

Darby Grant Cooper

Ian Falkinham

Craig Stanton

Berthing systems for visiting spacecraft and associated methods. In one embodiment, a berthing system includes a tunnel having an interface surface that defines a hard capture mating plane for mating with a docking system of a target spacecraft. The berthing system further includes hooks disposed circumferentially on the interface surface, one or more pressure seals disposed on the interface surface, spring-loaded guide petals spaced around an inner peripheral surface of the tunnel that are configured to independently slide in the axial direction, and capture latches spaced around the inner peripheral surface that are configured to engage mechanical latch strikers on the docking system.

Berthing system for spacecraft

Berthing systems for visiting spacecraft and associated methods. In one embodiment, a non-sealing berthing system includes a tunnel having an interface surface that mates with a docking system of a target spacecraft. The berthing system further includes sliding hooks disposed circumferentially on the interface surface of the tunnel, preload members disposed circumferentially at the interface surface of the tunnel and configured to extend and retract from the interface surface in an axial direction, guide petals spaced around an inner peripheral surface of the tunnel, and soft capture petals spaced around the inner peripheral surface of the tunnel. The soft capture petals include capture latches configured to engage mechanical latch strikers on the docking system of the target spacecraft.

Non-sealing berthing system for spacecraft

A habitation module that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the habitation module includes a rotating structure that rotates about an axis in relation to a stationary structure. The rotating structure includes a first gravity chamber that projects radially from the rotating structure, and a second gravity chamber that projects radially from the rotating structure in an opposite direction than the first gravity chamber. The first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber are each comprised of a plurality of ring members that form side walls of the first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber. The ring members are concentric so that the side walls of the first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber radially extend and radially contract in upon themselves.

Artificial gravity system having gravity chambers with rigid side walls that are extendible

A habitation module that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the habitation module includes a stationary structure and a rotating structure that rotates about an axis in relation to the stationary structure. The rotating structure includes a cylindrical body that is substantially hollow and closed at both ends, where the ends represent gravity chambers of the habitation module. There are center openings in the cylindrical body that are coaxially aligned on opposing sides of the cylindrical body along an axis of rotation. First and second hub members are permanently affixed to the cylindrical body on the opposing sides of the cylindrical body about the center openings. Radial seals that span gaps between the rotating structure and the stationary structure.

Artificial gravity system with a unibody rotating structure that rotates about a stationary structure

A habitation module that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the habitation module includes a rotating structure configured to rotate about an axis in relation to a stationary structure, and attachment assemblies configured to rotatably couple the rotating structure to the stationary structure. The attachment assemblies comprise bearings installed coaxially between a cylindrical housing of the rotating structure and a cylindrical body member of the stationary structure, and dynamic radial seals installed coaxially between the cylindrical housing and the cylindrical body member. The attachment assemblies further comprise a static seal assembly that includes an end cap movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Attachment assembly between a rotating structure and a stationary structure for a habitation module

A habitation module that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the habitation module includes a core structure having cylindrical sections spaced apart from one another, and a hub that slides over one of the cylindrical sections of the core structure to span a distance between the cylindrical sections. The hub includes a plurality of portals spaced radially around a circumference of the hub, and gravity chambers attach to portals of the hub. A drive mechanism rotates the hub about an axis in relation to the core structure to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chambers. Rotary seals form an air-tight seal between the hub and the cylindrical sections of the core structure so that the interior of the hub and the gravity chambers may be pressurized.

Artificial gravity system with rotating hub that is sealed with rotary seals

A habitation module that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the habitation module includes a stationary structure and a rotating structure. The stationary structure includes circular side walls that are coaxially aligned and attached by one or more support beams. The rotating structure slides onto the stationary structure, and rotates about an axis in relation to the stationary structure. The rotating structure includes a cylindrical hub, and a plurality of gravity chambers that are permanently affixed to the cylindrical hub and project radially from the axis. Radial seals form an air-tight seal between the rotating structure and the stationary structure.

Artificial gravity system with a rotating structure that rotates about a stationary structure

A habitation module that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the habitation module includes a stationary structure including a hub having a plurality of portals spaced radially around an outer cylindrical surface of the hub, and a rotating structure that attaches to the outer cylindrical surface of the hub using rotatable attachment members to rotate about an axis in relation to the hub. The rotating structure includes a platform that attaches to the rotatable attachment members and is configured to revolve around the outer cylindrical surface of the hub on the rotatable attachment members. The rotating structure also includes a gravity chamber that attaches to the platform, and projects radially from the axis. A drive mechanism is configured to rotate the rotating structure about the axis in relation to the hub to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.

Artificial gravity system with rotating gravity chambers that extend radially

A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber is annular and includes an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical structure, and opposing side walls that connect the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical structure. The gravity chamber attaches to a cylindrical core member of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an inner race attached to the cylindrical core member, and an outer race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the outer race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.

Gravity chamber for a habitation module that rotates on support bearings

A habitation module with a gravity chamber that rotates to provide an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, a portal chamber is installed adjacent to the gravity chamber and configured to rotate about the same axis. The portal chamber includes a brake mechanism to stop the rotation of the portal chamber, a first access opening for a crew member to pass between an interior of the habitation module and the portal chamber while rotation of the portal chamber is stopped, an engagement mechanism that engages the gravity chamber to rotate the portal chamber about the axis at a speed of the gravity chamber, and a second access opening for the crew member to pass between the portal chamber and the gravity chamber while the portal chamber rotates at the speed of the gravity chamber.

Portal chamber for entering or exiting a gravity chamber of a habitation module while the gravity chamber rotates

A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber is annular and includes an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical structure, and opposing side walls that connect the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical structure. The gravity chamber attaches to an outer surface of a hull of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an inner race attached to the outer surface of the hull, and an outer race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the outer race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.

Gravity chamber that rotates on support bearings mounted on an outer surface of a hull of a habitation module

A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber includes an outer cylindrical wall and opposing side walls. The gravity chamber attaches to a hull of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an outer race attached to an inner surface of the hull, and an inner race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the inner race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.

Gravity chamber that rotates on support bearings mounted on an inner surface of a hull of a habitation module

A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber includes an inner cylindrical structure, outer wall segments that are attachable to one another to form an outer cylindrical wall, and opposing side walls having support members that are extendable. The gravity chamber has a first diameter when the support members are contracted, and has a larger second diameter when the support members are extended. The gravity chamber connects to the habitation module with rotating attachment members so that the gravity chamber rotates about an axis. The habitation module also includes an inflatable shell that encompasses the gravity chamber.

Growing community of inventors

League City, TX, United States of America

Raju Dharmaraj