Macdonald, Dettwiler and Associates Corporation

Victor Nifo

Steve Fisher

Tej Sachdev

Drew Grandy

Michael Robert Honeybrown

Andrew Paul Turner

Natalie Panek

Andrew Scott Ogilvie

Drew Alexander Grandy

The present disclosure relates to a robotically controlled satellite refueling tool and associated robotically controlled support and site preparation tools which facilitates on-orbit refueling by teleoperation of fill/drain valves of various designs and dimensions on satellites not originally prepared for on-orbit servicing, through the installation of quick connect safety valves, using vision-based feedback as well as feedback from sensors embedded in the refueling tool to operate a suite of adaptable and adjustable mechanisms. The refueling tool has an open architecture to allow a refueling tool vision system to see the fill/drain valve and the section of the refueling tool that is engaged with the fill/drain valve. The support tools include a blanket cutter tool, a blanket handler tool, a wire cutter tool, a gripper tool, and the site preparation tools include a B-nut removal tool and a crush seal removal tool. Each of these tools includes a common base structure which is interfaced to the end effector of the robotic arm for transmitting rotation and torque to the various tools.

Refueling tool and system incorporating the refueling tool

Refueling tool and system incorporating the refueling

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WHITBY, Canada

Victor Nifo