The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 11, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 09, 1998
Boris Karamata, Epalinges, CH;
Agence Spatiale Europeene, Paris Cedex, FR;
Abstract
The invention relates to a lubrication system for a mechanism (27), on-board a spacecraft. It comprises a non pressurized tank (20) communicating with the mechanism (27) via a tube (220). A piston (23) closes the tube (220) while the mechanism is at rest. The piston (23) is controlled by a first spring (5) and by a second, shape memory, spring (24) opposing the latter, which lengthen by thermal effect. A controller (25, 26) supplies this spring with a current (I) to actuate it. An annular element(7), pushed by a cylindrical spring (6), defines a capillarity filled pumping chamber (22). When the temperature of the shape memory alloy (24) falls back below a threshold, the spring (24) recovers its original shape, the first spring (5) pushes back the piston (23) and expels a dose of lubrication fluid (4).