Engineering topics

Barnes, Wayne L.

Publications and source records attributed to Barnes, Wayne L..

3 records

NASA NTRS1990

Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) three-point docking latch

The primary purpose of the OMV is to dock with orbiting payloads and then either transfer them to a different orbit or return them to the Space Shuttle for servicing. Some such missions will involve docking with payloads equipped with a Flight Support System (FSS) type of interface; an example is the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The design and development of a mechanism to be used for testing this docking concept on the NASA-Marshall test beds is described. The test results to date are also presented.

Myers, W. Neill↗

NASA NTRS1988

Orbital maneuvering vehicle end effectors

An end effector device (A) for grasping and holding an article such as a handle (18) of a space telescope is disclosed. The device includes a V-shaped capture window (74) defined as inclined surfaces (76, 78) in parallel face plates (22, 24) which converge toward a retainer recess (54) in which the handle is retained. A pivotal finger (30) meshes with a pair of pivoted fingers (26, 28) which rotate in counterrotation. The fingers rotate to pull a handle within the capture window into recess (54) where latches (50) lock handle (18) in the recess. To align the capture window, plates (22, 24) may be cocked plus or minus five degrees on base (64).

Myers, W. Neill↗

NASA NTRS1986

Orbital maneuvering end effectors

This invention relates to an end effector device for grasping and maneuvering objects such as berthing handles of a space telescope. The device includes a V-shaped capture window defined as inclined surfaces in parallel face plates which converge toward a retainer recess in which the handle is retained. A pivotal finger (30) meshes with a pair of pivoted fingers which rotate in counterrotation. The fingers rotate to pull a handle within the capture window into recess where latches lock handle in the recess. To align the capture window, plates may be cocked plus or minus five degrees on base. Drive means is included in the form of a motor coupled with a harmonic drive speed reducer, which provides for slow movement of the fingers at a high torque so that large articles may be handled. Novelty of the invention is believed to reside in the combined intermeshing finger structure, drive means and the harmonic drive speed reducer, which features provide the required maneuverability and strength.

Myers, W. Neill↗