Ruiz, Steve C. | Engineering Papers

NASA NTRS1995

Truss Fastener Operable By Robot

Fastener assembly for use in erecting truss structure assembled by robot equipped with one arm and one gripper. Easier for robot or human technician to build structure in outer space or on Earth. Assembly features extremely large capture envelope; accommodates initial lateral misalignments of truss members of as much as 0.4 in. and rotational misalignments large as 28 degrees and still produces sound structural connection. Chuck key is only tool required.

Parma, George E.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Robot-friendly connector

Robot friendly connectors, which, in one aspect, are truss joints with two parts, a receptacle and a joint, are presented. The joints have a head which is loosely inserted into the receptacle and is then tightened and aligned. In one aspect, the head is a rounded hammerhead which initially is enclosed in the receptacle with sloppy fit provided by the shape, size, and configuration of surfaces on the head and on the receptacle.

Parma, George F.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Quick-connect fasteners for assembling devices in space

A quick-connect fastener of a relatively-simple straightforward design is arranged with a tubular body adapted to be engaged against an attachment fitting in coincidental alignment with an opening in that fitting. A tubular collet having flexible fingers projecting from its forward end is arranged in the fastener body to be shifted forwardly by an elongated expander member coaxially arranged within the tubular collet for advancing the collet fingers into the opening in the attachment fitting. Biasing means are arranged between the elongated expander member and a rotatable actuator which is threadedly mounted within the tubular collet so as to be rotated for urging the expander member into engagement with the collet fingers. A first coupling member is arranged on the rotatable actuator to be accessible from outside of the fastener so that a second coupling member on the distal end of a flexible shaft can be introduced into the fastener body and coupled to the first coupling member to enable a typical actuating tool coupled to the shaft outside of the fastener body to be operated for advancing the outwardly-enlarged ends of the collet fingers into the opening in the attachment fitting and thereafter rotating the actuator member to expand the fingers within the opening for releasably latching the fastener to that attachment fitting. Upon expansion of the collet fingers, the biasing means impose a biasing force on the expander to releasably retain the fingers in their latching positions.

Evenson, Erik E.↗