U.S. patent application number 09/884401 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-19 for deployable flexible airlock.
This patent application is currently assigned to Honeywell International, Law Dept. AB2. Invention is credited to MacKnight, Al, Patel, Vipul P..
Application Number | 20020190161 09/884401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25384546 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020190161 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patel, Vipul P. ; et
al. |
December 19, 2002 |
DEPLOYABLE FLEXIBLE AIRLOCK
Abstract
The deployable flexible airlock and method for space vehicles,
modules, and other structures has a flexible conduit attached
between a vehicle frame member and a distal frame member. The
airlock may be integrated into the hatch of a space vehicle. In the
stowed configuration the airlock occupies a small volume to
minimize the usable space impact to the space vehicle. The airlock
is deployed by introducing vehicle cabin air into a number of
support columns or tubes, which thereby inflate and cause the
distal frame member to be pushed away from the vehicle frame
member. When deployed, a chamber is formed for a user to transition
through the airlock. The airlock is pressurized using cabin air and
depressurized by evacuating the cabin air. Retraction of the
airlock for stowage is accomplished by use of cables attached to
the distal frame member, and controlled by actuator assemblies
attached to the vehicle frame member.
Inventors: |
Patel, Vipul P.; (Irvine,
CA) ; MacKnight, Al; (Lakewood, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Honeywell International, Inc.
Law Dept. AB2
P.O. Box 2245
Morristown
NJ
07962-9806
US
|
Assignee: |
Honeywell International, Law Dept.
AB2
P.O. Box 2245
Morristown
NJ
07962-9806
|
Family ID: |
25384546 |
Appl. No.: |
09/884401 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
244/158.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64G 1/641 20130101;
B64G 1/12 20130101; B64G 1/646 20130101; B64G 1/222 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
244/161 |
International
Class: |
B64G 001/62 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An airlock for use in egress and ingress of space vehicles,
modules and structures comprising: a vehicle frame member
attachable to a vehicle having a vehicle access hatch; a flexible
conduit attached to a distal frame member and to said vehicle frame
member; an environmental access hatch integral with said distal
frame member; said vehicle frame member, said distal frame member
and said flexible conduit forming a chamber therebetween; a
plurality of support columns positioned in said chamber and
attached to said vehicle frame member and said distal frame member;
and a means to deploy and a means to retract said distal frame
member and thereby said flexible conduit.
2. The airlock as in claim 1 wherein the vehicle frame member is
attached to the vehicle by an interior mounting plate.
3. The airlock as in claim 1 wherein the means to deploy said
distal frame member is an airlock apparatus introducing vehicle
cabin air into said support columns.
4. The airlock as in claim 1 wherein the means to retract said
distal frame member is a plurality of actuator assemblies
controlling a plurality of cables, which are attached to said
distal frame member.
5. The airlock as in claim 1 wherein the flexible conduit
comprising a closed wall incorporating a plurality of lateral
circumferential frames.
6. The airlock as in claim 1 wherein said distal frame member
having a latch for engagement with a latch mechanism attached to
said vehicle frame member.
7. An airlock for use in egress and ingress of space vehicles,
modules and structures comprising: a vehicle frame member
attachable to a vehicle having a vehicle access hatch; a flexible
conduit having a closed wall incorporating a plurality of lateral
circumferential frames attached to a distal frame member at an end
and to said vehicle frame member at an opposite end; an
environmental access hatch integral with said distal frame member;
said vehicle frame member, said distal frame member and said
flexible conduit forming a chamber therebetween; a plurality of
support columns positioned in said chamber attached at an end to
said vehicle frame member and at an opposite end to said distal
frame member; an airlock apparatus in communication with said
support columns, said chamber, an airlock external environment and
a vehicle cabin; and a plurality of actuator assemblies controlling
a plurality of cables attached to said vehicle frame member and
said cables attached to said distal frame member.
8. The airlock as in claim 7 wherein said actuator assemblies and
said cables are positioned internal to said chamber.
9. A method for egress of vehicles, modules and structures,
comprising the steps of: positioning a deployable flexible airlock
integral with a vehicle access hatch; deploying the flexible
airlock using gas pressure introduced into a chamber formed in the
flexible airlock and into a plurality of support columns; entering
the airlock through the vehicle access hatch; evacuating the gas
from the chamber; and exiting the airlock through an environmental
hatch.
10. A method for ingress of vehicles, modules and structures,
comprising the steps of: positioning a deployable flexible airlock
integral with a vehicle access hatch; deploying the flexible
airlock using gas pressure introduced into a chamber formed in the
flexible airlock and into a plurality of support columns; entering
the airlock through an environmental access hatch; pressurizing the
chamber; and exiting the airlock through the vehicle access
hatch.
11. The method as in claim 10 further comprising the step of:
retracting a distal frame member using an actuator assembly
attached to a vehicle frame member and controlling a cable attached
to the distal frame member.
12. The method as in claim 10 further comprising the step of:
latching the distal frame member to the vehicle frame member.
13. A method for egress and ingress of vehicles, modules and
structures, comprising the steps of: integrating a deployable
flexible airlock into a vehicle access hatch; deploying the
flexible airlock using vehicle cabin air introduced into a
plurality of support columns thereby inflating the columns;
pressurizing the flexible airlock using a pressurization switch in
the vehicle cabin to introduce vehicle cabin air into the airlock
chamber; releasing the vehicle access hatch after pressurization to
enable entry into the airlock; entering the airlock and securing
the vehicle access hatch; depressurizing the airlock chamber using
a depressurization switch while maintaining pressure in the support
columns; releasing an environmental access hatch after
depressurization to enable exiting the airlock into a space
environment; entering the airlock through the environmental access
hatch and securing the environmental access hatch; pressurizing the
chamber using the pressurization switch to introduce vehicle cabin
air into the chamber; releasing the vehicle access hatch after
pressurization to enable exit of the airlock into the vehicle;
securing the vehicle access hatch and depressurizing the chamber;
relieving the air pressure in the support columns to the vehicle
cabin environment to enable a controlled retraction of the airlock;
activating a plurality of actuator assemblies to retract a
plurality of cables to retract a distal frame member and stow a
flexible airlock wall; and securing the airlock.
14. The method as in claim 13 further comprising the step of:
halting the pressurization at approximately 5 psia and performing
an airlock integrity check.
15. The method as in claim 13 further comprising the step of:
halting the depressurization at approximately 5 psia and performing
a user spacesuit system check.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to airlock systems used with space
vehicles. The new deployable flexible airlock has a flexible
conduit to allow storage of the airlock in a compact manner, and
extension of the airlock to accommodate transfer between the
vehicle interior and the exterior space environment.
[0002] Airlocks have been used in space operations for human cargo
space vehicles such as the U.S. Space Shuttle, as well as for space
station entry and egress. These systems are typically rigid wall
structures that have a volume appropriate to the egress/ingress
requirements of the items or humans to be accommodated. This type
of rigid structure airlock consumes space such as on the Space
Shuttle, which could otherwise be used for alternate purposes when
the airlock is not being used.
[0003] Flexible tunnels are known in the art of space operations
for use in connecting elements of space habitats, cargo modules and
the like, as well as for access to the exterior of a space vehicle
or platform. An example of a deployable flexible tunnel is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,976 (issued Apr. 27, 1976). In
this invention, a flexible tunnel wall material is attached at each
end to a frame member for attachment to a structure or module. The
system uses sets of cables to control the expansion and contraction
of the tunnel as permitted by externally positioned orienting
means. These types of tunnels depend on external positioning
apparatus to control the length and shape of the extended tunnel.
The internal cables control the range of motion allowed. The system
cannot be used as an expanded self-sustaining structure, and it has
no provision to be used as an airlock.
[0004] Another example of a system utilizing a flexible tunnel
concept is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,668 (issued Sep. 12, 1969).
In this instance the flexible tunnel is associated with an
extravehicular suit unit for use by a human for external activities
relative to a vehicle or module. Again, as discussed regarding
other flexible tunnels, a cable apparatus is used to control the
extension length and shape of the tunnel. The tunnel is actually
expanded by air pressure created in the tunnel and attached suit
unit. This invention does not include provision for an airlock,
which a human could use to egress/ingress the vehicle. Any opening
to perform such a function would allow pressurized air to escape,
causing the tunnel to collapse on the cables. This system is
designed to be used in cooperation with an airlock and has no
provision for self-sustaining structure if egress/ingress between
vehicle and external environment is necessary.
[0005] As can be seen, there is a need for a simple, compact
airlock system and method for use in space operations where storage
and living space is at a premium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One aspect of the present invention involves a deployable
flexible airlock comprises a flexible conduit with a frame member
at each end, and structure for operation with access doors for
entry and exit of the airlock. In one embodiment, the extension of
the airlock is accomplished by introduction of air pressure into
flexible support columns attached at their ends to the frame
members. The airlock is retracted by the use of cables to be
latched in a stowed position.
[0007] Another aspect of the present invention involves a method
for use of a deployable flexible airlock that comprises the
deploying or extension of the airlock by introducing air pressure
into flexible support columns, thereby causing their expansion
which separates the two frame members in space and extends the
flexible tunnel walls. A vehicle access door may then be used for
access to the airlock and an environmental access door used for
access to space and return therefrom. When not in use, the airlock
is retracted by cables and the frame members are attached.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art rigid wall air lock for the
U.S. Space Shuttle that is currently used;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the
airlock in the stowed position according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the airlock in the
deployed position according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a side schematic view of the airlock
sectioned in half, with one half deployed and the other half
stowed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The following detailed description is one of the best
currently conteomplated modes of carrying out the invention. The
description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made
merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of
the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by
the appended claims.
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a deployable flexible
airlock 10 is illustrated with a vehicle frame member 20, a distal
frame member 40, and a flexible wall conduit 60 therebetween. A
shuttle airlock 80 used with the U.S. Space Shuttle is a rigid wall
structure that must be located interior to the vehicle structure
and attached to a spacecraft access hatch 22 by port 82. In the
instance of airlock 10, the conduit 60 is flexible such that it may
be stowed in a compact manner as illustrated in FIG. 2. In the
stowed configuration in an example embodiment, the stowed airlock
10 may be integrated into the wall structure of the space vehicle
to minimize elements occupying space interior to the vehicle. An
outer protective layer 50, which may be part of the vehicle outer
hull structure, protects the stowed airlock during vehicle launch
and re-entry to earth atmosphere. This layer 50 is installed so
that it can be removed during deployment of the airlock. The layer
50 is re-deployed after the airlock is retracted back to the stowed
position.
[0015] The airlock 10 in the deployed configuration, as illustrated
in FIG. 3, allows aggress and ingress of the vehicle through the
space encompassed by conduit 60. A user may exit the vehicle by
entering the airlock 10 through vehicle access hatch 22. The air
may then be evacuated from the airlock 10. Finally, the user may
exit the airlock 10 through environmental access hatch 42. This
process may be reversed to re-enter the vehicle. While a circular
airlock 10 in generally cylindrical form is illustrated, other form
factors may also be used such as square or rectangular and the
like.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, the airlock 10 may have a
circular vehicle frame member 20 integrated with the interior wall
86 of a vehicle. Alternatively an interior mounting plate 24 may be
attached to the interior wall 86 to support the airlock 10. The
interior mounting plate 24 incorporates a vehicle access hatch 22.
The vehicle frame member 20 may have an airlock apparatus 26 to
control: the flow of air into the airlock chamber 12 and a
plurality of support columns 62 interior to conduit 60, and the
evacuation of air from the chamber 12 and the support columns 62.
The airlock apparatus 26 may sense the external environment,
internal vehicle, chamber 12 and the support columns 62, pressure
to facilitate control of the airlock 10 deployed/stowed status and
the environment necessary for each step of user activity in
transiting the airlock 10.
[0017] The vehicle frame member 20 may incorporate attachment of
the proximal end of conduit 60 and proximal ends of support tubes
62. The distal ends of these elements may be attached to the distal
frame member 40. When the airlock apparatus 26 introduces air into
chamber 12 and support columns 62, the distal frame member 40 is
forced by air pressure away from vehicle frame member 20. The
support columns 62 maintain the airlock 10 in the deployed position
whether or not air pressure is maintained in chamber 12.
[0018] A rotary actuator assembly 28 having an extensible cable 30
may be mounted to the vehicle frame member 20. The distal end of
the cable 30 may be attached to the distal frame member 40. The
actuator assembly 28 may be operated to retract cable 30 thereby
drawing the distal frame member 40 toward vehicle frame member 20.
Generally more than one actuator assembly 28 and cable 30 may be
used with an airlock 10.
[0019] As the distal frame member 40 is retracted, the conduit 60
wall 64 is folded as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. The wall 64 may
have frames 66 spaced at intervals therein to provide support for
the wall 64, which may be formed from a flexible fabric material
suitable for the space environment, for example, protection from
radiation, thermal environment, and micrometeorite impact. When the
distal frame member 40 is fully retracted, latch 44 engages latch
mechanism 46, attached to vehicle frame member 20.
[0020] The environmental access door 42 is illustrated as a fabric
door with sealed zipper closure providing a weight advantage;
however, other door forms and configurations may be used. There is
also a handrail 48 illustrated to aid the user in entry and exit
through the environmental access door 42.
[0021] When used in one embodiment, the airlock 10 may be
integrated into the hatch of a vehicle. In the stowed position, the
airlock 10 would occupy a minimum volume of space.
[0022] In preparation for use of the airlock, vehicle cabin air may
be provided to the support columns 62, illustrated as tubes,
through the airlock apparatus 26. The support columns 62 thereby
inflate to deploy or extend the airlock 10. When the support
columns 62 have inflated, the airlock 10 may be pressurized using a
pressurization switch inside the vehicle cabin. The pressurization
may be halted at approximately 5 psia to perform an airlock 10
integrity check. After completion of pressurization, the vehicle
access hatch 22 will be released to enable the opening of the
airlock 10 from the vehicle.
[0023] Once a user has entered the airlock 10, the vehicle access
hatch 22 may be closed. This may enable a depressurization switch
of the airlock apparatus 26 that may be used to evacuate the air
from the airlock 10, but keep the support columns 62 inflated. The
depressurization may be halted at approximately 5 psia to perform a
leak check of the user's spacesuit system. When depressurization is
complete, the environmental access hatch 42 will be released and
the user may exit into the space environment.
[0024] The ingress of the user to the vehicle may reverse the
egress procedure. After the user has entered the airlock 10 and
closed the environmental access hatch 42, the pressurization switch
may be enabled from within airlock chamber 12 or the vehicle cabin.
Again, pressurization may be halted at 5 psia to perform an airlock
10 integrity check. After pressurization is complete, the vehicle
access hatch 22 will be released to enable entry into the
vehicle.
[0025] After inflation, the airlock 10 may remain deployed for
other use. For stowage, the vehicle access hatch 22 is secured and
the airlock 10 is depressurized. The actuator assembly 28 may be
activated to retract the cables 30 to retract the distal frame
member 40. At the same time, the pressure within the support
columns 62 may be relived to the vehicle cabin environment to
enable a controlled retraction of the airlock 10. After retraction
is complete, the airlock 10 may be secured using the latch
mechanism 46.
[0026] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *