Patent classifications
B64G2001/224
Pneumatically supported towers for low gravity applications
Pneumatically supported towers for low gravity applications are disclosed herein. In one aspect, an inflatable tower for use in vacuum environments can have a membrane configured to support a load when inflated with an inflation gas to a pressures less than 100,000 pascals and greater than 0.01 pascal. The inflation gas can be chosen to have a sufficiently low boiling temperature at the inflation pressure of the membrane that the gas will not condense to a liquid or solid within a defined range of temperatures in which the tower is designed to operate. The membrane can be configured to be packaged for transport in deflated condition and rolled onto cylinders from which the membrane can be later unfurled and inflated as part of the tower inflation process. The membrane can be further configured to progressively inflate beginning at a bottom or lowest level of the membrane during the tower inflation process. The membrane can be divided into a plurality of compartments by one or more diaphragms containing valves configured to regulate flow of the inflation gas between the compartments.
MOUNTING FLANGE AND BRACKET FOR A SPACE HABITAT
Methods, devices, and systems are described for a mounting flange and bracket for a space habitat. The bracket system couples a bladder of a space habitat to a cylindrical core. The bracket system includes a soft goods layer configured to cover the bladder of the space habitat. The bracket system includes a mounting flange configured to couple at an end of the cylindrical core. The mounting flange includes a lip extending around the mounting flange. The bracket system includes a bracket configured to connect the soft goods layer to the mounting flange. The bracket has a first end and a second end. The first end includes a pin configured to couple to the soft goods layer. The second end includes a protrusion configured to latch to the lip of the mounting flange. In some variations, a cap is configured to be coupled to the outer side of the mounting flange.
Connection Assembly
Exemplary embodiments provided herein include connection systems in which a gripper is actuated through introduction of a material to an interior cavity. Embodiments may include more than one cavity such that deployment and actuation may be separately controlled. Additional cavities may also be used and/or selection of valves between cavities such that actuation and/or deployment may further be controlled.
BRACKET FIXTURE FOR SPACE HABITAT
Methods, devices, and systems are described for a bracket fixture for securing a load to a soft goods layer in a space habitat. The bracket fixture includes a base having a plurality of sides, the plurality of sides having a pin parallel to its respective side, and an aperture between the pin and the respective side. The bracket fixture further includes a protrusion extending from the base, the protrusion including a fixture element.
SPACE HABITAT CORE
Methods, devices, and systems are described for a core of a space habitat. The core includes a plurality of internal beams extending a length of the core. The core also includes a plurality of end rings at a first end of the core and a second end of the core, the plurality of end rings spaced the length of the core. The core also includes an internal ring coupled to the internal beams between the first end and the second end.