F16B7/0413

Hydraulically set liner top packer
11555365 · 2023-01-17 · ·

A liner and a method of setting the liner. The liner includes an outer tubular member, a hydraulic actuator on an outer surface of the outer tubular member for hydraulically setting a packer of the liner, and a hydraulic channel for directing fluid through the outer tubular member and into the hydraulic actuator to set the packer. The hydraulic channel has a first port at an inner surface of the outer tubular member and a second port at the outer surface of the outer tubular member at an axial location of the hydraulic actuator. The first port is at a different axial location of the outer tubular member than the second port. A fluid is pumped through the hydraulic channel into the hydraulic actuator to set the packer.

Torque tube coupler

A first embodiment of a torque tube coupler may include an outer body that includes a first abutting surface and a second abutting surface adjacent to the first abutting surface. Set screws may be inserted into one or more channels of the first abutting surface. Tightening the set screws may force the abutting surfaces away from each other and the outer body to press against an inner surface of a torque tube. Another embodiment of the torque tube coupler may include a central ring sized based on a size of a torque tube. The torque tube coupler may also include a set of fingers that extend away from a first side of the central ring and are shaped to flex radially outward. The torque tube coupler may include a core disposed within the set of fingers that, when drawn towards the central ring, causes the fingers to flex radially outwards.

CONNECTION ASSEMBLY

A connection assembly includes first and second components which, starting from a separated disassembled state, are joinable to each other along a plane of relative movement parallel to respective planes of extension of the components into an interconnected assembled state, and are transferrable back into the disassembled state. The first component has a latching element on either side of the plane of relative movement, and the second component has two latching element receptacles. In the assembled state, each of the latching element receptacles cooperates with a respective latching portion of a respective one of the latching elements. The latching portions are movable along a movement path starting from a non-deformed rest state. A first portion of the movement path pointing in a disassembly direction with respect to the rest state is limited by stop surfaces against which the respective latching elements rest in a course of disassembling the components.

TRAPEZE HANGER BRACE ASSEMBLY

A brace assembly can include a structural member including a sidewall; and a bracket including a baseplate defining a slot extending from an open end to a closed end, the baseplate defining at least one baseplate hinge hole at the open end; a clamp including a jaw member and a tightening member, the jaw member and the tightening member engaging the sidewall to couple the structural member to the bracket, the jaw member defining a clamp hinge hole; and a hinge pin engaging the at least one baseplate hinge hole and the clamp hinge hole.

Connection device
11708846 · 2023-07-25 ·

A connection device between a first member and a second member that includes a flexible male configuration disposed on the first member, the male configuration includes a finger extension that has a necked portion and an expanded terminating head portion. Also included is a flexible female configuration disposed on the second member, the female configuration includes a cavity having a narrow duct portion that expands into a chamber portion. The male and female configurations are removably engageable to one another, as the expanded head portion is manually pushed into the narrow duct portion and continuing further to manually push the expanded head portion into the chamber portion until the expanded head portion bottoms out into the chamber portion resulting in the first and second members being in a substantially fluid tight connection to one another.

Non-sealing berthing system for spacecraft
11702230 · 2023-07-18 · ·

Berthing systems for visiting spacecraft and associated methods. In one embodiment, a non-sealing berthing system includes a tunnel having an interface surface that mates with a docking system of a target spacecraft. The berthing system further includes sliding hooks disposed circumferentially on the interface surface of the tunnel, preload members disposed circumferentially at the interface surface of the tunnel and configured to extend and retract from the interface surface in an axial direction, guide petals spaced around an inner peripheral surface of the tunnel, and soft capture petals spaced around the inner peripheral surface of the tunnel. The soft capture petals include capture latches configured to engage mechanical latch strikers on the docking system of the target spacecraft.

Berthing system for spacecraft
11702229 · 2023-07-18 · ·

Berthing systems for visiting spacecraft and associated methods. In one embodiment, a berthing system includes a tunnel having an interface surface that defines a hard capture mating plane for mating with a docking system of a target spacecraft. The berthing system further includes hooks disposed circumferentially on the interface surface, one or more pressure seals disposed on the interface surface, spring-loaded guide petals spaced around an inner peripheral surface of the tunnel that are configured to independently slide in the axial direction, and capture latches spaced around the inner peripheral surface that are configured to engage mechanical latch strikers on the docking system.

TORQUE TUBE COUPLER

A first embodiment of a torque tube coupler may include an outer body that includes a first abutting surface and a second abutting surface adjacent to the first abutting surface. Set screws may be inserted into one or more channels of the first abutting surface. Tightening the set screws may force the abutting surfaces away from each other and the outer body to press against an inner surface of a torque tube. Another embodiment of the torque tube coupler may include a central ring sized based on a size of a torque tube. The torque tube coupler may also include a set of fingers that extend away from a first side of the central ring and are shaped to flex radially outward. The torque tube coupler may include a core disposed within the set of fingers that, when drawn towards the central ring, causes the fingers to flex radially outwards.

Pin-type connection apparatus

A pin-type connection apparatus includes a first connecting seat, a second connecting seat, a connecting shaft, and a locking component, wherein a receiving hole and a locking hole on the adjacent side of the receiving hole are disposed on the second connecting seat, one end of the connecting shaft is fastened to the first connecting seat, a clamping hole is disposed at the other end of the connecting shaft, the connecting shaft can extend into the receiving hole, a first clamping protrusion is disposed in the clamping hole, a second clamping protrusion is disposed at one end of the locking component, and the locking component can pass through the locking hole and extend into the clamping hole; and when the locking component is rotated to a lockout position, the first clamping protrusion can abut against the second clamping protrusion and restrain the second clamping protrusion from exiting the clamping hole.

TOLERANCE RING WITH MODIFIED SURFACE PROPERTIES

Systems and methods include providing a tolerance ring with a friction enhancement feature on at least one surface of the tolerance ring to increase at least one friction-related property of the tolerance ring. The friction enhancement feature provides the tolerance ring with an increased retention force while providing an optimum radial force that allows a component secured by the tolerance ring to move freely while reducing or altogether preventing axial movement of the component.