Abstract: An actuator (1) for a rear axle steering system of a vehicle includes a thrust rod (2) which is longitudinally displaceable within a housing (3). The thrust rod (2) has a rotation lock (4) having a guide element (5) which is guided in the axial direction in a single-part or multi-part slide rail (6) arranged on the housing (3). An elastomer ring (7) is arranged between the slide rail (6) and the housing (3).

Abstract: An enclosed volume is provided for performing operations in space, or on any astronomical object, in a manner separated from aspects of the external environment. The enclosed volume can be a flexible container for a satellite. The enclosed volume can include a membrane having a fluid barrier layer and being configured to contain a propellant gas or fluid; and an expulsion device configured to expel material from the membrane. In a stowed configuration, the flexible container is contained within the satellite, and in a deployed configuration, the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The flexible container can inflate from one shape, in the undeployed configuration, to another shape, in a deployed configuration. The other shape can be toroidal or other appropriate shapes. The flexible container can provide bipropellant, blowdown, and gas/fluid metering functionality. Entertainment and game play can be enabled by the enclosed volume involving robots and other devices.

Abstract: An enclosed volume is provided for performing operations in space, or on any astronomical object, in a manner separated from aspects of the external environment. The enclosed volume can be a flexible container for a satellite. The enclosed volume can include a membrane having a fluid barrier layer and being configured to contain a propellant gas or fluid; and an expulsion device configured to expel material from the membrane. In a stowed configuration, the flexible container is contained within the satellite, and in a deployed configuration, the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The flexible container can inflate from one shape, in the undeployed configuration, to another shape, in a deployed configuration. The other shape can be toroidal or other appropriate shapes. The flexible container can provide bipropellant, blowdown, and gas/fluid metering functionality. Entertainment and game play can be enabled by the enclosed volume involving robots and other devices.

Abstract: Enclosures for facilitating activities in space, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative system includes a spacecraft having an enclosed interior volume (which can be formed by an inflatable membrane) and one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carried by the spacecraft and positioned to deploy into the enclosed interior volume. The system can include a remote-control system to control the one or more UAVs from a terrestrial location while the spacecraft is in space. A wireless charging system can provide electrical power to the one or more UAVs. A representative method includes configuring one or more controllers to launch a first spacecraft to a first orbit, launch a second spacecraft to a second orbit, move the first spacecraft to the second orbit, dock the first spacecraft with the second spacecraft, and broadcast an event within an interior volume of the first spacecraft to a terrestrial location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring, storing, and/or processing materials, such as fuel or propellant, in space, are disclosed. A representative system includes a flexible container that is changeable between a stowed configuration in which the flexible container is contained within a satellite, and a deployed configuration in which the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The system can include a tanker with a storage container to dock with and refuel a satellite. Another representative system includes a controller programmed with instructions that position a spacecraft with a storage container in a first orbit, transfer the spacecraft to a second orbit, dock the spacecraft with a satellite in the second orbit, transfer material between the storage container and the satellite, undock the spacecraft from the satellite, and, optionally, return the spacecraft to the first orbit. An androgynous coupling system with mechanical and fluid connectors facilitates docking and material transfer.

Abstract: A chassis actuator (1), in particular for a rear axle steering system, includes a rotational-linear transmission (5) which is provided for coupling, on the output side, to a chassis element, wherein a rotatable, input-side element (9) of the transmission (5) is mounted in a housing (13) by means of at least one axial bearing (16, 17). The transmission (5) is self-lockingly set by means of an adjustable preloading device (21), which loads the axial bearing (16, 17) with an axial force.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring, storing, and/or processing materials, such as fuel or propellant, in space, are disclosed. A representative system includes a flexible container that is changeable between a stowed configuration in which the flexible container is contained within a satellite, and a deployed configuration in which the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The system can include a tanker with a storage container to dock with and refuel a satellite. Another representative system includes a controller programmed with instructions that position a spacecraft with a storage container in a first orbit, transfer the spacecraft to a second orbit, dock the spacecraft with a satellite in the second orbit, transfer material between the storage container and the satellite, undock the spacecraft from the satellite, and, optionally, return the spacecraft to the first orbit. An androgynous coupling system with mechanical and fluid connectors facilitates docking and material transfer.

Abstract: Planetary roller screw having a threaded spindle, and having a nut element arranged on the threaded spindle, and having planets arranged distributed around the periphery of the threaded spindle, which mesh on one side with the threaded spindle and on the other side with the nut element, which is rotatably mounted in both axial directions in each case by means of a first bearing on a rotationally driven planet carrier which receives the planets and is rotatably mounted on a housing by means of a second bearing. The planet carrier has a sleeve encompassing the nut element, at the axial ends of which a flange respectively having a first bearing seat of the first bearing and a second bearing seat of the second bearing is arranged, the flanges being connected with play to one another by means of the sleeve in a rotationally fixed manner and axially with actuating play.

Abstract: Enclosures for facilitating activities in space, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative system includes a spacecraft having an enclosed interior volume (which can be formed by an inflatable membrane) and one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carried by the spacecraft and positioned to deploy into the enclosed interior volume. The system can include a remote-control system to control the one or more UAVs from a terrestrial location while the spacecraft is in space. A wireless charging system can provide electrical power to the one or more UAVs. A representative method includes configuring one or more controllers to launch a first spacecraft to a first orbit, launch a second spacecraft to a second orbit, move the first spacecraft to the second orbit, dock the first spacecraft with the second spacecraft, and broadcast an event within an interior volume of the first spacecraft to a terrestrial location.

Abstract: An actuator (1) for a rear axle steering system of a vehicle includes a thrust rod (2) which is longitudinally displaceable within a housing (3). The thrust rod (2) has a rotation lock (4) having a guide element (5) which is guided in the axial direction in a single-part or multi-part slide rail (6) arranged on the housing (3). An elastomer ring (7) is arranged between the slide rail (6) and the housing (3).

Abstract: Material transfer interfaces for space vehicles, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative system includes a coupling mechanism including a support structure, a latch-arm base movably connected to the support structure, and a latch arm pivotably connected to the latch-arm base. Another representative system includes a service valve portion, a coupling portion configured to receive the service valve portion, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the service valve portion to the coupling portion. The coupling mechanism can include latch arms positioned to pivot between a position in which the latch arms are pivoted outwardly and a position in which the latch arms are pivoted inwardly to capture the service valve portion. The latch arm can be carried by a latch-arm base that translates relative to a support structure of the coupling portion. Material transfer interfaces can include self-aligning ports having faces that engage each other with cup-and-cone structures.

Abstract: An enclosed volume is provided for performing operations in space, or on any astronomical object, in a manner separated from aspects of the external environment. The enclosed volume can be a flexible container for a satellite. The enclosed volume can include a membrane having a fluid barrier layer and being configured to contain a propellant gas or fluid; and an expulsion device configured to expel material from the membrane. In a stowed configuration, the flexible container is contained within the satellite, and in a deployed configuration, the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The flexible container can inflate from one shape, in the undeployed configuration, to another shape, in a deployed configuration. The other shape can be toroidal or other appropriate shapes. The flexible container can provide bipropellant, blowdown, and gas/fluid metering functionality. Entertainment and game play can be enabled by the enclosed volume involving robots and other devices.

Abstract: An actuator for rear-axle steering system of a motor vehicle comprises a threaded spindle (2) which is surrounded by planets (21), each provided with a corresponding profiling (8), wherein the planets (21) are guided in a driven cage (13) and, via further profiling (25), contact a nut (4) that surrounds areas of the planets (21) provided with said profiling (8) and is supported with respect to the cage (13) by rolling bearings (14), and wherein the cage (13) is mounted in a housing (20) by means of further rolling bearings (30, 31, 32, 33) and is non-rotatably connected to an output-side component (12, 34) of a further transmission (10, 11, 12).

Abstract: An enclosed volume is provided for performing operations in space, or on any astronomical object, in a manner separated from aspects of the external environment. The enclosed volume can be a flexible container for a satellite. The enclosed volume can include a membrane having a fluid barrier layer and being configured to contain a propellant gas or fluid; and an expulsion device configured to expel material from the membrane. In a stowed configuration, the flexible container is contained within the satellite, and in a deployed configuration, the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The flexible container can inflate from one shape, in the undeployed configuration, to another shape, in a deployed configuration. The other shape can be toroidal or other appropriate shapes. The flexible container can provide bipropellant, blowdown, and gas/fluid metering functionality. Entertainment and game play can be enabled by the enclosed volume involving robots and other devices.

Abstract: A ball screw nut having a tubular sheet metal body with a thread profile and being optionally encapsulated in plastic. This sheet metal body is formed of a sheet metal part that includes the thread profile and a ball-returning piece inserted therein, which is designed as an additional sheet metal part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a spindle for a ball screw, including the following steps: —introducing, at least in sections, a thread profile into a flat material section, —shaping the material section to a hollow cylindrical case, two lateral edges of the hollow cylindrical case abutting each other and the thread profile being oriented radially outwards, —connecting the two lateral edges of the hollow cylindrical case, and —forming, at least in sections, a supporting structure on a radially inner face of the hollow cylindrical case to finish the spindle. A spindle for a ball screw in hybrid design can thus be manufactured in a simple manner. The spindle can be produced cost-effectively and yet has high wear resistance and excellent mechanical load-bearing capacity as well as light weight. The invention further relates to a spindle manufactured according to the invention, for use in a ball screw.

Abstract: A level adjustment device for a vehicle, comprising a damping device having a piston-cylinder unit and a screw drive, and an adapter sleeve that axially supports a spindle of the screw drive and includes a flange directed radially inwards, wherein the adapter sleeve is configured to utilize the screw drive and is decoupled in relation to a cylinder of the piston-cylinder unit via one or more elastic elements.

Abstract: Bearing bushes, for example, for a chassis of a motor vehicle are disclosed. A bearing bush may include a shaft, a hub, and an elastomer element which is arranged radially therebetween. The bearing bush may be configured to be switched between a first and second stiffness levels. The hub may have a main body and a plurality of radially adjustable plungers which are arranged in the main body. The plungers may be configured to engage the elastomer element and change the stiffness of the bearing bush from the first stiffness level to the second stiffness level. The elastomer element may have a plurality of radial elements arranged on the main body and configured to be compressed via a respective plunger in order to increase the stiffness of the bearing bush. An actuator including an electric motor may be configured to radially adjust the plungers in the main body.

Abstract: An enclosed volume is provided for performing operations in space, or on any astronomical object, in a manner separated from aspects of the external environment. The enclosed volume can be a flexible container for a satellite. The enclosed volume can include a membrane having a fluid barrier layer and being configured to contain a propellant gas or fluid; and an expulsion device configured to expel material from the membrane. In a stowed configuration, the flexible container is contained within the satellite, and in a deployed configuration, the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The flexible container can inflate from one shape, in the undeployed configuration, to another shape, in a deployed configuration. The other shape can be toroidal or other appropriate shapes. The flexible container can provide bipropellant, blowdown, and gas/fluid metering functionality. Entertainment and game play can be enabled by the enclosed volume involving robots and other devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring, storing, and/or processing materials, such as fuel or propellant, in space, are disclosed. A representative system includes a flexible container that is changeable between a stowed configuration in which the flexible container is contained within a satellite, and a deployed configuration in which the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The system can include a tanker with a storage container to dock with and refuel a satellite. Another representative system includes a controller programmed with instructions that position a spacecraft with a storage container in a first orbit, transfer the spacecraft to a second orbit, dock the spacecraft with a satellite in the second orbit, transfer material between the storage container and the satellite, undock the spacecraft from the satellite, and, optionally, return the spacecraft to the first orbit. An androgynous coupling system with mechanical and fluid connectors facilitates docking and material transfer.