Abstract: A transportation node that orbits a celestial body includes a truss having two ends with least at one end of the truss having at least one coupling tether cable with a tether tip at individual ends. The truss, while orbiting the celestial body, rotates around its center of mass in a direction to control the tether tip in relation to a surface of the celestial body and to cancel a relative velocity between the tether tip and the surface for transferring a payload attached to the tether tip to and from the surface. A method of transferring payload to and from a celestial body includes reeling in/out from an orbiting transportation node a coupling tether cable with a tether tip configured to attach to the payload.

Abstract: A thin diaphragm valve includes a base plate attached to a valve attach plate. A diaphragm is positioned between the plates to move between open and closed positions. A spring can be provided between the diaphragm and a sealing flange of a pipe. Because no sliding friction occurs between sealing surfaces, wear is reduced and leakage is also reduced. A pierceable membrane can also be added to provide additional security.

Abstract: A space transportation propellant depot has multiple locations, sources and capabilities. Maximizing known mature technologies coupled with realistic industrial techniques results in the incremental development of a propellant source on the moon. Propellant depots are economically driven locations with defined services, sources of propellant and innovation in the pursuit of transportation related commerce as mankind explores for resources beyond Earth.

Abstract: An aerospace frame accommodates propellant tanks for facilitating propellant operations in space. The frame includes at least two plates for supporting the propellant tanks; at least one brace supporting the plates; and a cavity between two plates that accommodates a removable propellant tank.

Abstract: A transportation node system orbits a celestial body. The node system includes a truss having two ends, the truss rotating around its center of mass while orbiting the celestial body. The truss stores payloads. The node system also includes tether tips, each attached to one end of the truss via a tether so that each tether tip can extend from the truss and retract to the truss for transfer of payloads. The tether runs through the length of the truss and connects to each tether tip, each tether tip being capable of engaging payloads. The node further includes at least one tether cable reel that reels in and reels out the tether so the tether tips can extend from and retract to the truss.

Abstract: A platform for storage and transfer of payloads in space includes a plate for supporting a payload, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the payload to and from the plate. A groove extends diametrically between two edges of the plate for receiving a rail provided on the payload. The rail includes a plurality of teeth, and the transfer mechanism includes a gear which interacts with the teeth for moving the rail. Two platforms may be positioned adjacent to each other for transferring a payload. Docking of the two platforms includes engagement of tapered pins and tapered holes on the platforms. In this manner, the grooves of the platforms are aligned. The rail is passed between the grooves of the platforms for transferring the payload between the platforms.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes a sensor body extending substantially in a plane. The sensor body is substantially symmetric in the plane about a first axis and a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The sensor body includes a plurality of sensor body portions symmetrically spaced apart about the first axis and the second axis with the plurality of sensor body portions interconnected by respective beams. The strain sensor further includes at least one strain sensing element mounted on one of the respective beams.

Abstract: A platform for storage and transfer of propellant tanks in space includes frames configured to releasably support plural propellant tanks in storage positions, and transfer mechanisms configured to transfer propellant tanks to and from the storage positions. The platform includes a central structure to which the plural frames are connected at predetermined spaced intervals. The transfer mechanisms include extendable telescoping arms mounted to the central structure. The arms have end effectors configured to grip bands on propellant tanks. Two platforms may be positioned adjacent each other for the transfer of propellant tanks therebetween.

Abstract: A platform for storage and transfer of payloads in space includes a plate for supporting a payload, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the payload to and from the plate. A groove extends diametrically between two edges of the plate for receiving a rail provided on the payload. The rail includes a plurality of teeth, and the transfer mechanism includes a gear which interacts with the teeth for moving the rail. Two platforms may be positioned adjacent to each other for transferring a payload. Docking of the two platforms includes engagement of tapered pins and tapered holes on the platforms. In this manner, the grooves of the platforms are aligned. The rail is passed between the grooves of the platforms for transferring the payload between the platforms.

Abstract: A system for transportation and storage of cargo in space includes one or more platforms. The platforms are operable to hold multiple removable propellant tanks and rendezvous with one or more other platforms in space. The platforms also include one or more thruster systems and positioners. Each positioner has an effector operable to grip a band disposed around each propellant tank. Each positioner is operable to facilitate the transfer of the multiple removable propellant tanks between platforms during the rendezvous.

Abstract: A two-stage wingless reusable aerospace vehicle having upper and lower stages that take off from a take-off area and separate at a separation point along a first trajectory. The separation forces are generated by air retained between the upper and lower stages, which is at a pressure higher than ambient pressure at the separation point. The lower stage is then propelled along a return trajectory to a landing area. After separation from the lower stage, the upper stage continues to an Earth orbit for deployment of a payload. After deploying the payload, the upper stage moves out of the Earth orbit, re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, and returns to the take-off and landing area. The upper and lower stages are powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene engines.

Abstract: A load cell adapted to be positioned between a foundation and each of several support members for a storage vessel. The load cell includes a circular flex plate having a pair of concentric cylindrical members of different diameters secured to opposite surfaces. A mounting pad adapted to be fastened to the foundation is secured to one of the cylindrical members. A mounting plate is secured to the other cylindrical member. The mounting plate has either a single threaded bore or a threaded stud positioned at the common axis of the cylindrical members for securing the mounting plate to a vessel support member. A strain sensor mounted on the flex plate measures the load-induced deflection of the flex plate.

Abstract: A strain sensor is provided which includes a base member and a pair of mounting points for mounting the base member to a support structure supporting a vessel for weighing the contents of the vessel. The base member defines a cylindrically shaped well located at the center of base member. The area of the base member within the well defines a pair of apertures symmetrically located on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis of the base member. The base member also defines a pair of notches located on opposite edges of the base member which run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base member. An axial strain sensing element is mounted in the well along the longitudinal axis of the base member for sensing the axial strain in the support structure. In addition, a transverse strain sensing element is mounted in the well perpendicular to the axial strain sensing element for detecting strain a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base member.

Abstract: A load cell having single or multiple resonators arranged to receive a strain that is proportional to the strain in a beam to which the resonator(s) is attached. Arrangement of the multiple resonators with respect to a force-bearing beam of the cell determines whether the cell is a bending mode load cell or a shear mode load cell. Absolute and differential pressure sensors, accelerometers and weighing devices are disclosed which employ the multiple-resonators of the invention.

Abstract: A double resonator beam force transducer configured to minimize longitudinal pumping by making the beams vibrate symmetrically. This can be accomplished by making the boundary conditions of the beams symmetrical or, if the boundary conditions are nonsymmetric, then by biasing the beams inwardly or outwardly to compensate for the nonsymmetrical boundary conditions of the beams. In the nonsymmetrical case where the beams would bow outwardly at their fundamental resonant frequency or an odd overtone thereof, an inward bias is provided to minimize longitudinal pumping. In the nonsymmetrical case where the beams would bow inwardly at an even overtone of the fundamental resonant frequency, an outward bias is provided to minimize longitudinal pumping.

Abstract: A digital differential pressure sensor with relatively low sensitivity to common mode line pressure errors. The sensor includes an airtight enclosure having a pair of pressure ports through which pressures are coupled to opposite sides of a pressure-sensing diaphragm, bellows, or Bourdon tube. The pressure-sensing elements generate torques which are transmitted by a shaft to stress-sensitive resonators which are isolated from the torque-producing elements by a sealed, flexible tube.

Abstract: An isotropic strain sensor having four mounting points interconnected by four legs, two of which are bowed toward each other and two of which are bowed away from each other. A strain sensing element mounted on at least one of the legs provides an electrical indication of the deflection of the leg. As a result, the strain sensor measures isotropic strains in an object to which the strain sensor is attached through the mounting points. Another embodiment of the strain sensor utilizes three mounting points interconnected by legs, two of which are bowed outwardly and one of which is bowed inwardly. Both embodiments of the strain sensor produce outputs that are a nonlinear function of the sensed isotropic strain. This nonlinear characteristic allows the strain sensor to provide an output that is a linear function of the load applied between the center and outer periphery of a freely supported disc that has a strain that is a nonlinear function of the applied load.

Abstract: A transducer system for a weighing scale having a flexure mode crystal resonator includes a parallelogram linkage for supporting the load platform of the scale, a mounting structure for mounting the crystal resonator between two pivotally connected mounting arms, and a coupling assembly for coupling force from the parallelogram linkage to one arm of the mounting structure.

Abstract: An extensometer having two spaced-apart mounting bases adapted to be mounted on a load-bearing structure with its axis of sensitivity intersecting the axis along which load-induced strains are generated at 45.degree.. The extensometer includes a pair of parallel links connecting the mounting bases through respective flexure hinges. In one embodiment, one of the links is also connected to one of the bases through an intermediate flexure hinge so that the link deforms responsive to relative movement applied between the bases along the axis of sensitivity. A strain gauge mounted on this link measures the magnitude of the deformation. In a second embodiment, a strain-instrumented measurement beam extends between the two links so that it deforms responsive to pivotal movement of the links as the mounting bases move in opposite directions along the axis of sensitivity. This embodiment of extensometer may be mounted on the load-bearing structure through three or more mounting points.

Abstract: A resonator force transducer assembly includes an elongate base element, a first arm disposed generally in parallel with a front portion of the base element, a first hinge joining the arm near a rear end thereof to the base element at about the middle thereof, an elongate resonator element such as a quartz crystal attached to the front ends of the arm and base element to extend therebetween, a second arm disposed generally in parallel with a rear portion of the base element, and a second hinge joining the second arm to the base element. A third hinge joins the front end of the second arm to the rear end of the first arm to form a type of compound lever arrangement so that when a force is applied to the second arm to urge it either toward or away from the base element, a portion of this force is transmitted via the third hinge to the first arm to urge it either away from or toward the base element to thereby stress the quartz resonator element.