Abstract: A communications satellite uses a low level beam forming network connected to a hybrid matrix power amplifier section which has output ports connected to an array of radiating elements. Several beams emanate from the array and at least some of the elements are used in common for more than one beam to achieve beam overlap. The hybrid matrix power amplifier section which provides flexible power distribution, is formed of several relatively small hybrid matrix power amplifiers instead of a single relatively large one. This enables considerable advantages to be achieved, particularly dispensing with the requirement for port selection and reducing the size of the device, without compromising the performance.

Abstract: In a grapple fixture which has a plurality of locating cam arms projecting from the front face of its base for the purpose of aligning it with a grapple device, there is provided the improvement wherein the cam arms are mounted for angular movement on the base, each cam arm being connected to a latch which is located at the back face of the base. The latch is connected to the cam arms so as to be rotatable with the cam arms into and out of a latch receptacle such that the latch is operable from the front face of the base.

Abstract: This radiometer accurately measures IR and solar spectrum radiation in a vacuum, and accounts for radiation loss from its sensing plate by measuring the housing temperature. Calibration is performed by measuring the temperature of the sensing plate and housing while power to a heater attached to the sensing plate is varied. The square of the difference between the measured power dissipation of the heater and the heat absorbed by the sensing plate as determined from the heat balance equation of the sensing plate is minimized to obtain calibration factors for the heat balance equation.

Abstract: A microwave antenna feed network dispenses with the conventional phase shifters. Instead, the required phase relationships between the different individual antenna components is achieved by means of a new device, known as a phase slope equalizer, placed in each feed line. This device is formed of a section of waveguide containing one or more resonant circuit elements. Each element comprises, for example, a pair of spaced inductive posts and capacitive tuning screw, or an inductive iris and a capacitive tuning screw, or a resonant slot. The phase slope equalizer exhibits a substantially constant slope phase shift/frequency response curve extending from a positive phase shift through zero phase shift at midband to a negative phase shift. The device is simpler and smaller than the conventional phase shifter and fewer are required thereby reducing costs.

Abstract: A self relocating manipulator assembly which is movable so as to be secured to any one of a number of fixtures which are spaced from one another on a support structure. The manipulator assembly comprises, a boom which has first and second end effectors each adapted to releasably secured to any one of the fixtures. First and second articulators are provided which serve to mount the first and second end effectors at first and second ends of the boom respectively. The first and second articulators provide a sufficient degree of movement between the end effectors and the boom to allow one end effector to be moved toward and away from one of said fixtures while the other end effector remains mounted on one of said fixtures. A power transmission system is associated with each articulator for articulating the boom with respect to either end effector whereby the manipulator assembly may relocate itself by sequentially securing and releasing one of the end effectors and then the other with respect to said fixtures.

Abstract: A torque transmitting mating component for a mating assembly which, during assembly, provides at least one degree of freedom of movement selected from radial, axial and angular movement comprises an outer member, an inner member and torque transmitting elements located between the outer and inner members. The outer member has a chamber extending inwardly from one end thereof which has a polygon-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The inner member is located within the chamber of said outer member and has external side faces which are arranged to provide a polygon-shaped cross-sectional configuration corresponding to that of the chamber. The inner member is substantially smaller than the opening and the outer member so as to provide a clearance gap between the side walls and the external side faces.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved satellite servicing system. The improvements include improvements in payload distribution in the cargo bay of the Shuttle Orbiter and improvements in the location of the targets required for positioning end effectors with respect to the component which they are to engage. In the improved satellite servicing system, the remote manipulator system which is normally used for the purpose of capturing and deploying satellites is also used for servicing the satellites when captured and secured for servicing. An improved payload distribution system is provided in the cargo bay which permits optimum utilization of the cargo bay by primary payload units by providing for the location of secondary payload units at any convenient position of opportunity along the length of the cargo bay.

Abstract: A latch mechanism and a self-supporting tool incorporating the latch mechanism are disclosed herein. The tool comprises a housing, a power transmission, a powered shaft and workpiece engaging means. The workpiece engaging means is secured to the housing and adapted to engage the workpiece in use such that the workpiece may be restrained against longitudinal and rotational movement with respect to the housing when worked by operation of the powered shaft. The latching system comprises a latch support on the housing which has a latching shoulder which projects laterally at one end thereof. A latch head is disposed outwardly from the shoulder and latching means is mounted on the head for movement between a retracted configuration in line with the head and an extended position projecting laterally from the head to overlie the shoulder and clamp a workpiece therebetween. The latch is activated by an actuator which is operable to effect movement of the latch between the extended and retracted positions in use.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved satellite servicing system. The improvements include improvements in payload distribution in the cargo bay of the Shuttle Orbiter and improvements in the location of the targets required for positioning end effectors with respect to the component which they are to engage. In the improved satellite servicing system, the remote manipulator system which is normally used for the purpose of capturing and deploying satellites is also used for servicing the satellites when captured and secured for servicing. An improved payload distribution system is provided in the cargo bay which permits optimum utilization of the cargo bay by primary payload units by providing for the location of secondary payload units at any convenient position of opportunity along the length of the cargo bay.

Abstract: A three axes controller comprises a support platform in which a first carriage is mounted for movement in a first direction fore and aft of a first neutral position. A second carriage is mounted on the first carriage for movement in the direction of a second axis fore and aft of a second neutral position. A third carriage is mounted on the second carriage for movement in the direction of a third axis fore and aft of a third neutral position. Centering springs are provided for centering each carriage with respect to its neutral position. The first, second and third axes are orthogonally arranged and have a common origin when the carriages are in their neutral positions. A control lever is supported by a gimbal mounted on the first carriage at a point spaced from the proximal and distal ends thereof and a universal joint is provided at the distal end of the control lever for mounting the distal end on the third carriage.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved satellite servicing system. The improvements include improvements in payload distribution in the cargo bay of the Shuttle Orbiter and improvements in the location of the targets required for positioning end effectors with respect to the component which they are to engage. In the improved satellite servicing system, the remote manipulator system which is normally used for the purpose of capturing and deploying satellites is also used for servicing the satellites when captured and secured for servicing. An improved payload distribution system is provided in the cargo bay which permits optimum utilization of the cargo bay by primary payload units by providing for the location of secondary payload units at any convenient position of opportunity along the length of the cargo bay.

Abstract: An extensible articulated manipulator arm is described in which the distal end is movable in a straight line relative to the proximal end thereof. The articulated arm includes a first arm which incorporates a first parallelogram linkage and a second arm which includes a second parallelogram linkage, the adjacent ends of the parallelogram linkages are drivingly connected to one another whereby rotation of the first arm about the first end support alters the geometry of the first parallelogram linkage which in turn effects a corresponding alteration in the geometry of the second parallelogram linkage, thereby to cause movement of the distal end of the second arm in a straight line relative to the proximal end of the first arm.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting a manipulator arm of a remote manipulator device to a tool body and its associated tool anchor linkage constructed according to the present invention comprises a tool holder adapted to be secured to the manipulator arm and a tool actuator piston mounted in a cylinder in the tool holder. The tool holder has a first latching mechanism for releasably securing a tool body with respect to the tool holder. The tool actuator piston has a second latching mechanism at one end thereof for releasably securing a tool actuator arm thereto. The second latching mechanism is located at an end of the tool holder inwardly from the first latching mechanism.

Abstract: An optical system for infrared detection in the 3 to 14 micrometer region comprising: a viewing aspheric corrector, a spherical mirror having a focal length, said spherical mirror being positioned to receive the light passed by said viewing aspheric corrector, a plurality of detector cells comprising an array thereof sufficient to vertically scan an image to provide high resolution and positioned to lie at the focal length of said optical system behind a narrow pass spectral filter, said detector cells being adapted to produce an electrical signal responsive to the infrared radiation detected thereby, means for moving the system field of view in azimuth, a multiplexer to scan the array of cells and deliver their signals sequentially to an image display, and a cryogenic cooling system for cooling the filter and the cells.