Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Refueling tool and system incorporating the refueling
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Application No.: US17785571Application Date: 2020-12-21
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Publication No.: US12071262B2Publication Date: 2024-08-27
- Inventor: Andrew Paul Turner , Tej Sachdev , Andrew Scott Ogilvie , Natalie Panek , Steve Fisher , Michael Honeybrown , Drew Alexander Grandy , Victor Nifo
- Applicant: MACDONALD, DETTWILER AND ASSOCIATES INC.
- Applicant Address: CA Brampton
- Assignee: MACDONALD, DETTWILER AND ASSOCIATES INC.
- Current Assignee: MACDONALD, DETTWILER AND ASSOCIATES INC.
- Current Assignee Address: CA Brampton
- Agency: HILL & SCHUMACHER
- International Application: PCT/CA2020/051779 2020.12.21
- International Announcement: WO2021/119851A 2021.06.24
- Date entered country: 2022-06-15
- Main IPC: B64G1/40
- IPC: B64G1/40 ; B64D39/04 ; B64G1/10 ; B64G1/64 ; B64G4/00

Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a robotically controlled satellite refueling tool and associated robotically controlled support and site preparation tools which facilitates on-orbit refueling by teleoperation of fill/drain valves of various designs and dimensions on satellites not originally prepared for on-orbit servicing, through the installation of quick connect safety valves, using vision-based feedback as well as feedback from sensors embedded in the refueling tool to operate a suite of adaptable and adjustable mechanisms. The refueling tool has an open architecture to allow a refueling tool vision system to see the fill/drain valve and the section of the refueling tool that is engaged with the fill/drain valve. The support tools include a blanket cutter tool, a blanket handler tool, a wire cutter tool, a gripper tool, and the site preparation tools include a B-nut removal tool and a crush seal removal tool. Each of these tools includes a common base structure which is interfaced to the end effector of the robotic arm for transmitting rotation and torque to the various tools.
Public/Granted literature
- US20230028104A1 REFUELING TOOL AND SYSTEM INCORPORATING THE REFUELING Public/Granted day:2023-01-26
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