Astronaut tool development: An orbital replaceable unit-portable handhold

A tool to be used during astronaut Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) replacement of spent or defective electrical/electronic component boxes is described. The generation of requirements and design philosophies are detailed, as well as specifics relating to mechanical development, interface verifications, testing, and astronaut feedback. Findings are presented in the form of: (1) a design which is universally applicable to spacecraft component replacement, and (2) guidelines that the designer of orbital replacement units might incorporate to enhance spacecraft on-orbit maintainability and EVA mission safety

Self-locking clamping tool with swivel jaws

A plier-like tool (11) having two plier-like members (13, 15) pivotally joined togther intermediate of their ends and having handle portions (17, 18) and swivel jaw members (29,30). An automatic locking mechanism (27) extending between the members permits an user to clamp the handle portions together so as to clamp the jaw members on an object (25) but holds the position so reached if the clamping action of the user is removed. A release device (65) is provided so that the jaw members may be opened up again. A compression spring (23) extending between the members (19, 20) assists in the opening of the jaw members. The swivel jaw members (29, 30) permit the user to rotate the plier-like members (13,15) relative to the object (25) being grasped

Thermally isolated deployable shield for spacecraft

A thermally isolated deployable shield for spacecraft is provided utilizing a plurality of lattice panels stowable generally against the craft and deployable to some fixed distance from the craft. The lattice panels are formed from replaceable shield panels affixed to lattice structures. The lattice panels generally encircle the craft providing 360 degree coverage therearound. Actuation means are provided from translating the shield radially outward from the craft and thermally isolating the shield from the craft. The lattice panels are relatively flexible, allowing the shield to deploy to variable diameters while retaining uniform curvature thereof. Restraining means are provided for holding the shield relatively tight in its stowed configuration. Close-out assemblies provide light sealing and protection of the annular spaces between the deployed shield and the crafts end structure

Portable hand hold device

A hand hold device (A) includes a housing (10) having a hand hold (14) and clamping brackets (32,34) for grasping and handling an object. A drive includes drive lever (23), spur gear (22), and rack gears (24,26) carried on rods (24a, 26a) for moving the clamping brackets. A lock includes ratchet gear (40) and pawl (42) biased between lock and unlock positions by a cantilever spring (46,48) and moved by handle (54). Compliant grip pads (32b, 34b) provide compliance to lock, unlock, and hold an object between the clamp brackets

A Large-Scale Design Integration Approach Developed in Conjunction with the Ares Launch Vehicle Program

This paper presents a method for performing large-scale design integration, taking a classical 2D drawing envelope and interface approach and applying it to modern three dimensional computer aided design (3D CAD) systems. Today, the paradigm often used when performing design integration with 3D models involves a digital mockup of an overall vehicle, in the form of a massive, fully detailed, CAD assembly; therefore, adding unnecessary burden and overhead to design and product data management processes. While fully detailed data may yield a broad depth of design detail, pertinent integration features are often obscured under the excessive amounts of information, making them difficult to discern. In contrast, the envelope and interface method results in a reduction in both the amount and complexity of information necessary for design integration while yielding significant savings in time and effort when applied to today's complex design integration projects. This approach, combining classical and modern methods, proved advantageous during the complex design integration activities of the Ares I vehicle. Downstream processes, benefiting from this approach by reducing development and design cycle time, include: Creation of analysis models for the Aerodynamic discipline; Vehicle to ground interface development; Documentation development for the vehicle assembly

Orientation Control Method and System for Object in Motion

An object in motion has a force applied thereto at a point of application. By moving the point of application such that the distance between the object's center-of-mass and the point of application is changed, the object's orientation can be changed/adjusted

Cylindrical surface profile and diameter measuring tool and method

A tool is shown having a cross beam assembly made of beams joined by a center box structure. The assembly is adapted to be mounted by brackets to the outer end of a cylindrical case. The center box structure has a vertical shaft rotatably mounted therein and extending beneath the assembly. Secured to the vertical shaft is a radius arm which is adapted to rotate with the shaft. On the longer end of the radius arm is a measuring tip which contacts the cylindrical surface to be measured and which provides an electric signal representing the radius of the cylindrical surface from the center of rotation of the radius arm. An electric servomotor rotates the vertical shaft and an electronic resolver provides an electric signal representing the angle of rotation of the shaft. The electric signals are provided to a computer station which has software for its computer to calculate and print out the continuous circumference profile of the cylindrical surface, and give its true diameter and the deviations from the ideal circle

Space shuttle solid rocket motor Profile Measuring Device (PMD)

The SRM PMD is an electromechanical tool used for measuring and recording the profile and diameters of the solid rocket motor segments, both Tang and Clevis ends. This system consists of a crossbeam assembly that mounts to the SRM segment using the existing assembly pin holes. The mounting configuration is such that the tool can be used to measure Clevis up/Tang down or Clevis up/Tang down. The testing and calibration of the PMD is described

Long-term results of pancreas transplantation under tacrolimus immunosuppression

Background. The long-term safety and efficacy of tacrolimus in pancreas transplantation has not yet been demonstrated. The observation of prolonged pancreatic graft function under tacrolimus would indicate that any potential islet toxicity is short-lived and clinically insignificant. We report herein the results of pancreas transplantation in patients receiving primary tacrolimus immunosuppression for a minimum of 2 years. Methods. From July 4, 1994 until April 18, 1996, 60 patients received either simultaneous pancreas- kidney transplant (n=55), pancreas transplant only (n=4), or pancreas after kidney transplantation (n=1). Baseline immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus and steroids without antilymphocyte induction. Azathioprine was used as a third agent in 51 patients and mycophenolate mofetil in 9. Rejection episodes within the first 6 months occurred in 48 (80%) patients and were treated with high-dose corticosteroids. Antilymphocyte antibody was required in eight (13%) patients with steroid-resistant rejection. Results. With a mean follow-up of 35.1±5.9 months (range: 24.3-45.7 months), 6-month and 1-, 2-, and 33-year graft survival is 88%, 82%, 80%, and 80% pancreas) and 98%, 96%, 93%, and 91% (kidney), respectively. Six-month and 1-, 2-, and 3-year patient survival is 100%, 98%, 98%, and 96.5%. Mean fasting glucose is 91.6±13.8 mg/dl, and mean glycosylated hemoglobin is 5.1±0.7% (normal range: 4.3-6.1%). Mean tacrolimus dose is 6.5±2.6 mg/day and mean prednisone dose 2.0±2.9 mg/day at follow-up. Complete steroid withdrawal was possible in 31 (65%) of the 48 patients with functioning pancreases. Conclusions. These data show for the first time that tacrolimus is a safe and effective long-term primary agent in pancreas transplantation and provides excellent long-term islet function without evidence of toxicity while permitting steroid withdrawal in the majority of patients

On some discrete statistics of parking functions

Recall that $\alpha=(a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n)\in[n]^n$ is a parking function if its nondecreasing rearrangement $\beta=(b_1,b_2,\ldots,b_n)$ satisfies $b_i\leq i$ for all $1\leq i\leq n$. In this article, we study parking functions based on their ascents (indices at which $a_i<a_{i+1}$), descents (indices at which $a_i>a_{i+1}$), and ties (indices at which $a_i=a_{i+1}$). By utilizing multiset Eulerian polynomials, we give a generating function for the number of parking functions of length $n$ with $i$ descents. We present a recursive formula for the number of parking functions of length $n$ with descents at a specified subset of $[n-1]$. We establish that the number of parking functions of length $n$ with descents at $I\subset[n-1]$ and descents at $J=\{n-i:i\in I\}$ are equinumerous. As a special case, we show that the number of parking functions of length $n$ with descents at the first $k$ indices is given by $f(n, n-k-1)=\frac{1}{n}\binom{n}{k}\binom{2n-k}{n-k-1}$. We prove this by bijecting to the set of standard Young tableaux of shape $((n-k)^2,1^k)$, which are enumerated by $f(n,n-k-1)$. We also study peaks of parking functions, which are indices at which $a_{i-1}a_{i+1}$. We show that the set of parking functions with no peaks and no ties is enumerated by the Catalan numbers. We conclude our study by characterizing when a parking function is uniquely determined by their statistic encoding; a word indicating what indices in the parking function are ascents, descents, and ties. We provide open problems throughout.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figures, 5 tables, version 2 provides a new proof of Theorem 3.