3.5.4. Connecting Elements on the Docking Frame Whether connected manually or automatically, the electrical connections on the frame should have a minimal force of connection and disconnection. The structure and arrangement of automatically connected connectors should insure 1) compensation of possible errors of mutual position; 2) work capacity in open space (for appropriate arrangement); 3) docking should not be prevented when it is impossible to connect the connectors. The Soyuz-Salyut docking device complex (Figure 3.18) uses 150-contact electrical connectors with reduced force of connection and disconnection These connectors were tested in deep vacuum in a wide range of temperatures. Tn these tests Fc and F- increased by no more than a factor of 2.5 compared to the normal conditions. The connectors were used on the Salyut-6 station for about four years. The structure of the connectors includes guide pins and sockets, and the sockets can be shifted laterally by up to ±2 mm. The connectors are installed on moving (up to mm) plates, which also have guide pins and sockets. Solid lubricant is used on the moving elements. The plugs are installed on compressed plates, which insure docking when the force of connection of the connectors is increased up to 750 N. Manually connected connectors are used in the APDAs. They are installed inside the tunnel. On the Soyuz they are immobile, and on the Apollo they can be moved under the casing, which is opened to connect them and to prevent them from protruding from the plane of the joint during docking. The casing also automatically disconnects the connectors if they were not manually disconnected. They are disconnected by pulling away the stopper which prevents spontaneous disconnection. The structure of the guide pins and sockets has a number of features. When two pairs of guide pins and sockets are used (see section 2.5.1) one must insure that the cylindrical parts fit together when there are linear and angular deformations of their attachment locations. Thus, for example, in the Soyuz-Salyut complex docking device one of the two guide pins can be shifted in the lateral
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