energy during random shifts of the spacecraft during docking. The longitudinal shock absorbers consists of hydraulic dampers and springs to return the cone to its initial position. The transverse hydraulic dampers do not have springs. The group of shock absorbers are opposite a tapering groove in the receiving cone, and contains two spring-hydraulic shock absorbers which absorb energy during roil rotations. Linkage is made by three compressed latches installed at the base of the cone. The latches link with three protrusions in the forward part of the conical adapter of the Gemini spacecraft. For a rigid connection of the spacecraft, the receiving cone is drawn to the heavy-duty rocket stage frame. This action is performed by three lever mechanisms which are connected to the latches located at the base of the cone. The lever mechanism is constructed to permit shifting of the base of the cone with the latches in an arbitrary direction during shock absorption. In coupling the mechanism is actuated by an electrical drive. The rotation of this drive is transmitted to three reducers by flexible shafts. The output shafts of the reducers turn an eccentric mechanism which actuates the lever mechanisms for coupling. The force of coupling, which insures the absorption of all longitudinal loads and torques arising in the combined flight of the spacecraft, is monitored in each of the three rods. Monitoring is done on Earth before the launch of the rocket booster using three tensometric sensors installed on the rods. The measurements were made on all flying Agena rocket stages during combined testing with Gemini spacecraft intended for docking. This monitoring made it possible to avoid overloads of the heavy-duty elements of the mechanism with the drive and to guarantee sufficient coupling force. The elements of the coupling mechanism were designed for the application of the maximum momentum of the drive to any of the three reducers. This approach made it possible to avoid failures during various deviations in the work of the devices, for example, jamming of one of the latches. During coupling the longitudinal shock absorbers were compressed, and the drive should have overcome the force of the springs and the dampers. The loads in joint flight were transmitted through three latches. No additional locks for rigid connection were provided. There was an additional electric drive to release the latches during undocking. It was also used to erect the rod on the spacecraft and to equalize roll.
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