assembly of this device on the command module was equipped with an additional system of locks for rigid connection. NASA specialists also presented their own docking device design, the “ring and cone” (Figure 1.18). This design later played an important role in the development of peripheral devices. The latter two projects were rejected because the assemblies on the lunar module and the command module contained active mechanisms. Considering the features of the project [33], a device was developed where all the mechanisms were located in the command module assembly (Figure 1.19). The docking mechanism with the rod in this docking device was located in the transition tunnel. The frame of the active assembly was equipped with locks for rigid connection and sealing of the joint. The passive assembly of this docking device was actually an extremely simple docking frame, which formed the transition tunnel; inside the tunnel was the passive cone. The tunnel was closed by hermetic hatches on both assemblies. Figure 1.19. Structure of the Apollo docking device. 1. lunar module tunnel; 2. hatch of the lunar module; 3. valve to relieve and equalize pressure; 4. receiving cone supports; 5. receiving cone; 6. docking mechanism; 7. docking frame; 8. hatch of the command module; 9. tunnel; 10. hull of the command module; 11. forward frame; 12.locks. This design made it possible to create a docking device of minimal size and mass among all of the examined variants. The significant advantages of this design were its maximum simplicity and the minimal mass of the passive assembly on the
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==