device; the androgynous docking device consists of two active-passive assemblies which are capable of docking with similar devices, in other words, it can “dock with itself.” Two basic principles prompted work on a principally new docking device: 1) the expediency of having, in the future, the opportunity of docking any two spacecraft equipped with this docking device, for example, to render aid in orbit or to conduct joint operations; 2) the wish to free the central part of the docking device, where the transition tunnel usually passes, of docking mechanism elements, for example, the rod and receiving cone. Several designs were proposed for a peripheral androgynous docking mechanism which contains a ring with several guide protrusions. Tn the initial stage of work both sides agreed that each country, based on its experience, the properties of equipment and technology, would create their own variant of the construction. Subsequent work, joint meetings, and consultation lead to, at the end of 1971, the development of the general features of the schematic, which made it possible to create two docking assemblies differing substantially in structure (Figure 1.25) which were compatible. The following general requirements were imposed on both variants: 1) the buffer element of the docking mechanism is a ring with three guide protrusions; 2) transition of the docking mechanism from passive to active is done by advancing the ring; 3) linkage is done by three latches (Figure 1.26) on the advanced ring of the active assembly with three supports or clamps on the hull of the assembly in the passive state; thus linkage is done by aligning the ends of the rings of both assemblies (a displacement of 5 mm from the joint plane of the face of the ring of the passive assembly excluded linkage of its latches with the supports of the active assembly); 4) final equalization of the docking frames in the final portion of the coupling is done by two pairs of guide rods and sockets; 5) rigid connection of the joint is done by eight locks (with active and passive clamps on each assembly); 6) hermetization of the joint is done by two resin seals (on each APDA) which contact each other. As the planning process continued a number of general requirements on the schematic were refined and added. The structural execution of the two assemblies, including the schematics of individual mechanisms, differed. This was primarily true of the schematics of the docking mechanisms, and the construction of the
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==