docking device). This sensor is activated when the head touches the end of the docking frame, and does not send a signal during contacts of the head with the cone. The end contact sensor is activated after linkage when the floor of the socket of the receiving cone is contacted. Thus, this signal can be expediently used for automatic control of the docking process. It is also effective to use the end contact sensor to signal the spacecraft and the Flight Control Center. Telemetric information on the end contacts during docking helps to more accurately determine the parameters of the initial conditions (see section 7,4.5). 2.7. Peripheral Docking Devices Frames with mechanisms on them usually differ little from other types of docking devices. Moreover, one docking frame may have a docking mechanism with a rod or a peripheral type, or even two docking mechanisms of both types. The principal schemes of peripheral docking mechanisms have significant features. 2.7.1. General Issues of Peripheral Docking Devices Two varieties of peripheral docking mechanisms are possible (Figure 2.4): 1) with several discrete, that is, independent buffer elements which are used for interaction during docking, shock absorption and linkage; 2) with a continuous buffer element in the form of a ring. Figure 2.4. Peripheral docking devices with discrete buffer elements with guide plugs (a) and an androgynous two rod device (b); with a continuous buffer (c) (OC is the axis of inverse symmetry).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==