US 12,214,912 B2
In-space grasping system and method of operation
Lee Carlson, Broomfield, CO (US); Shazad Sadick, Franklin Square, NY (US); Jeffrey I. Shasho, Brooklyn, NY (US); John Wilson, Brooklyn, NY (US); Jonah E. Saltzman, Brooklyn, NY (US); Erik Mumm, Longmont, CO (US); and Jason Herman, North Bellmore, NY (US)
Assigned to Honeybee Robotics, LLC, Longmont, CO (US)
Filed by Honeybee Robotics, LLC, Longmont, CO (US)
Filed on May 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/323,519.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/027,579, filed on May 20, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0362885 A1, Nov. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. B64G 1/64 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/641 (2013.01) [B64G 1/646 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coupling system comprising:
a passive unit having a first side and an opposing second side, the first side having a recess with a lip; and
an active unit comprising:
an actuator;
a cam mechanism operably coupled to the actuator, the cam mechanism being movable from a stowed position to a deployed position; and
a plurality of capture rollers operably coupled to the cam mechanism to move from a first position to a second position in response to the cam mechanism moving from the stowed position to the deployed position, the plurality of capture rollers engaging the recess to align the passive unit as the plurality of capture rollers move from the first position and second position engaging the lip in the second position and moving the passive unit into contact with the active unit.