Engineering topics

Sprague, Benny B.

Publications and source records attributed to Sprague, Benny B..

3 records

NASA NTRS1991

Quick-Connect/Disconnect Joint For Truss Structures

Simple connector used for temporary structures and pipes. Truss connector joins and aligns structural members. Consists of two sections, one flanged and other with mating internal groove. When flanged half inserted in groove, moves lever of trigger mechanism upward. Cone then shoots into grooved half. Attached without tools in less than 2 seconds and taken apart just as quickly and easily. Developed for assembling structures in outer space, also useful for temporary terrestrial structures like scaffolds and portable bleachers. With modifications, used to join sections of pipelines carrying liquids or gases.

Sprague, Benny B.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Quick connect coupling

A coupling device has a transversely arranged, open-end groove in a flange attached to a pipe end. The groove in the flange receives a circumferentially arranged locking flange element on the other coupling member and permits alignment of the bores of the coupling members when the locking flange element is in the open end groove. Upon alignment of the bores of the coupling members, a trigger member is activated to automatically release a spring biased tubular member in one of the coupling members. The tubular member has a conical end which is displaced into the other coupling member to lock the coupling members to one another. A tensioning nut is threadedly movable on a coupling member so as to be moved into tightening engagement with the other coupling member.

Sprague, Benny B.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Simulating A Massive, Mobile Structure

Simulator replicates, kinematically and dynamically, mating of large, massive mobile structure with similarly large and massive fixed structure. Developed for testing berthing-and-latching mechanism. Fixed section holds active berthing-and-latching mechanism and its motor control system with optical encoder to maintain synchronization among four latches in mechanism. Tripodal load-cell network gathers data on load history of berthing operation, and infrared tracking system including light-emitting diodes produces data for position history.

Fantasia, Peter M.↗