Latches and Spring Forces

[fissou11]

Hi there,<br /><br />In the process of docking two satellites in orbit, capture latches are needed to ensure rigid connection of the spacecrafts. Suppose the latch is spring loaded, is there anyone who can explain how to use the springs in order to automatically open and close the latch without the need for a motor.<br />

 

[Testing]

Spring only, (no motor) can only go one way. Catch or release. There has to be some contact and motion to trip them like a mouse trap or firearm hammer and sear. Latches will usually have angular contact surfaces to create a wedge effect to draw the desired spieces together. Oh, I suppose you could have piggybacked mechanisms to manually release after capture but something would have to trip it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>