VARIABLE-TORQUE CLUTCH/BRAKE FOR ON-ORBIT ROBOTIC & OTHER MECHANISMS

THE INNOVATION PROPOSED IS A COMPACT, HIGHLY-CONTROLLABLE, FAIL-SAFE CLUTCH/BRAKE UNIT FOR USE IN ON-ORBIT ROBOTIC MANIPULATORS AND OTHER (INCLUDING TERRESTRIAL) MECHANISMS. THE UNIT COMBINES THE STRENGTH AND SIMPLICITY OF THE CONVENTIONAL OVER-RUNNING CLUTCH WITH THE CONTROLLABILITY OFTHE ELECTROMAGNETIC FRICTION BRAKE WHILE POTENTIALLY ELIMINATING WEAR AND REPEATABILITY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LATTER. THE PROJECT OBJECTIVES ARE TO (A) CONFIRM ANALYSIS OF THE MECHANISM'S DETAILED FORCE GEOMETRY AND DEVELOP INITIAL CONTROL ARCHITECTURES; (B) ESTIMATE COST, MANUFACTURABILITY, AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS; (C) "TRADE OFF" AGAINST CURRENT TECHNOLOGY; AND (D) BUILD AND EVALUATE A SIMPLE BREADBOARD MODEL OF THE CRITICAL GEOMETRY. THE RESULTS OF THIS EFFORT WILL BE (A) CONCRETE DETERMINATION THROUGH ANALYSIS AND TESTING OF INITIAL CONCEPT FEASIBILITY; (B) A QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATE OF COMPETITIVENESS; AND (C) AN INITIAL DESIGN FOR THE FIRST FULL PROTOTYPE, TO BE EVALUATED AND EVOLVED IN PHASE II. THIS INNOVATION WILL SATISFY A CRITICAL NEED IN ON-ORBIT ROBOTICS FOR MECHANISMS WHICH FACILITATE SAFELY-CONTROLLED TORQUE REACTANCE.