Nanometer Accuracy Positionally Stable Latch

Future large aperture space observation missions will require large mirrors and structures to be deployed with optical precision. Current technologies require latches that have high friction contact mechanisms that have experimentally shown to make the structures unstable at the mission level and their behavioe difficult to predict, Many Air Force optical platforms have the additional requirement that they are capable of recovering from large-scale slew maneuvers in less than one second. Such maneuvers are typical of the disturbances that trigger uncontrollable nonlinear dynamics.Foster-Miller is proposing to develop a latch that is based on the innovative combination of precision ball bearing contacts. The latch is specifically designed to provide smooth closure and nanometer level repeatibility. Sets linear bearings are used to tailor the load paths so that no energy can be stored through internal contact friction. Since the latch is incapable of internally storing energy, it cannot shoe the ited previous deployable structures.The monolithic, nanometer stability latch would provide future Air Force deployed optical instruments with a reliable, high accuracy latch component that would have nanometer level performance, be completely ground verifiable, and maintain its position and linearity under anticipated vibrational loading.