8977 Series
Circular Robotic Connectors
In the frame of Space Station Alpha program, SOURIAU has developed and qualified a series
of Quick Disconnect high reliability circular connector for robotic operations. This hardware is
used as ORU interface on the JEM (Japanese Experiment Module Exposed) Facility which is
part of the Japanese contribution to the Space Station. These connectors feature :
• Low Insertion Force contacts
• Thermal gradient compatibility
• Integrated misalignement catching system
• High durability (6000 operations)
• High EMI shielding efficiency
• Deep space environment (Atox) compatibility
• Arrangements from MIL-DTL-38999.
Performances
Mechanical and electrical
Mechanical
Mass
• < 180 g for ORU plug
• < 95 g for receptacle
ORU plug misalignments
•
Da
= ± 0,9° (movement around the X axis)
•
D b
= ± 0,9° (angle authorized between the panels)
•
r
= 1,95 mm (plane movement according to Y and Z requirements)
ORU receptacle overstroke
•
DX
≥
1,5 mm
Electrical
Contact resistance as per MIL-DTL 39029
Materials and finishes
Components
Shells (receptacle & plug)
Inserts
- Insulator
- Grommet
Contacts
Contact retaining clip
Receptacle & plug bottom plate
and mechanical parts
Springs
Material
Aluminium alloy 7075
Finish
Nickel plating
Connector
Epichlorhydrile + Polyal + Glass fiber
or Polyetherimide resin
Silicone
see contacts L.I.F.
Copper alloy
Aluminium alloy 7075
Stainless steel
-
see contacts L.I.F.
-
Nickel plating
-
LSD (*)
(1)
LSD
:
Lauching Security Device
Mating/Demating forces
Mating force (N) (2)
25L-3
25L-7
25-19
25-20
(1)
25-35
25-61
62
84
125
161
142
110
Demating force (N)
52
63
102
158
116
84
(1) Configuration 3 # 16 optical contacts + 3 # 16 electrical contacts
(2) At room condition before compliance mechanism acting.
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8977 Series
Circular Robotic Connectors
Part Number / Characteristics
SOURIAU
Part number
Type
Mass in gram
(with contacts)
Insert
Layouts
Qty
Type
Male insert
(in front view)
8977-09A
Plug
178
25L-3
1
# 8 (pc)
8977-10A
Receptacle
92
2
# 4 (pc)
8977-11A
Plug
187
25L-7
7
# 8 (pc)
8977-12A
Receptacle
96
8977-15A
Plug
177
25-19
19
# 12 (pc)
8977-16A
Receptacle
87
10
8977-17A
Plug
177
13
25-20
4
8977-18A
Receptacle
87
3
# 20 (pc)
# 16 (pc)
# 12 (cc)
# 8 (cc)
8977-19A
Plug
174
25-35
128
# 22 (sc)
8977-20A
Receptacle
81
8977-13A
Plug
169
25-61
61
# 20 (sc)
8977-14A
Receptacle
77
8977-25A
LSD-P
86
for plug
8977-24A
LSD-R
11
for receptacle
(pc) : power contact ; (cc) : coax contact ; (sc) : signal cotnact
101
8977 Series
Circular Robotic Connectors
Dimensions for Quick Disconnect (QD) Connector
Receptacle
Plug
102
8977 Series
Circular Robotic Connectors
Dimensions for Launching Security Device (LSD)
LSD Receptacle
LSD Plug
103
8977 Series
Circular Robotic Connectors
Presentation & Configuration for coupling
Receptacle & Plug
Before mating
After mating
During the mating operation, the receptacle comes up to plug. The front of plug enters in receptacle cone. When plug touches the cone, this
induces a lateral movement of plug shell relatively to the flange fixed on panel. This movement stops when the plug shell axis is in confor-
mance with the receptacle ones.
The axial movement induces engagement of the plug shell key in the plug receptacle keyway, its entry cone inducing the rotation of plug shell
around the X axis.
At the end of the total connection, plug comes to touch the internal face of the receptacle. The relative axial movement continues, which
induces the displacement of plug shell comparatively to the flange fixed on panel. This displacement of plug shell compresses the spring in
external casing.
The minimum guaranteed overstroke is 1,5 mm.
Connector with Launching Security Device (LSD)
Before mating
After mating
The Launching Security Device is designed to catch the floating connector plug shell during the flight.
Its two principal parts are respectively fixed with plug and receptacle flanges.
LSD side is fixed on plug flange. The plug shell is blocked by two arms and the system is locked by the cylinder rocker bar.
The LSD arms prevent plug shell movements caused by vibrations and acceleration during the launch.
When the coupling of the two parts happens, the finger of receptacle part pushes the cylinder rocker bar which releases the arms and libe-
rates plug shell.
At this point, the mating occurs as described above.
The LSD in unlocked position will necessitate an external and manual action to be locked again on plug shell.
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