ORU latch

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is made to FIG.
1 which pictorially illustrates the relationship of the elements of a first embodiment of the system in place on assembly.
This includes a robotic manipulator 1, partially illustrated, of conventional structure as is supported by a space shuttle vehicle, not illustrated, and is remotely controlled.
The manipulator supports a television or video camera 3 and the manipulator arm supports or holds a drive tool 5, the latter of which is shown in position in engagement with an ORU, orbital replaceable unit 9.
An electrical cable extends along the manipulator for connection to appropriate circuits in the drive tool, the cable being partially illustrated and denominated by the number 2.
In this embodiment the ORU contains electrical cells that are intended to supply electrical current to circuits within the OMV.
Accordingly, in addition to the mechanical fastening action between the two units, the ORU contains an electrical connector, not illustrated in this figure, that is to be connected to a mating connector on the OMV.
As is appreciated other details of an ORU and OMV are not necessary to an understanding of the invention and, to avoid unnecessary complexity, are not further illustrated or described.
Drive tool 5 contains projecting drive shafts, 10 and 12, shown engaging appropriate mechanisms, hereafter more fully described, accessible from one wall of the ORU 9.
The ORU is seated in place on the OMV 11, the latter of which is only partially illustrated to show the relevant connections.
A pair of index pins 13 and 15 on the ORU extends outwardly and engages corresponding index pinholes in the OMV.
An alignment target 17, which may be of any conventional structure or design, is attached to the OMV and serves as a visual aid for aligning by remote control the ORU in preparation for insertion of coupling 23 that extends from the bottom wall of ORU 9 into the mating coupling connector 21 on the OMV.
Certain brackets are omitted in this pictorial view that are described elsewhere herein in connection with the other figures