US3733758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanism for unfolding accordion-like folded structural elements
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1971-04-29
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-04-29
Abstract
Abstract Mechanism for unfolding series-connected, accordionlike folded structural elements, particularly for use in supporting large surface solar cells. The several sections to be folded and unfolded are connected by hinge structure including a torsion-bar tensioned when said parts are in a selected on of folded or unfolded conditions. In addition, force transmission means are arranged between panels which rotate in the same direction during movement in response to the urging of said tensioned torsion bars. These force transmission devices ensure that said arm sections will unfold (or fold) at predetermined ratios with respect to each other, regardless of the effectiveness of successive individual torsion bars and will further ensure predeterminable response by said arm sections, even if certain of said torsion bars are out of action. If desired, a power means can be applied to operate through said force transmission means for restoring the arm sections against the force of said torsion bars to said selected condition.
Inventors
- 👤 H Maier
- 👤 E Arbeitland
- 👤 P Kleber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:51
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/42; B64G1/44; B64G1/443; B64G1/222; B64G1/2221; B64G1/2222; B64G1/2224; H; H02; H02S; H02S30/00; H02S30/20; E; E05; E05Y; E05Y2201/00; E05Y2201/60; E05Y2201/606; E05Y2201/62; E05Y2201/622; E05Y2201/644; E05Y2201/652; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291; Y10S136/292
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
In an extendible structure having a plurality of structural members movably interconnected to each other, a hinge device coacting between the adjacent ends of each pair of members for hingedly connecting said members to each other in end-to-end relation, said plurality of members being normally folded in an accordian-like manner, and transmission means associated with said members for permitting uniform unfolding of said plurality of members, comprising the improvement wherein said transmission means includes: a plurality of pulley-like disks including first and second disks disposed adjacent each of several adjacent hinge devices; means fixedly interconnecting said first pulley-like disk in nonrotatable relationship relative to one of the structural members associated with one hinge device; means fixedly mounting the second pulley-like disk in nonrotatable relationship relative to the other structural member associated with said one hinge device; and a plurality of motion transmission devices associated with said plurality of disks for effecting uniform unfolding movement of said structural members, each of said motion transmitting devices including a substantially endless motion transmitting element extending between and disposed in engagement with the first disk associated with one hinge device and the second disk associated with an adjacent hinge device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
In an extendible structure having a plurality of structural members movably interconnected to each other, a hinge device coacting between the adjacent ends of each pair of members for hingedly connecting said members to each other in end-to-end relation, said plurality of members being normally folded in an accordian-like manner, and transmission means associated with said members for permitting uniform unfolding of said plurality of members, comprising the improvement wherein said transmission means includes: a plurality of pulley-like disks including first and second disks disposed adjacent each of several adjacent hinge devices; means fixedly interconnecting said first pulley-like disk in nonrotatable relationship relative to one of the structural members associated with one hinge device; means fixedly mounting the second pulley-like disk in nonrotatable relationship relative to the other structural member associated with said one hinge device; and a plurality of motion transmission devices associated with said plurality of disks for effecting uniform unfolding movement of said structural members, each of said motion transmitting devices including a substantially endless motion transmitting element extending between and disposed in engagement with the first disk associated with one hinge device and the second disk associated with an adjacent hinge device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An extendible structure according to claim 1, wherein said first and second disks are coaxially aligned with one another and are coaxially aligned with the hinge axis of the respective hinge device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An extendible structure according to claim 2, wherein each of said motion transmitting elements comprises a flexible and endless cable-like member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An extendible structure according to claim 3, wherein alternate cable-like members are disposed adjacent one longitudinal edge of said plurality of members, and wherein the remaining cable-like members are disposed adjacent the other longitudinal edge of said plurality of members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
An extendible structure according to claim 1, wherein each of said hinge devices includes an elongated torsion bar connected between each adjacent pair of structural members for normally resiliently urging said structural members toward their respective unfolded positions, each said torsion bar having one thereof fixedly secured to one of the structural members associated with each adjacent pair, and the other end of the torsion bar being fixedly interconnected relative to the other structural member of each adjacent pair.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
An extendible structure according to claim 5, wherein said first and second disks are associated with each torsion bar, said first disk being nonrotatably secured to said one end of said torsion bar, and said second disk being nonrotatably secured relative to the other end of said torsion bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An extendible structure according to claim 6, wherein each of said motion transmitting members comprises an endless and flexible cable-like member extending between and engaged with a pair of disks associated with a pair of adjacent torsion bars.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
Deployment mechanism for moving a multi-sectioned, accordian-like folded structure of joined-together structural elements with the help of drawing means through disks arranged on the structural elements, particularly for use as a solar cell carrier for space travel purposes, comprising the improvement wherein the disks aRe alternately nonrotatably connected to the adjacent structural elements, and wherein the drawing means includes a plurality of closed and substantially endless drawing members extending between the engaging the adjacent pairs of disks for preventing slippage therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
Deployment mechanism for moving a multi-sectioned, accordian-like folded structure of joined-together structural elements with the help of drawing means through disks arranged on the structural elements, particularly for use as a solar cell carrier for space travel purposes, comprising the improvement wherein the disks aRe alternately nonrotatably connected to the adjacent structural elements, and wherein the drawing means includes a plurality of closed and substantially endless drawing members extending between the engaging the adjacent pairs of disks for preventing slippage therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
Deployment mechanism according to claim 8, wherein some of the disks have different diameters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
Deployment mechanism according to claim 8, wherein said adjacent pairs of structural elements are hingedly connected in end-to-end relation by means of intermediate hinge rods.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
Deployment mechanism according to claim 10, wherein each drawing member includes a speed-dependently acting damping element connected thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |