Patent US3735942A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3735942A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Space station with solar generators
Assignee: Centre National d'Études Spatiales
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Filing: 1971-03-04
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1991-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A solar generator has flexible panels adapted to be deployed by means of extensible frame means. The flexible active material of each panel is so arranged and the extensible frames so operated that the development of the panel takes place not only in the longitudinal direction away from the base, but also in the transverse direction. The panels are adapted for use on satellites or other space vehicles.
Inventors
- 👤 W Palz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:40
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02S; H02S30/00; H02S30/20; B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/222; B64G1/2221; B64G1/2225; B64G1/42; B64G1/44; B64G1/443; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291; Y10S136/292
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A space station having a compact body with reduced-size stowing facility aboard said body, comprising: a continuous sheet of flaccid material carrying a solar cell array and tailored to stretch out into a generally triangular shape having an overall base length and altitude largely in excess of the size of said stowing facility, said sheet being packable into a package condition of reduced size compatible with that of said stowing facility, and a sheet stretcher system comprising relatively rigid extendible struts triggerable from a retracted position and constructed and arranged with said sheet to deploy the same from said package condition thereof, both in a radial direction outward from said stowing facility and in another direction transversely of said radial direction, to a stretched out condition wherein said sheet assumes said tailored triangular shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A space station having a compact body with reduced-size stowing facility aboard said body, comprising: a continuous sheet of flaccid material carrying a solar cell array and tailored to stretch out into a generally triangular shape having an overall base length and altitude largely in excess of the size of said stowing facility, said sheet being packable into a package condition of reduced size compatible with that of said stowing facility, and a sheet stretcher system comprising relatively rigid extendible struts triggerable from a retracted position and constructed and arranged with said sheet to deploy the same from said package condition thereof, both in a radial direction outward from said stowing facility and in another direction transversely of said radial direction, to a stretched out condition wherein said sheet assumes said tailored triangular shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
Space station as claimed in claim 1, wherein said continuous sheet is packable by folding the same into a generally rectangular multi-layer strip, and winding said rectangular strip into a generally cylindrical package fitted in said stowing facility, said package being unwindable from said stowing facility radially away therefrom into said rectangular strip and unfoldable transversely with respect thereto into said generally triangular shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
Space station as claimed in claim 1, wHerein said sheet stretcher system comprises a first transversely extendible strut forming a cross-beam attached to the side of said continuous sheet remote from said stowing facility when said sheet is in said stretched out condition, and a second radially extendible strut connected to said first strut and operable to drive said first strut away from said stowing facility.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Space station as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sheet stretcher system comprises two like second radially extendible struts both connected to said first transversely extendible strut and hinged to said body for pivoting away from one another as said first strut extends transversely.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Space station as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second radially extendible struts are hingedly connected at their end remote from said body to the opposite ends of said first transversely extendible strut.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Space station as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sheet stretcher system comprises a further transversely extendible strut forming a further cross-beam attached to the side of said continuous sheet adjacent to said stowing facility when said sheet is in said stretched out condition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3169725A
Cited
US3300162A
Cited
US3510086A
Cited
US3532299A
Cited
US3606211A
Cited
US3620846A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |