Self-erecting and rigidizing deployable panel and panel assembly
Abstract
Abstract A DEPLOYABLE PANEL FOR DEPLOYABLE SOLAR ARRAYS AND OTHER DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURES. THE PANEL HAS A NUMBER OF PANEL SECTIONS HINGED EDGE-TO-EDGE ALONG HINGE LINES NORMAL TO THE LONGITUDINAL PANEL EDGES AND THIN WALLED RESILIENT TUBULAR BEAMS SECURED TO THE PANELS ALONG EDGES OF THE PANEL SECTIONS. THE PANEL IS FOLDABLE TO COMPACT STOWAGE CONFIGURATION WHEREIN THE PANEL SECTIONS ARE DISPOSED IN CONFRONTING FACE-TO-FACE RELATION WITH THE BEAMS FOLDED AND FLATTERED, SUCH THAT THE BEAMS STORE ELASTIC STRAIN ENERGY FOR AIDING EXTENSION OF THE PANEL TO A GENERALLY FLAT UNFOLDED CONFIGURATION WHEREIN THE BEAMS RIGIDIZE THE PANEL. THE BEAMS MAY PROVIDE ELECTRICAL BUS CONDUCTORS FOR ELECTRICAL ELEMENTS, SUCH AS SOLAR CELLS, ON THE PANEL. A DEPLOYABLE PANEL STRUCTURE EMBODYING A PAIR OF THE PANELS AND AN INTERVENING DEPLOYMENT BOOM FOR EXTENDING THE PANELS FROM FOLDED TO UNFOLDED CONFIGURATION.
Inventors
- 👤 P Dillard
- 👤 C Williamson
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |