US4815525A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deployable space radiator with condenser
Assignee: Sundstrand Corp
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Filing: 1987-10-19
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Granted: 1989-03-28
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Expires: 2007-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A deployable radiator panel system for use in spacecraft or the like for rejecting power when exposed to space. A plurality of panels are mounted in stacked juxtaposition in stored condition for rotation from the stored condition about a common axis in a fan-type manner to fully operative angular positions to form a composite panel arrangement. The panels are formed with bowtie configurations having diverging panel sections projecting from opposite sides of the axis of rotation to form a circular panel array. Drive mechanisms are provided for drawing the panels axially to a generally common plane when the panels are in their fully operative angular positions, and for drawing the panels into tight engagement with a common condenser.
Inventors
- 👤 John Readman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:08
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/46; B64G1/50; B64G1/503
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A deployable radiator panel system for use in spacecraft or the like, comprising: a plurality of generally planar panels; means for mounting the panels in stacked, generally parallel juxtaposition in stored condition and defining a common axis of rotation of the panels generally perpendicular to the planes of the panels; condenser means at one axial end of the stack of panels; means for rotating at least some of the panels relative to each other in the respective planes of the panels about said common axis in a fan-type manner to fully operative angular positions away from said stacked juxtaposed condition to form a composite panel arrangement; and means for moving at least some of the panels axially in a direction generally perpendicular to the planes of the panels to draw the panels into engagement with the condenser means and in a generally common plane when the panels are in their fully operative angular positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A deployable radiator panel system for use in spacecraft or the like, comprising: a plurality of generally planar panels; means for mounting the panels in stacked, generally parallel juxtaposition in stored condition and defining a common axis of rotation of the panels generally perpendicular to the planes of the panels; condenser means at one axial end of the stack of panels; means for rotating at least some of the panels relative to each other in the respective planes of the panels about said common axis in a fan-type manner to fully operative angular positions away from said stacked juxtaposed condition to form a composite panel arrangement; and means for moving at least some of the panels axially in a direction generally perpendicular to the planes of the panels to draw the panels into engagement with the condenser means and in a generally common plane when the panels are in their fully operative angular positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The deployable panel system of claim 1 wherein said means for moving the panels axially include first means for drawing at least some of the panels axially into said common plane and second means for drawing the panels into tight engagement with the condenser means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The deployable panel system of claim 2 wherein said first means includes a plurality of axially extending post-like members spaced angularly about said mounting means for individually engaging respective ones of the panels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The deployable panel system of claim 3 wherein the post-like members comprise ball screws engageable within angularly open-ended slots in the panels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The deployable panel system of claim 3 wherein the post-like members re of progressively varying heights to permit some of the panels to pass over some of the post-like members when being rotated to their operative angular positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The deployable panel system of claim 2 wherein each panel includes a reinforcing hub located inwardly toward the axis of rotation thereof and said second means is engageable individually with the respective reinforcing hubs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The deployable panel system of claim 6 wherein said second means include power actuated screw means engageable with the reinforcing hubs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The deployable panel system of claim 2 wherein the condenser means has a generally flat engaging surface facing the panels and the panels have complementary flat engaging surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
A deployable radiator panel system for use in spacecraft or the like, comprising: a central support structure defining an axis of rotation; a plurality of elongated panels having a bowtie configuration and mounted on mounting means about the central support structure to define diverging panel sections projecting from opposite sides thereof; means on the central support structure for rotating at least some of the panels about the axis of rotation in a fan-type manner to fully operative angular positions to form a composite panel arrangement; a condenser mounted at one axial end of the stack of panels; first means for drawing at least some of the panels axially toward a generally common plane adjacent the condenser means when the panels are in their fully operative angular positions; and second means for drawing the panels into tight engagement with the condenser means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
141 words
A deployable radiator panel system for use in spacecraft or the like, comprising: a central support structure defining an axis of rotation; a plurality of elongated panels having a bowtie configuration and mounted on mounting means about the central support structure to define diverging panel sections projecting from opposite sides thereof; means on the central support structure for rotating at least some of the panels about the axis of rotation in a fan-type manner to fully operative angular positions to form a composite panel arrangement; a condenser mounted at one axial end of the stack of panels; first means for drawing at least some of the panels axially toward a generally common plane adjacent the condenser means when the panels are in their fully operative angular positions; and second means for drawing the panels into tight engagement with the condenser means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The deployable panel system of claim 9 wherein said first means includes a plurality of axially extending post-like members spaced angularly about said mounting means for individually engaging respective ones of the panels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The deployable panel system of claim 10 wherein the post-like members comprise ball screws engageable within angularly open-ended slots in the panels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The deployable panel system of claim 10 wherein the post-like members are of progressively varying heights to permit some of the panels to pass over some of the post-like members when being rotated to their operative angular positions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The deployable panel system of claim 9 wherein each panel includes a reinforcing hub located inwardly toward the axis of rotation thereof and said second means is engageable individually with the respective reinforcing hubs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The deployable panel system of claim 13 wherein said second means include power actuated screw means engageable with the reinforcing hubs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The deployable panel system of claim 9 wherein the condenser means has a generally flat engaging surface facing the panels and the panels have complementary flat engaging surfaces.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The deployable panel system of claim 9 wherein one of the panels is fixed and the other panels are even in number, one-half of the panels being rotatable in one direction and the other one-half of the panels being rotatable in the opposite direction relative to the fixed panel toward their fully operative angular positions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The deployable panel system of claim 9 wherein said mounting means includes a central drum-like structure about the axis of rotation and said rotating means are mounted within the drum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The deployable panel system of claim 17 wherein the rotating means comprise a plurality of motors mounted on the drum for individually rotating the respective panels to their fully operative angular positions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The deployable panel system of claim 18 wherein each motor is mounted inside the drum and has a drive gear engageable through a window in the drum with a gear segment formed on the inner periphery of the respective panel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-27 | 1992-09-26 | 1993-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-27 | 1996-09-26 | 1997-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-27 | 2000-09-26 | 2001-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |