Self-deploying structural element

Claim 2

A self-deploying structural element comprising: an inner core of temperature sensitive expanding foam; an advanced composite material around the core, the advanced composite material comprising an organic matrix composite with high modulus fibers; a retaining jacket around the composite material; and a heat generating means for heating the core of the structural element.

Claim 3

The structural element of claim 1 wherein the structural element when deployed is cylindrical in shape and the inner core, the advanced composite material and the retaining jacket are concentric with one another.

Claim 4

The structural element of claim 2 further comprising end terminations which insert into the ends of the cylindrical structural element.

Claim 5

The structural element of claim 3 wherein the end terminations include connecting means allowing them to be connected to similar end terminations of other structural elements.

Claim 6

The structural element of claim 1 wherein prior to heating the element is flexible and may be rolled or folded for compact stowability.

Claim 7

The structural element of claim 1 wherein the retaining jacket is a heat shrink jacket which contracts upon reaching a threshold temperature.

Claim 8

The structural element of claim 1 wherein heating the element beyond a threshold temperature causes the foam core to expand and the advanced composite material to cure under the internal pressure of the foam core.

Claim 9

The structural element of claim 1 further comprising a liner between the inner core and the advanced composite material which is impermeable to pentration by the foam core.

Claim 10

The structural element of claim 1 wherein the heat generating means comprises a resistance heating wire embedded in the structural element.

Claim 11

The structural element of claim 1 wherein the inner core and the heat generating means comprise exothermic reactants which when mixed expand to provide internal pressure in addition to generating heat.

Claim 12

The structural element of claim 10 further comprising a thin membrane within the core of the structural element which separates the exothermic reactants, such that when the membrane is ruptured, the reactants mix.

Claim 13

The structural element of claim 11 further comprising a resistance heating wire in contact with the thin membrane and extending beyond the ends of the structural element such that passing a current through the wire generates enough heat to rupture or melt the membrane.

Claim 14

The self-deploying structural element of claim 1 wherein the structural element comprises a sailboat mast.

Claim 15

The self-deploying structural element of claim 1 wherein the structural element comprises a utility pole.

Claim 16

The self-deploying structural element of claim 1 wherein the structural element comprises a ski pole.

Claim 17

The self-deploying structural element of claim 1 wherein the structural element comprises a pole of a tent frame.

Claim 18

The self-deploying structural element of claim 1 wherein the structural element comprises a component of an antenna structure.

Claim 19

A self-deploying structural element which is cylindrically shaped in its deployed state comprising: an inner core of temperature sensitive expanding foam; an advanced composite material around the core, the advanced composite material comprising an organic matrix composite with high modulus fibers; a heat shrink jacket around the composite material; a liner between the inner core and the advanced composite material which is impermeable to penetration by the foam core; a heat generating means for heating the core of the structural element; and end terminations which seal the ends of the structural element, the end terminations including connecting means allowing the end terminations to be connected to similar end terminations of other structural elements.

Claim 20

A self-deploying structural element which is cylindrically shaped in its deployed state comprising: an inner core of temperature sensitive expanding foam; an advanced composite material around the core, the advanced composite material comprising an organic matrix composite with high modulus fibers; a heat shrink jacket around the composite material; a liner between the inner core and the advanced composite material which is impermeable to penetration by the foam core; a heat generating means for heating the core of the structural element; and end terminations which seal the ends of the structural element, the end terminations including connecting means allowing the end terminations to be connected to similar end terminations of other structural elements.

Claim 21

A self-deploying structure comprising a plurality of self-deploying structural elements linked to one another to form a predetermined shape, each structural element of the structure comprising: an inner core of temperature sensitive expanding foam; an advanced composite material around the core, the advanced composite material comprising an organic matrix composite with high modulus fibers; a retaining jacket around the composite material; and a heat generating means for heating the core of the structural element.

Claim 22

A self-deploying structure comprising a plurality of self-deploying structural elements linked to one another to form a predetermined shape, each structural element of the structure comprising: an inner core of temperature sensitive expanding foam; an advanced composite material around the core, the advanced composite material comprising an organic matrix composite with high modulus fibers; a retaining jacket around the composite material; and a heat generating means for heating the core of the structural element.

Claim 23

The self-deploying structure of claim 19 wherein the predetermined shape of the structure is a triangle.

Claim 24

The self-deploying structure of claim 19 wherein the predetermined shape of the structure is a tetrahedron.