초록 ▼

A mechanism is described for deploying a shield from a space vehicle or the like. Such a shield may be employed for minimizing radar echo, for protecting the vehicle from solar radiation, or for providing a bumper for minimizing damage from micrometeoroids. A spring loaded mechanism is provided so t

A mechanism is described for deploying a shield from a space vehicle or the like. Such a shield may be employed for minimizing radar echo, for protecting the vehicle from solar radiation, or for providing a bumper for minimizing damage from micrometeoroids. A spring loaded mechanism is provided so that the shield can be folded into a compact package for launch of the space vehicle. The spring loaded mechanism further provides for rapid development of the shield when restraints are released. Arrangements are provided for deploying semi-cylindrical shields and quarter spherical shields.

대표청구항 ▼

A combination comprising: a space vehicle, and a deployable shield at least partly surrounding said space vehicle, said shield comprising: a plurality of curved ribs collectively defining an outside periphery of said shield, said ribs being temporarily deformable from a first deployed position space

A combination comprising: a space vehicle, and a deployable shield at least partly surrounding said space vehicle, said shield comprising: a plurality of curved ribs collectively defining an outside periphery of said shield, said ribs being temporarily deformable from a first deployed position spaced apart from said space vehicle to a second stowed position adjacent said space vehicle; a plurality of flexible sheets connected to said ribs and spaced between said ribs and said space vehicle; a plurality of springs tangentially mounted on said space vehicle and having an end of a rib connected to an end of each spring, said springs being temporarily elastically deformable from a first deployed position extending outwardly from said space vehicle to a second stowed position lying along a cylindrical surface of said space vehicle, said springs being pivotally connected to said space vehicle at a common pivot for deploying in the manner of a folding fan; the ribs connected to said portion of springs having ends opposite to the ends connected to said springs pivotally mounted at a common pivot for deploying with said springs to form a surface having compound curvature; a plurality of arcuate ribs interconnected at each end at a pair of common pivots, said arcuate ribs being elastically deformable from a stowed position adjacent the space vehicle to an intermediate position spaced apart from the space vehicle in a compact bundle, and pivotable from the intermediate position to a deployed position with the ends of the ribs contiguous at the pivots and the midpoints of the ribs mutually spaced apart for defining an outside periphery having compound curvature; and a loop connected to said space vehicle and to an intermediate portion of one of said ribs, said loop being movable for pivoting said one rib from the intermediate position to the deployed position.