초록 ▼

A spacecraft, such as a satellite, comprises a panel array including a plurality of panels that are rotatably coupled to one another. The panel array is movable between a folded state and an extended state. In the folded state, the panels are stacked atop one another. In the extended state, the pane

A spacecraft, such as a satellite, comprises a panel array including a plurality of panels that are rotatably coupled to one another. The panel array is movable between a folded state and an extended state. In the folded state, the panels are stacked atop one another. In the extended state, the panels are positioned such that active surfaces of the panels are aligned within a common plane. A plurality of hinge mechanisms preferably rotatably couple the panels to one another. The hinge mechanisms are configured to move the panel array from the folded state to the extended state without interfering with the active surfaces of the panels when the panel array is extended.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A deployable panel array, comprising:a first arm rotatably coupled to a rear surface of a first panel, the first arm also rotatably coupled to a rear surface of a second panel; a second arm rotatably coupled to the rear surface of the second panel, the second arm also rotatably coupled to the rea

1. A deployable panel array, comprising:a first arm rotatably coupled to a rear surface of a first panel, the first arm also rotatably coupled to a rear surface of a second panel; a second arm rotatably coupled to the rear surface of the second panel, the second arm also rotatably coupled to the rear surface of the first panel, the second arm and the first arm being rotatably coupled to one another; a motor drivingly coupled to the first arm and the second arm; wherein the first and second arms are configured to rotate the first panel relative to the second panel about a non-fixed axis of rotation.