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An inflatable boom for space applications, and a methods of folding and deploying a boom are disclosed. The boom comprises a membrane having a substantially tapered cylindrical shape. A wide end of the membrane is attached to a base, and a narrow end of the membrane is attached to a mandrel. The met

An inflatable boom for space applications, and a methods of folding and deploying a boom are disclosed. The boom comprises a membrane having a substantially tapered cylindrical shape. A wide end of the membrane is attached to a base, and a narrow end of the membrane is attached to a mandrel. The method of folding a boom comprises forming a plurality of ring-shaped folds in the boom membrane. The method of deploying a boom comprises increasing a gas pressure inside the boom and repeatedly unfolding the outer-most ring fold increase the length of the boom.

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1. A method for deploying a deployable inflatable boom, the method comprising the steps of:providing an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross sectional area near the second end, t

1. A method for deploying a deployable inflatable boom, the method comprising the steps of:providing an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross sectional area near the second end, the tube including a plurality of ring folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube, the tube being constructed of a material that is pliant at temperatures above a glass transition temperature, but becomes rigid at temperatures below the glass transition temperature; andintroducing an inflation gas into a hollow interior of the tube, thereby unfolding an outer-most ring fold and elongating the tube. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of rigidizing the tube by exposing the tube material to a temperature below the glass transition temperature. 3. A method for deploying a deployable inflatable boom, the method comprising the steps of:providing an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross-sectional area near the second end, the tube including a plurality of ring folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube, the tube being constructed of a material that cures upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation; andintroducing an inflation gas into a hollow interior of the tube, thereby unfolding an outer-most ring fold and elongating the tube. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of rigidizing the tube by exposing the tube material to ultraviolet radiation. 5. A deployable inflatable boom for supporting structures in space, the boom comprising:an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to a base structure, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross-sectional area near the second end; anda cylindrical mandrel secured to the second end; whereinthe tube includes a plurality of folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube; andthe tube is constructed of a material that is pliant at temperatures above a glass transition temperature, but becomes rigid at temperatures below the glass transition temperature. 6. The deployable inflatable boom of claim 5, wherein the tube is constructed of a neoprene-coated polymer. 7. The deployable inflatable boom of claim 5, wherein the tube is constructed of resin-impregnated carbon fibers. 8. The deployable inflatable boom of claim 5, wherein the tube is constructed of resin-impregnated polymer fibers. 9. A deployable inflatable boom for supporting structure in space, the boom comprising:an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to a base structure, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross-sectional area near the second end; anda cylindrical mandrel secured to the second end; whereinthe tube includes a plurality of folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube; andthe tube is constructed of a material that cures upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation. 10. The deployable inflatable boom of claim 9, wherein the tube is constructed of a resin-impregnated fibrous material. 11. A deployable inflatable boom for supporting structures in space, the boom comprising:an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to a base structure, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross-sectional area near the second end; whereinthe tube is constructed of a material that is pliant at temperatures above a glass transition temperature, but becomes rigid at temperatures below the glass transition temperature; an dthe tube includes a plurality of folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube. 12. The deployable inflatable boom of claim 11, wherein the tube is constructed of a neoprene-coated polymer. 13. The deployable inflatable boom of claim 11, wherein the tube is constructed of resin-impregnated carbon fibers. 14. The deployable inflatable boom of claim 11, wherein the tube is constructed of resin-impregnated polymer fibers. 15. A deployable inflatable boom for supporting structures in space, the boom comprising:an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to a base structure, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross-sectional area near the second end; whereinthe tube is constructed of a material that cures upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation; andthe tube includes a plurality of folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube. 16. The deployable inflatable boom of claim 15, wherein the tube is constructed of a resin-impregnated fibrous material.