IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0400718
(2006-04-07)
|
등록번호 |
US-7694465
(2010-05-20)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
16 인용 특허 :
72 |
초록
▼
A deployable structural assembly is provided along with associated deployment mechanisms and associated methods of forming and deploying the deployable structural assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the deployable structural assembly includes a first structural component and a second structural c
A deployable structural assembly is provided along with associated deployment mechanisms and associated methods of forming and deploying the deployable structural assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the deployable structural assembly includes a first structural component and a second structural component. The two structural components have their respective longitudinal edges hingedly coupled to one another. In one embodiment, the hinged connections may include a plurality of discrete flex joints, each having a titanium or other high strength foldable component. In one embodiment of the invention, the structural components each include longitudinal members which, when the deployable structural assembly is collapsed and stored in a coiled rolled configuration, are laterally offset from one another such that they do not become radially stacked. Such a configuration enables storage to the structural assembly with reduced stress in the longitudinal members.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A deployable structural assembly, comprising: a first structural component having at least one longitudinal member, wherein the first structural component has a curved shape about a longitudinal axis of the first structural component when in a relaxed state and a substantiall
What is claimed is: 1. A deployable structural assembly, comprising: a first structural component having at least one longitudinal member, wherein the first structural component has a curved shape about a longitudinal axis of the first structural component when in a relaxed state and a substantially planar shape when in a stowed state; a second structural component having at least one longitudinal member, wherein the second structural component has a curved shape about a longitudinal axis of the second structural component when in a relaxed state and a substantially planar shape when in a stowed state; a first plurality of discrete flex joints coupling a first edge of the first structural component and a first edge of the second structural component, wherein at least one discrete flex joint of the first plurality of discrete flex joints circumferentially spaces the first structural component from the second structural component; and a second plurality of discrete flex joints coupling a first edge of the second structural component and a second edge of the second structural component, wherein at least one discrete flex joint of the second plurality of discrete flex joints circumferentially spaces the first structural component from the second structural component. 2. The deployable structural assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one discrete flex joint of the first plurality of discrete flex joints and the second plurality of discrete flex joints includes a foldable metallic component bonded to a portion of the first structural component and bonded to a portion of the second structural component. 3. The deployable structural assembly of claim 2, wherein the foldable metallic component includes a first wing section, a first central section, a second wing section and a second central section, wherein the first wing section and the first central section define a first angle therebetween, the second wing section and the second central section define a second angle therebetween, and the first central section and the second central section define a third angle therebetween when the foldable metallic component is in a substantially unloaded state. 4. The deployable structural assembly of claim 3, wherein the foldable metallic component is formed of material comprising titanium. 5. The deployable structural assembly of claim 3, wherein the foldable metallic component is formed of a material which exhibits a thickness of approximately 0.005 of an inch. 6. The deployable structural assembly of claim 3, wherein the foldable metallic component further includes at least one tab coupled to the first wing section and at least one tab coupled to the second wing section. 7. The deployable structural assembly of claim 3, wherein the first wing section, the first central section, the second wing section and the second central section are configured as a unitary member. 8. The deployable structural assembly of claim 3, wherein the first central section and the second central section are welded to one another. 9. The deployable structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component are substantially identical to one another. 10. The deployable structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component each include at least one longitudinal member extending in a first direction. 11. The deployable structural assembly of claim 10, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component each include at least one diagonal member extending at an acute angle with respect to the at least one longitudinal member. 12. The deployable structural assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one longitudinal member and the at least one diagonal member are formed as a unitary structure. 13. The deployable structural assembly of claim 10, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component each include at least one cross-member extending at a perpendicular angle with respect to the at least one longitudinal member. 14. The deployable structural assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one longitudinal member and the at least one cross-member are formed as a unitary structure. 15. The deployable structural assembly of claim 10, wherein when the deployable structural assembly is in a stowed state, the first structural component is pressed against the second structural component and the at least one longitudinal member of the first structural component is offset relative to the at least one longitudinal member of the second structural component in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 16. The deployable structural assembly of claim 15, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component are furlable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 17. The deployable structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component each include a first layer of material comprising a fiber reinforced composite material. 18. The deployable structural assembly of claim 17, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component further include a second layer of material bonded to the first layer of material, the second layer of material comprising a different material than the first layer of material. 19. A deployable structural assembly configured to be selectively positioned in a deployed state and a stowed state, comprising: a first structural component having at least one longitudinal member extending in a first direction, wherein the first structural component has a curved shape about a longitudinal axis of the first structural component when in a deployed state; and a second structural component having at least one longitudinal member extending in the first direction and hingedly coupled with the first structural component, wherein the second structural component has a curved shape about a longitudinal axis of the second structural component when in a deployed state, wherein when the deployable structural assembly is in a stowed state, a cross-sectional face of the first structural component at least partially abuts a cross-sectional face of the second structural component and the at least one longitudinal member of the first structural component is offset relative to the at least one longitudinal member of the second structural component in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 20. The deployable structural assembly of claim 19, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component are cooperatively configured to be coiled while in the stowed state about a defined axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 21. The deployable structural assembly of claim 20, wherein the at least one longitudinal member of the first structural component includes a plurality of longitudinal members, wherein the at least one longitudinal member of the second structural component includes a plurality of longitudinal members, and wherein the first structural component and the second structural component each include a plurality of cross-members coupled between the plurality of longitudinal members. 22. The deployable structural assembly of claim 21, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component are configured to define openings between their respective plurality of longitudinal members and plurality of cross-members. 23. The deployable structural assembly of claim 22, wherein when in a stowed state, the deployable structural assembly is coiled about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the plurality of longitudinal members of the first structural component bulge through the openings defined in the second structural component. 24. The deployable structural assembly of claim 21, wherein the plurality of longitudinal members of the first structural component and the plurality of cross members of the first structural component are formed as a unitary structure. 25. The deployable structural assembly of claim 19, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component each include a first layer of material comprising a fiber reinforced composite material. 26. The deployable structural assembly of claim 25, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component further include a second layer of material bonded to the first layer of material, the second layer of material comprising a different material than the first layer of material. 27. The deployable structural assembly of claim 19, wherein the first structural component and the second structural component are hingedly coupled by way of a metallic foldable component bonded to a portion of the first structural component and bonded to a portion of the second structural component. 28. The deployable structural assembly of claim 27, wherein the foldable metallic component is formed of material comprising titanium. 29. The deployable structural assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one longitudinal member of the first structural component includes a plurality of longitudinal members and wherein the at least one longitudinal member of the second structural component includes a plurality of longitudinal members and wherein each longitudinal member of the first structural component is laterally offset to each longitudinal member of the second structural component along a direction of a defined axis while the deployable structural assembly is in a stowed state. 30. A method of forming a deployable structural assembly, the method comprising: forming a first structural component having at least one longitudinal member and having a curved shape about a longitudinal axis of the first structural component when in a relaxed state; forming a second structural component having at least one longitudinal member and having a curved shape about a longitudinal axis of the second structural component when in a relaxed state; hingedly coupling a first longitudinal edge of the first structural component to a first longitudinal edge of the second structural component along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first structural component and the second structural component; hingedly coupling a second longitudinal edge of the first structural component to a second longitudinal edge of the second structural component along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first structural component and the second structural component; positioning the first structural component and the second structural component to be collapsed against each other and rolled about a defined axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the first structural component and the second structural component; and laterally offsetting the at least one longitudinal member of the first structural component relative to at least one longitudinal member of the second structural component in a direction along the defined axis. 31. An apparatus comprising: a deployable structural assembly comprising: a first structural component having at least one longitudinal member, the first structural component having a curved shape about a longitudinal axis of the first structural component when in a relaxed state; a second structural component having at least one longitudinal member, the second structural component having a curved shape about a longitudinal axis of the second structural component when in a relaxed state; a first plurality of discrete flex joints coupling a first edge of the first structural component and a first edge of the second structural component; and a second plurality of discrete flex joints coupling a second edge of the first structural component and a second edge of the second structural component; and a deployment mechanism, wherein the deployment mechanism is configured to deploy the deployable structural assembly from a coiled, stowed condition to a deployed, longitudinally extending condition, wherein in the stowed condition the first structural component is pressed against the second structural component. 32. An apparatus comprising: a deployable structural assembly configured to be selectively positioned in a deployed state and a stowed state comprising: a first structural component having at least one longitudinal member extending in a first direction, the first structural component having a curved shape about a longitudinal axis of the first structural component when positioned in the deployed state; and a second structural component having at least one longitudinal member, the second structural component having a curved shape about a longitudinal axis of the second structural component when positioned in the deployed state, the second structural component being hingedly coupled with the first structural component, wherein when the deployable structural assembly is in a stowed state, the first structural component is pressed against the second structural component and the at least one longitudinal member of the first structural component is offset relative to the at least one longitudinal member of the second structural component in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and a deployment mechanism, wherein the deployment mechanism is configured to deploy the deployable structural assembly from a coiled, stowed condition to a deployed, longitudinally extending condition.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.