IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0563957
(2014-12-08)
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등록번호 |
US-9550584
(2017-01-24)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Harvey, Thomas Jeffrey
- Stamm, Shane Eric
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출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
45 |
초록
▼
A deployable thin membrane apparatus for use with a spacecraft is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible membrane structure and a deployment mechanism for transitioning the membrane structure from an undeployed state towards a deployed state in which the membrane can perform a function needed b
A deployable thin membrane apparatus for use with a spacecraft is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible membrane structure and a deployment mechanism for transitioning the membrane structure from an undeployed state towards a deployed state in which the membrane can perform a function needed by a spacecraft. In one embodiment, the deployment mechanism includes a plurality of pantographs that each engage the membrane structure, a rotatable disk structure that engages and coordinates the transition of the pantographs from an undeployed state towards a deployed state, and a spring system for providing energy that is used to rotate the disk structure.
대표청구항
▼
1. A deployable thin membrane structure capable of being used with a spacecraft, the deployable thin membrane structure comprising: a flexible membrane structure; anda deployment mechanism for transitioning the flexible membrane structure from an undeployed state in which the flexible membrane struc
1. A deployable thin membrane structure capable of being used with a spacecraft, the deployable thin membrane structure comprising: a flexible membrane structure; anda deployment mechanism for transitioning the flexible membrane structure from an undeployed state in which the flexible membrane structure is substantially incapable of providing a desired function to a deployed state in which the flexible membrane structure is capable of providing the desired function;wherein the deployment mechanism includes a plurality of pantograph structures, each associated with a different portion of the flexible membrane structure;wherein each of the plurality of pantograph structures includes first and second arms that each extend from a first terminal end to a second terminal end, the first and second arms pivotally connected to one another at an intermediate pivot location that is in between the first and second terminal ends of each of the first and second arms;wherein the second terminal ends of the first and second arms of each of the plurality of pantograph structures operatively engage the flexible membrane structure;wherein, when the plurality of pantograph structures are in the undeployed state, the first terminal end of the first arm is substantially adjacent to the second terminal end of the second arm and the first terminal end of the second arm is substantially adjacent to the second terminal end of the first arm for each of the plurality of pantograph structures;wherein, when the plurality of pantograph structures transition from an undeployed state towards a deployed state, (a) the first terminal ends of the first and second arms move closer to one another, (b) the second terminal ends of the first and second arms move closer to one another, (c) the second terminal end of the first arm moves farther from the first terminal end of the second arm, and (d) the second terminal end of the second arm moves farther from the first terminal end of the first arm for each of the plurality of pantograph structures;wherein the deployment mechanism includes a guide structure for engaging each of the plurality of pantograph structures and coordinating the transition of the plurality of pantograph structures with respect to one another;wherein the guide structure includes a rotor adapted to rotate about an axis;wherein the first terminal end of the second arm is pivotally connected to the rotor at a rotatable pivot location spaced from the axis for each of the plurality of pantograph structures; andthe first terminal end of the first arm is pivotally connected at a fixed pivot location that is fixed relative to the axis for each of the plurality of pantograph structures. 2. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the rotatable pivot location for each of the plurality of pantograph structures is located at a first distance from the axis;the fixed pivot location for each of the plurality of pantograph structures is located at a second distance from the axis; andthe first distance is substantially equal to the second distance. 3. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the length of the first and second arms for each of the plurality of pantograph structures is less than the diameter of the rotor. 4. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the intermediate pivot location for each of the plurality of pantograph structures rotates about the axis during the transition of the plurality of pantograph structures from the undeployed state towards the deployed state. 5. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a spring for providing energy to rotate the rotor about the axis and thereby transition the plurality of pantograph structures from the undeployed state towards the deployed state. 6. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the spring is associated with one of the plurality of pantograph structures. 7. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the spring is associated with the intermediate pivot location of the one of the plurality of pantograph structures. 8. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the spring engages the rotor and a housing. 9. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a damper for controlling the rate of rotation of the rotor about the axis. 10. A deployable thin membrane structure capable of being used with a spacecraft, the deployable thin membrane structure comprising: a flexible membrane structure; anda deployment mechanism for transitioning the flexible membrane structure from an undeployed state in which the flexible membrane structure is substantially incapable of providing a desired function to a deployed state in which the flexible membrane structure is capable of providing a desired function;wherein the deployment mechanism includes a pantograph structure with a first and second arms that each extend from a first terminal end to a second terminal end, the first and second arms pivotally connected to one another at an intermediate pivot location that is in between the first and second terminal ends of each of the first and second arms;wherein the second terminal ends of the first and second arms operatively engage the flexible membrane structure;wherein, when the pantograph structure is in the undeployed state, the first terminal end of the first arm is substantially adjacent to the second terminal end of the second arm and the first terminal end of the second arm is substantially adjacent to the second terminal end of the first arm;wherein, when the pantograph structure transitions from an undeployed state towards a deployed state, (a) the first terminal ends of the first and second arms move closer to one another, (b) the second terminal ends of the first and second arms move closer to one another, (c) the second terminal end of the first arm moves farther from the first terminal end of the second arm, and (d) the second terminal end of the second arm moves farther from the first terminal end of the first arm for each of the plurality of pantograph structures;wherein the deployment mechanism includes a guide structure for causing the first terminal ends of the first and second arms to move closer to one another along a curved line;the guide structure includes a rotor adapted to rotate about an axis;wherein the first terminal end of the second arm is pivotally connected to the rotor at a rotatable pivot location spaced from the axis. 11. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the first terminal end of the first arm is pivotally connected at a fixed pivot location that is fixed relative to the axis. 12. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 11, wherein: the rotatable pivot location is located at a first distance from the axis; andthe fixed pivot location is located at a second distance from the axis. 13. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 12, wherein: the first distance is substantially equal to the second distance. 14. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the intermediate pivot location rotates about the axis during the transition of the pantograph from the undeployed state towards the deployed state. 15. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 10, further comprising: a spring for providing energy to transition the pantograph structure from the undeployed state towards the deployed state. 16. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 15, wherein: the spring is associated with the intermediate pivot location. 17. A deployable thin membrane structure, as claimed in claim 10, further comprising: a damper for controlling the rate of rotation of the rotor about the axis.
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