Compact, self-deploying structures and methods for deploying foldable, structural origami arrays of photovoltaic modules, solar sails, and antenna structures
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H02S-030/20
F16M-011/38
F16M-011/20
출원번호
15466731
(2017-03-22)
등록번호
10715078
(2020-07-14)
발명자
/ 주소
Jeon, Sungeun K.
Footdale, Joseph N.
출원인 / 주소
Jeon, Sungeun K.
대리인 / 주소
Watson, Robert D.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
0
초록▼
The Structural Origami ARray (SOAR) concept is an extremely high performance, deployable solar array system that delivers high power output and exceeds state-of-the-art packaging efficiencies. Unlike existing Z-folding panels or rolled architectures, this approach utilizes an origami-inspired two-di
The Structural Origami ARray (SOAR) concept is an extremely high performance, deployable solar array system that delivers high power output and exceeds state-of-the-art packaging efficiencies. Unlike existing Z-folding panels or rolled architectures, this approach utilizes an origami-inspired two-dimensional packaging scheme of a flexible blanket/substrate that is coupled with a simple and compact deployable supporting structure that stabilizes the array by external tension or internal support. This enables large deployed areas populated with high efficiency photovoltaic (PV) cells or antenna elements, which compactly stows in a square form factor with thin stack height that minimizes impingement on spacecraft bus internal volume.
대표청구항▼
1. A compact, foldable structural origami array, comprising: (a) a plurality of semi-rigid triangular panel elements disposed on a thin, flexible substrate and arranged in a structural origami pattern; and(b) a plurality of lattice support structures for holding the array substantially flat when the
1. A compact, foldable structural origami array, comprising: (a) a plurality of semi-rigid triangular panel elements disposed on a thin, flexible substrate and arranged in a structural origami pattern; and(b) a plurality of lattice support structures for holding the array substantially flat when the array is deployed, wherein each lattice support structure is aligned with a diagonal of the array. 2. The structural origami array of claim 1, wherein each panel element comprises one or more photovoltaic cells. 3. The structural origami array of claim 2, wherein every corner of each triangular panel element is chamfered. 4. The structural origami array of claim 1, wherein each panel element comprises one or more antenna elements. 5. The structural origami array of claim 1, further comprising a rigid rod or beam insert disposed along each diagonal of the array; and further comprising a collapsible, high-strain, cruciform composite tape hinge disposed at each internal intersection of adjacent triangular panel elements; wherein each cruciform composite tape hinge is attached to four rigid rod or beam inserts. 6. The structural origami array of claim 5, further comprising a pair of exterior mounting blocks disposed along proximal and distal endwalls of an exterior perimeter of the array, wherein each exterior mounting block is rigidly affixed to a pair of rigid rod or beam inserts that are angled at 90° to each other. 7. The structural origami array of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of exterior hinged blocks disposed along longitudinal sidewalls of an exterior perimeter of the array, wherein each exterior hinged block is rigidly affixed to a pair of rigid rod or beam inserts that are angled at 90° to each other. 8. The structural origami array of claim 7, wherein each hinge block comprises: (a) a hardstop that limit over-rotation of joints, and (b) a latch mechanism that locks a deployed array into a final deployed shape. 9. The structural origami array of claim 7, wherein each hinge block is a high-strain composite hinge selected from the group consisting of: a tubular integrated folding hinge, a dual-concave high-strain composite tape hinge, an integrated composite TRAC boom, a dual-convex high-strain tape hinge, and a combination of single-convex and single-concave high-strain tape hinges. 10. The structural origami array of claim 5, wherein the cruciform, composite tape hinge has a hinge pin with an axis that is disposed perpendicular to a plane that defines an unfolded composite tape hinge; which allows the cruciform composite hinge to collapse into a co-linear shape when folded into a closed position. 11. The structural origami array of claim 5, wherein the cruciform composite tape hinge comprises a viscoelastic polymeric insert disposed in a middle of the tape hinge. 12. The structural origami array of claim 5, wherein each rigid rod or beam insert comprises a continuous, high-strain tape spring element. 13. The structural origami array of claim 1, further comprising a continuous electrical wiring harness disposed along diagonals of the array. 14. The structural origami array of claim 13, wherein the electrical harness wiring comprises a plurality of ribbons oriented substantially perpendicular to the array when the array is deployed substantially flat. 15. The structural origami array of claim 13, wherein the electrical wiring harness has a Zig-Zag or S-shape when not tensioned. 16. The structural origami array of claim 1, further comprising a compliant, Z-folding composite hinge flexibly connected to each pair of adjacent panel elements, and disposed along each diagonal of the array. 17. The structural origami array of claim 16, wherein the Z-folding hinge is tent-shaped when viewed from its end. 18. The structural origami array of claim 1, wherein each lattice structural support comprises a composite tape spring that traverses an entire short side of each adjacent pair of triangular panel elements. 19. The structural origami array of claim 1, wherein each lattice support structure comprises four, V-shaped hinge blocks disposed at each corner of a folded and stowed stack of panels; with a composite tape segment attached to, and disposed in-between, each adjacent hinge block; wherein each hinge block is not directly attached to the panel elements of the array. 20. The structural origami array of claim 19, wherein each composite tape segment is attached to a panel element with an adhesive. 21. The structural origami array of claim 19, wherein each hinge block has a hinge pin that pokes through an aperture in the array and that is disposed on a frontside of the array. 22. The structural origami array of claim 19, wherein each composite tape segment is: (1) aligned with a diagonal of the array, and (2) is disposed perpendicular to the array when the array is deployed and stretched out in a substantially flat manner. 23. The structural origami array of claim 19, wherein each V-shaped hinge block comprises a lock-out mechanism. 24. The structural origami array of claim 19, wherein each V-shaped hinge block comprises a torsion spring. 25. The structural origami array of claim 19, wherein adjacent hinge blocks are arranged in a staggered geometry when the array is folded in a stowed configuration. 26. The structural origami array of claim 19, wherein each segment of composite tape is attached to a pair of hinge blocks using a bolt and washer at each attachment point. 27. The structural origami array of claim 19, wherein each segment of composite tape has a S-shape when the array is folded in a stowed configuration. 28. The structural origami array of claim 19, wherein the lattice support structures comprise one of more self-locking, high-strain composite hinges; and wherein strain energy stored in bent composite hinges of a folded and stowed array of panel elements is sufficiently large so as to make the array self-deploying when the stowed array is released and deployed. 29. The structural origami array of claim 1, wherein each lattice support structure comprises a collapsible, high-strain cruciform composite tape hinge attached to four compliant Z-folding hinges with rigid rods or beams. 30. The structural origami array of claim 1, wherein each lattice support structure comprises a central block attached to a pair of compliant Z-folding hinges, with each Z-folding hinge being attached to a segment of composite tape that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the array when the array is deployed and stretched out in a substantially flat manner. 31. The structural origami array of claim 30, wherein each segment of composite tape is partially disposed inside of, and is partially covered by, each Z-folding hinge. 32. The structural origami array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lattice support structures is disposed completely around an exterior of a folded stack of panel elements when the panel elements are folded and stowed. 33. The structural origami array of claim 1, wherein each triangular panel element is a right triangular panel element. 34. The structural origami array of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises one of more self-locking, high-strain, composite hinges; and wherein strain energy stored in bent composite hinges of a folded and stowed array of panel elements is sufficiently large so as to make the array self-deploying when the stowed array is released and deployed. 35. The structural origami array of claim 1, wherein the structural origami pattern comprises a repeat rectangle with a 2:1 aspect ratio, including a pair of short sides on proximal and distal ends of the repeat rectangle, respectively, and a pair of long sidewalls on opposing sides of the repeat rectangle; the pattern comprising 6 large right triangles and 4 small (half-sized) right triangles; wherein 2 of the 4 small triangles are disposed at the proximal short end of the repeat rectangle, and a final 2 of the 4 small triangles are disposed at the distal short end of the repeat rectangle; and wherein 2 of the 6 large triangles are disposed along a first long sidewall of the repeat rectangle; another 2 of the 6 large triangles are disposed along a second long sidewall of the repeat rectangle; and a final 2 of the 6 large triangles are disposed in a center of the repeat rectangle. 36. A compact, foldable structural origami array, comprising: (a) a plurality of semi-rigid triangular panel elements disposed on a thin, flexible substrate and arranged in a structural origami pattern;(b) a plurality of lattice support structures, for holding the array substantially flat when the array is deployed, wherein each support structure is aligned with a diagonal of the array;(c) a rigid rod or beam insert aligned with each diagonal of the array;(d) a collapsible, cruciform composite tape hinge disposed at each internal intersection of adjacent triangular panel elements; wherein each tape hinge is attached to four rigid rod or beam inserts;(e) a pair of mounting blocks disposed along proximal and distal endwalls of an exterior perimeter of the array, wherein each mounting block is rigidly affixed to a pair of rod or beam inserts that are angled at 90° to each other; and(f) a plurality of exterior hinged blocks disposed along longitudinal sidewalls of an exterior perimeter of the array, wherein each exterior hinged block is rigidly affixed to a pair of rod or beam inserts that are angled at 90° to each other;wherein each panel element comprises one or more photovoltaic cells; andwherein the lattice support structure is disposed completely around an exterior of a folded stack of panels when the panel elements are folded and stowed; andwherein strain energy stored in bent composite hinges of a folded and stowed array is sufficiently large so as to make the array self-deploying when the stowed array is released and unfolds.
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