Wrinkle free foldable reflectors made with composite materials
US11892661B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 2021 |
| Grant date | Feb 6, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G99/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A doubly curved reflector for compact storage in a folded state includes a plurality of gores, each gore having on either long side a gore side curve. At least one hinge is mechanically coupled between each adjacent gore, the at least one hinge including a fold roll hinge or a living hinge. In a stowed doubly curved reflector state each gore folds about the at least one hinge when folded closed such that a face surface of each gore folds against an adjacent face surface of another gore into a substantially cylindrical structure. In a deployed doubly curved reflector state, each hinge. A doubly curved reflector for compact storage in a folded state and a locked open state, a method of manufacture, and a method for designing a substantially wrinkle free doubly curved foldable reflector having gores of a composite material are also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.