Apparatus for assembling space structure

US4122991A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• James D. Johnston · Madison, US
• Richard Tuggle · Huntsville, US
• John L. Burch · Decatur, US
• Keith H. Clark · Decatur, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 31, 1977
• Grant date: Oct 31, 1978
• Expiry date: Aug 31, 1997

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G4/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for producing a structure in outer space from rolls of prepunched ribbon or sheet material that are transported from the earth to the apparatus located in outer space. The apparatus spins the space structure similar to a spider spinning a web utilizing the prepunched ribbon material. The prepunched ribbon material is fed through the apparatus and is shaped into a predetermined channel-shaped configuration. Trusses are punched out of the ribbon and are bent downwardly and attached to a track which normally is a previously laid sheet of material. The size of the overall space structure may be increased by merely attaching an additional roll of sheet material to the apparatus.