System for maintaining a set of deployable elements in a folded position on a spacecraft
US5098042A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 1991 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S136/292
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for maintaining in a folded position a set of elements that are hinged to one another and to a structure (e.g. solar panels on a spacecraft), which elements are capable of occupying either said folded position in which said elements form a stack, or else a deployed position in which said elements are in end-to-end alignment, said system comprising: PA1 a retaining member passing through said elements in the folded positive and connected by a first one of its ends to said structure and bearing via a second one of its ends against the outermost element of said set; PA1 locking means for locking said retaining member in the folded position of said elements; and PA1 control means for unlocking said locking means and releasing said retaining member, thereby enabling said set of elements to pass from the folded position to the deployed position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.