Self-supporting convex cover for spacecraft
US5486399A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/249981
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A self-supporting convex cover for spacecraft hardware is described. In the preferred embodiment, the cover is made of a laminated material. Strips of material are inserted into the laminate in a channel shape, such that sufficiently rigid box beam structures are formed in a pattern to hold the convex shape. Ribs of foam may be placed between a layer of the laminate and the strips of material to provide the channel shape. The cover is attached to the spacecraft hardware by one or more drawstrings which are laced through the perimeter of the cover. With appropriate materials, the resulting assembly is light, inexpensive, easy to assemble, and transparent to radio frequencies, yet sturdy enough to maintain its shape during launch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.