Rigidification of structures to be deployed by inflating, particularly for use in space
US8025942B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 2005 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/31786
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention relates to the stiffening of inflatably deployable structures, in particular for space use.More specifically, the invention relates to a flexible membrane for inflatably deployable structures, that comprises one layer of a composite and at least one polymer film that is permeable to visible radiation covering one of the faces of this layer, said composite being formed from a fibrous material impregnated with a composition incorporating an epoxide or epoxy/acrylate resin and a photoinitiator, and which is characterized in that the photoinitiator is an iron-arene complex salt of general formula (I):where A is an arene group, while X is a non-nucleophilic anion.Applications: manufacture of devices of the following types: radars, solar panels, reflectors, solar shields, antennas, solar mirrors or sails, intended to equip orbital vehicles or vehicles for space or planetary exploration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.