Large-scale deployable solar array

US8061660B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Composite Technology Development, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Neal J. Beidleman · Aspen, US
• Gregg E. Freebury · Louisville, US
• Will Francis · Lyons, US
• Mark Lake · Erie, US
• Rory Barrett · Erie, US
• Philip N. Keller · Longmont, US
• Robert Taylor · Superior, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 1, 2010
• Grant date: Nov 22, 2011
• Expiry date: Sep 1, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S136/292
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A deployable structure is disclosed. The deployable structure may include one or more slit-tube longerons; and one or more flat sheets coupled with the one or more slit-tube longerons. The one or more slit-tube longerons and the one or more flat sheets may be stowed by rolling the one or more slit-tube longerons and the one or more flat sheets together into a roll. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the one or more slit-tube longerons may be exposed when stowed. In another embodiment, the one or more slit-tube longerons may be manufactured from a shape memory material. These slit-tube longerons unroll into to a straight configuration when exposed to heat.