Deployable structures having collapsible structural members

US8066227B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Composite Technology Development, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Philip N. Keller · Longmont, US
• Robert Taylor · Superior, US
• Dana Turse · Broomfield, US
• Larry Adams · Arvada, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 28, 2011
• Grant date: Nov 29, 2011
• Expiry date: Feb 28, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/50
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Deployable structures are disclosed having collapsible structural members that include a stowed configuration with a volume smaller than the expanded configuration. Such structures can include and/or be used for litters, bridges, support structures, solar arrays, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more slit-tube longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled.