Method and apparatus for an inflatable shell

US8266866B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration · US

Inventor

• Christopher J. Johnson · London, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 9, 2012
• Grant date: Sep 18, 2012
• Expiry date: Jan 9, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/2227
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of assembling an inflatable shell of a structure comprises folding a plurality of shell sections about a set of fold lines and integrating the plurality of shell sections together with one another to form the shell. In another embodiment, an inflatable shell comprises a plurality of shell sections, each shell section having two pairs of fold lines for folding into stowage comprising a first gore section having a plurality of first gore panels layered and collectively folded about at a first set of fold lines. Each layer of the first gore panels and second gore panels are configured such that, once the first gore panel and second gore panel are attached to one another at the respective side edges of each panel, the lines of attachment forming a second set of fold lines for the shell section. A system and method for fabricating gore panels is also disclosed.