Patent · US Active

Tape spring retractable deployable structure and method

US9605430B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
10References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 21, 2015
Grant dateMar 28, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 21, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64G1/66
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A retractable tape spring in-building method for a deployable structure comprising a main tape spring having an axis of deployment and of refurling substantially parallel to an unfurled axis X and comprising two ends, a secondary tape spring comprising two ends and a winding mandrel carried by a shaft parallel to an axis Z perpendicular to the axis X, the main tape spring being wound around the mandrel, a first end of the main tape spring being fixed to the mandrel, the method comprising the following steps: fixing a first end of the secondary tape spring a predefined distance away from a second end of the main tape spring, fixing a second end of the secondary tape spring on the mandrel. A deployable structure comprising a tape spring for a flexible structure is also provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.