Extensible sparse-isogrid column

A deployable column lattice structure comprising:

• a plurality of ring frames disposed substantially transverse to an axial direction, and comprising respective ring centers disposed substantially collinearly;
• a double helix pattern disposed substantially coaxially to said plurality of ring frames along said axial direction, said double helix pattern comprised of a first portion of shell hinge elements connected to said plurality of ring frames and extending substantially in a first helical pattern, and a second portion of shell hinge elements connected to said plurality of ring frames and extending substantially in a second helical pattern congruent to said first helical pattern and oriented in an opposite direction to said first helical pattern,
• wherein said first and second portions of shell hinge elements are configured to articulate between respective flexed positions when the lattice structure is in a stowed configuration and respective unflexed positions when the lattice structure is in a deployed configuration, and
• wherein said first and second portions of shell hinge elements are comprised of a plurality of tape springs;
• wherein each of said tape springs is connected to two of said ring frames by two clamp tabs, respectively, and
• wherein each of said clamp tabs mechanically connects only one of said tape springs to only one of said ring frames.

A deployable column lattice structure comprising:

• a plurality of ring frames disposed on respective parallel planes lying transverse to an axis having an axial direction, each of said ring frames having a center intersecting said axis and including an outer axial surface;
• a first portion of shell hinge elements operatively connected to said plurality of ring frames and extending helically in said axial direction to form a first helical pattern having a first helical axis;
• and
• a second portion of shell hinge elements operatively connected to said plurality of ring frames and extending helically in said axial direction to form a second helical pattern having a second helical axis, and forming a mirrored symmetric double helix pattern with said first helical pattern, wherein said second helical pattern is oriented in an opposite direction to said first helical pattern and congruent to said first helical pattern,
• wherein said first and second portions of shell hinge elements are configured to store energy in a stored energy state when said plurality of ring frames are collapsed toward one another in said axial direction,
• wherein said first and second portions of shell hinge elements are configured to release the stored energy to deploy to a restored state and extend said plurality of ring frames apart from each other in said axial direction to form a stable rigid axial column, and
• wherein said ring frame centers continuously intersect said axis as said plurality of ring frames are collapsed toward one another in said axial direction and as said plurality of ring frames are extended apart from each other in said axial direction.