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US 11,142,349 B2Granted
Space debris engagement and deorbit system
AssigneeL'Garde, Inc.
InventorNathaniel C. Barnes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Exemplary embodiments described herein include innovative engagement devices. Exemplary engagement devices may include on or more tape spring systems. The tape spring system may include a continuous or segmented bi-stable tape spring. The tape spring can be stowed in a rolled up configuration, extended to a deployed configuration, and then triggered to return to a retracted configuration.
Claims13
An engagement device, comprising:
- a tape spring;
- a second tape spring;
- a structure configured to define a surface between the plurality of tape springs,
- a deployment device configured to transition the engagement device into a retracted configuration by deforming the tape spring and the second tape spring to enclose a target object within the surface;
- and
- an actuator.
3 more elements
A method of coupling to a target object, comprising:
- navigating an engagement device proximate to the target object;
- extending a plurality of tape springs from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration, wherein the plurality of tap springs comprises a structure defining a surface between the plurality of tape springs;
- actuating the plurality of tape springs to collapse to a retracted configuration;
- coupling the engagement device to the target object in the retracted configuration of the tape spring by enclosing the target object within the surface.
1 more element
A method of coupling to a target object, comprising:
- navigating an engagement device proximate to the target object;
- extending a plurality of tape springs from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration;
- actuating the plurality of tape springs to collapse to a retracted configuration by a plurality of actuations run sequentially in which a first set of actuations triggers a bend in each of the plurality of tape springs at a first location along a length of each tape spring and a second set of actuations triggers a bend in each of the plurality of tape springs at a second location along the length of each tape spring, wherein the second set of actuations are triggered after the first set of actuations and the second location is toward an outer perimeter of the engagement device and the first location is toward an interior of the engagement device;
- and
- coupling the engagement device to the target object within the retracted configuration of the tape spring.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.