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US 11,713,141 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.
Claims15
An engagement device, comprising:
- a tape spring extending in a deployed configuration in a first direction;
- a second tape spring extending in a second direction in the deployed configuration, wherein the second direction is at least partially in an opposing direction from the first direction;
- and
- at least one actuator for extending the tape spring from a stored configuration where the tape spring is at least partially rolled to a deployed configuration in which the tape spring is at least partially extended,
- wherein the tape spring and the second tape spring comprise free terminal ends in the deployed configuration and are configured so that a target object is permitted to enter past the free terminal ends and be positioned between the tape spring and the second tape spring.
2 more elements
A method of coupling to a target object, comprising:
- navigating an engagement device proximate to the target object;
- extending a first tape spring from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration;
- extending a second tape spring from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration in a second direction at least partially opposite a first direction of the first tape spring;
- moving the engagement device relative to the target object so that the target object passes past free terminal ends of the first tape spring and a second tape spring and positioned between the first tape spring and the second tape spring;
- and
- actuating the tape spring to collapse to a retracted configuration coupling the engagement device to the target object by bending the first tape spring and the second tape spring around the target object.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.