Self-adaptive fabric for space applications
AssigneeBlue Origin Manufacturing, LLC
InventorWeidong Song
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Self-adaptive fabrics for space applications are provided. In one aspect, a fabric for use in space includes a structural fabric and a plurality of synthetic fibers woven into a self-adaptive fabric. The self-adaptive fabric is attached to the structural fabric. Each of the synthetic fibers includes a plurality of hollow cells containing a trapped gas. The synthetic fibers are formed of a material having a sufficient elasticity such that the diameter of each of the synthetic fibers is configured to increase when the environmental pressure decreases.
Claims22
A self-adaptive fabric comprising:
- a plurality of synthetic fibers woven to form the self-adaptive fabric,
- wherein each of the plurality of synthetic fibers comprises a plurality of hollow cells containing a trapped gas, and
- wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers are formed of a material having a sufficient elasticity such that the diameter of each of the plurality of synthetic fibers is configured to change in response to changes in the environmental pressure.
A method of manufacturing a self-adaptive fabric, the method comprising:
- providing a stream of synthetic material;
- periodically injecting a gas into a center of the stream of synthetic material to create a plurality of gas-filled hollow cells;
- allowing the stream of synthetic material to cool into a synthetic fiber, the synthetic fiber formed of a material having a sufficient elasticity such that the diameter of the synthetic fiber is configured to change in response to changes in the environmental pressure;
- and
- weaving the synthetic fiber into a self-adaptive fabric.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.