Apparatus and method for the design and manufacture of foldable integrated device array stiffeners
AssigneeMicrosat Systems, Inc.
InventorsCary R. Clark, Jeff Summers, Jason Wood, Bill Zuckermandel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the design and manufacture of foldable integrated stiffeners. These stiffeners may be used in, for example, thin-film arrays of electrochemical devices.
Claims67
A method for stiffening or supporting foldable arrays of devices comprising the steps of:
- providing an arrangement of a plurality of devices having first sides and having second sides opposite said first sides;
- connecting a first hinging means for bracing to a first side of a first device;
- connecting a second hinging means for bracing to a first side of a second device.
An apparatus for stiffening foldable arrays of devices comprising:
- an arrangement of a plurality of devices;
- a first brace member hingedly connected to a first device;
- and
- a second brace member hingedly connected to a second device and to said first brace member.
A method for integrating passive deployment of a plurality of devices comprising the steps of:
- providing an arrangement of a plurality of devices, at least a portion of said devices being foldably attached to one another;
- attaching a pair of hingedly connected bracing members to a pair of said foldably connected devices;
- and
- attaching a means for situating a pair of said devices in an open position to a plurality of said devices.
An apparatus for integrated passive deployment comprising:
- an arrangement of a plurality of devices, at least a portion of said devices being foldably attached to one another;
- a pair of hingedly connected bracing members attached to a pair of said foldably connected devices;
- and
- a means for situating a pair of said devices in an open position attached to a plurality of said devices.
A method for integrating cabling with stiffening or supporting means comprising the steps of:
- providing an arrangement of a plurality of devices, at least a portion of said devices being foldably attached to one another;
- and
- attaching a pair of hingedly connected bracing members to a pair of said foldably attached devices.
An apparatus for integrated cabling with stiffening or supporting means comprising:
- an arrangement of a plurality of devices, at least a portion of said devices being foldably attached to one another;
- and
- a pair of hingedly connected bracing members attached to a pair of said foldably attached devices.
A method for manufacturing a deployable array of devices comprising the steps of:
- providing an arrangement of a plurality of devices, at least a portion of said devices being foldably attached to one another;
- attaching at least a pair of hingedly connected bracing members to at least a pair of said foldably attached devices;
- and
- collapsing said arrangement of a plurality of devices and said pair of hingedly connected bracing members.
An apparatus for use as a deployable array of devices comprising:
- an arrangement of a plurality of devices, at least a portion of said devices being foldably attached to one another;
- and
- at least a pair of hingedly connected bracing members attached to at least a pair of said foldably connected devices, wherein said arrangement of a plurality of devices and said pair of hingedly connected bracing members is collapsed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.