# US 2008/0185481 A1 · Space Tethers for Limiting the Dynamic Response of Structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0185481 A1 - Document ID: US20080185481A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/671,865 - Filed: 2007-02-06 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-06 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Steven J. Bullock; David B. Robinson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185481A1 ## CPC - B64G 1/6425: {arrangements for damping vibrations} - B64G 1/648: {Tethers} - B64G 1/66: Arrangements or adaptations of apparatus or instruments, not otherwise provided for - B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR ## Abstract Methods and systems for providing space tethers for limiting the dynamic response of structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for limiting the dynamic response of a structure having a base member and a substructure projecting outwardly from the base member includes coupling a first end of an elongated flexible tether to the substructure at a first location spaced apart from the base member; and coupling a second end of the elongated flexible tether to the base member at a second location spaced apart from the substructure, the tether being configured to be in a non-taut configuration when the substructure moves within a design volume with respect to the base member, the tether being further configured to be in a taut position when the substructure displaces to a limit of the design volume. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for limiting the dynamic response of a structure having a base member and a substructure projecting outwardly from the base member, comprising: coupling a first end of an elongated flexible tether to the substructure at a first location spaced apart from the base member; and coupling a second end of the elongated flexible tether to the base member at a second location spaced apart from the substructure, the tether being configured to be in a non-taut configuration when the substructure moves within a design volume with respect to the base member, the tether being further configured to be in a taut position when the substructure displaces to a limit of the design volume. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the elongated flexible tether includes one of a cable, a string, a synthetic filament, a chain, and a wire. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the structure is a mobile platform. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the elongated flexible tether comprises a plurality of tethers, and where a placement of the plurality of tethers is pre-calculated to conform to a dynamic model of substructure deformation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein coupling a second end of the elongated flexible tether to the base member at a second location spaced apart from the substructure includes selecting a tether length that is pre-calculated to maintain the tether in a non-taut state while in orbit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein selecting a tether length includes selecting a tether length pre-calculated to allow maximum tether shrinkage during a mission while the tether remains in a non-taut state in orbit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including coupling a dampening member to the elongated flexible tether and at least one of the base member and the substructure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including coupling a biasing member to the elongated flexible tether and at least one of the base member and the substructure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the elongated flexible tether is substantially composed of one of Kevlar and steel wire. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the elongated flexible tether is braided to provide one of additional strength; biasing; and dampening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, wherein a second tether is attached to the at least one tether, the second tether restraining the elongated flexible tether to a second design volume when the elongated flexible tether is non-taut. ### Claim 12 A system comprising: a structure including a base member; a elongated structure coupled at one end to the base member; and an elongated flexible tether attached to the base member and at least one of the elongated structure and base member, the tether configured to be in a non-taut configuration when the substructure moves within a design volume with respect to the base member, the tether being further configured to be in a taut position when the substructure displaces to a limit of the design volume. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein a second tether is configured between the tether and the structure, the second tether restraining the tether to a tether design volume when the tether is non-taut. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein substructure is configured for communication or observation in space. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the substructure is a boom configured for coupling an instrument. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the structure is a satellite. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the tether is one of a cable and a rope. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the tether includes a dampening member and a biasing member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the dampening member and biasing member are arranged in a parallel configuration. ### Claim 20 A method of dampening dynamic response of a space structure, comprising: determining the structure predicted deformation during a mission; determining a design volume for allowable dynamic response of the structure during the mission; configuring an elongated flexible tether suitable for coupling between two attachment locations on the structure, including: determining at least two attachment points on the structure for the tether; determining a tether design length, the design length configured to provide a non-taut tether configuration when the structure is within the design volume; and attaching the tether to the structure.