Foam Rigidized Inflatable Structural Assemblies
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsMichael L. Tinker, Andrew R. Schnell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inflatable and rigidizable structure for use as a habitat or a load bearing structure is disclosed. The structure consists of an outer wall and an inner wall defining a containment member and a bladder. The bladder is pressurized to erect the structure from an initially collapsed state. The containment member is subsequently injected with rigidizable fluid through an arrangement of injection ports. Exhaust gases from the curing rigidizable fluid are vented through an arrangement of exhaust ports. The rate of erection can be controlled by frictional engagement with a container or by using a tether. A method for fabricating a tubular structure is disclosed.
Claims20
A rigidizable structure comprising:
- a rigidizable fluid, said fluid being introduced into said structure and subsequently rigidized to provide structural support for said structure;
- a containment member, said containment member having at least one outer wall and at least one sealable opening for introducing said rigidizable fluid into said containment member;
- said outer wall having a thickness;
- and
- said outer wall having at least one exhaust port adapted to venting excess pressure and gas byproducts of injected fluid rigidization material.
9 The structure of claim 8 wherein said cross-section varies between said first end and said second end.
A method for erecting and rigidizing a structure including the steps of:
- selecting at least one structure having an inflatable bladder attached to a containment member;
- said containment member having an inner wall and an outer wall;
- inflating said bladder to erect said structure;
- introducing rigidizable fluid uniformly into said containment member between said inner wall and said outer wall;
- allowing said rigidizable fluid to distribute uniformly throughout said containment member;
- curing said rigidizable fluid;
- and
- venting excess fluid and gases produced during fluid rigidization from said structure.
A method for fabricating a tubular wall including the steps of:
- selecting at least one tubular mold having a predetermined cross-section, a predetermined perimeter, and a first predetermined length;
- selecting a section of flexible material having a second predetermined length and a width, said width greater than said predetermined perimeter, said width having a first side and a second side;
- wrapping said section of flexible material around said tubular mold;
- overlapping said first side and second side to form a tube;
- said first tube having a first end and a second end;
- securing said first and second side together to form a seam;
- and
- removing said tubular mold from said tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.