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US 5,429,851 AGranted
Expandable rigid structure
AssigneeTracor, Inc.
InventorBradley T. Sallee
Life of this patent
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AssigneeTracor, Inc.
InventorBradley T. Sallee
Estimating the term…
A rigid habitat structure is provided that is fabricated in an axially compressed condition so that it occupies less volume before it is expanded upon deployment. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is fabricated with a pleated metal skin forming a bellows-like structure. The structure may further comprise structural hoops and stringers connected to the metal skin. The structure may be transported to its desired location in its compressed condition and then deployed by inflating the structure to axially expand the bellows, whereby the metal skin and stringers are stretched into a straightened condition. Inflation may be continued past the elastic limits of the stringers and skin, thereby stiffening them in their expanded condition and creating a rigid expanded structure. Axially expandable micrometeorite shielding and thermal insulation are also provided that can be installed on the compressed structure and that expand along with the structure during deployment.
A habitat structure comprising an inflatable, irreversibly expansible bellows including a tubular pleated skin configured to define a rigid elongate chamber upon expansion of the bellows.
A habitat structure for use in space comprising:
A habitat structure for use in space, comprising:
A method of forming a rigid structure comprising:
A inflatably erectable rigid habitat structure, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.