Stowable and self-deployable parallelogram-type panel array

A stowable and self deployable parallelogram type panel array comprising:

• a first set and a second set of rigid panels, each panel having a pair of parallel sides and a pair of parallel ends, said sets extending parallel to one another, on opposite sides of a central axis of the array;
• a fold hinge joining the ends of adjacent panels in each set, each fold hinge mounting its respective panels to fold toward and away from each other along a fold axis, said fold axes being normal to a plane which includes the central axis;
• pivot hinges rotationally connecting adjacent panels of the two sets at the mid-point of their adjacent sides for rotation around pivot axes which are parallel to the fold axes;
• a base;
• a first yoke and a second yoke journaled to said base for rotation around a respective yoke axis which is parallel to the hinge fold axes;
• a first attachment hinge and a second attachment hinge respectively joining respective first and second yokes to an end of a panel in the first and second set, for rotation around a respective attachment axis which is parallel to the fold axes;
• coordinating means interlinking said yokes whereby angular movement of one yoke is accompanied by an equal and opposite angular movement of the other yoke, said coordinating means comprising, a first gear and a second gear integral with said first and second yokes, respectively, and rotationally mounted to said base to journal said first and second yokes around said yoke axes, said gears having respective axes of rotation on said yoke axes, and also having identical teeth meshed together to coordinate the rotation of said yokes, the said axes of rotation being on opposite sides of said central axis from their respective set of panels when viewed in a plane normal to said hinge fold axes;
• and
• power means in each fold hinge biasing adjacent panels toward their deployed condition, said power means constituting the only source of force for deployment of the array.