Self-supporting shell for use in space

A method of packaging a shell in a folded condition, the shell comprising a thin flexible membrane comprising a thin metal coating suitable for reflecting electromagnetic radiations and a plurality of thin battens forming ribs for tensioning said membrane, each of said battens having a first main face and second main face, one of said main faces facing said membrane, said membrane including guide means for said battens, said battens are slidably mounted in said guide means, said guide means terminating at least one end by abutment-forming end-reception means for receiving corresponding ends of said battens, and forming abutments such that in a deployed condition, said ends of said battens transmit axial force to said membrane, the method including a step, on earth, of putting said shell into its deployed condition, in folding the assembly constituted by said membrane and said associated battens so that said battens are folded orthogonally to their axes so as to form substantially plane hinges, and in which said battens store potential energy that can be released, at least in part, during deployment of said shell.

A foldable self-supporting vaulted shell for use in space, the shell comprising;

• a thin flexible membrane comprising a thin metal coating suitable for reflecting electromagnetic radiations and a plurality of thin battens forming ribs for tensioning said membrane, each of said battens having a first main face and a second main face, one of said main faces facing said membrane, said battens being flexible in a direction perpendicular to its main faces, said membrane including guide means for said battens, said battens slidably mounted in said guide means, said guide means terminating at at least one end by abutment-forming end-reception means for receiving corresponding ends of said battens, and forming abutments such that in a deployed condition, said ends of said battens transmit axial force to said membrane, thereby tensioning said membrane, said shell occupying a small volume in its folded condition for storage in a launcher for the purpose of being placed into orbit in which said battens are folded to form hinges along straight lines perpendicular to axes of the battens and store more potential energy than in the deployed condition.

A foldable self-supporting vaulted shell for use in space, the shell comprising;

• a thin flexible membrane comprising a thin metal coating suitable for reflecting electromagnetic radiations and a plurality of thin battens forming ribs for tensioning said membrane, each of said battens having a first main face and second main face, one of said main faces facing said membrane, said battens being flexible in a direction perpendicular to its main faces, said membrane including guide means for said battens, said battens slidably mounted in said guide means, said guide means terminating at at least one end by abutment-forming end-reception means for receiving corresponding ends of said battens, and forming abutments such that in a deployed condition, said ends of said battens transmit axial force to said membrane, thereby tensioning said membrane, said shell occupying a small volume in its folded condition for storage in a launcher for the purpose of being placed into orbit in which said battens are rolled up and store more potential energy than in the deployed condition.

A reflector for a satellite antenna for use in space, the reflector comprising;

• a thin flexible membrane comprising a thin metal coating suitable for reflecting electromagnetic radiations, a plurality of thin battens forming ribs for tensioning said membrane, each of said battens having a first main face and a second main face, one of said main faces facing said membrane, said batten being flexible in a direction perpendicular to its main faces, said membrane including guide means for said battens, said battens slidably mounted in said guide means, said guide means terminating at least one end by abutment-forming end-reception means for receiving corresponding ends of said battens, and forming abutments such that in a deployed condition, said ends of said battens transmit axial force to said membrane, thereby tensioning said membrane, said shell occupying a small volume in its folded condition for storage in a launcher for the purpose of being placed into orbit in which said battens store more potential energy than in the deployed condition.