Device for controlling a relative rotation between two articulated elements and a deployable mechanical structure, particularly for a space vehicle, using at least one device of this type
AssigneeAlcatel
InventorsGérard Vezain, Patrice Kerhousse, Daniel Viale, Yannick Baudasse, François Reimbold
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
To control a relative rotation between two elements (10, 12), such as flaps of a deployable mechanical structure, on a space vehicle, a torsion bar (16) is used made of a bistable shape memory alloy, heated over its whole length by heaters stuck on the bar and retained by hooping rings. A stop (22) restricts pivoting to the pre-set pivoting angle to be controlled. Excess pivoting of the torsion bar (16) is applied to a mechanical fuse (18), interposed between the bar and one (12) of the elements.
Claims9
A device for controlling a relative rotation between two elements articulated relative to each other around a given axis, the device including a torsion bar made of a bistable shape memory alloy, centered on said axis and connected to each of the elements at points spaced out along said axis, and bar heating means, activation of which generates said relative rotation, under the effect of a change in the metallurgical structure of the alloy, wherein the torsion bar is able to generate an angle of relative rotation between said points on the bar, greater than a pre-set angle of relative rotation to be controlled between the elements, a stop being provided to restrict the angle of relative rotation between the elements to said preset angle, and at least one mechanical fuse being provided between the torsion bar and a first of said elements, to absorb excess relative rotation between said points on the bar, beyond said pre-set angle.
A deployable mechanical structure, including at least two elements connected to each other by at least one articulation and initially occupying a folded configuration, and at least one control device built into said articulation, able to bring said structure into an at least partially deployed configuration, said device including a torsion bar made of a bistable shape memory alloy, centered on said axis and connected to each of the elements at points spaced out along said axis, and bar heating means, activation of which generates said relative rotation, under the effect of a change in the metallurgical structure of the alloy wherein the torsion bar is able to generate an angle of relative rotation between said points on the bar, greater than a pre-set angle of relative rotation to be controlled between the elements, a stop being provided to restrict the angle of relative rotation between the elements to said pre-set angle, and at least one mechanical fuse being provided between the torsion bar and a first of said elements, to absorb excess relative rotation between said points on the bar, beyond said pre-set angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.