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US 6,637,702 B1Granted
Nested beam deployable solar array
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorJohn Gregory McCandless
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solar array includes a plurality of panels that are individually supported by beams that nest within each other in the stowed position to minimize the volume of the structure prior to deployment. The beams are pivotally connected to each other are deployed using any conventional means.
Claims22
A deployable structure comprising:
- a beam assembly including a plurality of beams pivotally connected to each other and being foldable between a stowed position in which the beams assume a substantially nested orientation and a deployed position in which the beams end substantially end-to-end;
- and
- a plurality of panels connected respectively to the plurality of beams.
A method of deploying a solar array comprising the steps of:
- folding a beam assembly including a plurality of beams pivotally connected to each other to adopt a fist, stowed position in which the beams assume a substantially nested orientation, wherein the beams are connected to a plurality of panels which, in the stowed position, are stacked one on top of the other, and wherein the folding generates a spring force;
- holding the panels in stowed position with holding means;
- and
- releasing the holding means so that the beams unfold using the spring force into a second, deployed position.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.