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US 6,647,855 B1Granted
Apparatus and method for deploying a hypervelocity shield
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsEric L. Christiansen, Justin H. Kerr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided herein are apparatuses for deployment of at least one hypervelocity shield on a structure in exoatmospheric space. The apparatuses comprise a means of attaching to the structure at least at one place on the structure and further comprise at least one of the hypervelocity shields and a means of deploying said shields. Also provided are methods of deploying the hypervelocity shields using said apparatuses.
Claims40
An apparatus for deploying a hypervelocity shield on a structure in exoatmospheric space comprising:
- a hypervelocity shield comprising:
- a mesh formed of wires of a ductile material, at least one of said wires optionally comprising a shape-memory alloy;
- and
- a supporting matrix formed of strands of a material having a density less than that of said ductile material;
- said strands interwoven with said mesh and comprising means for supporting the mesh in a predetermined configuration;
- a frame structure attached to at least one edge of said hypervelocity shield further comprising an insulated electric cable to deploy said hypervelocity shield, said frame structure supports said hypervelocity shield;
- and
- a means of operably attaching said hypervelocity shield to the structure.
5 more elements
An apparatus to deploy at least one hypervelocity shield on a structure in exoatmospheric space comprising:
- at least one hypervelocity shield, each of said attached to and wound on a roll, said shield comprising:
- a mesh formed of wires of a ductile material;
- and
- a supporting matrix formed of strands of a material having a density less than that of said ductile material;
- said strands interwoven with said mesh and comprising means for supporting the mesh in a predetermined configuration;
- a shield storage cassette, said storage cassette containing at least one of said rolls of shielding, said rolls of shielding individually stored one on the other, said storage cassette comprising:
- a shield storage cassette cover, said cassette cover in covering relationship to an open end of said cassette when said roll(s) of shielding are stored therein, said cassette cover having a front side facing outwardly and a back side opposite said front side;
- said back side comprising a means of individually attaching in parallel relationship a front edge of each of said rolls of shielding;
- wherein said cover opens along a plane perpendicular to the face of said cover;
- a mast storage canister having an open front end and a closed back end opposite said front end, said canister rotatably mounted to the top of said shield storage cassette, said storage canister adjacent to and parallel to a top side of said storage cassette wherein said plane or rotation is parallel to that of a subsequently deployed shield, said canister comprising;
- an extendible/retractable mast disposed within said canister;
- a circular mast cover disposed in covering relationship to said open front end of said canister when said mast is retracted therein, said mast cover having a front side facing outwardly and having two mounting attach points thereon comprising means to attach said deployed shields to said structure and a back side opposite said front side;
- said back side comprising a means of attaching a front edge of said retractable mast;
- two mounting attach points fastened external to and at the back of said mast storage canister, said mounting attach points comprising means to attach said apparatus to said structure;
- and
- an extending means to simultaneously extend said mast and open said shield storage cassette cover comprising a hinging mechanism, a forward arm of said hinge attached to said front face of said mast cover and a rearward arm of said hinge attached to said front face of said cassette cover, wherein said forward arm of said hinge rotates in a plane parallel to said subsequently deployed shields.
13 more elements
A method of deploying a hypervelocity shield on a structure in exoatmospheric space comprising the steps of:
- attaching a canister to an outer surface of said structure, said canister containing said hypervelocity shield-rolled therein, wherein said hypervelocity shield is formed of:
- a continuous sheet of mesh having a length greater than its width, said mesh formed of wires of a ductile material;
- a supporting matrix formed of strands of a material having a density less than that of said ductile material;
- and
- a plurality of wires formed of a shape-memory alloy disposed along the length of said sheet of mesh;
- deploying said hypervelocity shield through an opening on a front face of said canister via a motor means;
- and
- thermally activating said shape memory wires via an electrical means to conform said hypervelocity shield in protective relation to the outer surface of said structure.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.