Deployable inflatable boom and methods for packaging and deploying a deployable inflatable boom
AssigneeL'Garde, Inc.
InventorsGordon Veal, Arthur Palisoc, William Derbes
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Abstract
An inflatable boom for space applications, and a methods of folding and deploying a boom are disclosed. The boom comprises a membrane having a substantially tapered cylindrical shape. A wide end of the membrane is attached to a base, and a narrow end of the membrane is attached to a mandrel. The method of folding a boom comprises forming a plurality of ring-shaped folds in the boom membrane. The method of deploying a boom comprises increasing a gas pressure inside the boom and repeatedly unfolding the outer-most ring fold increase the length of the boom.
Claims16
A method for deploying a deployable inflatable boom, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross sectional area near the second end, the tube including a plurality of ring folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube, the tube being constructed of a material that is pliant at temperatures above a glass transition temperature, but becomes rigid at temperatures below the glass transition temperature;
- and
- introducing an inflation gas into a hollow interior of the tube, thereby unfolding an outer-most ring fold and elongating the tube.
A method for deploying a deployable inflatable boom, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross-sectional area near the second end, the tube including a plurality of ring folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube, the tube being constructed of a material that cures upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
- and
- introducing an inflation gas into a hollow interior of the tube, thereby unfolding an outer-most ring fold and elongating the tube.
A deployable inflatable boom for supporting structures in space, the boom comprising:
- an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to a base structure, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross-sectional area near the second end;
- and
- a cylindrical mandrel secured to the second end;
- wherein
- the tube includes a plurality of folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube;
- and
- the tube is constructed of a material that is pliant at temperatures above a glass transition temperature, but becomes rigid at temperatures below the glass transition temperature.
A deployable inflatable boom for supporting structure in space, the boom comprising:
- an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to a base structure, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross-sectional area near the second end;
- and
- a cylindrical mandrel secured to the second end;
- wherein
- the tube includes a plurality of folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube;
- and
- the tube is constructed of a material that cures upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
A deployable inflatable boom for supporting structures in space, the boom comprising:
- an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to a base structure, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross-sectional area near the second end;
- wherein
- the tube is constructed of a material that is pliant at temperatures above a glass transition temperature, but becomes rigid at temperatures below the glass transition temperature;
- and
- the tube includes a plurality of folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube.
A deployable inflatable boom for supporting structures in space, the boom comprising:
- an elongate cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to a base structure, the tube being tapered from a larger cross-sectional area near the first end to a smaller cross-sectional area near the second end;
- wherein
- the tube is constructed of a material that cures upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
- and
- the tube includes a plurality of folds, each fold having a substantially circular shape when viewed from an end of the tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.