US 8,893,442 B1 · Segmented deployable boom structure for space applications

Abstract

A long, elastically deployable tubular boom structure consisting of two or more thin-walled booms with a continuous longitudinal slit-opening along its entire length on the backside and a composite reinforced or metallic construction. The slit-opening, thin-walled tubular section accompanied by the boom elastic properties and unique fastening method between the boom segments allows the segmented boom to be flattened and then rolled up into an extremely compact cylindrical stowage volume. The boom elastically and immediately deploys from a rolled stowed configuration under its own strain energy without use of a motor or other complicated actuators/mechanisms. The segmented construction of multiple tube elements allows for unlimited boom lengths and enables unlimited structure scaling. In addition, the segmented slit-boom construction minimizes the overall boom cost and allows for tailoring of the boom stiffness along its length and facilitates repair of the boom if a material flaw is identified or localized damage occurs.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A segmented deployable boom structure for space applications comprising:

a. at least one boom segment of said segmented deployable boom structure, said boom segment having a template that is substantially rectangular, with a length, a width, and first and second opposing side edges, the first and second opposing side edges sloping toward one another at an end of the boom segment;
and;
b. a cut out portion defined in the region of the sloping ends for tailoring the stiffness of said region,
c. wherein said boom segment has a rolled configuration for stowage and a deployed configuration the boom being rolled along a widthwise axis in the rolled configuration and extended along a lengthwise axis in the deployed configuration, the deployed configuration being tubular with a lengthwise slit opening, the boom segment forming a tapered end when in the rolled configuration;
d. wherein said boom segment stores elastic energy in said rolled configuration, and the elastic energy released upon deployment of said boom segment such that said boom segment is urged into said deployed configuration;
and
e. wherein the at least one shaped tapered end is configured to overlap with a tapered end of a second boom segment.

4 more elements

A segmented deployable boom structure for space applications comprising:

a boom segment having first and second opposing ends, a rolled configuration and a deployed configuration, the boom segment being flat and rolled along a widthwise axis in the rolled configuration and tubular and extended along a lengthwise axis in the deployed configuration;
a first longitudinal grommet attached to said boom segment;
a second longitudinal grommet attached to said boom segment and distal to the first longitudinal grommet along a longitudinal axis of said boom segment;
a first circumferential grommet attached to said boom segment;
and
a second circumferential grommet attached to said boom segment and distal to the first circumferential grommet along a widthwise axis of said boom segment,
wherein said boom segment stores elastic energy in the rolled configuration, the elastic energy effecting extension of the boom segment to the deployed configuration as the elastic energy is released,
and further wherein at least one of the first and second opposing ends is tapered and sized and shaped to receive an end of a second boom segment.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Segmented deployable boom structure for space applications

Life of this patent

Segmented deployable boom structure for space applications

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14