Ast Research, Inc.

Other

The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of the

Astro Aerospace Corporation

John M Hedgepeth

Robert A Frosch

Mark W Thomson

Geoffrey William Marks

Marvin D Rhodes

Louis R Adams

Robert F Crawford

John V Coyner

Ronald L Samuels

John Stammreich

A reflector assembly for use in antennas or solar collectors in which light weight and high reflector surface shape accuracy are essential for maintaining desired RF or light reflection requirements. The assembly is provided with a rigid, deployable outer support rim and at least one curved frame net supported by the outer rim. The frame net may be formed of a network of intersecting bands extending across the surface. A reflective material is placed against the frame net. A load is applied to the frame net to form a concave surface. The assembly is collapsible for convenient delivery into space prior to deployment.

Light-weight reflector for concentrating radiation

A deployable structure that synchronously deploys in both length and width is disclosed which is suitable for use as a structural component for orbiting space stations or large satellites. The structure is designed with maximum packing efficiency so that large structures may be collapsed and transported in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle. The synchronous deployment feature allows the structure to be easily deployed in space without a complex deployment mechanism. The structure is made up of interconnected structural units, each generally in the shape of a parallelepiped. The structural units are constructed of structural members connected with hinged and fixed connections at connection nodes in each corner of the parallelepiped. Diagonal members along each face of the parallelepiped provide structural rigidity and are equipped with mid-length, self-locking hinges to allow the structure to collapse. The structure is designed so that all hinged connections may be made with simple clevis-type hinges requiring only a single degree of freedom, and each hinge pin is located along the centerline of its structural member for high strength and stiffness.

Synchronously deployable double fold beam and planar truss structure

The disclosed deployable lattice column includes a plurality of longeron elements connected together and reinforced by lateral elements including both diagonal members and battens. The diagonal members are formed of rigid elements thereby maintaining the stiffness of the lattice column when deployed, even when torsional loads are applied to the column.

Rigid diagonal deployable lattice column

The disclosed deployable lattice column includes a plurality of longeron elements connected together and reinforced by lateral elements including both diagonal members and battens. The diagonal members are cross-connected between laterally opposed points along the longerons and define a bay of the column by the spacing of their attachment points. Adjacent bays of the column substantially overlap each other. By this overlapping relationship, should one of the diagonal elements fail, the strength of the column is substantially maintained by the adjacent, overlapping diagonal elements. Preferably, the longeron elements are integral, coilable elastic members.

Redundant deployable lattice column

The present invention is in the field of collapsible structural members. It discloses a foldable beam possessing superior qualities of: light weight, compactness for transportation, quick deployment with minimum use of force, and high strength. These qualities are achieved through the use of a series of longitudinally rigid segments, hinged along one side and threaded by one or two cables along the opposite side. Tightening the cables holds the beam extended. Loosening the cables permits the segments to fold away from the threaded side. In one embodiment the segments are connected by canted hinges with the result that the beam may be folded in a helix-like configuration around a cylinder. In another embodiment the segments themselves may be hinged to fold flat laterally as the beam is folded, resulting in a configuration that may be helixed around a shorter cylinder.

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Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America

John M Hedgepeth