Astrium Gmbh

Eads Deutschland Gmbh

Messerschmitt-boelkow-blohm Gmbh

Daimler-benz Aerospace Ag

Daimler Chrysler Ag

Messerschmitt-bolkow-blohm Gmbh

Messerschmitt-bolkow-blohm Gesellschaft MIT Beschrankter Haftung

Deutsche Aerospace Ag

Martin Roth

Franz Sperber

Helmut Kiendl

Andreas Schuster

Heinz Voggenreiter

Harald Vorbrugg

Markus Reindl

Leonhard Stielner

Robert Apfelbeck

Arno Voit

Walter Stich

Adalbert Wagner

Axel Stöckle

Bernhard Stahn

Gerd Bethe

Axel Söckle

J&uuml;rgen Dupier

A linear operating device is provided that includes a way of converting a rotational motion into a translational motion, realized in the form of a nut, a rotating drive unit and a spindle acting in conjunction with the nut; and the nut is connected to the spindle with the ability to rotate. The rotating drive unit is connected to the nut with torsional strength, or it exercises a force in the axial direction of the spindle. Applications for the invention can be found in space travel, particularly in the context of solar generator unfolding systems.

Linear actuation device for spacecraft and solar generator unfolding systems

An extendible solar generator has an extendible solar cell structure and an extendible support array structure which has a first cross member and is connected with a stowage housing for the solar cell structure. The support array structure can be rolled out independently of the solar cell structure and has guiding devices for rolling out the solar cell structure after the array structure has rolled out.

Extendible solar generator with an extendible supporting array structure

The invention solves the task of creating a temperature-controlled wire holder that enables a reliable and controlled release. This task is solved by the invention in that the wire holder ( ) is produced from a shape memory material, and that the wire ( ) is clamped in an aperture ( ) of the wire holder ( ) by compression of the aperture ( ), and that the compressed aperture ( ) opens by itself when the wire holder ( ) is heated to a specific operating temperature, thus releasing the wire. The invention may be used in a temperature-controlled wire holder that releases a secured wire ( ) under mechanical tension when a specific operating temperature is achieved.

Temperature-controlled wire support

A retention and triggering mechanism with a shape memory actuator which ensures safe triggering and is of simple design and requires little energy. An end ( ) of a stressed wire is held by a free end of a wire made of shape memory material ( ) which contracts along its length when heated, thus withdrawing its free end from an opening ( ) formed in the end ( ) of the stressed wire thereby releasing the stressed wire.

Holding and releasing mechanism with a shape memory actuator

A support structure includes at least one shaped component which is produced from a shape memory alloy and which, in a first operating state of the support structure, results in an increase in the strength of the support structure and, in a second operating state, results in a reduction in the thermal conductivity of the support structure. The first strut structure is surrounded by a second strut structure, which has a higher mechanical strength in comparison with the first strut structure, and the first strut structure is connected securely, at least at one of its ends, to the second strut structure. In addition, the first strut structure is connected to a holding device, and the second strut structure is releasably connected to the holding device by the at least one shaped component.

Support structure having alternative states of high strength or low thermal conductivity, and connecting strut

A coaxial valve includes an actuating drive, a valve housing ( ), a valve sleeve ( ) that is longitudinally slidable in the valve housing ( ) between open and closed positions, and a closing body ( ) arranged coaxially at one end of the valve sleeve ( ). In the closed position, the valve sleeve seals against the closing body. In the open position, the valve sleeve is spaced from the closing body, to open a valve opening cross-section (V). The actuating drive includes an electric servomotor ( ) with a linear actuator ( ), and a transmission mechanism ( ) for transmitting the linear movement of the actuator to the valve sleeve. The transmission mechanism includes a rocker lever with a first end articulately connected to the linear actuator, a second end articulately connected to the valve housing, and a middle section articulately connected to the valve sleeve.

Coaxial valve with electric actuating drive

An antenna reflector for satellites or space vehicles having a number of hexagonal individual reflectors (,) which can be arranged around a rigid central element (,). The reflectors (,) are connected to the central element (,) by a support structure (,) that can collapse to hold the reflectors in a compact storage state or be extended to deploy the reflectors. The reflectors (,) are folded like an umbrella in a transport state when the reflectors are collapsed and at the place of use, they are brought into their operating positions and spread out, so that they collectively form a reflector surface. Each reflector (,) has a foldable surface structure connected by a multiple number of ribs (,) to a rigid, central structure (,).

Reflector and reflector element for antennas for use in outer space and a method for deploying the reflectors

A method for the production of a reflector for antennas to be used in outer space in which a thread (,) is wound on a winding spindle (,), to obtain a netting or network structure. The winding spindle (,) has contour segments (,) on its surface, whose contour corresponds to the contour of a sector of the reflector surface being produced. After winding, the resulting thread network structure is hardened on the winding spindle (,) and the thread network structure is divided into individual sections. The contour segments (,) are separated from the winding spindle (,) and together with the sections of the hardened network structure thereon are fitted together on an assembly rig so that the individual sections collectively form a reflector. The winding of the thread of the network structure on the spindle can vary in at least one direction or in its angle of placement a, so that the network structure has a different, selectable rigidity in individual areas.

Method and apparatus for producing an antenna reflector, and a structure for such a reflector

A release element for a holddown device, on a solar generator, for example, with a retaining bolt which is under pretension in the direction of its lengthwise axis, releases the retaining bolt from its pretensioned position. Pretensioning force is exerted on the retaining bolt through thread located at the end of retaining bolt into a corresponding internal thread in the release device. Internal thread is located half in a housing of release device and half in an opener. Opener is inserted pivotably in a cutout of housing and held in place by a wire coil wound around housing and opener. To release retaining bolt, the wire coil is released by fuse elements and expands to a larger diameter, releasing the retaining bolt.

Release apparatus for a holddown device

A joint for deploying and locking a solar panel or a reflector has a fork which is pivotable through 180.degree. about a common pivot axis with a fixed bearing support. A disk mounted on the fixed bearing support has a sliding curve that terminates in a groove. A latching fork mounted rotatably on pivotable fork has a latching bolt and sliding roller which runs on the sliding curve when the pivotable fork deploys, and together with a latching bolt, engages the groove. A leg spring engages the latching bolt. The sliding curve has a shape such that during the first half of a deployment angle of the fork that is pivoted by the force of a coil spring, a decreasing portion of the coil spring moment is stored in leg spring. In the second half of the deployment angle, a moment 16 stored in leg spring 9 is again added increasingly to the movement, so that during deployment, an approximately constant corrected deployment moment is provided.

Joint for deploying and locking a solar panel or a reflection

A joint is provided for the unfolding and locking of space elements, such as solar generator panels. On one joint half, a detent lever is swivellably connected having a clamping nose as well as a finger as the guiding element. During the unfolding operation, the finger slides on a guiding contour of the other joint half. Shortly before the fully unfolded condition is reached, the finger engages in a depression, and the clamping nose runs up onto a cam and clamps down on the latter under the effect of the spring tension directed to the common axis of rotation. A movable stop element, e.g. universal ball joint, simultaneously presses against a stop surface so that both joint halves are braced with respect to one another. An arrangement of high stiffness which is as free from play as possible results.

Unfolding and locking joint for space elements

A locking arrangement for unfoldable solar generators which consist of several panels provides a lockable, partially-unfolded, intermediate position and a lockable, completely unfolded final position. In the partially-unfolded position, a panel is pivoted by 90.degree. so that a lock pin which is acted upon by a radially inwardly directed spring force and which, at first, slides on an outer section of a curve of a guiding contour, locks into an opening of a curved slot in a guiding element having the guiding contour. During the transition into the fully unfolded position, a plate cam, which had stopped at first, is rotated so that its driving groove can accommodate the lock pin which can now continue to slide on an inner section of the curve into the final locking position.

Locking arrangement for unfolded solar generators

An unfolding joint for the panels of a solar generator is constructed for the partial and complete unfolding of the outer solar panel of the solar generator which is connected to the body of a spacecraft. The solar generator includes, in addition to the outer panel a pluraLity of inner panels. The unfolding is controlled by a closed cable loop in a positive manner, whereby primary and secondary hold down devices are provided for the outer panel and for the inner panels respectively. The unfolding joint includes two joint sections which are tiltably connected to each other and are tilting axis of the joint carries a rotatably mounted cable pulley. Two spring biased locking members are mounted in the joint section that is connected to the outer panel. Stop surfaces are provided in the second joint section and in the cable pulley for cooperation with the locking members. In the partially unfolded state both locking members cooperate to provide a formlocking of the unfolding joint. In the fully unfolded state the locking is accomplished by only one of the locking elements in the form of a locking lever. During the transition from the partially unfolded state into the fully unfolded state the other locking member in the form of a locking bolt provides a formlocking connection of the outer or second joint half with the cable pulley for the closed loop cable control.

Joint for unfolding panels of a solar collector

A bearing unit comprises a first shaft carrying the bearing proper, a second shaft extending coaxially at least partly within the first shaft and cooperating with the load, and a shaft coupling device which engage the two shafts with each other in both the axial and the radial direction. The device can be disengaged if the second shaft is exposed to an undesirable load, such as impacts or vibrations, in order to protect the bearing proper.

Growing community of inventors

Taufkirchen, Germany

Martin Roth