The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 20, 2007
Filed:
Nov. 18, 2004
Renato Licata, Turin, IT;
Renato Licata, Turin, IT;
Alenia Spazio S.p.A., Rome, IT;
Abstract
Mechanism for passively deploying expendable space tethers on orbit, by means of an initial separation impulse only, provided by a simple spring system that is part of the mechanism itself. The passive deployment of the space tether and a tethered end-mass is provided by the particular mechanism devised, having very low deployment friction and resistance. Tether deployment brake towards the final part of deployment is produced by a daisy-like brake, stored within the winding of the fixed tether spool so that it is automatically deployed (opened) and starts its deployment braking or resistance function from a planned point of the tether deployment in space.