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. 13, 2018
Filed:
Apr. 16, 2015
Applicant:
Bigelow Aerospace Llc, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Inventor:
Frederic R. Cline, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Assignee:
Bigelow Aerospace LLC, North Las Vegas, NV (US);
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B64G 1/56 (2006.01); B64G 1/58 (2006.01); B64G 1/10 (2006.01); B64G 1/22 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B64G 1/56 (2013.01); B64G 1/10 (2013.01); B64G 1/222 (2013.01); B64G 1/58 (2013.01); B64G 2001/224 (2013.01);
Abstract
A core element for use with an inflatable or expandable spacecraft is claimed. The core element has a plurality of panels connected by hinges so that the core element can be packed into a smaller volume for loading into a launch vehicle. Upon deployment in space, the core element can be unpacked and can enclose a larger volume than that in the packed state. Multiple core elements can be used to cover a spacecraft to a desired degree.