Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110204186 | DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURES HAVING COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURAL MEMBERS - Deployable structures are disclosed having collapsible structural members that include a stowed configuration with a volume smaller than the expanded configuration. Such structures can include and/or be used for litters, bridges, support structures, solar arrays, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more slit-tube longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled. | 08-25-2011 |
20120012154 | COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURES WITH ADJUSTABLE FORMS - Structures and methods are disclosed regarding deployable structures with expandable longerons adjustably coupled with supporting structures such that an angle between the supporting structures can be adjusted. Such structures can include and/or be used for solar arrays, bridges, support structures, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled. | 01-19-2012 |
20130042461 | SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER DEVICES - Various shape memory polymer (SMP) devices are disclosed. Many of these SMP devices can be used as attachment and/or release mechanisms for any number of different applications. These SMP devices can use various characteristics of the SMP material to allow for various shape changes. These shape changes, in some embodiments, can be used to provide for release and/or attachment devices, for example, SMP bolts, SMP screws, SMP collars, SMP pillars, SMP panels, and/or SMP rivets, to name a few. An SMP device can include a first geometric state and a second geometric shape. The first geometric shape can restrict motion of two distinct objects relative to one another and the second geometrical shape can allow motion of two distinct objects relative to one another. | 02-21-2013 |
20130061541 | SLIT TUBE LOCKING LONGERON - According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges. | 03-14-2013 |
20130153144 | MULTIPLE USE PRECISION EXTRACTABLE TOOLING - Embodiments of the invention are directed toward extractable tooling devices for composite structure manufacturing. An extractable tool, according to some embodiments of the invention, can include a rigid core, one or more foam blocks, an elastic membrane, and a nozzle. The foam blocks can be shaped to provide a mold of the composite structure being manufactured. This mold may require the extractable tool to be trapped by the composite structure after manufacture. Use of the foams can allow the extractable tool to shrink in at least one dimension in order to extract the tool from the trapped configuration. | 06-20-2013 |
20140026390 | SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER DEVICES - Various shape memory polymer (SMP) devices are disclosed. Many of these SMP devices can be used as attachment and/or release mechanisms for any number of different applications. These SMP devices can use various characteristics of the SMP material to allow for various shape changes. These shape changes, in some embodiments, can be used to provide for release and/or attachment devices, for example, SMP bolts, SMP screws, SMP collars, SMP pillars, SMP panels, and/or SMP rivets, to name a few. An SMP device can include a first geometric state and a second geometric shape. The first geometric shape can restrict motion of two distinct objects relative to one another and the second geometrical shape can allow motion of two distinct objects relative to one another. | 01-30-2014 |
20140329034 | SLIT TUBE LOCKING LONGERON - According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges. | 11-06-2014 |
20140360665 | REFLECTOR MANUFACTURED USING MULTIPLE USE PRECISION EXTRACTABLE TOOLING - A unitary reflector system and methods for forming that include a reflector and support structure. These two structures can form a single unitary structure. Such a reflector system can be constructed from composite laminate materials that are laid up or formed in during a single manufacturing process. The composite support structure can be formed on the back of the reflector using standard laminate techniques. An extractable tool, can include a rigid core, one or more foam blocks, which may be shape a memory polymer foam, an elastic membrane, and a nozzle. The foam blocks can be shaped to provide a mold of the composite structure being manufactured. This mold may require the extractable tool to be trapped by the composite structure after manufacture. Use of the foams can allow the extractable tool to shrink in at least one dimension in order to extract the tool from the trapped configuration. E | 12-11-2014 |