Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – With payload accommodation
Patent
1987-05-05
1988-05-31
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
With payload accommodation
B64G 144
Patent
active
047475668
ABSTRACT:
Foldable panels of a solar collector, for example for a satellite, have a plurality of panel sections hinged to each other. At least one outer panel section of each panel is foldable into a position of about 90.degree. to the yet unfolded panel sections. The power needed for the partial unfolding and subsequent complete unfolding is provided by power storing devices, such as mechanical springs. The inward end, relative to a mounting such as a satellite body, of the outer panel section and an outward end of a further inwardly located panel section, for example the next but one inwardly located panel section, are equipped with rigid stop members extending in an extension of the plane of the respective panel section. The stop member of the outer panel has a cam surface (10) cooperating with a facing surface (12) of the stop member of the inner panel section in such a way that the two stop members will maintain the partially unfolded state in the absence of a further unfolding force application and so that the outer stop member cam surface (10) can clear the facing surface (12) in response to such further unfolding force.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3168135 (1965-02-01), Beifuss
Corl Rodney
Fasse W. G.
Kane, Jr. D. H.
Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm GmbH
Peters Jr. Joseph F.
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