Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – With payload accommodation
Patent
1989-02-03
1989-11-14
Barefoot, Galen L.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
With payload accommodation
B64G 146
Patent
active
048801887
ABSTRACT:
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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3525483 (1970-08-01), Van Alstyne
patent: 4747566 (1988-05-01), Kiendl
Aircraft Engineering: Jan. 1984; pp. 2 to 5; by H. Kellermeier, K. Schneider, MBB GmbH, Space Division, Ottobrunn, Germany; article entitled: "The Retractable Ultra-lightweight (ULP) solar Array for Retrievable Space Platforms".
Kiendl Helmut
Roth Martin
Barefoot Galen L.
Fasse W. G.
Kane, Jr. D. H.
Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm GmbH
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