Deployable Inflatable Wing Segmented Ribs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultralight space structures deployed by inflation face challenges in compact folding and risk entanglement or blockage during deployment, necessitating a solution for efficient and unobstructed expansion.

Innovation Solution

A space wing with a polygonal membrane and inflatable structure comprising film strips along diagonals, where the strips form inflatable tubes that communicate through a central perforation, facilitated by an inflating device with a valve and telescopic mast for deployment, allowing for compact folding and sequential inflation to prevent entanglement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the wing is folded compactly for storage, then space utilization is improved, but deployment complexity and risk of entanglement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoiddeployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wing structure is divided into multiple triangular segments separated by inflatable ribs. Each segment can be independently folded and deployed, reducing entanglement risk during compact storage and simplifying the deployment process as segments unfold sequentially rather than as a single complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane is pre-folded into a compact configuration with defined fold lines before launch. The inflatable ribs are pre-positioned along the diagonals of triangular segments, so that upon inflation, the structure automatically unfolds along predetermined paths, eliminating complex deployment mechanisms and reducing entanglement risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If inflatable ribs are used to extend the membrane, then structural stability is improved, but risk of blockage during inflation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinflation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inflation system is segmented into multiple independent inflatable ribs rather than a single continuous inflation path. Each rib can be inflated independently through separate openings, so if one rib experiences blockage, others can still inflate successfully, maintaining overall structural stability while improving inflation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the membrane have different properties: the central region contains multiple inflation openings for the ribs, while the peripheral regions are designed for attachment to the spacecraft. The membrane material and rib positioning are locally optimized to ensure smooth inflation paths and prevent blockage at critical junctions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple film strips are used to form inflatable tubes, then deployment reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple film strips are adhesively bonded together to form the inflatable rib structure. This merging of multiple components into a single integrated rib assembly simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be handled, while maintaining the reliability benefits of having multiple reinforcement layers in the inflatable structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable ribs are constructed as composite structures combining multiple film strips with different properties. The adhesive bonding creates a layered composite material that is more reliable than single-layer films, while the composite construction allows for optimized manufacturing processes that account for the specific properties of each material layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables compact storage and reliable, unobstructed deployment of the wing, suitable for applications like satellite airbrakes, solar panels, and solar sails, ensuring minimal space usage and high deployment success rates.

Implementation Method 1

a wing consisting of a membrane which is deployed by the inflation of ribs from a folded state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS10427805B2Deployable inflatable wing

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 ARIANEGRP SAS

AI summary

The invention relates to a space wing, produced by means of a diaphragm forming a polygonal surface provided with an inflatable structure which includes ribs extending over the diaphragm along diagonals of the diaphragm and passing through a central point of the diaphragm. The inflatable structure includes at least one film strip, the perimeter of which adheres onto the diaphragm such as to form an inflatable space with the diaphragm.