Deployable tape spring device having a rollable membrane and casing, and satellite including the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deployable structures using tape springs face challenges in reacting high launch loads while maintaining compactness and maximizing useful surface area, particularly for large structures, due to limitations in mandrel diameter and additional storage requirements.

Innovation Solution

A deployable device featuring a rotating mandrel with central fittings and a casing made of composite materials, which envelops the membrane in the rolled-up configuration and reacts launch loads, allowing for high inertia and efficient deployment without additional stowage, while maintaining a compact and rigid structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the mandrel diameter is increased to react higher launch loads, then the load-reacting capability is improved, but the storage volume requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-reacting capabilityVSAvoidstorage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane is wrapped around the mandrel in a nested configuration, with the casing enclosing both the mandrel and membrane assembly. This nesting allows the structure to achieve high launch load capability through the mandrel's strength while maintaining compact storage volume by efficiently nesting all components together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If additional stowage is added to the central part of the mandrel to react higher launch loads, then the load-reacting capability is improved, but the useful surface area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-reacting capabilityVSAvoiduseful surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The casing serves multiple functions: it encloses and protects the mandrel and membrane assembly, provides structural strength to react launch loads, and guides the deployment process. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate stowage structures, thereby maximizing the useful surface area of the membrane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If additional stowage is added to the central part of the mandrel to react higher launch loads, then the load-reacting capability is improved, but the onboard mass increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-reacting capabilityVSAvoidonboard mass

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The casing merges the protective enclosure, structural support, and deployment guidance functions into a single integrated component. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate stowage structures, reducing the total onboard mass while maintaining the capability to react high launch loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Strength

If additional stowage is added to the central part of the mandrel to react higher launch loads, then the load-reacting capability is improved, but the deployment reliability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-reacting capabilityVSAvoiddeployment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the stowage function from separate additional structures and integrates it into the essential casing that already encloses the mandrel and membrane. This eliminates extra interfaces and potential failure points, thereby improving deployment reliability while maintaining high load-reacting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The solution provides a robust, compact, and rigid structure capable of handling high launch loads while maximizing the useful surface area, ensuring reliable deployment of large structures without compromising onboard mass or performance.

Implementation Method 1

a mandrel (12) able to move in rotation with respect to the supporting structure (11) about a first axis Z

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

these tapes being able to pass from the rolled-up state to the deployed state essentially by virtue of their own elastic energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic energy: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11591116B2Deployable tape spring device having a rollable membrane and casing, and satellite including the same

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 THALES SA

AI summary

A deployable device includes a supporting structure, a mandrel able to move in rotation with respect to the supporting structure about a first axis Z, a membrane able to pass from a rolled-up configuration rolled up around the mandrel about the first axis Z to a deployed configuration deployed along a second axis X substantially perpendicular to the first axis Z. The device comprises two fittings secured to the mandrel at their centre, arranged one on either side of the membrane and comprising first stubs on their periphery, a casing extending between the two fittings, the casing comprising second stubs of a shape complementing the shape of the first stubs, the casing being able to pass from a rolled-up configuration at least partially enveloping the membrane in the rolled-up configuration to a deployed configuration at least partially superposed on the membrane in the deployed configuration.