Deployable solar panels are disclosed. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes an extendable member comprising a composite material and having a length and a width; a plurality of hinges, each of the plurality of hinges extending across the width of the extendable member, the plurality of hinges comprising composite material and a shape memory polymer; and a plurality of solar panels coupled with the extendable member. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes a lenticular shape extending along the length of the extendable member.
Some embodiments of the invention include a boom deployment system. The boom deployment system, for example, may include a housing, a spool, a first boom, and a second boom. The spool may be disposed within the housing and configured to rotate around an axis that is fixed relative to the housing. The first boom and/or the second boom may have a cylindrical shape in a deployed configuration, a flattened shape in a stowed configuration, and a slit that extends along the longitudinal length of the boom in the deployed configuration. The first boom and/or the second boom may be stowed in the stowed configuration flattened and wrapped around the spool. The first boom and/or the second boom may transition from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration as the spool rotates around the axis.
An assembly that includes a wedge and mandrel that share an axis of rotation and can be rotated independently or simultaneously to stow or deploy slit-tube longerons. A wedge is crescent shaped, with a height that increases along an outer perimeter as the arc of the crescent is traversed from a first end to a second end. The changing height of the wedge allows a slit-tube longeron to be flattened for stowage or can be disengaged to allow the tube to curl up for deployment.
A system comprising a boom having a first end, a longitudinal length, and a slit that extends along the longitudinal length of the boom; a drum having an elliptic cross section and a longitudinal length; an attachment mechanism coupled with the first end of the boom and the drum such that the boom and the drum are substantially perpendicular relative to one another; an inner shaft having a longitudinal length, the inner shaft disposed within the drum, the longitudinal length of the inner shaft is aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal length of the drum, the inner shaft at least partially rotatable relative to the drum, and the inner shaft is at least partially rotatable with the drum; and at least two cords coupled with the inner shaft and portions of the boom near the first end of the boom.
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.
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
B32B 3/26 - Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shapeLayered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layerLayered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shapeLayered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids
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.
B23P 11/02 - Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques, not otherwise provided for by first expanding and then shrinking or vice versa, e.g. by using pressure fluidsConnecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques, not otherwise provided for by making force fits
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
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.
Systems and methods for the prevention or dissolution of hydrates in an undersea well. One example system includes a submersible isolation bell for capturing effluent being exhausted from the well, and an umbilical. A power cable supplies electric power to the submersible isolation bell, for example for heating of the interior of the submersible isolation bell to prevent or discourage the formation of methane hydrates and the precipitation of other byproducts. Diluents may be supplied to the submersible isolation bell to further discourage the formation of hydrates and precipitation of other byproducts. The diluents may be heated locally at the submersible isolation bell, using electric power supplied by the power cable. A conformable seal may substantially seal the submersible isolation bell to a riser or other structure at the wellhead.
According to the invention, a method for isolating a zone inside a well is provided. The method may include providing a catch screen at a first location in the well and providing a fluid flow to the catch screen. The fluid flow may include a first fluid and a shape memory material. The first fluid may at least partially pass through the catch screen. The shape memory material may accumulate at the catch screen. The method may also include triggering the shape memory material such that it changes from a first shape to a second shape, thereby at least partially isolating one portion of the well from another portion of the well.
Collapsible solar array structures are disclosed that include a collapsible structure and detachable solar array. The solar array can be detached stowed separately from the collapsible structure. The collapsible structure can include a plurality of longerons and/or support structures. Longerons can have a slit along a longitudinal length of the longeron.
A method of producing an umbilical includes providing an elongate flat metal strip, providing an elongate service carrier, encasing the service carrier in an insulation that is strain tolerant and high temperature tolerant, forming the metal strip into a tube shape around the insulated service carrier, and thereafter welding the edges of the metal strip to form a tube surrounding the insulated service carrier. The method may further comprise coiling the umbilical onto a spool. Such an umbilical may be useful for carrying fluids, power, control signals, or the like into a well.
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.
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.
A deployable structure that may include a slit-tube longeron and a flat panel coupled with the slit-tube longeron. The slit-tube longeron may include a tubular member having a slit that runs along the longitudinal length of the slit-tube longeron. The deployable structure may be configured to couple with a satellite. And the deployable structure may be configured to transform between a stowed state and a deployed state where the tubular member is substantially straight when the deployable structure is in the deployed state, and the tubular member is wrapped around the satellite when the deployable structure is in the stowed state.
A deployable structure that may include a slit-tube longeron and a flat panel coupled with the slit-tube longeron. The slit-tube longeron may include a tubular member having a slit that runs along the longitudinal length of the slit-tube longeron. The deployable structure may be configured to couple with a satellite. And the deployable structure may be configured to transform between a stowed state and a deployed state where the tubular member is substantially straight when the deployable structure is in the deployed state, and the tubular member is wrapped around the satellite when the deployable structure is in the stowed state.
A shape-memory reflector is provided according to various embodiments. The shape-memory reflector may comprise any of various shapes; for example, the shape-memory reflector may comprise an off-axis paraboloid or a non-asymmetric shape. The shape-memory reflector may include a plurality of panel shape-memory stiffeners and a plurality of longitudinal stiffeners. In a stowed configuration, the shape-memory reflector is stowed with reversing bends in the panel shape-memory stiffeners. In a deployed state, the panel shape-memory stiffeners may be unfolded and/or extended. The reflector transitions between the stowed and deployed states by heating the panel shape-memory stiffeners. Various methods for stowing and deploying the shape-memory reflector are also disclosed.
A shape-memory reflector is disclosed along with methods for manufacturing, packaging and deploying the same. The shape-memory reflector may include an elastic reflector material, a shape-memory stiffener, and a plurality of radial stiffeners. The shape-memory stiffener may be coupled with the elastic reflector material in a band that encloses at least a portion of the elastic reflector surface, for example, the exterior of a paraboloid reflector. The plurality of radial stiffeners is coupled with the bottom surface of the elastic reflector material and extends radially from a central portion of the elastic reflector surface toward the outer edge of the elastic reflector surface. The shape-memory reflector may be packaged in a packaged configuration that includes a plurality of pleats within the elastic reflector material and/or the shape-memory stiffener, and the shape-memory reflector is configured to deploy into a deployed configuration (i.e. a paraboloid) by heating the shape-memory stiffener.
A deformable sandwich panel is disclosed according to one embodiment. The deformable sandwich panel may include first and second face sheets. These face sheets may each comprise a first and second surface and be substantially flat. The deformable sandwich panel also includes a shape memory material sandwiched between the first face sheet and the second face sheet. The shape memory material may be in continuous contact with a substantial portion of the first surface of the first face sheet and with a substantial portion of the first surface of the second face sheet. The deformable sandwich panel may be fabricated with a first shape, deformed into a second shape and then deployed back to the first shape. The first and second shapes may be maintained without mechanical loads.
Tanks, containers, and pressure vessels made of a fiber-reinforced composite material for use in storing liquid or gaseous contents; cryogenic tanks made of a fiber-reinforced composite material for use in storing liquid or gaseous contents
17 - Rubber and plastic; packing and insulating materials
Goods & Services
Heaters used for high temperature applications, including to provide heat for industrial, oil and gas, and other processes Electrical insulation products and materials for use with conventional and superconducting magnets and other superconducting devices such as motors, generators, transformers, and power storage devices, and supplied as liquids, pastes, glass fibers, adhesives on polyimide or other films, and laminates
17 - Rubber and plastic; packing and insulating materials
Goods & Services
Heaters, namely, heaters used for high temperature applications, to provide heat for industrial, oil and gas, and other processes Electrical insulation products and materials for use with conventional and superconducting magnets and other superconducting devices, and supplied as liquids, pastes, glass fibers, adhesives on polyimide or other films, and laminates
Tanks, containers, and pressure vessels made of a fiber-reinforced composite material for use in storing liquid or gaseous contents; cryogenic tanks made of a fiber-reinforced composite material for use in storing liquid or gaseous contents
