Self-deploying helical structure

• US 5,977,932 A
• Filed: 07/18/1997
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Orbital Sciences Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Orbital Sciences Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Robinson, Anthony D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US08/896,728
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 343/881, 343/895, 343/897, 16/226, 16/277, 29/173
• US Class Current: 343/895
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/22 Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/66 Arrangements or adaptations of apparatus or instruments, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/288 Satellite antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/086 collapsible

Abstract

A helical antenna structure is deformable and capable of being stowed in a small volume. At deployment, the helical antenna structure uses the stored strain energy in its resilient helices to revert to its original shape without the use of any outside force. Multiple antenna structures can be linked using a plurality of resilient lenticular shaped hinges.

Claims

1. A method of making a resilient, flexible helical structure, comprising the steps of:

(a) joining at least one flexible support strip to at least one flexible conductive strip;

(b) attaching one end of the at least one joined support strip and conductive strip to a first ring;

(c) wrapping the at least one joined support strip and conductive strip around a mandrel to form at least one helical strip;

(d) attaching a second end of the at least one helical strip to a second ring to form the helical structure;

(e) treating the helical structure so that it will retain its shape and be resiliently compressible in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis; and

(f) removing the helical structure from the mandrel.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of attaching at least one intermediate ring to the at least one helical strip.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said treating of said helical structure comprises heating said helical structure while said helical structure is around said mandrel.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said treating step further comprises treating the helical structure so that it is stowable in a first, coiled configuration with the at least one helical strip coiled about the first ring and with the second ring positioned on the outside of the coil and in which energy is stored in the at least one coiled, resilient helical strip so that the helical structure is self-deployable by the release of the energy stored in the at least one coiled, resilient helical strip into a second, extended boom configuration with the first ring and the second ring positioned at opposite ends thereof.

5. A self-deploying helical structure, comprising:

a plurality of resilient helical strips;

a top ring attached to support one end of each said helical strip; and

a bottom ring attached to support a second end of each said helical strip;

wherein the helical structure is stowable in a first, coiled configuration with said helical strips coiled about said top ring and with said bottom ring positioned on the outside of the coil and in which energy is stored in said coiled, resilient helical strips; and

wherein the helical structure is self-deployable by the release of the energy stored in said coiled, resilient helical strips into a second, extended boom configuration with said top ring and said bottom ring positioned at opposite ends thereof.

6. The self-deploying helical structure of claim 5 wherein said helical strips are resiliently compressible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the helical structure.

7. A self-deploying helical antenna, comprising:

a plurality of resilient helical strips;

a top ring attached to support one end of each said helical strip;

a bottom ring attached to support a second end of each said helical strip; and

at least one conductive strip, each said conductive strip having substantially its entire length bonded to at least one of said resilient helical strips;

wherein the helical antenna is stowable in a first, coiled configuration with said helical strips coiled about said top ring and with said bottom ring positioned on the outside of the coil and in which energy is stored in said coiled, resilient helical strips; and

wherein the helical antenna is self-deployable by the release of the energy stored in said coiled, resilient helical strips into a second, extended boom configuration with said top ring and said bottom ring positioned at opposite ends thereof.

8. The self-deploying helical antenna of claim 7 wherein said helical strips are resiliently compressible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the helical antenna.

9. A self-deploying solar sail, comprising:

a plurality of resilient helical strips;

a top ring attached to support one end of each said helical strip;

a bottom ring attached to support a second end of each said helical strip; and

gathering means for receiving solar energy, said gathering means being attached to said helical strips;

wherein the solar sail is stowable in a first, coiled configuration with said helical strips coiled about said top ring and with said bottom ring positioned on the outside of the coil and in which energy is stored in said coiled, resilient helical strips; and

wherein the solar sail is self-deployable by the release of the energy stored in said coiled, resilient helical strips into a second, extended boom configuration with said top ring and said bottom ring positioned at opposite ends thereof.

10. The self-deploying solar sail of claim 9 wherein said helical strips are resiliently compressible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the solar sail.

11. A method of making a resilient, flexible helical structure, comprising the steps of:

(a) joining at least one flexible support strip to at least one flexible conduct ive strip;

(b) attaching one end of the at least one joined support strip and conductive strip to a first ring;

(c) wrapping the at least one joined support strip and conductive strip around a mandrel to form at least one helical strip;

(d) attaching a second end of the at least one helical strip to a second ring to form the helical structure;

(e) treating the helical structure so that it is stowable in a first, coiled configuration with the at least one helical strip coiled about the first ring and with the second ring positioned on the outside of the coil and in which energy is stored in the at least one coiled, resilient helical strip so that the helical structure is self-deployable by the release of the energy stored in the at least one coiled, resilient helical strip into a second, extended boom configuration with the first ring and the second ring positioned at opposite ends thereof; and

(f) removing the helical structure from the mandrel.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said treating step further comprises treating the helical structure so that it will retain its shape and so that the at least one helical strip is resiliently compressible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the helical structure.

13. A compressible helical stricture, comprising:

a plurality of resilient helical strips;

a top ring attached to support one end of each said helical strip;

a bottom ring attached to support a second end of each said helical strip; and

a plurality of copper strips, each said copper strip having substantially its entire length attached to at least one of said resilient helical strips;

wherein the helical structure is stowable in a first, coiled configuration with said helical strips coiled about said top ring and with said bottom ring positioned on the outside of the coil and in which energy is stored in said coiled, resilient helical strips; and

wherein the helical structure is self-deployable by the release of the energy stored in said coiled, resilient helical strips into a second, extended boom configuration with said top ring and said bottom ring positioned at opposite ends thereof.

14. The compressible helical structure of claim 13 wherein said helical strips are resiliently compressible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the helical structure.

15. A self-deploying helical structure, comprising:

a plurality of resilient helical strips;

a top ring attached to support one end of each said helical strip; and

a bottom ring attached to support a second end of each said helical strip;

wherein said helical strips are resiliently compressible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the helical structure; and

wherein said top ring and said bottom ring are resiliently compressible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the helical structure.

16. The helical structure of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of intermediate rings attached to support said helical strips between said top ring and said bottom ring, wherein said intermediate rings are resiliently compressible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the helical structure.