Zug- oder Druckstab als Bauelement für Raumfahrtstrukturen mit einem Rohr aus CFK und einem Fitting aus Auluminium mit folgndem Lagenaufbau des Rohres:

und mit kreuzungsfrei gewickelten Lagen, wobei innerhalb einer Lage sämtliche Fasern parallel liegen.

A spacecraft electronics equipment module that is structurally and thermally independent of a core spacecraft structure to which it can be mounted. The module takes the form of a thermal radiation panel on which electronic components are directly mounted. The panel is attachable to the core structure using a statically determinate mount that renders the module structurally and thermally independent of the core structure. A combination of mounting brackets and struts secures the module from translational movement in all three axes, but permits thermal expansion and contraction in the plane of the panel without transferring any thermally induced forces to the core structure. A radiation shield secured over the electronics components also serves to further stiffen the panel and to enhance thermal conduction into the panel, which can radiate heat from both faces. Heat pipes can be attached to the panel to further enhance distribution of heat across the panel.

A spacecraft electronics equipment module that is structurally and thermally independent of a core spacecraft structure to which it can be mounted. The module takes the form of a thermal radiation panel on which electronic components are directly mounted. The panel is attachable to the core structure using a statically determinate mount that renders the module structurally and thermally independent of the core structure. A combination of mounting brackets and struts secures the module from translational movement in all three axes, but permits thermal expansion and contraction in the plane of the panel without transferring any thermally induced forces to the core structure. A radiation shield secured over the electronics components also serves to further stiffen the panel and to enhance thermal conduction into the panel, which can radiate heat from both faces. Heat pipes can be attached to the panel to further enhance distribution of heat across the panel.

Elément d'assemblage unique standard équipant les extrémités de tubulures d'angle (1) de pièces en poutres triangulées destinées à être assemblées pour former des structures complexes, caractérisé en ce que la forme extérieure dudit élément d'assemblage terminal (2) est telle qu'elle peut s'ajuster parfaitement au contact de son homologue identique (2') de la pièce avec laquelle le raccordement s'effectue, qui se présente symétriquement par rapport à ses axes longitudinal et transversal, par l'intermédiaire de liaisons à tenon (5) et mortaise (6), la mortaise (6) étant pratiquée dans un premier volume d'allure prismatique (3) rapporté centré sur la tubulure (1) et perpendiculairement à elle, et située à la base d'un second volume (4) d'allure également prismatique, perpendiculaire au premier et décalé par rapport à l'axe central de la tubulure (1), qui comporte à son extrémité le tenon (5) et est muni d'un moyen de solidarisation (7) avec son homologue symétrique.

A heat transfer hinge; a first rotor; a second rotor; a pivot means for pivotally coupling the first rotor to the second rotor, each rotor being free to pivot on a pivot axis passing between the first and second rotor; a means for thermally coupling a thermally conductive flat surface to the first rotor, the flat surface being positioned to be normal to the pivot axis; a means for thermally coupling a thermally conductive flat surface to the second rotor, the flat surface being positioned to be normal to the pivot axis; and, a means for holding the first rotor flat surface against the second rotor flat surface as the first rotor is pivoted on the pivot axis with respect to the second rotor.

An erectable structure truss attachment joint includes a first truss having a casing (14) containing a piston (24) between a flange (20) on the end of the casing the a wedge (72) threadably mounted on an adjustment screw (34) inside the casing. A tension rod (60) passing through the wedge and the piston has a knob (28) extending out of the casing on one end and an end bolt (68) holding a leaf spring (74) against the wedge on the other. A second truss has a notched retention wall (44) at one end forming a chamber. The knob of the tension rod is inserted into the chamber to attach the two trusses.

A deployable truss structure desirable for space applications is disclosed. The structure is comprised of a plurality of frame units joined together, each frame unit comprised of rod members that form a triangular frame. Four such frame units, together with four hinged batten members, define a cube. The frame units collapse on each other during the transition to the stowed condition. Such a construction eliminates member strain during deployment, giving greater freedom in selecting member size.

A rate controllable damping mechanism (10) is disclosed. The mechanism includes a chamber disposed within a housing (15); an element (11) mounted for movement within the chamber; a damping material (13), preferably a low melting temperature metal alloy, in the chamber for preventing the movement of the element at a first temperature and for damping the movement of the element at a second temperature; and a heater (21) for selectively increasing the temperature of the damping material from the first temperature to the second temperature. Controlled damping is effectuated by heating the fluid material until it reaches a molten state at which the resultant fluid damps the movement of the element in a conventional manner. A novel method is also disclosed for structural stress relief.

A deployable truss structure desirable for space applications is disclosed. The structure is triangular in cross-section, with each longitudinal face of the structure being comprised of parallel longeron members (10,12) interconnected by parallel batten members (14,16,22), the batten (22) located at the mid-section of each face being a non-rigid member, the structure including hinged diagonal members (18,20).

A deployable truss structure desirable for space applications is disclosed. The structure is comprised of a plurality of frame units joined together, each frame unit comprised of rod members that form a triangular frame. Four such frame units, together with four hinged batten members, define a cube. The frame units collapse on each other during the transition to the stowed condition. Such a construction eliminates member strain during deployment, giving greater freedom in selecting member size.

An extendible structure includes at least three extendible longerons (1B) and a plurality of integrated radial spacers (2B). Each spacer includes a plurality of legs (2C) integrally formed therewith to radially extend from the central part thereof. The distal end (a) of each of the spacers is connected to a corresponding one of the extendible longerons. In the extended state of the extendible structure, at least three longerons are deployed in parallel with one another with space intervals among them in the lateral direction which intersect with the direction of extension of the longerons, and the spacers support the longerons with the horizontally spaced interval within a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the longerons. In the collapsed condition of the extendible structure, each of the longerons is collapsed in a loop form, and the spacers are laid one upon another inside the loop formed by the longerons while the legs of the spacers are twisted.

A construction technique is disclosed for facilitating the rapid assembly of large structures at remote sites, both terrestrial and extra terrestrial. The technique comprises joining modular sub-assemblies embodied as triangular trusses (5) in a limited number of standardized interconnecting modes to form final structures. The construction technique uses modular interconnecting members (for example quadrapod structures 15, 16) for facilitating the rapid joiner of the sub-assemblies in one or more of these modes.