Patent ID: 9346566
Filing Date: 2016-05-24
CPC Classification: B64G,Y02E,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A stowable solar array for use in combination with a spacecraft, the stowable solar array comprising: a deployment structure comprising a base assembly coupled to the spacecraft; an elastic roll out boom having a length extending between a first end and a second end, wherein with the first end coupled to the base assembly, the second end deploys away from the spacecraft to a deployed configuration wherein the elastic roll out boom has a tubular form along the length thereof; a roll support structure disposed at the second end of the elastic roll out boom; a flexible blanket structure having a near end coupled to the base assembly and a far end coupled to the roll support structure, wherein when the elastic roll out boom extends into the deployed configuration, the flexible blanket structure spans between the base assembly and the roll support structure; and wherein the flexible blanket structure is not coupled to the elastic roll out boom.