Patent ID: 8893442
Filing Date: 2014-11-25
Classification: B64G,E04C

Abstract:
1. A segmented deployable boom structure for space applications comprising: a. at least one boom segment of said segmented deployable boom structure, said boom segment having a template that is substantially rectangular, with a length, a width, and first and second opposing side edges, the first and second opposing side edges sloping toward one another at an end of the boom segment; and; b. a cut out portion defined in the region of the sloping ends for tailoring the stiffness of said region, c. wherein said boom segment has a rolled configuration for stowage and a deployed configuration the boom being rolled along a widthwise axis in the rolled configuration and extended along a lengthwise axis in the deployed configuration, the deployed configuration being tubular with a lengthwise slit opening, the boom segment forming a tapered end when in the rolled configuration; d. wherein said boom segment stores elastic energy in said rolled configuration, and the elastic energy released upon deployment of said boom segment such that said boom segment is urged into said deployed configuration; and e. wherein the at least one shaped tapered end is configured to overlap with a tapered end of a second boom segment.