Patent ID: 6689952
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
A large membrane space structure mounted on a spacecraft comprising:a) a hub including: a plurality of supports, with a first imaginary fulcrum at a center of the hub, a first support member which is stiff, a second support member which is a beam structure that may be hinged on at least a midpoint thereof, and first rigging connecting ends of the first and second support members as well as the hub; and control means for deflecting the supports at an angle with respect to the spacecraft by rotating the supports about an imaginary center line extending through the first imaginary fulcrum and the midpoint of the second support member as a pivotal member; and b) a sail including petals that are symmetrical with respect to the first imaginary fulcrum when deployed and attached to the supports, each petal including: membranes spanned on first regions symmetric with respect to the imaginary center line and including the first fulcrum, a second fulcrum located on the imaginary center line and separated from the first fulcrum, and two points symmetric with respect to the imaginary center line, the membranes spanned on second regions defined by a peripheral portion of the first region opposite to the second fulcrum and a plurality of split lines extending from the second fulcrum to the peripheral portion at arbitrary intervals; and bridge belts along the split lines to the peripheral portion discretely connecting membrane elements to one another at intersections between split lines and a plurality of imaginary lines extending from an end of the second support member to an end portion of an outermost membrane element opposite to the first fulcrum, the bridge belts providing tension across the membranes.