Patent ID: 6278416
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: F24S,H01Q,Y02E

Abstract:
An architecture for deploying a surface comprising:a plurality of generally radially extending support structures and support cords connected between said structures, to which said surface is attached;a plurality of outermost intercostal cord sets supported by said support structures and coupled to said surface, a respective outermost intercostal cord being configured to substantially conform with a prescribed perimeter geometry of said surface in its deployed condition;a plurality of flexible intercostal compression reactor members arranged to be placed in tension between said support structures, a respective flexible intercostal compression reactor member having a length greater than the distance between adjacent support structures, so that, in its deployed condition, said respective intercostal compression reactor member is placed in tension and formed into a generally arcuate shape between said adjacent structures; anda plurality of flexible radial compression members, a respective flexible radial compression member having a first end coupled to a respective location along an intercostal compression reactor member, and a second end coupled to a location along an outermost intercostal cord set, so as to be placed in compression between said intercostal compression reactor member and said outermost intercostal cord, and thereby urge said outermost intercostal cord into conformance with said prescribed perimeter geometry of said surface in the deployed condition thereof.