Patent ID: 6768582
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: B64G,F16C,G02B

Abstract:
A system for deploying the petals of a sectored mirror assembly of an optical space telescope, the mirror assembly including a central hub and a plurality of petals disposed about the periphery of the central hub, each petal having a petal root independently hinged to the central hub, the system comprising:a) a first hinge assembly including a root mount secured to a petal root and a hub mount secured the central hub, the first hinge assembly affording the petal associated therewith freedom of rotation about a petal hinge axis; b) a second hinge assembly including a root mount secured to the petal root and a hub mount secured to the central hub, the second hinge assembly affording the petal associated therewith freedom of rotation about the petal hinge axis, as well as freedom to expand and contract thermally, and move rigidly along the petal hinge axis in a frictionless, unconstrained manner; and c) a latch assembly including a clevis secured to the petal root at a location spaced from the hinge axis and a pair of laterally opposed latches operatively associated with the central hub for engaging the clevis upon rotation of the petal about the hinge axis from a stowed position to a deployed position.