JP2936729B2 - Space Deployable Structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a space deployable structure, and more particularly, to a space deployable structure which is deployed in space to have a three-dimensional shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, large structures used in outer space are folded small and launched due to transportation restrictions.
Although it is a system that deploys in outer space, conventional structures are of a planar shape or a linear shape and are mechanically deployed, and a three-dimensional shape is a balloon that expands in outer space. However, a full-scale three-dimensional structure to the extent that is known has not yet been proposed.

[0003]

In the case of a large three-dimensional structure, the launching equipment must be extremely lightweight, and how to solve this problem becomes a problem.

In a three-dimensional structure, a certain three-dimensional shape is formed by an internal pressure like a balloon. Perforations reduce internal pressure. However, it is necessary to maintain a constant three-dimensional shape even when the internal pressure is reduced, and this measure poses a problem.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a space deployable structure which is sufficiently lightweight and which can maintain a predetermined three-dimensional shape even when the internal pressure is reduced by perforation.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a space deployable structure according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the space deployable structure of the first invention comprises a gas generator and a film-shaped member made of an ultraviolet curable resin formed in a closed container shape. A container from which the gas from the gas generator is injected and expanded and developed into a predetermined three-dimensional shape in space, and which is hardened by solar ultraviolet rays; and controls an amount of gas injected into the container in space. Means are provided.

A space deployable structure according to a second aspect of the present invention is made of a film-shaped member made of an ultraviolet curable resin and is formed in a closed container shape. A container which expands and expands by the expansion pressure of the residual gas to become a predetermined three-dimensional shape and is cured by solar ultraviolet rays.

[0008]

Next, the operation of the space deployable structure of the present invention configured as described above will be described. In the present invention, the container that forms the main body of the structure is formed in a sealed container shape with a film-shaped member made of an ultraviolet curable resin. Therefore, it is sufficiently lightweight, and even if it is large, it can be folded small if the internal air is released.

In the outer space, the gas is expanded and developed into a predetermined three-dimensional shape by the pressure of the gas injected into the space or by the expansion pressure of the gas remaining inside the space. Then, the container is hardened by being irradiated with strong solar ultraviolet rays.

As a result, necessary structural strength can be obtained, and the shape of the structure can be maintained even when the internal pressure is reduced due to perforation due to penetration of debris or the like.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a large deployment antenna which is a space deployment structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the container 1 is expanded and deployed in the outer space, and has a shape in which the entire parabolic antenna is covered with a film layer of the ultraviolet curing resin material 1b. The UV-curable resin material 1b is made of a well-known heat-resistant UV-curable resin such as silicon acrylate, and its outer periphery is covered with a Kapton layer 1c as a protective layer. An aluminum vapor-deposited layer 1a is formed on the inner peripheral surface to be the antenna condensing surface to have antenna characteristics.

In this container 1, an air storage device 2 is provided with a valve 3.
The control device 4 controls the opening and closing of the valve 3. The gas reservoir 2 is pre-filled with a predetermined gas on the ground.

At the time of launch, the air inside the container 1 is evacuated and evacuated to a small size (FIG. 2).
(A)) In the outer space, the valve 3 is opened and the gas reservoir 2 is opened.
The gas stored in the container is injected into the container 1 and expanded and developed by the gas pressure (FIG. 2B). As a result, FIG.
A predetermined three-dimensional shape as shown in FIG. Then, in this state, the structure is cured by being irradiated with strong solar ultraviolet rays, and a structure having rigid strength is obtained.

That is, if the radiator 6 is provided inside and connected to the external transmitter / receiver 5, a large deployable antenna can be constructed in outer space (FIG. 1).

Next, in the case of a manned structure, for example, FIG.
As shown in (1), the container 31 can be formed by providing air locks at both ends of the cylindrical body. The gas generator 32 generates gas by a chemical reaction.

On the other hand, when the structure is a tank or the like, since the structural accuracy and the stability of the posture are not so required, there is no gas storage or the like, and for example, as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, a small amount of gas remaining inside may be expanded and cured in a vacuum in outer space.

[0017]

As described above, according to the deployable structure for space of the present invention, the container-like body which is the main component of the structure is formed by using an ultraviolet curable resin, and is expanded and deployed by the internal pressure. Since a structure having a desired three-dimensional shape is obtained by curing with solar ultraviolet rays, the structure can be made sufficiently lightweight. Further, necessary structural strength can be obtained, and the shape of the structure can be maintained even if the internal pressure is reduced due to the perforation of debris or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a space deployable structure (large deployable antenna) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a state when the deployable antenna is launched (FIG. 2 (a)) and an explanatory view of a state where the deployable antenna is deployed and hardened in space (FIG. 2 (b)).

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state at the time of launching a space deployment structure (manned structure) according to a second embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 3);
(A)) and an explanatory view of a developed and cured state (FIG. 3 (b))
It is.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state when a space deployable structure (tank or the like) according to a third embodiment of the present invention is launched (FIG. 4A).
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a developed and cured state (FIG. 4B).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container-like body 1a Aluminum vapor deposition layer 1b Ultraviolet curing resin material 1c Kapton layer 2 Gas storage device 3 Valve 4 Control device 31 Container-like body 32 Gas generator 41 Container-like body

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B64G 1/22 B64G 1/44

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A gas generator, comprising: a film-shaped member made of an ultraviolet-curing resin formed in a closed container shape; A container in which gas is injected into the container to expand and develop into a predetermined three-dimensional shape to be cured by solar ultraviolet rays; and means for controlling an amount of gas injected into the container in space. Characteristic deployment structure for space. 2. A film-shaped member made of an ultraviolet curable resin is formed in a closed container shape, is launched in a folded state with the internal air removed, and expands and deploys in outer space by the expansion pressure of residual gas inside in space. A space-like deployment structure, comprising: a container having a three-dimensional shape and being cured by sunlight and ultraviolet rays.