A flex-drive actuator for a satellite boom hinge or other hinge applications. Using a motor-driven cog and a unique drive chain, the hinge can be reversibly driven between open and closed positions, thereby deploying or stowing the boom and attached payload. The chain includes links designed so that, when bent in one direction, the chain pre-buckles into a rigid circular arc form that matches the deployment path of the hinge. This pre-buckling essentially converts the chain into a rigid gear segment that can carry a moment to actuate the hinge. As the cog retracts the chain and the hinge closes, the circular shape of the chain de-buckles on the free side of the cog, where the chain can be stored as a straight section inside of a boom tube or folded into a magazine. The flex-drive actuator can accommodate any desired actuation angle by addition of links to the chain.


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    Title :

    Satellite boom hinge actuator using drive chain with flexible and rigid characteristics


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2018-05-15


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS / E05D Scharniere oder andere Aufhängevorrichtungen für Türen, Fenster oder Flügel , HINGES OR OTHER SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS, OR WINGS / E05F DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION , Vorrichtungen zum Bewegen der Flügel in die Offen- oder Schließstellung / F16G Riemen, Kabel oder Seile, vorwiegend für Antriebszwecke , BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES / F16H Getriebe , GEARING



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