Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Morphing self-stiffening array (MOSSA) and hinge
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Application No.: US17701277Application Date: 2022-03-22
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Publication No.: US12024317B2Publication Date: 2024-07-02
- Inventor: Thomas W. Murphey , Levi Nicholson
- Applicant: Opterus Research and Development, Inc.
- Applicant Address: US CO Fort Collins
- Assignee: Opterus Research and Development, Inc.
- Current Assignee: Opterus Research and Development, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US CO Fort Collins
- Agency: Harris Beach PLLC
- Main IPC: B64G1/44
- IPC: B64G1/44 ; H02S30/10 ; H02S30/20

Abstract:
A self-deployable array of panels includes a plurality of panels, each panel having a first compressed panel thickness state and a second expanded panel thickness state, and including a spring bias element biased to the second expanded panel thickness state. A plurality of locking hinges hingedly couple each of the panels to an adjoining panel. Each locking hinge is biased to an open position. A release of stored potential energy of both of the spring bias element biased to the second expanded panel thickness state, and the locking hinges biased to the open position causes the self-deployable array of panels to self-deploy from a folded stowed state. A single part offset locking hinge is also described.
Public/Granted literature
- US20220306324A1 MORPHING SELF-STIFFENING ARRAY (MOSSA) AND HINGE Public/Granted day:2022-09-29
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