Panel assembly for space applications, arranged to enable synchronizing the deployment of the panels

Abstract

A panel assembly for space applications comprises a plurality of panels. The panels are pivotally interconnected, such that the assembly can be in a folded position and a deployed position. The assembly is arranged to enable synchronization of the movement of the panels. The assembly comprises main panels and connection elements, wherein the main panels are each pivotally connected to a connection element in each case. A yoke is provided that has an upper rod and a lower rod. The yoke can move the panel assembly from a folded position proximate to the satellite wall towards a deployed position, wherein the assembly extends outwardly from the satellite wall.

1 . Panel assembly for space applications, comprising a plurality of panels, wherein the panels are pivotally interconnected, such that the assembly can be in a folded position and a deployed position, which assembly is arranged to enable synchronization of the movement of the panels, characterised in that 
 the panel assembly ( 1 ) is provided with a first subassembly ( 101 ) and a second subassembly ( 102 ), the first and the second subassembly ( 101 ,  102 ) each comprising two corner panels ( 2 ,  5 ;  3 ,  4 ) and a connection element ( 7 ,  6 ),    wherein the two corners panels ( 2 ,  5 ) of the first subassembly ( 101 ) are located adjacent to the two corner panels ( 3 ,  4 ) of the second subassembly ( 102 ), respectively, and wherein adjacent corner panels ( 2 ,  3 ;  4 ,  5 ) of the first and second subassembly, respectively, are connected to each other by means of main pivotal connections, and    wherein the two corner panels ( 2 ,  5 ) of the first subassembly ( 101 ) are each connected to the connection element ( 7 ) of the first subassembly ( 101 ) by means of two auxiliary pivotal connections, respectively, wherein the pivot axis ( 8 ) of the pivotal connection between the first corner panel ( 2 ) of the first subassembly ( 101 ) and the connection element ( 7 ) of the first subassembly ( 101 ) and the pivot axis ( 9 ) of the pivotal connection between the second corner panel ( 5 ) of the first subassembly ( 101 ) and the connection element ( 7 ) of the first subassembly ( 101 ) are oriented at a first connection angle ( 104 ) with respect to each other and are located in one plane, and    wherein the two corner panels ( 3 ,  4 ) of the second subassembly ( 102 ) are each connected to the connection element ( 6 ) of the second subassembly ( 102 ) by means of two further auxiliary pivotal connections, respectively, wherein the pivot axis ( 10 ) of the pivotal connection between the first corner panel ( 3 ) of the second subassembly ( 102 ) and the connection element ( 6 ) of the second subassembly ( 102 ) and the pivot axis ( 11 ) of the pivotal connection between the second corner panel ( 4 ) of the second subassembly ( 102 ) and the connection element ( 6 ) of the second subassembly ( 102 ) are oriented at a second connection angle ( 103 ) with respect to each other and are located in one plane.    
     
     
         2 . Panel assembly according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the connection angles are less than 90°.  
     
     
         3 . Panel assembly according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the connection angles are essentially 90°.  
     
     
         4 . Panel assembly according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the connection angles are greater than 90°.  
     
     
         5 . Panel assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first connection angle ( 104 ) and the second connection angle ( 103 ) are equal.  
     
     
         6 . Panel assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a connection element has the shape of a trapezium.  
     
     
         7 . Panel assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a connection element has the shape of a triangle.  
     
     
         8 . Panel assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a connection element is a panel.  
     
     
         9 . Panel assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a corner panel has the shape of a triangle.  
     
     
         10  Panel assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a corner panel has the shape of a parallelogram.  
     
     
         11 . Panel assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one or more additional subassemblies are provided that are pivotally connected to another subassembly.  
     
     
         12 . Panel assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the panel assembly ( 416 ) is connected to a satellite body ( 419 ) by a pivotal connection between a connection element ( 470 ) of a first assembly ( 4501 ) and the satellite body ( 419 ) and a pivotal connection between a connection element ( 460 ) of a second subassembly ( 4502 ) and the satellite body ( 419 ).