Deployable truss with integral folding panels

Abstract

A deployable truss that extends and retracts in a stable and synchronous manner, and can deploy integral folding panels. Primary orthogonal joints, each consisting of two hinged halves, connect rotationally to the truss diagonals with an angled fitting. The main hinge pin of the orthogonal joints remains orthogonal to the truss longitudinal axis and remains centered in the folding truss diagonals. Hinge pins of each truss joint are connected by center-folding chords which cause the truss joints of adjacent bays to remain parallel to each other. Folding diagonals connected to the primary joint halves are hinged together, permitting the diagonals on each side of the truss to remain parallel to each as they form the short sides of a rectangular truss. The truss may deploy z-folded panels with active surfaces such as photovoltaic, reflective, heat-radiating, LCD/plasma, or radar; or structural floor panels for folding work platforms, bridges, and walkways.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A deployable truss, comprising:
 two primary chords, said primary chords comprising a plurality of primary chordal members connected end-to-end;   two secondary chords, said secondary chords comprising a plurality of secondary chordal members connected end-to end; and   a plurality of transverse members extending between the secondary chords;   wherein each primary chord is connected to the proximal secondary chord by a plurality of diagonal members with a first and a second end, the first end jointedly connected to a primary orthogonal joint and the second end jointedly connected to a secondary chord hinge joint;   further wherein secondary chordal members fold alongside the diagonal members in a z-fold manner when the truss is expanded or retracted; and   further wherein said primary chordal members in-fold when the truss is retracted.   
     
     
         2 . The truss of  claim 1 , wherein the primary chordal members, secondary chordal members, and diagonal members fold and deploy in a synchronous and coordinated manner when the truss is retracted or expanded. 
     
     
         3 . The truss of  claim 2 , wherein the transverse members comprise panels extending between the secondary chordal members. 
     
     
         4 . The truss of  claim 3 , wherein the panels are solar or structural floor panels. 
     
     
         5 . The truss of  claim 1 , wherein the primary chordal members fold to the interior of the truss along the plane formed by the two primary chords when the truss is retracted. 
     
     
         6 . The truss of  claim 1 , wherein the diagonal members fold along the planes formed on the sides of the truss by the primary chords and the proximal secondary chords. 
     
     
         7 . The truss of  claim 1 , further comprising chain links hingedly connecting adjacent ends of the primary chordal members. 
     
     
         8 . The truss of  claim 1 , further comprising a tension spring or pneumatic cylinder with two ends, each end connected to adjacent primary chordal members across a primary chord center-hinge joint. 
     
     
         9 . The truss of  claim 8 , wherein the tension spring or pneumatic cylinder maintains a constant closing force about each primary hinge joint. 
     
     
         10 . The truss of  claim 1 , wherein the truss in its retracted state occupies a length equal to twice the width of the truss side diagonals times the number of truss bays, with the folded panels and all chords nested within this length. 
     
     
         11 . The truss of  claim 7 , wherein the transverse members comprise cross beams.