Support and maneuvering device

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:866668

Wood, Richard L ^[1]

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1. Arvada, CO

A support and maneuvering device includes an elongated flexible inflatable enclosure having a fixed end and a movable end. The movable end is collapsible toward the fixed end to a contracted position when the enclosure is in a noninflated condition. Upon inflation, the movable end is movable away from the fixed end to an extended position. The movable end includes means for mounting an article such as a solar reflector thereon. The device also includes a plurality of position controlling means disposed about the movable end to effect adjusting movement of portions thereof by predetermined amounts and for controlling an angle at which the article disposed at the movable end is oriented. The plurality of position controlling means limits a suitable number degrees of freedom of the movable end for transmitting a steering motion thereto and for controlling the position thereof.

• Research Organization: Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4762298
• OSTI ID: 866668
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

support
maneuvering
device
elongated
flexible
inflatable
enclosure
fixed
movable
collapsible
contracted
position
noninflated
condition
inflation
extended
means
mounting
article
solar
reflector
thereon
plurality
controlling
disposed
effect
adjusting
movement
portions
predetermined
amounts
angle
oriented
limits
suitable
degrees
freedom
transmitting
steering
motion
thereto
elongated flexible
extended position
means disposed
predetermined amount
position control
predetermined amounts
flexible inflatable
means limit
solar reflector
contracted position
maneuvering device
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