Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2021 - 53

The technology could also allow a
more fundamental understanding of
damping properties of synthetic materials
and natural systems. For example,
there are large and heavy fruits that fall
from trees from large heights but re -
main undamaged. Nature serves as a
model here and molecular springs could
help to better understand and imitate
such systems. Future efforts will thereDeployable
Composite Boom
Applications include space structures, emergency shelters, backpack solar collectors, and
inspection of hazardous environments.
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia
A
sister
to SHEARLESS booms,
the
Bistable Collapsible Tubular Mast
(Bi-CTM) boom offers compact storage
on a cylindrical drum that deploys a composite
material boom with a closed tubular
cross-section that has unmatched
bending and torsional stiffness for the
mass of the thin-shell structure. The BiCTM
is also scalable for long booms,
given the load-carrying capacity.
The Bi-CTM's two omega-shaped composite
thin shells form a bonded closed
section that can spool onto a relatively
compact drum for compact launch packaging
and provide unparalleled stiffnessto-mass
ratio when deployed. When
using the booms as beam-column structures
with a primarily compressive load
component, this ratio determines the
structural mass efficiency of the components,
making the Bi-CTM exceptional
for lightweight deployable structural rigging
with higher load demands. The
improved dimensional and thermal stability
offered by the closed-section shape
and low coefficient of thermal expansion
materials of the Bi-CTM enables the use
A cylindrical drum deploys a composite material
boom with a closed tubular cross-section.
(Image: NASA)
of the boom technology in precision
applications that require high stability in
harsh environments.
Just like a kid's " slap bracelet, " the BiCTM
design includes a secondary, stable,
low-energy state aside from the rigid
deployed state. The result is that the BiCTM
is not under high-spring stress when
coiled up, which simplifies the stowage
process as well as enabling a more controllable
extension of the boom. The simplified
stowage process enables reduced size,
mass, and complexity of the storage and
deployment mechanism system.
Compared to the majority of deployable
thin-shell booms - which have at
best a semi-open cross-section - this true
closed cross-section boom is stronger
while keeping the compact nature of roll -
able booms and is able to overcome both
bend and twist buckling-related limitations.
Using omega-shaped cross-sections
with optionally circular, parabolic, or
ellipsoidal segments - where each half
of these thin-shell composite booms can
use equal (symmetric boom) or different
(asymmetric boom) cross-section geometry
and/or composite laminates - offers
a great deal of boom customization in
terms of stable coiled diameter and structural
properties.
NASA is actively seeking licensees to commercialize
this technology. Please contact
NASA's Licensing Concierge at Agency-PatentLicensing@mail.nasa.gov
or call us at 202358-7432
to initiate licensing discussions.
Follow this link for more information: https://
technology.nasa.gov/patent/LAR-TOPS-328.
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Tech Briefs, November 2021
Free Info at http://info.hotims.com/79419-747
Cov
ToC
53
fore focus on adapting molecular force
springs for use in various plastics.
For more information, contact Prof. Dr.
Michael Sommer at emichael.sommer@
chemie.tu-chemnitz.de; +49 (0)371/531-21230.
https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LAR-TOPS-328 http://info.hotims.com/79419-747 http://info.hotims.com/79419-902
Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2021

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