JP2001097289A - Inflatable tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inflatable tube capable of being smoothly expanded without a risk of preventing an inflating operation that the tube is bent at the time of expansion and a risk of rupture of the tube. SOLUTION: An inflator tube stored folded or rounded, inflated by allowing gas to be flown from one end of the tube 1 so as to form a cylindrical bar, and finally hardening to maintain a shape, comprises a tube 1 formed in a cylindrical shape in expanded condition, a pipe 2 wound spirally on the inner or outer surface of the tube 1, and a cylinder 3 connected to one end of the tube 1 and the pipe 2 and installed to the tube 1 or a cylinder 3 having a flow control mechanism provided therein. When gas flows from the cylinder 3 to the tube 1 and the pipe 2, a gas pressure is varied for expansion of the tube.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inflatable tube which forms a rod-like structure by expanding a small package under the pressure of gas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an inflatable tube of this type, for example, a boom that supports an antenna reflector mounted on an artificial satellite is known. FIG. 6 shows the antenna reflecting mirror 8.
And a state in which the boom supporting the antenna reflecting mirror 8 is stored in the satellite structure 9 from the state in which the boom supporting the antenna reflector 8 is deployed outside the satellite structure 9 in the satellite having the inflatable tube 7 having the conventional configuration. It is a conceptual diagram which shows transition of. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the boom (inflatable tube) 7 and the reflecting mirror 8 are stored in the satellite structure 9 by being folded small in the launched state (state), and after the upper door of the satellite structure 9 is opened ( State), by flowing gas into outer space,
This is a structure (state) that is deployed to an antenna reflector 8 having an inflatable structure and an inflatable tube 7 supporting the same. Note that “state” indicates a state in which the antenna reflecting mirror 8 is completely expanded.

[0003]

In the stored state, the conventional inflatable tube is flattened and folded perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. At the time of deployment, gas or the like is injected into the inflatable tube in a housed state, and the tube is deployed by expanding it into a rod-like or column-like shape. However, regarding the gas injection into the inflatable tube, no control mechanism is provided for the gas inflow amount and the gas inflow speed, and therefore, there is a possibility that the tube may be bent during deployment and other obstacles may occur. If an obstacle occurs, an excessive amount of gas is injected into only a part of the tube, and the tube may be broken, for example, the part may be ruptured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable tube which can be smoothly deployed without obstructing a deployment operation such as bending at the time of deployment and without breaking the tube. Is to do.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable tube which is folded or rolled up in a stored state and forms a rod-like body in an expanded state, comprising: a tubular side wall; A tube which comprises two ends for sealing both ends of the tube, and a gas supply port provided on one of the ends, and which becomes a rod-like body in a deployed state, and which is spirally fixed to the inner surface or outer surface of the tube. A gas supply means having a gas supply passage, a gas supply passage having an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the tube, a gas supply port of the tube, and a gas outlet connected to one end of the gas supply path of the tube; Wherein the gas is supplied from the gas supply means to the tube and the tube, whereby the internal pressure of the tube and the tube is increased to bring the tube into a deployed state. Over Portable tube is provided.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable tube which is folded or rolled in a housed state and forms a rod in an expanded state, comprising: a tubular side wall; The two ends sealing the both ends of the tube, and a gas supply port provided at one of the ends, a tube that becomes a rod-like body in a deployed state, and the space inside the tube is parallel to the longitudinal direction. An inflatable tube comprising at least one membrane divided into a plurality of small spaces and gas supply means having a gas outlet connected to a gas supply port of the tube, wherein the gas supply port is provided in the small space. A gas is supplied from the gas supply means to each space divided by the membrane, and the space is expanded to expand the tube. Tube, is provided.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable tube which is folded or rolled in a housed state and forms a rod in an expanded state, comprising: a tubular side wall; It has a tube formed of both ends for sealing both ends, and a gas supply port provided on one of the both ends, and becomes a rod-shaped body in an expanded state, and a gas outlet connected to the gas supply port of the tube. An inflatable tube comprising: a gas supply unit; and at least one backflow prevention mechanism disposed inside the tube along a longitudinal direction of the tube, wherein the at least one backflow prevention mechanism faces the gas supply unit. An inflatable tube characterized by preventing gas from flowing back in the direction and reducing gas backflow during deployment.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable tube which is folded or rolled up in a stored state and forms a rod in an expanded state, comprising: a tubular side wall; A tube comprising a gas supply port provided at one of the both ends to seal both ends of the tube, and forming a rod-shaped body in an expanded state; and a gas supply port of the tube and one end of a gas supply path of the tube. An inflatable tube comprising: a gas supply means having a gas outlet connected to the tube; and a rigid extension member disposed inside the tube and having both ends connected to end walls of the tube, respectively. When the gas is supplied from the gas supply means and the tube is deployed, the extension member also extends in synchronization with the tube, whereby the deployment direction is restricted to the extension direction of the extension member. Inflatable tube is provided, wherein the door.

According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable tube which is folded or rolled in a stored state and forms a rod in an expanded state, comprising: a tubular side wall; And both ends to seal both ends of
A tube which becomes a rod-shaped body in a deployed state, gas supply means provided inside the tube and having a gas outlet for blowing gas toward the inside of the tube, and disposed inside the tube; An inflatable tube having a rigid extension member connected to the ends, respectively, wherein when the gas flows in from the gas supply means and the tube is deployed, the extension member also synchronizes with the tube. By extending, an inflatable tube is provided in which the deployment direction is uniquely fixed, and the gas supply means moves along the extension member. In this embodiment, the gas supply means may be fixed to the end of the tube, the end of the extension member, or both.

In each of the above embodiments, the gas supply means comprises:
For example, it may be a cylinder 3 in which a gas, liquid, or solid gas material is stored. In each of the above embodiments, the gas supply means may include a flow rate control mechanism (not shown) for controlling the gas inflow amount so as to prevent the gas from flowing beyond the durability of the tube 1 or the like. good.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the outline of the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the outline of the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the outline of the configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the outline of the configuration of the embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the outline of the configuration of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the inflatable tube according to the first embodiment has a columnar shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) in a deployed state.
And a tube 1 having a gas supply port (not shown) at one end, and a spiral shape formed on the inner or outer surface of the side wall of the tube 1. And a tube 2 having one end sealed and a gas injection port provided at the other end, attached to the tube 1, and connected to both the gas supply port of the tube 1 and one end of the tube 2. It has a gas outlet (not shown) for a connected gas, and is composed of a cylinder 3 in which a gas, liquid or solid gas raw material is stored. In addition, cylinder 3
May have a flow control mechanism for controlling the gas inflow amount so that the gas in excess of the durability of the tubes 1 and 2 does not flow. The outlet of the cylinder 3 is provided with opening / closing means (not shown) connected to a control unit (not shown) provided outside. When the opening / closing unit is opened according to a signal from the control unit, gas is sent from the cylinder 3 to the tubes 1 and 2 that are folded or rolled in the housed state. As the gas flows, the gas pressure in the tube 1 and the tube 2 increases, and the inflatable tube is expanded by expanding the tube 1 and the tube 2. The side wall portion of the tube 1 is extended in the tube longitudinal direction and the radial direction by the gas pressure in the tube 1, and the inner surface of the side wall portion or the tube 2 spirally provided on the surface is also expanded by the internal gas pressure. A force is applied to the side wall to extend the side wall in the tube longitudinal direction and the radial direction. As a result, in the inflatable tube according to the present embodiment, there is no obstacle that hinders the deployment operation such as bending of the tube, so that the tube can be smoothly deployed with high reliability. Further, since the deployment operation is not hindered, there is no possibility that the tube is broken.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the inflatable tube according to the second embodiment has a columnar shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) in a deployed state, and has a side wall on the cylinder, an end sealing both ends of the side wall, and one end. A tube 1 having a gas supply port (not shown) provided therein, and a gas outlet (not shown) attached to the tube 1 and connected to the gas supply port of the tube 1. Further, it comprises a cylinder 3 in which a gaseous or liquid gas raw material is stored, and at least one membrane 4 for dividing the internal space of the tube 1 into a plurality of small spaces along the longitudinal direction of the tube. The cylinder 3 may be provided with a flow rate control mechanism for controlling the gas inflow so that the gas in excess of the durability of the tube 1 and the membrane 4 does not flow. An opening / closing means (not shown) connected to a control unit (not shown) provided outside is provided at an outlet of the cylinder 3.
When the open / close unit is opened according to a signal from the control unit, the gas flows from the cylinder 3 into the small space defined by the membrane 4 of the folded tube 1 in the housed state. As described above, the gas flows from the cylinder 3 into each of the small spaces divided by the membrane 4, and each of the small spaces expands, whereby the expansion of the entire tube 1 is completed. In the inflatable tube according to the present embodiment, since each of the small spaces expands almost evenly, a symmetrical expansion force is induced with respect to the axis of the tube. . Therefore, smooth deployment of the tube can be performed with high reliability. Further, since the deployment operation is not hindered, there is no possibility that the inflatable tube is broken.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the inflatable tube has a columnar shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) in an expanded state, and has a side wall on the tube, an end wall sealing both ends of the side wall, and
A tube 1 having a gas supply port (not shown) provided at one end, and a gas outlet (not shown) attached to the tube 1 and connected to the gas supply port of the tube 1 ), And a cylinder 3 in which gas or liquid gas raw material is stored, and a tube 1 disposed inside the tube 1 along the longitudinal direction of the tube to prevent the gas from flowing back toward the cylinder 3. It comprises one or a plurality of backflow prevention mechanisms 5. In addition, the cylinder 3
A flow control mechanism for controlling the gas inflow amount may be provided so that the gas in excess of the durability of the tube 1 does not flow. Further, the backflow prevention mechanism 5 may be, for example, a funnel-shaped backflow prevention valve made of a flexible membrane material.

The outlet of the cylinder 3 is provided with an opening / closing means (not shown) connected to a separately provided control unit (not shown), and the opening / closing unit is opened according to a signal from the control unit. Then, gas is sent from the cylinder 3 into the folded tube 1 in the housed state. The gas flows from the end of the tube 1 closer to the cylinder 3 to the end farther from the cylinder 3 through the at least one backflow prevention mechanism 5. Since the gas is developed while reducing the backflow of the gas at the time of expansion, the gas gradually expands from the end closer to the cylinder 3 to the end farther away. for that reason,
There is no obstacle such as bending of the tube that hinders the deployment operation. Therefore, smooth deployment of the tube can be performed with high reliability. Further, since the deployment operation is not hindered, there is no possibility that the inflatable tube is broken.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inflatable tube has a columnar shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) in a deployed state, and has a side wall on the cylinder, an end sealing both ends of the side wall, and a gas supply port ( And a gas outlet (not shown) attached to the tube 1 and connected to a gas supply port of the tube 1. It comprises a cylinder 3 containing a liquid gaseous raw material and a rigid extension mast 6 disposed inside the tube 1 and having both ends connected to the ends of the tube 1 respectively. In addition, cylinder 3
May have a flow control mechanism for controlling the gas inflow amount so that the gas amount exceeding the durability of the tube 1 does not flow. The extension mast 6 is formed, for example, in a hollow large-diameter pipe made of a material having appropriate rigidity, a plurality of small-diameter pipes having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter (made of a material having appropriate rigidity like the large-diameter pipe). May be a telescopic rod-shaped member that is slidably disposed in a nested manner.

The outlet of the cylinder 3 is provided with an opening / closing means (not shown) connected to a separately provided control unit (not shown), and the opening / closing unit is opened according to a signal from the control unit. Then, gas is sent from the cylinder 3 into the folded tube 1 in the housed state. When the gas flows from the cylinder 3 and the tube 1 is extended, the extension mast 6 having both ends connected to the end of the tube 1 also extends in synchronization with the extension of the tube 1. Since the rigid extension mast 6 resists bending in the axial direction, the tube 1 can complete its deployment without breaking. Therefore, smooth deployment of the tube can be performed with high reliability. Further, since the deployment operation is not hindered, there is no possibility that the inflatable tube is broken.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, in the inflatable tube, components common to the components of the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the cylinder 3 is provided inside the tube 1 as shown in FIG.
At one or both ends. This fifth
In the embodiment, the gas outlet of the cylinder 3 faces the inside of the tube 1, so that the cylinder 3 moves and expands along the extension mast.

[0021]

In the invention according to the first embodiment, the tube serves as a guide for the tube by deploying the tube and the tube with different gas pressures, and the tube is deployed without being bent during deployment. it can.

In the present invention according to the second embodiment, since the divided spaces are respectively expanded, the spaces are prevented from bending, and the tube can be expanded without bending during the expansion.

In the invention according to the third embodiment, the tube can be deployed without being bent during deployment by reducing the backflow of gas.

In the invention according to the fourth embodiment, the stiffness of the extension mast serves as a guide for the tube, so that the tube can be deployed without being bent during deployment.

In the invention according to the fifth aspect, the deployment can be performed smoothly by changing the point of action of the deployment force. The other effects are the same as those of the first aspect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube shown as a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a deployed state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube shown as a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a deployed state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube shown as a third embodiment of the present invention, showing a deployed state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube shown as a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing a deployed state.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube shown as a fifth embodiment of the present invention, showing a deployed state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a satellite using an inflatable tube shown as a conventional example, showing a deployed state from a stored state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inflatable tube 2 ... Tube 3 ... Cylinder 4 ... Membrane 5 ... Backflow prevention mechanism 6 ... Extension mast 7 ... Boom 8 ... Antenna reflector 9 ... Satellite structure

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshinori Nakasuga 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Akihiro Miyasaka 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Hiroaki Tsunoda 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-Term within Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (reference) 2E163 DA01 DA04 FA01 FB09 FE00

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An inflatable tube which is folded or rolled in a stored state and forms a rod-shaped body in an expanded state, comprising: a cylindrical side wall; and two ends sealing both ends of the side wall. And a gas supply port provided at one of the ends, and a tube (1) which becomes a rod-like body in a deployed state, and which is spirally fixed to an inner surface or an outer surface of the tube. A pipe (2) having a gas supply passage having a smaller diameter than the diameter, and a gas supply means (3) having a gas supply port of the tube and a gas outlet connected to one end of the gas supply path of the pipe.
An inflatable tube comprising: (1) flowing gas from the gas supply means (3) into the inside of the tube (1) and into a gas supply path of the tube (2); An inflatable tube, wherein the inner pressure of the tube (2) is increased to bring the tube into a deployed state. 2. An inflatable tube which is folded or rolled up in a housed state and forms a rod in an expanded state, comprising: a tubular side wall; and two ends sealing both ends of the side wall. And a tube (1) comprising a gas supply port provided at one of the ends and forming a rod-like body in an expanded state, and dividing the space inside the tube into a plurality of small spaces parallel to the longitudinal direction. An inflatable tube comprising at least one membrane (4) and gas supply means (3) having a gas outlet connected to a gas supply port of the tube, wherein the gas supply port is provided in the small space. Connected to each other,
An inflatable tube characterized in that a gas flows from the gas supply means (3) into each space divided by the membrane (4) and the tube (1) is developed by expanding the spaces. 3. An inflatable tube which is folded or rolled up in a housed state and forms a rod-shaped body in an expanded state, comprising: a tubular side wall; and two ends sealing both ends of the side wall. And a gas supply port provided at one of the ends, and a tube (1) which becomes a rod-shaped body in a developed state, and a gas supply means (3) having a gas outlet connected to the gas supply port of the tube. ), And at least one backflow prevention mechanism (5) disposed inside the tube along the longitudinal direction of the tube, wherein the at least one backflow prevention mechanism (5) is An inflatable tube for preventing backflow of gas in a direction toward the gas supply means (3) and reducing backflow of gas during deployment. 4. An inflatable tube which is folded or rolled up in a stored state and forms a rod in an expanded state, comprising: a cylindrical side wall; and two ends sealing both ends of the side wall. And a gas supply port provided at one of the ends, and a tube (1) which becomes a rod-shaped body in a developed state, and a gas supply means (3) having a gas outlet connected to the gas supply port of the tube. ), And a rigid extension member (6) disposed inside the tube and having both ends connected to two ends of the tube, respectively, wherein the gas supply means (3 ) And gas flow from the tube (1)
When the tube is deployed, the extension member (6) is also
The inflatable tube is characterized in that the extension direction is regulated by the extension direction of the extension member (6) by extending in synchronization with the inflatable tube. 5. An inflatable tube which is folded or rolled up in a housed state and forms a rod in an unfolded state, comprising: a tubular side wall; and two ends sealing both ends of the side wall. A tube (1) formed of a rod-shaped body in a deployed state; a gas supply means (3) provided inside the tube and having a gas blowing port for blowing gas toward the inside of the tube; and disposed inside the tube. A rigid extension member (6), both ends of which are connected to two ends of the tube, respectively, the gas being supplied from the gas supply means (3). When (1) is deployed, the extension member (6) also extends in synchronization with the tube (1), so that the deployment direction of the tube is regulated by the extension direction of the extension member (6). Inflatable tube, characterized in that the gas supply means (3) moves along the 該伸 Exhibition member (6). 6. The inflatable tube according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply unit includes a gas flow control mechanism.