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EP-4739579-A1 - SYSTEM FOR FOLDING A DEPLOYABLE KIT FOR CAPTURING SPACE DEBRIS

EP4739579A1EP 4739579 A1EP4739579 A1EP 4739579A1EP-4739579-A1

Abstract

A system (10) for folding a deployable kit (100) for capturing space debris, the kit (100) comprising an inflatable structure (1) and a net (2) supported by the inflatable structure (1), the system (10) comprising: - a first mechanism (4) for folding the inflatable structure (1) and suitable for being connected to the inflatable structure (1); - a second mechanism (5) for folding the net (2), comprising: - articulated arms (50) suitable for being connected to the inflatable structure (1); - a rotatably movable mast (52) suitable for being arranged at the centre of the net (2) in a manner perpendicular to a plane (P) defined by the net (2) when the net (2) and the inflatable structure (1) are unfolded, the mast (52) being suitable for being connected to the net (2), - the arms (50) being suitable for being connected to the net (2) and for winding around the mast (52) during the rotation thereof, - a means (9) for actuating the first mechanism (4) simultaneously with rotating the mast (52), so as to allow a folding of the inflatable structure (1) synchronous with the folding of the net (2).

Inventors

  • HRAZMI, Issam
  • BEURET, Killian
  • BRODARD, Laurent
  • Mbiakop Ngassa, Armel

Assignees

  • COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240705

Claims (17)

  1. 1. System (10) for folding a deployable kit (100) for capturing space debris, the kit (100) comprising an inflatable structure (1) and a net (2) supported by the inflatable structure (1), the system (10) comprising: - a first mechanism (4) for folding the inflatable structure (1) adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure (1); - a second mechanism (5) for folding the net (2) comprising: - articulated arms (50) adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure (1); - a rotating mast (52) adapted to be arranged in the center of the net (2) perpendicular to a plane (P) defined by the net (2) when the net (2) and the inflatable structure (1) are unfolded, the mast (52) being adapted to be connected to the net (2), the arms (50) being adapted to be connected to the net (2) and to wrap around the mast (52) when the latter rotates, - a means of actuating (9) the first mechanism (4) simultaneously with rotation of the mast (52), so as to allow folding of the inflatable structure (1) synchronous with folding of the net (2).
  2. 2. System (10) according to claim 1 in which: - the first mechanism (4), comprises: - a first cable (40) comprising a first end (401), a second end (402), - pillars (42), each pillar (42) comprising a first end (421) adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure (1) and a second end (422) having a hole (4221) crossed by the first cable (40), each pillar (42) being adapted to extend from its first end (421) perpendicular to the plane (P) defined by the net (2) when the net (2) and the inflatable structure (1) are unfolded, - anchor points (44), each anchor point (44) being adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure (1) between two pillars (42) and having an opening (441) crossed by the first cable (40), the first cable (40) thus alternately crossing holes (4221) of pillars (42) and openings (441) of anchor points (44), the openings (441) of anchor points (44) being further from the net (2) than the holes (4221) of pillars (42) when the net (2) and the inflatable structure (1) are unfolded, - a first pulley (46) to which the first end (401) and the second end (402) of the first cable (40) are connected, the first pulley (46) being adapted to allow the winding of the first cable (40) such that the winding of the first cable (40) via both its first end (401) and its second end (402) causes each pillar (42) to move in a direction (D1) perpendicular to the plane (P) defined by the net (2) when the net (2) and the inflatable structure (1) are unfolded, in a direction from the second end (422) towards the first end (421) of said pillar (42), such that the winding of the first cable (40) causes consecutive pillars (42) to move closer together and thus causes the folding of the inflatable structure (1), - in the second mechanism (5) for folding the net (2): - the mast (52) comprises a first end (521) adapted to be connected to the center of the net (2) and a second end (522), the mast (52) extending from its first end (521) to its second end (522) perpendicular to the plane defined by the net (2) when the net (2) and the inflatable structure (1) are unfolded, - the arms (50) comprise a plurality of main arms (501) and secondary arms (502), each main arm (501) comprising an articulation (503) with at least one secondary arm (502), the main arms (501) each comprising a first end (5011) connected to the first end (521) of the mast (52) and a second end (5012) adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure (52), the secondary arms (502) each comprising a first end (5021) connected to a main arm (501) and a second end (5022) adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure (1), the plurality of arms (50) forming a pattern for folding the net (1), each arm (50) defining a top edge of the pattern, - the second mechanism (5) comprises: - a device (54) for moving the mast (52) adapted to rotate the mast (52) so as to cause the net (2) to fold according to the pattern.
  3. 3. System (10) according to claim 2, in which the pattern formed by the arms (50) corresponds to a flasher type origami folding pattern.
  4. 4. System (10) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, in which the pillars (42) are located equidistant from each other along the inflatable structure (1) when the inflatable structure (1) is unfolded.
  5. 5. System (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the second end (5011, 5021) of each arm (50) is adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure (1) at an anchoring point (44).
  6. 6. System (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the second mechanism (5) comprises: - a second cable (53) comprising a first end (531) connected to the mast (52) and a second end (532), - a second pulley (56) to which the second end (532) of the second cable (53) is connected, the second pulley (56) being adapted to allow the winding of the second cable (53), and in which the device (54) for moving the mast (52) comprises a pinion (514) arranged at the second end (522) of the mast (52) and a rack (542), the pinion (541) being arranged to roll on the rack (54) when winding the second cable (53) onto the second pulley (56).
  7. 7. System (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, in which the diameter of the first pulley (46) and the diameter of the second pulley (56) are adapted to allow folding of the inflatable structure (1) and folding of the net (2) synchronously.
  8. 8. System (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a storage box (6) adapted to accommodate the kit (100) when folded.
  9. 9. System according to claims 6 and 8, in which the rack (542) comprises a first end (5421) and a second end (5422) and extends parallel to the plane (P) defined by the net (2) when the net (2) and the inflatable structure (1) are unfolded from its first end (5421) arranged opposite the center (C) of the net (2) to its second end (5422), the second mechanism (5) being adapted to, when the second cable (53) is wound around the second pulley (56), allow the translation of the mast (52) in a direction (D2) parallel to the direction of extension of the rack (542), from the first end (5421) of the rack (542) to the second end (5422) of the rack (542) and in which the storage box (6) is arranged in regard to the second end (5422) of the rack (5422) so that the kit (100) ends up in the storage box (6) at the end of the translation of the mast (52).
  10. 10. An assembly (8) comprising the system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a kit (100) comprising an inflatable structure (1) and a net (2) supported by the inflatable structure (1), wherein the first mechanism (4) is connected to the inflatable structure (1) and the second mechanism (5) is connected to the net (2).
  11. 11. A method of folding a deployable kit (100) for capturing space debris from a system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the kit (100) comprising an inflatable structure (1) and a net (2) supported by the inflatable structure (1), the method comprising the steps of: a) arranging the system (10) so as to connect the first mechanism (4) to the inflatable structure (1) and the second mechanism (5) to the inflatable structure (1) and the net (2), b) folding the inflatable structure (1) and folding the net (2) synchronously.
  12. 12. Folding method according to claim 11, in which the folding of the inflatable structure (1) is a zig-zag folding.
  13. 13. Folding method according to any one of claims 11 and 12, in which the folding of the net (2) is a flasher type origami folding.
  14. 14. A folding method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the inflatable structure (1) is in a deflated state.
  15. 15. Folding method according to any one of claims 11 to 14 from the system (10) according to claim 8, comprising a step c) of arranging the folded kit (100) in the storage box (6).
  16. 16. Folding method according to claim 15 from the system (10) according to claim 9, in which step b) comprises the translation of the mast (52) towards the storage box (6).
  17. 17. A folding method according to any one of claims 11 to 16 from the system (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 7 and 9 or according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 2, in which: - step a) comprises arranging the system (10) so as to connect the pillars (42), the anchor points (44) and the arms (50) to the inflatable structure (1) and to connect the arms (50) and the mast (52) to the net (2), - step b) includes rotating the first pulley (46) and the second pulley (56).

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: Folding system of a deployable kit for capturing space debris FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of deorbiting space debris, more precisely to a folding system of a deployable kit for capturing space debris. STATE OF THE ART The INSIDeR (Innovative Net & Space Inflatable structure for active Debris Removal) system aims to safely deorbit space debris of various sizes. The system consists of a high-strength flexible net that serves as a capture system capable of capturing large objects and adapting to different debris morphologies and tumbling speeds, and an inflatable structure supporting the net and serving as a deployment system that provides debris motion control and damping. To be able to transport this system into space, more precisely into low Earth orbit, it is necessary to be able to package it in such a way as to limit its size while ensuring a controlled subsequent deployment. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION An aim of the invention is to enable the folding of a deployable kit for capturing space debris, the kit comprising an inflatable structure and a net connected to the inflatable structure. One aim of the invention is to enable the folding of such a kit which makes it possible to limit the size of the folded kit and to properly control the deployment of the kit. Another object of the invention is to provide a folding system which allows the folding of a kit regardless of the size of the kit. According to a first aspect, there is provided a folding system of a deployable kit for capturing space debris, the kit comprising an inflatable structure and a net supported by the inflatable structure, the system comprising: - a first folding mechanism of the inflatable structure adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure; - a second net folding mechanism comprising: - articulated arms suitable for connection to the inflatable structure; - a rotating movable mast adapted to be arranged in the centre of the net perpendicular to a plane defined by the net when the net and the inflatable structure are unfolded, the mast being adapted to be connected to the net, the arms being adapted to be connected to the net and to wrap around the mast when the latter rotates, - a means of actuating the first mechanism simultaneously with rotation of the mast, so as to allow folding of the inflatable structure synchronous with folding of the net. According to advantageous and non-limiting characteristics, taken alone or in any combination: - the first mechanism includes: - a first cable comprising a first end, a second end, - pillars, each pillar comprising a first end adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure and a second end having a hole through which the first cable passes, each pillar being adapted to extend from its first end perpendicular to the plane defined by the net when the net and the inflatable structure are unfolded, - anchor points, each anchor point being adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure between two pillars and having an opening crossed by the first cable, the first cable thus alternately crossing pillar holes and anchor point openings, the anchor point openings being further from the net than the pillar holes when the net and the inflatable structure are unfolded, - a first pulley to which the first end and the second end of the first cable are connected, the first pulley being adapted to allow the winding of the first cable such that the winding of the first cable via both its first end and its second end causes each pillar to move in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the net when the net and the inflatable structure are unfolded, in a direction from the second end towards the first end of said pillar, such that the winding of the first cable causes consecutive pillars to move closer together and thus causes the inflatable structure to fold, - in the second net folding mechanism: - the mast comprises a first end adapted to be connected to the centre of the net and a second end, the mast extending from its first end to its second end perpendicular to the plane defined by the net when the net and the inflatable structure are unfolded, - the arms comprise a plurality of main arms and secondary arms, each main arm comprising an articulation with at least one secondary arm, the main arms each comprising a first end connected to the first end of the mast and a second end adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure, the secondary arms each comprising a first end connected to a main arm and a second end adapted to be connected to the inflatable structure, the plurality of arms forming a pattern for folding the net, each arm defining a top edge of the pattern, - the second mechanism includes: - a mast moving device adapted to rotate the mast so as to cause the net to fold according to the pattern; the pattern formed by the arms corresponds to a flasher-type origami folding pattern; the pillars are locate