US 12,030,672 B1
Apparatus and method for on-demand retention, release, and positioning of space structures and components of same
Allen T. Guzik, Strongsville, OH (US); Othmane Benafan, Fairview Park, OH (US); Yu Hin Hau, North Olmsted, OH (US); Linda H. Yoon, North Olmsted, OH (US); and Chip Redding, Lakewood, OH (US)
Assigned to United States Government Administrator of NASA, Washington, DC (US)
Filed by United States of Americas as represented by the Administrator of NASA, Washington, DC (US)
Filed on Sep. 25, 2017, as Appl. No. 15/714,014.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/398,718, filed on Sep. 23, 2016.
Int. Cl. B64G 1/00 (2006.01); B64G 1/22 (2006.01); B64G 1/44 (2006.01); F03G 7/06 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/222 (2013.01) [B64G 1/443 (2013.01); F03G 7/065 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An on-demand retention, release, and positioning apparatus comprising:
a retention and release device comprising:
a releasable plate;
at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator operatively connected to the releasable plate by a pin puller; and
at least one retaining latch or retaining hook configured to releasably secure a deployable component of a structure, wherein the structure is a CubeSat,
wherein the at least one retaining latch or the at least one retaining hook fixes the releasable plate in place and, wherein, upon command, the SMA actuator releases the pin puller which releases the releasable plate; and
at least one SMA driven hinge mechanism, the SMA driven hinge mechanism being passively driven and configured to actuate the deployable component into a final operative position for deployment after the release of the releasable plate,
wherein the retention and release device retains and releases between 2 and 4 CubeSat solar arrays weighing approximately 100 grams each.