US 12,459,677 B1
Method of manufacturing and/or operating deployable structures using hydride material
Jason A. Graetz, Malibu, CA (US); John J. Vajo, Malibu, CA (US); Christopher P. Henry, Malibu, CA (US); Adam E. Sorensen, Malibu, CA (US); and Geoffrey P. McKnight, Malibu, CA (US)
Assigned to HRL LABORATORIES, LLC, Malibu, CA (US)
Filed by HRL LABORATORIES, LLC, Malibu, CA (US)
Filed on May 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/658,923.
Application 18/658,923 is a division of application No. 17/451,993, filed on Oct. 22, 2021, granted, now 12,030,676.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/178,448, filed on Apr. 22, 2021.
Int. Cl. B64G 1/66 (2006.01); B32B 1/08 (2006.01); B32B 15/08 (2006.01); B32B 15/20 (2006.01); B64G 1/22 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/66 (2013.01) [B32B 1/08 (2013.01); B32B 15/08 (2013.01); B32B 15/20 (2013.01); B32B 2307/7242 (2013.01); B64G 1/2227 (2023.08); Y10T 428/1328 (2015.01); Y10T 428/1334 (2015.01); Y10T 428/1338 (2015.01); Y10T 428/1355 (2015.01); Y10T 428/1359 (2015.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of manufacturing and/or operating a deployable structure, the method comprising:
providing a sheet material comprising an outer shell structure and a hollow interior, the sheet material having a thickness of 25 μm to 1000 μm;
placing a hydride material to be converted into hydrogen gas into the hollow interior, the hydride material being in contact with a trigger;
sealing the outer shell structure; and
converting the hydride material and releasing the hydrogen gas, and expanding and plastically deforming the sheet material by the hydrogen gas,
wherein the trigger comprises at least one selected from:
a thermal trigger comprising a heat source to generate heat;
a chemical trigger; and
an electrical trigger.