摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for deploying petals of a mirror of an optical space telescope having high accuracy that absorbs thermal expansion in an in-use environment. <P>SOLUTION: The system for deploying the petals of the mirror of the optical space telescope 10 includes a first hinge assembly 100, a second hinge assembly 200, and a latch assembly 300. The first hinge assembly 100 affords petals 20a to 20f freedom of rotation about a petal hinge axis. The second hinge assembly 200 affords the petals 20a to 20f freedom of rotation about the petal hinge axis and freedom to expand thermally along the petal hinge axis. A pair of laterally opposed latches of the latch assembly 300 engage the clevis upon rotation of the petal about the hinge axis from a stored position to a deployed position, thereby fixing the petals 20a to 20f in thermally expandable states. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT |