DISPOSITIF DE COMMANDE D'UNE ROTATION RELATIVE ENTRE DEUX ELEMENTS ARTICULES ET STRUCTURE MECANIQUE DEPLOYABLE, NOTAMMENT POUR VEHICULE SPATIAL, UTILISANT AU MOINS UN DISPOSITIF DE CE TYPE

摘要

To control a relative rotation between two elements (10, 12), such as flaps of a deployable mechanical structure, on a space vehicle, a torsion bar (16) is used made of a bistable shape memory alloy, heated over its whole length by heaters stuck on the bar and retained by hooping rings. A stop (22) restricts pivoting to the pre-set pivoting angle to be controlled. Excess pivoting of the torsion bar (16) is applied to a mechanical fuse (18), interposed between the bar and one (12) of the elements.