Hyperboloid Modules for Deployable Structures

Abstract

This paper presents the process used to generate hyperboloid modules for deployable structures and the general equations for their design. These units are formed by three or more rods connected at a common articulated joint. During the opening process all the rods rotate in the same direction, and at the final unfolded stage each bar sits on its adjacent bar, activating a reciprocal self-locking system. The combination of these modules creates large span structures that can be folded in compact bundles. In this paper, the geometrical relationships between the dimensions of the elements to achieve a specific maximum opening angle is established. The connectivity between units is studied, as well as the requirements to achieve the maximum compactness of the grid at the folded stage.