A Deployable tensegrity structure, especially for space applications

Abstract

The invention relates to a deployable tensegrity structure comprising, in the deployed state, a support structure (100) having a ring shape around a longitudinal axis and comprising : - a first flexible tension member (101 ) defining a first contour of said ring shape and a second flexible tension member (102) defining a second contour of said ring; - a first plurality of rigid compression members (103, 103', 103") extending between said first and second contours (101, 102), one end (1030,1030') of each rigid compression member of the first plurality being mounted on the first contour (101 ) whereas the other end (1031,1031 ") is not mounted on a contour and; a second plurality of rigid compression members (104, 104') extending between said first and second contours (101, 102), one end (1040') of each rigid compression member of the second plurality being mounted on the second contour (102) whereas the other end (1041, 1041 ') is not mounted on a contour; said first and second plurality of rigid compression members (103, 103', 103" 104, 104') being arranged with a repetitive crossing pattern around the ring; - a first plurality of flexible tension members (105, 106, 107, 110, 111 ) linking each end (1030, 1030',1040') of a compression member mounted on one of said contours (101,102) to an end of another compression member which is not mounted on one of said contours and, a second plurality of flexible tension members (108, 109, 112) linking each end (1031, 1031 ", 1041, 1041 ') of a compression member which is not mounted on a contour to an end of another compression member which is also not mounted on a contour