Abstract: A mechanical rotational drive has a bar-like torsion element, whereby the torsion element is firmly clamped with a first end in a bearing device. The torsion element can be pivoted with a second free end with respect to the clamped end about the longitudinal axis, forming a rotation axis, of the torsion element between a relaxed position and a tensioned position, whereby the length of the torsion element is reduced with respect to the relaxed position when the torsion element is brought into its tensioned position.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle bell for a rocket engine including a first part arranged on a motor of the rocket engine, and a second part coupled to the first part. The second part having a stowed position in which the second part surrounds the first part and is positioned closer to the motor, and an operating position in which the first part and the second part form a continuous shape and the second part is arranged farther from the motor. Moreover, the nozzle can include an extension mechanism structured and arranged to extend the second part from the stowed position to the operating position, the extension mechanism including a plurality of swiveling extension arms, wherein the extension arms have first and second ends. Furthermore, each of the extension arms comprise one of a sliding and rolling element on an end facing the second part of the exhaust nozzle bell.

Abstract: A mechanical rotational drive has a bar-like torsion element, whereby the torsion element is firmly clamped with a first end in a bearing device. The torsion element can be pivoted with a second free end with respect to the clamped end about the longitudinal axis, forming a rotation axis, of the torsion element between a relaxed position and a tensioned position, whereby the length of the torsion element is reduced with respect to the relaxed position when the torsion element is brought into its tensioned position.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle bell for a rocket engine including a first part arranged on a motor of the rocket engine, and a second part coupled to the first part. The second part having a stowed position in which the second part surrounds the first part and is positioned closer to the motor, and an operating position in which the first part and the second part form a continuous shape and the second part is arranged farther from the motor. Moreover, the nozzle can include an extension mechanism structured and arranged to extend the second part from the stowed position to the operating position, the extension mechanism including a plurality of swiveling extension arms, wherein the extension arms have first and second ends. Furthermore, each of the extension arms comprise one of a sliding and rolling element on an end facing the second part of the exhaust nozzle bell.

Abstract: An extendible solar generator has an extendible solar cell structure and an extendible support array structure which has a first cross member and is connected with a stowage housing for the solar cell structure. The support array structure can be rolled out independently of the solar cell structure and has guiding devices for rolling out the solar cell structure after the array structure has rolled out.

Abstract: A support structure includes at least one shaped component which is produced from a shape memory alloy and which, in a first operating state of the support structure, results in an increase in the strength of the support structure and, in a second operating state, results in a reduction in the thermal conductivity of the support structure. The first strut structure is surrounded by a second strut structure, which has a higher mechanical strength in comparison with the first strut structure, and the first strut structure is connected securely, at least at one of its ends, to the second strut structure. In addition, the first strut structure is connected to a holding device, and the second strut structure is releasably connected to the holding device by the at least one shaped component.

Abstract: A mechanical support structure has at least one molded component made of a shape memory alloy, which in a first operating mode of the support structure yields an increase in the stability of the support structure and in a second operating mode yields a reduction in the thermal conductivity of the support structure. A strut structure is enclosed by a tubular structure which possesses a higher level of mechanical stability than the strut structure. The strut structure s permanently fastened to the tubular structure at a first end. The strut structure is connected to a mounting element. The tubular structure is separably connected to the mounting element and the strut structure at a second end of the strut structure via the at least one molded component.

Abstract: A roll-out solar generator has a roll-out solar cell structure and a roll-out array structure which has a first cross member and is connected with a stowage housing for the solar cell structure. The array structure can be rolled out independently of the solar cell structure and has guiding devices for rolling out the solar cell structure after the array structure has rolled out.

Abstract: An extensible carrier structure is described here which includes several mutually connected individual elements, where the individual elements are made up of tube elements which are deformable in a reversible manner, and where the tube elements, at their ends, are connected with each other by first elastic elements.

Abstract: A support structure includes at least one shaped component which is produced from a shape memory alloy and which, in a first operating state of the support structure, results in an increase in the strength of the support structure and, in a second operating state, results in a reduction in the thermal conductivity of the support structure. The first strut structure is surrounded by a second strut structure, which has a higher mechanical strength in comparison with the first strut structure, and the first strut structure is connected securely, at least at one of its ends, to the second strut structure. In addition, the first strut structure is connected to a holding device, and the second strut structure is releasably connected to the holding device by the at least one shaped component.

Abstract: An antenna reflector for satellites or space vehicles having a number of hexagonal individual reflectors (1) which can be arranged around a rigid central element (2). The reflectors (1) are connected to the central element (2) by a support structure (3) that can collapse to hold the reflectors in a compact storage state or be extended to deploy the reflectors. The reflectors (1) are folded like an umbrella in a transport state when the reflectors are collapsed and at the place of use, they are brought into their operating positions and spread out, so that they collectively form a reflector surface. Each reflector (1) has a foldable surface structure connected by a multiple number of ribs (11) to a rigid, central structure (12).

Abstract: A method for the production of a reflector for antennas to be used in outer space in which a thread (7) is wound on a winding spindle (1), to obtain a netting or network structure. The winding spindle (1) has contour segments (2) on its surface, whose contour corresponds to the contour of a sector of the reflector surface being produced. After winding, the resulting thread network structure is hardened on the winding spindle (1) and the thread network structure is divided into individual sections. The contour segments (2) are separated from the winding spindle (1) and together with the sections of the hardened network structure thereon are fitted together on an assembly rig so that the individual sections collectively form a reflector. The winding of the thread of the network structure on the spindle can vary in at least one direction or in its angle of placement a, so that the network structure has a different, selectable rigidity in individual areas.

Abstract: A device for holding down solar panels with a holding-down bolt and for releasing the solar panels after shearing off with a pyrotechnical striking pin device is arranged on the outer side of the solar panels. After severing with the striking pin and after lifting out of the striking pin device with a spring, the holding-down bolt pivots out of spacers, which are connected to the solar panels via crossbolts, as a result of which the solar panels can be freely unfolded.

Abstract: A linear drive is disclosed comprising a single-acting pneumatic piston cylinder unit, at least one spring which acts against the pneumatic force and loads the piston rod in the direction of one end position, and one form-locking pneumatic locking mechanism respectively for each of the two end positions of the piston rod.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for the adjusting of a mounting part on a carrier in a statically determined position which can be adjusted in a rotatory and translatory manner in three axes with respect to the carrier. The arrangement comprises at least three adjusting units which are arranged in an offset manner with respect to one another between the carrier and the mounted part, each of which comprises two connecting parts which can be translatorily adjusted relative to one another in two axes and are constructed to be rotatorily in three axes as well as translatorily in one axis freely movable sloped to the adjusting plane of the connecting parts.

Abstract: A rail vehicle body consisting of a support frame and sandwich parts attached thereto having an outer and an inner cover layer and supporting layer glued in between them, comprises, with a view to cost-effective fabrication and above all reduction of assembly cost, individually made body modules which are designed in integral construction as a sandwich structure with support frame parts inserted in the region of the supporting layer and fastened to the cover layers and being provided at the edges of the support frame parts with fitting connections for assembly of the body modules.

Abstract: A disc wheel, particularly for rail vehicles, with a composite metal/plastic structure. In order to make possible simple manufacture with at the same time adequate force transmission, a structure between the hub and the tread comprises a plastic structure comprising two half shells of the same design which are subdivided in sector fashion by spoke-like reinforcement ribs. The reinforcement ribs each have a longitudinal slot into which rib plates are inserted which connect the two half shells to each other. Advantageously, plastic foam is inserted into the cavities of the half shells. All joints between the plastic structure and the hub or the tread are cemented joints.

Abstract: An airfoil particularly suited for use in rotor blades of large wind-driven ower plants is formed in three modular sections including a nose or leading section, a spar section and a trailing section, each separately formed and subsequently assembled. In the method of the invention the spar section is formed in two separate mold units which are configured to form part of the upper and lower aerodynamic profile of the airfoil and the two spar section units are trimmed along a junction plane and then joined together at the junction plane to form the spar section of the airfoil.

Abstract: An airfoil particularly suited for use in rotor blades of large wind-driven ower plants is formed in three modular sections including a nose or leading section, a spar section and a trailing section, each separately formed and subsequently assembled. In the method of the invention the spar section is formed in two separate mold units which are configured to form part of the upper and lower aerodynamic profile of the airfoil and the two spar section units are trimmed along a junction plane and then joined together at the junction plane to form the spar section of the airfoil.

Abstract: A safety steering column made of wound fiber-reinforced synthetic material s manufactured economically and simply, yet simultaneously with due regard to its deformation characteristics in response to axial compressive overloading under various operating conditions. For this purpose the steering column is wound as a rotationally symmetrical tubular body having five component integral sections (3, 4, 5, 6, and 7). The component sections (3 and 7) are relatively thick-walled connecting tubes to provide a torque input section and a torque output section provided with connectors (8) for steering wheel hub and for a steering mechanism. An intermediate section (5) of the steering column is a cylindrical, relatively thin-walled tube with a larger diameter (d.sub.2) compared to the connecting sections. Conical transition sections (4 and 6) preferably extend between the intermediate section and the connecting tubes or sections.