Abstract: A device for protecting an optical instrument of a satellite comprises a body on which the optical instrument is mounted, said protection device having a folded-down position and a deployed position, and further comprising a plurality of rigid panels in the deployed position, the device forming a tube, the section of which is a polygon, arranged so as to protect the optical instrument, the longitudinal axis of the tube being substantially parallel with the focal axis of the optical instrument, the faces of the tube of polygonal section being formed by panels, in the folded-down position, said panels being held against the body of the satellite.

Abstract: In precision mechanical actuators, wherein a high precision stepping motor can notably be used in the actuating mechanisms of artificial satellites, a stepping motor comprises two rotors that rotate in opposite directions to generate a low-amplitude movement between one of the rotors and a stator. The first rotor comprises a first set of teeth distributed at a first pitch p1 and a second set of teeth distributed at a second pitch p2. The stator comprises N stator contacts comprising a plurality a of teeth distributed at the pitch p1, distributed at a third pitch equal to p1(a+1/N), and able to cooperate with the teeth of the first set. The second rotor comprises N rotor contacts comprising a plurality b of teeth distributed at the pitch p2, distributed at a fourth pitch equal to p1(b+1/N), and able to cooperate with the teeth of the second set of the first rotor.

Abstract: A device is provided for unfurling and refurling comprising at least one tape spring having an axis of unfurling and of refurling parallel to an axis X and a rotor capable of rotating about an axis Y perpendicular to the axis X, the tape spring being able, autonomously, to pass from a state in which it is wound around the rotor to an unwound state. The tape spring is mounted bent in two in the shape of a U and comprises a first end fixed rigidly to a first anchor point that may be secured to a stator or to the rotor and a second end wound around the rotor.

Abstract: A motorization device comprises two substantially parallel winding cylinders, at least longitudinal link element-forming winding means, the winding means being suitable for maintaining a predetermined distance between the winding cylinders and being wound around the winding cylinders, and at least two flexible tracks, a flexible track being fixed to each winding cylinder, the flexible tracks being arranged facing one another and having a point of contact, a prestressing force being applied at said point of contact of the flexible tracks under the effect of the winding means. The motorization device comprises elastic means arranged between each winding cylinder and the corresponding flexible track, the elastic means being configured so as to exert a radial compression force on each flexible track, normal to the surface of the flexible track at least at said point of contact.

Abstract: A motorization device comprises two substantially parallel winding cylinders, at least one longitudinal link element to maintain a predetermined distance between the cylinders, and wound around said winding tracks, the link element consequently having a crossover point between the winding cylinders, two flexible tracks fixed to the winding cylinders and arranged facing and in contact with one another at the point of contact, a winding cylinder and flexible track assembly forming a fitting, a prestressing force being applied at the point of contact under the effect of the link element. The flexible tracks have a spiral form configured that the point of contact between the two flexible tracks in spiral form, situated between said winding cylinders, is offset relative to the crossover point, such that a torque dependent on the distance between the point of contact and the crossover point is applied, to provoke the mutual rotation of the fittings.

Abstract: A rolling hinge device comprises two substantially parallel winding cylinders, longitudinal link element-forming winding means, the winding means being able to maintain a predetermined distance between the winding cylinders and being wound around winding cylinders, and at least two flexible tracks, a flexible track being fixed to each winding cylinder, the flexible tracks being arranged facing one another and having a point of contact, a prestressing force being applied at said point of contact of the flexible tracks under the effect of the winding means. At least one flexible track comprises at least one slot produced over at least a part of its length, the slot delimiting a plurality of flexible beam sections of determined profiles.

Abstract: In the transmission of mechanical movements, a mechanical angular positioning device is provided, and applies to optical instruments to position an element like a mirror according to three predefined positions. The angular positioning device comprises a frame and two imbricated mechanical movement transmission assemblies. The first assembly comprises a first support in pivot connection with the frame according to a first axis, which is rotatable by a first motor via two connecting rods which generate two dead centres for the first support. The second mechanical assembly comprises a second support in pivot connection with the first support, according to a second axis, not parallel with first axis. This second support is rotatable by a second motor via two connecting rods which generate two dead centres for the second support. One of the dead centres of the first support can coincide with one of the dead centres of the second support.

Abstract: In the transmission of mechanical movements, a mechanical angular positioning device is provided, and applies notably to optical instruments necessary to position an element such as a mirror according to three predefined positions. The angular positioning device comprises an assembly of connecting rods and an assembly of pivot connections, the axes of which are parallel to one another. A first input connecting rod, a second output connecting rod and a third connecting rod are in pivot connection with a frame of the device. A fourth and a fifth connecting rod are each connected by two pivot connections to two other connecting rods. The input connecting rod can be rotated by a motor. The angular positioning device is configured such that the output connecting rod can adopt three distinct angular positions, for each of which two connecting rods in pivot connection with one another generate a dead centre in the device.

Abstract: The invention is situated in the field of telecommunication satellites. A deployable structure with which such a satellite may be equipped and a method of deploying the deployable structure is provided. The deployable structure includes: a set of primary panels, a set of secondary panels, primary articulation systems, each primary articulation system enabling a primary panel to be caused to pivot relative to another primary panel about a primary axis, the primary axes being substantially parallel to the primary panels, and secondary articulation systems, each secondary articulation system being associated with a secondary panel and enabling said panel to be caused to pivot relative to another panel about a secondary axis parallel to said panels, the deployable structure being configured in such a manner that, in a deployed configuration, the front surfaces of the panels form a substantially continuous overall surface.

Abstract: A deployable structure with panels forming an antenna equipped with a solar generator includes: a set of antenna panels each having a substantially rectangular useful surface, the antenna panels abutting each other on first sides parallel to each other, at least one photovoltaic solar panel, each photovoltaic solar panel abutting an antenna panel on a second side of said antenna panel perpendicular to the first sides, first articulation systems, each of said articulation systems enabling an antenna panel to be caused to pivot relative to an adjacent antenna panel about an axis substantially parallel to the first sides of said antenna panels, a second articulation system for each photovoltaic solar panel, each of said articulation systems enabling a photovoltaic solar panel to be caused to pivot relative to the antenna panel that it abuts about an axis substantially parallel to the second side of said antenna panel.

Abstract: A protection device for an optical instrument of a satellite including a body on which the optical instrument is mounted, the optical instrument including a central mirror and peripheral mirrors reflecting light towards the central mirror, said protection device having a folded position and a deployed position, includes a plurality of panels rigid in the deployed position, the device forming a cellular structure including a tube for each peripheral mirror, the section of the tubes being a polygon, the tubes being disposed in such a manner as to protect the peripheral mirrors against stray illumination, and said panels being held against the body of the satellite in the folded position.

Abstract: In the field of antenna reflectors with a deformable reflecting surface, an actuation system, with which such a reflector may be equipped wherein the reflector includes a chassis, a flexible membrane fixed to the chassis, comprises: a support fixed to the chassis, a set of deformation devices, each deformation device including a pusher element adapted to be driven in translation relative to the support along an axis, the pusher element including a part adapted to come into contact with the flexible membrane at a point to deform it, an actuation device adapted to drive the pusher element of one of the deformation devices in translation at the same time, and a selector device adapted to move the actuation device toward each of the deformation devices.

Abstract: A deployable structure with panels forming an antenna equipped with a solar generator includes: a set of antenna panels each having a substantially rectangular useful surface, the antenna panels abutting each other on first sides parallel to each other, at least one photovoltaic solar panel, each photovoltaic solar panel abutting an antenna panel on a second side of said antenna panel perpendicular to the first sides, first articulation systems, each of said articulation systems enabling an antenna panel to be caused to pivot relative to an adjacent antenna panel about an axis substantially parallel to the first sides of said antenna panels, a second articulation system for each photovoltaic solar panel, each of said articulation systems enabling a photovoltaic solar panel to be caused to pivot relative to the antenna panel that it abuts about an axis substantially parallel to the second side of said antenna panel.

Abstract: The invention is situated in the field of telecommunication satellites. A deployable structure with which such a satellite may be equipped and a method of deploying the deployable structure is provided. The deployable structure includes: a set of primary panels, a set of secondary panels, primary articulation systems, each primary articulation system enabling a primary panel to be caused to pivot relative to another primary panel about a primary axis, the primary axes being substantially parallel to the primary panels, and secondary articulation systems, each secondary articulation system being associated with a secondary panel and enabling said panel to be caused to pivot relative to another panel about a secondary axis parallel to said panels, the deployable structure being configured in such a manner that, in a deployed configuration, the front surfaces of the panels form a substantially continuous overall surface.

Abstract: A self-driven articulation designed for automatically deploying the elements that it connects comprises two articulation fittings made to rotate under the action of at least one passive drive element. The articulation comprises means for regulating the speed at which it deploys.

Abstract: A device for protecting an optical instrument of a satellite comprises a body on which the optical instrument is mounted, said protection device having a folded-down position and a deployed position, and further comprising a plurality of rigid panels in the deployed position, the device forming a tube, the section of which is a polygon, arranged so as to protect the optical instrument, the longitudinal axis of the tube being substantially parallel with the focal axis of the optical instrument, the faces of the tube of polygonal section being formed by panels, in the folded-down position, said panels being held against the body of the satellite.

Abstract: A motorisation device comprises two substantially parallel winding cylinders, and at least one longitudinal linking element able to maintain a predetermined distance between the winding cylinders and wound around winding tracks, the linking element consequently having a crossing point located between the winding cylinders. The motorisation device includes two flexible tracks, fixed on each of the winding cylinders and arranged to face and to touch eachother at the contact point, a pre-stressing force being applied to the contact point under the effect of said linking element. The flexible tracks are spiral shaped and arranged such that the contact point between the two spiral-shaped flexible tracks, located between the winding cylinders, is offset relative to the crossing point of the linking element, such that a torque dependent on the distance between the contact point and the crossing point is applied to the contact point, causing reciprocal rotation of the flexible tracks.

Abstract: A frictionless self-driven articulation designed to be mounted between two neighboring elements, including two cylindrical fittings rotationally driven through the action of a leaf spring, the ends of the leaf spring being fixed respectively to each of the fittings. The articulation includes means of retaining the fittings and load transfer means separate from the retention means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a frictionless self-driven articulation designed to be mounted between two neighboring elements (E1, E2), comprising two cylindrical fittings (12, 14) rotationally driven through the action of at least one flexible element, of the leaf spring type, the ends of this element being fixed respectively to each of the fittings. According to the invention, the articulation includes means of retaining the fittings (16, 28; 42, 44) and load transfer means (61, 62; 50) separate from the retention means.