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: A flexible cardan joint comprises a hollow central longitudinal axis, two hollow pivots mounted orthogonally relative to one another and capable of pivoting respectively about a rotation axis, three axes being mutually orthogonal and intersecting at a point of rotation situated at the center of the cardan joint. Each pivot comprises an annular outer frame extending along a plane containing the central longitudinal axis Z and orthogonal to the rotation axis, a hollow inner ring coaxial to the outer frame and a plurality of sets of flexible blades linked to the outer frame and to the inner ring, and the two pivots are linked together by rigid link parts.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a roller screw mechanism guided in rotation with respect to a structure by two angular-contact ball bearings, the roller screw mechanism comprising rollers interposed between an endless screw and two tapped rings which are joined together in rotation and free in translation. Each tapped ring is secured to an inner ring of a ball bearing. The linear actuator further comprises a single preloading device capable of applying load between two outer rings of the angular-contact ball bearings respectively, thereby simultaneously allowing the loading of the roller screw mechanism and the rotational guidance of the roller screw mechanism with respect to the structure.

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 centers 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 centers for the second support. One of the dead centers of the first support can coincide with one of the dead centers of the second support.

Abstract: The through-pivot comprises a first ring and a second ring, one of the two rings being able to rotate about a longitudinal axis with respect to the other ring. The pivot further comprises at least one floating frame. The two rings are connected to the floating frame by at least one first set and, respectively, by at least one second set, of several flexible elements running in a direction that is transverse to the two rings. The floating frame may be made up of a ring in the form of a cylinder of revolution about the axis, or of ring portion, it being possible for the floating frame to be positioned either on the inside or on the outside of the rings indifferently.

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

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 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: The present invention consists of an active tie-rod device making it possible to hold and smoothly release space appendages. The active tie-rod device includes a fixed base, an active tie-rod screwed into the said fixed base, a retractable release mechanism for the active tie-rod making it possible, in the stowed position, to hold the said active tie-rod in place, and a nut for tensioning the assembly. The active tie-rod includes an internal heater, and consisting at least partially of a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, so that, under the action of the internal heater, the active tie-rod can expand, retracting the retractable release mechanism for the active tie-rod, and consequently allowing the smooth release of the said space appendages.

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 flexible cardan joint comprises a hollow central longitudinal axis, two hollow pivots mounted orthogonally relative to one another and capable of pivoting respectively about a rotation axis, three axes being mutually orthogonal and intersecting at a point of rotation situated at the center of the cardan joint. Each pivot comprises an annular outer frame extending along a plane containing the central longitudinal axis Z and orthogonal to the rotation axis, a hollow inner ring coaxial to the outer frame and a plurality of sets of flexible blades linked to the outer frame and to the inner ring, and the two pivots are linked together by rigid link parts. Application to the fine rotational guidance of an element or of an equipment of a spacecraft.

Abstract: Through pivot (1) has a stator (2) and a rotor (3). The rotor is capable of turning relative to the stator about an axis of rotation (A) and is capable of accepting a through shaft aligned with the axis of rotation. The rotor is connected to the stator by a plurality of webs (4) capable of being deformed to allow the rotor to rotate, and in that in a condition of rest the webs form an angle of inclination relative to a radial direction passing through the axis of rotation.

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.