Linkage assembly supporting a material layer that maintains a constant length across a range of motion

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025382098-A1
Application number	US-202418733720-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 4, 2024
Priority date	Dec 20, 2023
Publication date	Dec 18, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A reconfigurable structure includes one or more linkage assemblies that are each formed by one or more linkage chains of a plurality of linkages. Neighboring pairs of linkages of each linkage chain are rotatably coupled to each other via a first pin-in-slot joint and a second pin-in-slot joint. The reconfigurable structure includes a material layer mounted to the plurality of linkages of each linkage assembly. The material layer maintains a constant length across a range of motion of each linkage assembly, thereby reducing or eliminating in-plane strain of the material layer across the range of motion. In an example, the reconfigurable structure can provide a first configuration corresponding to an annular tube shape for a fluid vessel, conduit, or other suitable structure, and a second configuration corresponding to a flattened shape. The flattened shape of the second configuration can be used for storage and transport of the reconfigurable structure.

First claim

1 . A linkage assembly, comprising:
a first set of co-mounted linkages rotatably coupled to a second set of co-mounted linkages via a hinge formed by a first set of pin-in-slot joints and a second set of pin-in-slot joints; wherein the first set of co-mounted linkages includes two or more linkages mounted in parallel with each other via a first pin of the first set of pin-in-slot joints and a second pin of the second set of pin-in-slot joints; wherein the second set of co-mounted linkages includes two or more linkages mounted in parallel with each other via the first pin and the second pin; wherein the first pin is retained within a respective first curved slot formed in each linkage of the first set of co-mounted linkages or the second set of co-mounted linkages; wherein the second pin is retained within a respective second curved slot formed in each linkage of the first set of co-mounted linkages or the second set of co-mounted linkages; and a material layer mounted to an exterior edge of the first set of co-mounted linkages and the second set of co-mounted linkages, wherein the material layer maintains a constant length across a range of motion of the first set of co-mounted linkages and the second set of co-mounted linkages relative to each other within a plane of rotation.

2 . The linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first curved slot of each linkage of the first set of co-mounted linkages forms an arc segment of a first circle, and the second curved slot of each linkage of the second set of co-mounted linkages forms an arc segment of a second circle; and
wherein the first circle and the second circle have a common radius center that is located on or within the material layer across the range of motion of the pair of linkages.

3 . The linkage assembly of claim 2 , wherein the common radius center is located on a centerline of the material layer within the plane of rotation.

4 . The linkage assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first circle and the second circle are concentric; and
wherein the first curved slot and the second curved slot define the same angular range of displacement.

5 . The linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the material layer is formed from a metal.

6 . The linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first set of co-mounted linkages includes a different quantity of linkages than the second set of co-mounted linkages.

7 . The linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first set of co-mounted linkages are spaced apart from each other;
wherein the second set of co-mounted linkages are spaced apart from each other; and wherein the first set of co-mounted linkages and the second set of co-mounted linkages are interspersed with each other.

8 . The linkage assembly of claim 7 , further comprising:
a spacing bracket that spans each linkage of the first set of co-mounted linkages, wherein the spacing bracket includes a plurality of spacing structures in which each spacing structure projects into a respective space formed between each neighboring pair of linkages of the first set of co-mounted linkages.

9 . The linkage assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first retaining bracket disposed along a first outer face of a first outer-most linkage of the first set of co-mounted linkages, wherein the first retaining bracket overlaps at least a portion of a first terminal end of the first pin; and a second retaining bracket disposed along a second outer face of a second outer-most linkage of the first set of co-mounted linkages that opposes the first outer face, wherein the second retaining bracket overlaps at least a portion of a second terminal end of the first pin.

10 . The linkage assembly of claim 9 , further comprising:
a spacing bracket that spans each linkage of the first set of co-mounted linkages; wherein the spacing bracket includes a plurality of spacing structures in which each spacing structure projects into a respective space formed between each neighboring pair of linkages of the first set of co-mounted linkages; and wherein the first retaining bracket and the second retaining bracket are mounted to the spacing bracket.

11 . The linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the material layer forms a curved shape in a first configuration in which the first set of co-mounted linkages and the second set of co-mounted linkages are angled relative to each other; and
wherein the material layer forms a flattened shape in a second configuration in which the exterior edge of the first set of co-mounted linkages and the second set of co-mounted linkages is located along an axis.

12 . A reconfigurable structure, comprising:
a plurality of linkage assemblies spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis, wherein each linkage assembly of the plurality of linkage assemblies includes:
a first set of co-mounted linkages rotatably coupled to a second set of co-mounted linkages via a hinge formed by a first set of pin-in-slot joints and a second set of pin-in-slot joints,
wherein the first set of co-mounted linkages includes two or more linkages mounted in parallel with each other via a first pin of the first set of pin-in-slot joints and a second pin of the second set of pin-in-slot joints,
wherein the second set of co-mounted linkages includes two or more linkages mounted in parallel with each other via the first pin and the second pin,
wherein the first pin is retained within a respective first curved slot formed in each linkage of the first set of co-mounted linkages or the second set of co-mounted linkages,
wherein the second pin is retained within a respective second curved slot formed in each linkage of the first set of co-mounted linkages or the second set of co-mounted linkages; and
a material layer mounted to an exterior edge of the first set of co-mounted linkages and the second set of co-mounted linkages of each of the plurality of linkage assemblies, wherein the material layer maintains a constant length across a range of motion of the first set of co-mounted linkages and the second set of co-mounted linkages relative to each other within a plane of rotation of each linkage assembly of the plurality of linkage assemblies.

13 . The reconfigurable structure of claim 12 , wherein the first set of pin-in-slot joints includes a first curved slot that forms an arc segment of a first circle, and the second set of pin-in-slot joints includes a second curved slot that forms an arc segment of a second circle; and
wherein the first circle and the second circle have a common radius center that is located on or within the material layer.

14 . The reconfigurable structure of claim 13 , wherein the common radius center is located on a centerline of the material layer.

15 . The reconfigurable structure of claim 13 , wherein the first circle and the second circle are concentric; and
wherein the first curved slot and the second curved slot define the same angular range of displacement.

16 . The reconfigurable structure of claim 12 , wherein the material layer forms a curved shape in a first configuration in which the first set of co-mounted linkages and the second set of co-mounted linkages of each linkage assembly are angled relative to each other along the exterior edge of that linkage assembly; and
wherein the material layer forms a flattened shape in a second configuration in which the exterior edge of the first set of co-mounted linkages and the second set of co-mounted linkages of each linkage assembly is located along an axis.

17 . The reconfigurable structure of claim 16 , further comprising, in the f

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Henry Christopher P
• Severance Jensen

Classifications

• B64C5/10

  adjustable · CPC title

• B64C3/38

  Adjustment of complete wings or parts thereof · CPC title

• B63B1/28

  with movable hydrofoils · CPC title

• B60B19/04

  expansible · CPC title

• B65D21/086 Primary

  Collapsible or telescopic containers (B65D1/0292 and B65D21/068 take precedence) · CPC title