Collapsible longeron structures

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed toward rollable and collapsible structures. These structures, for example, can include a plurality of tubular longerons with a slit or gap that extends along the longitudinal length of the longerons. Such longerons can be combined in an arrangement that creates a structure. The structure can be collapsed and the longerons rolled either singularly or as a group into a stowed configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A longeron structure comprising:
 a tubular longeron having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal length extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the tubular longeron includes
 a gap extending along the longitudinal length of the tubular longeron from the first end to the second end, 
 a first slit at the first end extending a long a portion of the longitudinal length of the tubular longeron, and 
 a second slit at the second end extending a long a portion of the longitudinal length of the tubular longeron. 
   
     
     
         2 . The longeron structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the longeron structure comprises a rolled configuration wherein the tubular longeron is rolled along the longitudinal length of the tubular longeron. 
     
     
         3 . The longeron structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the longeron structure comprises a deployed configuration wherein the tubular longeron is bent at the first slit. 
     
     
         4 . The longeron structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the longeron forms two legs when the tubular longeron is split at the first slit. 
     
     
         5 . The longeron structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the longeron structure comprises a deployed configuration wherein the tubular longeron is split at the second slit. 
     
     
         6 . The longeron structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the tubular longeron forms two legs when the longeron is split at the second slit. 
     
     
         7 . The longeron structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubular longeron is curved along the longitudinal length of the longeron. 
     
     
         8 . The longeron structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubular longeron comprises a cross section that varies along the longitudinal length of the tubular longeron. 
     
     
         9 . A longeron structure comprising:
 a main tubular longeron having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal length extending from the first end to the second end, and a gap along the longitudinal length of the longeron from the first end to the second end; and   a first tubular longeron having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal length extending from the first end to the second end, and a gap extending along the longitudinal length of the longeron from the first end to the second end,   wherein the longitudinal length of the first tubular longeron is shorter than the longitudinal length of the main tubular longeron, and   wherein the second end of the first tubular longeron is coupled with the main tubular longeron at a first couple point such that the first tubular longeron can rotate about the couple point.   
     
     
         10 . The longeron structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the longeron structure comprises a rolled configuration wherein the main tubular longeron and the first tubular longeron are rolled along the longitudinal length of the longerons. 
     
     
         11 . The longeron structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the longeron structure comprises a deployed configuration wherein the first tubular longeron and a portion of the main tubular longeron form two legs. 
     
     
         12 . The longeron structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the longitudinal length of the first tubular longeron is less than half the longitudinal length of the main tubular longeron. 
     
     
         13 . The longeron structure according to  claim 9 , further comprising a shear member coupling the first tubular longeron with the main tubular longeron. 
     
     
         14 . The longeron structure according to  claim 13 , wherein the shear member comprises a strap or a photovoltaic sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The longeron structure according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second tubular longeron having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal length extending from the first end to the second end, and a gap extending along the longitudinal length of the longeron from the first end to the second end,   wherein the longitudinal length of the second tubular longeron is shorter than the longitudinal length of the main tubular longeron, and   wherein the second end of the first tubular longeron is coupled with the main tubular longeron at a second couple point such that the first tubular longeron can rotate about the couple point.   
     
     
         16 . The longeron structure according to  claim 15 , wherein the longeron structure comprises a rolled configuration wherein the main tubular longeron, the first tubular longeron, and the second tubular longeron are rolled along the longitudinal length of the longerons. 
     
     
         17 . The longeron structure according to  claim 15 , wherein the longeron structure comprises a deployed configuration wherein the second tubular longeron and a portion of the main tubular longeron form two legs. 
     
     
         18 . The longeron structure according to  claim 15 , further comprising a strap coupling the second tubular longeron with the main tubular longeron. 
     
     
         19 . A longeron structure comprising:
 a first longeron having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal length extending from the first end to the second end, and a gap extending along the longitudinal length of the longeron from the first end to the second end, wherein the first longeron includes a first attachment mechanism near the first end and a second attachment mechanism near the second end;   a second longeron having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal length extending from the first end to the second end, and a gap extending along the longitudinal length of the longeron from the first end to the second end, wherein the second longeron includes a third attachment mechanism positioned between the first end and the second end of the second longeron and configured to couple with first attachment mechanism; and   a third longeron having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal length extending from the first end to the second end, and a gap extending along the longitudinal length of the longeron from the first end to the second end, wherein the third longeron includes a fourth attachment mechanism positioned between the first end and the second end of the third longeron and configured to couple with second attachment mechanism.   
     
     
         20 . The longeron structure according to  claim 19 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth attachment mechanisms comprise a snap, Velcro, carabineers, etc. 
     
     
         21 . The longeron structure according to  claim 19 , further comprising a shear member coupling at least two of the first longeron, the second longeron, and the third longeron.