Boom deployer devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

Device, systems, and methods for boom deployment and/or boom stowage are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may facilitate root control of a boom utilizing a variety of tools and techniques. Some embodiments may facilitate boom tip control. Some embodiments may include a boom and a boom spool. Some embodiments include one or more devices that may include: one or more compliant components, one or more boom spreaders, one or more stabilizing tabs, one or more spool locks, one or more boom tip guides, one or more root clamps, and/or a single consolidation roller. Some embodiments include methods that may utilize one or more of the noted devices.

1 .- 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A boom deployment system comprising:
 a furlable boom; and   one or more root clamps that clamp at least a portion of the furlable boom against a root component.   
     
     
         67 . The boom deployment system of  claim 66 , wherein the root component includes a rotating root plug. 
     
     
         68 . The boom deployment system of  claim 66 , wherein the root component includes a spreader arm mechanism. 
     
     
         69 . The boom deployment system of  claim 66 , wherein the one or more root clamps include one or more locking arms. 
     
     
         70 . The boom deployment system of  claim 66 , wherein the one or more root clamps include one or more spring plungers. 
     
     
         71 . The boom deployment system of  claim 66 , wherein the one or more root clamps include one or more mechanical linkages. 
     
     
         72 . The boom deployment system of  claim 66 , wherein the one or more root clamps contact an outer surface of the furlable boom and the root component contacts an inner surface of the furlable boom. 
     
     
         73 . The boom deployment system of  claim 66 , wherein the furlable boom includes a slit-tube boom. 
     
     
         74 . A method comprising:
 clamping a portion of a furlable boom against a root plug in a deployed state of the furlable boom.   
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74 , further comprising:
 disengaging the clamping of the portion of the furlable boom against the root plug to stow the furlable boom onto a boom spool.   
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein the root plug includes a rotating root plug. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein the root plug includes a spreader arm mechanism. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein clamping the portion of the furlable boom against the root plug in the deployed state of the furlable boom utilizes one or more locking arms. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein clamping the portion of the furlable boom against the root plug in the deployed state of the furlable boom utilizes one or more spring plungers. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein clamping the portion of the furlable boom against the root plug in the deployed state of the furlable boom utilizes one or more mechanical linkages. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein clamping the portion of the furlable boom against the root plug in the deployed state of the furlable boom includes the one or more root clamps contacting an outer surface of the furlable boom and the root plug contacting an inner surface of the furlable boom. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein the furlable boom includes a slit-tube boom. 
     
     
         83 . The boom deployment system of  claim 66 , further comprising:
 one of more stabilizing tabs coupled within an inner surface of the furlable boom, wherein the one or more stabilizing tabs engage one or more features of the root component in a deployed state of the furlable boom.   
     
     
         84 . The boom deployment system of  claim 83 , wherein the root component includes the one or more features that engage the one or more stabilizing tabs. 
     
     
         85 . The boom deployment system of  claim 83 , wherein the root component includes one or more guiding features that guide the one or more stabilizing tabs into the one or more features of the root component. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 74 , further comprising:
 engaging one or more stabilizing tabs coupled with a furlable boom with one or more features of the root plug.   
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 86 , further comprising:
 guiding the one or more stabilizing tabs into the one or more features of the root plug utilizing one or more guide features of the root plug.   
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 86 , further comprising
 disengaging the one or more stabilizing tabs coupled with the furlable boom from the one or more features of the root plug.   
     
     
         89 .- 103 . (canceled)