Inflatable tube for being transported in rocket, has spring that is compressed to exert axial stress on support plate in direction of base, where plate and spring remain in their initial positions during deployment of tube

摘要

The tube has a tubular envelope (4) folded by flattening along its longitudinal axis. The envelope presents two folds (28) between foldings (24, 26). A support plate (32) is placed on one fold (28). A spring (42) is compressed to exert an axial stress on the support plate in the direction of base (2). The support plate and the spring remain in their initial positions during deployment of the tube. An independent claim is also included for a method of deployment of a tubular inflatable envelope.