A telescopic jib for continuous adjustment

For special space applications, e.g. for experiments distant from any orbital platforms or manipulators a new kind of jibs with extreme extension capacity has to be designed. Considering the requirements, the telescopic principle is found to be the most promising. For the choice of the stiff structure, design criteria are evaluated. Special effort deals with the drive system. An electromechanical system can satisfy the requirements. First results of the development of such a drive are presented. The most significant features are: A telescopic assembly of tubes which can be mutually moved by a short spindle in the center of the package. An elastically suspended screw is located at the bottom of each tube. For the jib extension, these screws will be linked with the spindle. The control of their sequence and the adjustment of tubes in mutual end positions are performed by latches. A functional model proved the basic idea.