US3541569A - Expandable parabolic reflector - Google Patents

Expandable parabolic reflector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3541569A
US3541569A US711801A US3541569DA US3541569A US 3541569 A US3541569 A US 3541569A US 711801 A US711801 A US 711801A US 3541569D A US3541569D A US 3541569DA US 3541569 A US3541569 A US 3541569A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
reflector
spindle
rib
central
rib members
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US711801A
Inventor
William I Berks
Roy M Acker
Webster D Smith
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
Original Assignee
TRW Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TRW Inc filed Critical TRW Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3541569A publication Critical patent/US3541569A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q15/00Devices for reflection, refraction, diffraction or polarisation of waves radiated from an antenna, e.g. quasi-optical devices
    • H01Q15/14Reflecting surfaces; Equivalent structures
    • H01Q15/16Reflecting surfaces; Equivalent structures curved in two dimensions, e.g. paraboloidal
    • H01Q15/161Collapsible reflectors

Definitions

  • the device of this invention is an expandable parabolic reflector which is comprised of a plurality of rib members radially extending from a relatively fixed central member, with each of the members shaped to form a skeleton structure of a parabolic reflector.
  • a thin collapsible sheet of conductive material attached and stretched between the rib members forms the reflector surface.
  • a spindle member is rotatably mounted to the central member and cables, or Wires, are extending from points spaced on the outer surface of the spindle to the outermost tips of the rib members.
  • Means are also provided for rotating the spindle member with respect to the central member to wind the cables and in turn the rib members and reflector around the central member.
  • the spindle is rotated in an opposite direction unwinding the cable and allowing the spring action of the ribs to open the reflector material between the ribs.
  • the spindle continues to rotate thus increasing the tension on the cables and stretching the reflector into the desired shape.
  • This invention pertains to the field of parabolic reflectors and, more particularly, to a parabolic type reflector which may be collapsed and expanded when desired.
  • Parabolic reflectors find their most common use in the communications field as antennas.
  • spacecraft must be provided with various types of antennas in order to communicate with various ground areas.
  • size and volume limitations of launch vehicle fairings often require that such antennas be capable of being folded to a small fraction of their open diameter and total volume with their deployment occurring after orbit has been achieved.
  • One of the prior art devices consists of umbrella-type antennas which have rigid ribs that are extended in a manner similar to an umbrella.
  • the umbrella antenna is disclosed in a paper entitled The Development of High Gain Deployable Antennas for Communications Satellites, AIAA Paper No. 66-306, by S. A. Milliken, Hughes Aircraft Co., El Segundo, May 1966.
  • Another folda-ble antenna design consisting of a series of spirally-formed fiber glass rods which support a metallic-rooted plastic mesh is disclosed in the article Lightweight Antenna for Space Vehicles, Product Engineering, Nov. 22, 1965, page 60.
  • the expanding of the antenna is accomplished by utilizing the elastic energy of the fiber glass rods and controlling the rate of opening with a braking device.
  • the reflector of this invention differs from the prior art devices in that no heavy mechanical linkages, such as those used on the umbrella-type reflectors, are used and in that the reflector is expanded with elastic energy and rigidly stretched in the open position to provide a relatively stable paraboloid focal point and corresponding paraboloid of revolution.
  • a substantially cylindrical central member has mounted on its periphery a plurality of rib-like members which extend radially from the central member.
  • Each of the rib members is shaped to form the skeleton structure of a parabolic reflector.
  • a thin collapsible sheet of conductive material is attached and stretched between the rib members to form a parabolic reflector.
  • a spindle member is rotatably mounted to the central member and cables or wires are extending from points spaced on the outer periphery of the spindle to the outermost tips of the rib members.
  • Means are provided for rotating the spindle member with respect to the central member to wind the cable and in turn the rib member and the reflector around the central member.
  • the spindle member is rotated in an opposite direction until the reflector is expanded.
  • the spindle member is then further rotated such that the cable now pulls the rib members stressing the reflector material forming it into a rigid parabolic shape.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view in partial cutaway of a portion of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a structural member utilized in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are top views of the structural member illustrated in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention.
  • the reflector 10 consists of a plurality of flexible ribs 14 which are fixedly attached and extend radially from a central core member 20.
  • the ribs are relatively thin and flexible in the plane defined by the reflector surface but in the plane perpendicular to the reflector surface the ribs are fairly wide and rigid.
  • the ribs 14 are symmetrically disposed about the outer periphery of the central member 20. This symmetry need not be maintained for all types of reflectors.
  • Each of the rib members 14 has a surface 30 formed into the shape of a parabola, or other desired shape, so as to form a skeleton structure to which a conductive reflective flexible covering may be attached.
  • a central hollow shaft member 22 extends vertically through the central core member 20 along the axes defining the focus of a paraboloid.
  • the spindle member 18 resembling an inverted funnel is rotatably mounted to the shaft member 22. Cables 16, or flexible wires, extend from points 24 on the tips of each of the rib members 14 to corresponding points 28 on the periphery of the spindle member 18.
  • the reflector 10 may be collapsed by rotating the spindle member 28 in the direction A indicated by the double headed direction arrow 19. With the spindle rotating in this direction, the cables 16 are wound around the outer surface of the spindle member pulling the tips of the structural rib members 14 towards the central shaft 22. This process continues until the structural rib members are compactly wound around the central core member 20.
  • the spindle member is shaped in the form of an inverted funnel to provide varying degrees of torque to pull the tips 24 etficiently towards the center. For example, in the fully extended position shown in FIG. 1, the torque required to initially move, and start, the tip members in toward the central core member 20 is relatively low.
  • the moment arm transmitting the torque to the cable is then equal to the distance between the periphery of the spindle member 18 and the central axis of the shaft 22.
  • the cable 16 As the cable 16 is wound onto the funnel, the cable slides up towards the narrow portion of the spindle thereby decreasing the distance between the central axis of shaft 22 and the outer surface or torque transmitting surface of the spindle member 18.
  • the winding of the cable will decrease in speed but the force applied thereto will increase.
  • This particular feature automatically takes care of the increase in resistance caused by the spring constant of the structural rib members and the normal folding resistance in the conductive reflector material 12.
  • the spindle To release the reflector in a controlled manner, the spindle is rotated in the B direction of the double action arrow '19.
  • the flexible material used for the reflector 12 may be a continuously reflective medium such as metallic coated plastic film, or a conductive mesh material aflixed to the structural rib members 14 by any suitable means such as a contact type cement.
  • each of the structural rib members 14 is provided with an individual cable to help collapse and extend that member. It is not necessary that each of the structural ribs have such a cable arrangement. For example, every second rib could have such a cable with the reflective material providing the necessary torque transmittal to the adjacent rib to collapse and controllably extend that rib.
  • the central core member 20 and r the spindle member 18 are shown partially cut away.
  • the outer periphery of the central core member 20 is formed into the shape of a series of saw tooth steps 34.
  • the plurality of structural rib members 14 are recessed onto or into these steps and aflixed to the central core member 20 by means of fasteners 32 which may be bolts or a welding process.
  • the shaft member 22 is hollow and extends upward to the central portion of the central core member 20 and is fixedly attached to the central core member 20.
  • the spindle member 18 resembling the inverted funnel is rotatably attached to the shaft member 2 2 by means of race-type ball bearings 36.
  • a worm gear 38 is fixedly attached to the spindle member 18.
  • a screw gear 58 when rotated drives the worm gear which in turns drives the spindle member 18 about the central axes of the shaft 22.
  • the screw gear 58 is connected to the electric motor 52 by the wheel gears 54 and 56.
  • the motor 52 is fixedly attached to the central core member 20 by means of brackets 60 or other suitable apparatus.
  • Opening 62 are provided in the shaft 22 for the electrical leads 64 which are connected to the motor 60 and to the power source 66.
  • the power source 66 may be batteries, or solar cells, or any other power source adequate to drive the motor 52.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates one of the structural rib members 14 more clearly defining the parabolic curvature 30.
  • the tip 24 having the opening for attaching the cables 16 and the openings 32 for attaching the rib members to the central housing member 20.
  • the portion of the rib which is attached to the central housing is relatively thick as compared to the tip. By slimming the rib member down as it approaches the tip, a considerable savings in weight can be achieved.
  • the structural rib 14 may be formed in many shapes; two of which are shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b. In FIG.
  • the rib is formed with a curvature corresponding to moving the tip 24 to the position defined by the line 40 and forming the rib in an unstressed position at this point such that when no pressure is applied, the rib will remain fixed at the point 40.
  • the rib tip 24 is forced into the position defined by the line 42.
  • the spring tension in the rib 14 attempts to return the rib to the position 40 and thereby maintains a constant tension or pressure which tends to begin the folding phase of the collapsible reflector as soon as the spindle begins to unwind about the shaft.
  • FIG. 4b in this figure the rib member 14 is initially formed along the dotted position indicated by the line 42. As the reflector is expanded and tension is applied to the tip, the rib unfolds and assumes the position defined by the line 44.
  • the expandable reflector shown therein is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 except that in this embodiment the shaft 22 extends upward from the reflector towards the focus point and a cylindrical central member 50 is mounted for rotation about the axis 22 in a similar manner as was mounted the spindle -18.
  • Wires, or cables 16 extend from peripheral points about the central member 50 to tips of the rib members 14.
  • the central cylindrical member 50 is rotated about the axis 22 to wind on its outer surface the cables 16 which in turn pull the rib member 14 upwards and around the axis 22.
  • the member 50 and its associated components should be made of a dielectric material which will not hamper the reception of electromagnetic radiation.
  • An expandable structure comprising in combination:
  • rib members fixedly attached to said central member and extending radially therefrom, wherein said rib members are shaped to form a parabolic skeleton; spindle member rotatably mounted to said shaft; plurality of cables extending from the tips of said rib members to the outermost surface of said spindle member;
  • a collapsible sheet of conductive material attached between each of said rib members, said conductive material when stretched between said ribs forming a parabolic reflector, the focal point of which lies along the axis of said shaft and positioned at a point corresponding to the position of said spindle;

Description

NOV. 17, 1970 w, BERKS ETAL 7 3,541,569
EXPANDABLE PARABOLIC REFLECTOR Filed March 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Roy M. Acker William I. Berks Webster D. Smith mvsmons ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1970 w. BERKS ETAL 3,541,569
EXPANDABLE PARABOLIC REFLECTOR Filed Maroh8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 54 I 58 5o 3a 56 I i P l Fig.4A H 45 Roy MAcker William I. Berks Webster D. Smith INVENTOR.
BY a. (m.
ATTORNEY United States Patent US. Cl. 343-915 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The device of this invention is an expandable parabolic reflector which is comprised of a plurality of rib members radially extending from a relatively fixed central member, with each of the members shaped to form a skeleton structure of a parabolic reflector. A thin collapsible sheet of conductive material attached and stretched between the rib members forms the reflector surface. A spindle member is rotatably mounted to the central member and cables, or Wires, are extending from points spaced on the outer surface of the spindle to the outermost tips of the rib members. Means are also provided for rotating the spindle member with respect to the central member to wind the cables and in turn the rib members and reflector around the central member. To expand the reflector, the spindle is rotated in an opposite direction unwinding the cable and allowing the spring action of the ribs to open the reflector material between the ribs. The spindle continues to rotate thus increasing the tension on the cables and stretching the reflector into the desired shape.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to the field of parabolic reflectors and, more particularly, to a parabolic type reflector which may be collapsed and expanded when desired. Parabolic reflectors find their most common use in the communications field as antennas. In the presentday scientific world, spacecraft must be provided with various types of antennas in order to communicate with various ground areas. Where increasing data requirements demand higher gains and hence larger antennas, size and volume limitations of launch vehicle fairings often require that such antennas be capable of being folded to a small fraction of their open diameter and total volume with their deployment occurring after orbit has been achieved.
One of the prior art devices consists of umbrella-type antennas which have rigid ribs that are extended in a manner similar to an umbrella. The umbrella antenna is disclosed in a paper entitled The Development of High Gain Deployable Antennas for Communications Satellites, AIAA Paper No. 66-306, by S. A. Milliken, Hughes Aircraft Co., El Segundo, May 1966.
Another folda-ble antenna design consisting of a series of spirally-formed fiber glass rods which support a metallic-rooted plastic mesh is disclosed in the article Lightweight Antenna for Space Vehicles, Product Engineering, Nov. 22, 1965, page 60. The expanding of the antenna is accomplished by utilizing the elastic energy of the fiber glass rods and controlling the rate of opening with a braking device.
The reflector of this invention differs from the prior art devices in that no heavy mechanical linkages, such as those used on the umbrella-type reflectors, are used and in that the reflector is expanded with elastic energy and rigidly stretched in the open position to provide a relatively stable paraboloid focal point and corresponding paraboloid of revolution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the preferred embodiment of this invention, a substantially cylindrical central member has mounted on its periphery a plurality of rib-like members which extend radially from the central member. Each of the rib members is shaped to form the skeleton structure of a parabolic reflector. A thin collapsible sheet of conductive material is attached and stretched between the rib members to form a parabolic reflector. A spindle member is rotatably mounted to the central member and cables or wires are extending from points spaced on the outer periphery of the spindle to the outermost tips of the rib members. Means are provided for rotating the spindle member with respect to the central member to wind the cable and in turn the rib member and the reflector around the central member. To expand the reflector the spindle member is rotated in an opposite direction until the reflector is expanded. The spindle member is then further rotated such that the cable now pulls the rib members stressing the reflector material forming it into a rigid parabolic shape.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved expandable reflector.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reflector which may be folded into a relatively small space.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a reflector which is relatively rigid in its expanded position.
The aforementioned and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the following description and drawings, throughout which like characters indicate like parts, and which drawings form a part of this application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view in partial cutaway of a portion of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a structural member utilized in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are top views of the structural member illustrated in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, wherein the expandable reflector 10 is shown in its fully expanded position. The reflector 10 consists of a plurality of flexible ribs 14 which are fixedly attached and extend radially from a central core member 20. The ribs are relatively thin and flexible in the plane defined by the reflector surface but in the plane perpendicular to the reflector surface the ribs are fairly wide and rigid. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ribs 14 are symmetrically disposed about the outer periphery of the central member 20. This symmetry need not be maintained for all types of reflectors. Each of the rib members 14 has a surface 30 formed into the shape of a parabola, or other desired shape, so as to form a skeleton structure to which a conductive reflective flexible covering may be attached. A central hollow shaft member 22 extends vertically through the central core member 20 along the axes defining the focus of a paraboloid. The spindle member 18 resembling an inverted funnel is rotatably mounted to the shaft member 22. Cables 16, or flexible wires, extend from points 24 on the tips of each of the rib members 14 to corresponding points 28 on the periphery of the spindle member 18.
In operation, the reflector 10 may be collapsed by rotating the spindle member 28 in the direction A indicated by the double headed direction arrow 19. With the spindle rotating in this direction, the cables 16 are wound around the outer surface of the spindle member pulling the tips of the structural rib members 14 towards the central shaft 22. This process continues until the structural rib members are compactly wound around the central core member 20. The spindle member is shaped in the form of an inverted funnel to provide varying degrees of torque to pull the tips 24 etficiently towards the center. For example, in the fully extended position shown in FIG. 1, the torque required to initially move, and start, the tip members in toward the central core member 20 is relatively low. The moment arm transmitting the torque to the cable is then equal to the distance between the periphery of the spindle member 18 and the central axis of the shaft 22. As the cable 16 is wound onto the funnel, the cable slides up towards the narrow portion of the spindle thereby decreasing the distance between the central axis of shaft 22 and the outer surface or torque transmitting surface of the spindle member 18. The winding of the cable will decrease in speed but the force applied thereto will increase. This particular feature automatically takes care of the increase in resistance caused by the spring constant of the structural rib members and the normal folding resistance in the conductive reflector material 12. To release the reflector in a controlled manner, the spindle is rotated in the B direction of the double action arrow '19. A point will be reached where further unwinding of the spindle will not extend the tip members 24 any farther. By rotating the spindle 18 past this point, the cable 16 will attempt to extend the tip members even farther thereby stretching or placing the structural rib members in a stressed condition forming a substantially rigid structure that is capable of defining the focus point of the paraboloid with a relatively high degree of accuracy. The flexible material used for the reflector 12 may be a continuously reflective medium such as metallic coated plastic film, or a conductive mesh material aflixed to the structural rib members 14 by any suitable means such as a contact type cement. In FIG. 1, each of the structural rib members 14 is provided with an individual cable to help collapse and extend that member. It is not necessary that each of the structural ribs have such a cable arrangement. For example, every second rib could have such a cable with the reflective material providing the necessary torque transmittal to the adjacent rib to collapse and controllably extend that rib.
Referring to FIG. 2, the central core member 20 and r the spindle member 18 are shown partially cut away. The outer periphery of the central core member 20 is formed into the shape of a series of saw tooth steps 34. The plurality of structural rib members 14 are recessed onto or into these steps and aflixed to the central core member 20 by means of fasteners 32 which may be bolts or a welding process. The shaft member 22 is hollow and extends upward to the central portion of the central core member 20 and is fixedly attached to the central core member 20. The spindle member 18 resembling the inverted funnel is rotatably attached to the shaft member 2 2 by means of race-type ball bearings 36. A worm gear 38 is fixedly attached to the spindle member 18. A screw gear 58 when rotated drives the worm gear which in turns drives the spindle member 18 about the central axes of the shaft 22. The screw gear 58 is connected to the electric motor 52 by the wheel gears 54 and 56. The motor 52 is fixedly attached to the central core member 20 by means of brackets 60 or other suitable apparatus.
Opening 62 are provided in the shaft 22 for the electrical leads 64 which are connected to the motor 60 and to the power source 66. The power source 66 may be batteries, or solar cells, or any other power source adequate to drive the motor 52.
FIG. 3 illustrates one of the structural rib members 14 more clearly defining the parabolic curvature 30. The tip 24 having the opening for attaching the cables 16 and the openings 32 for attaching the rib members to the central housing member 20. As shown, the portion of the rib which is attached to the central housing is relatively thick as compared to the tip. By slimming the rib member down as it approaches the tip, a considerable savings in weight can be achieved. The structural rib 14 may be formed in many shapes; two of which are shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b. In FIG. 4a, the rib is formed with a curvature corresponding to moving the tip 24 to the position defined by the line 40 and forming the rib in an unstressed position at this point such that when no pressure is applied, the rib will remain fixed at the point 40. As the reflector is then expanded, the rib tip 24 is forced into the position defined by the line 42. The spring tension in the rib 14 attempts to return the rib to the position 40 and thereby maintains a constant tension or pressure which tends to begin the folding phase of the collapsible reflector as soon as the spindle begins to unwind about the shaft. Referring now to FIG. 4b; in this figure the rib member 14 is initially formed along the dotted position indicated by the line 42. As the reflector is expanded and tension is applied to the tip, the rib unfolds and assumes the position defined by the line 44.
Referring to FIG. 5, the expandable reflector shown therein is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 except that in this embodiment the shaft 22 extends upward from the reflector towards the focus point and a cylindrical central member 50 is mounted for rotation about the axis 22 in a similar manner as was mounted the spindle -18. Wires, or cables 16 extend from peripheral points about the central member 50 to tips of the rib members 14. In operation, the central cylindrical member 50 is rotated about the axis 22 to wind on its outer surface the cables 16 which in turn pull the rib member 14 upwards and around the axis 22. In this particular embodiment, because the focuse point of the antenna is licated somewhere within the central rotating member 50, the member 50 and its associated components should be made of a dielectric material which will not hamper the reception of electromagnetic radiation.
While there has been shown what are considered to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be manifest that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, in the annexed claims, to cover all such changes and modifications as may fall within the true scope of the invention.
What is claimed is:
1. An expandable structure comprising in combination:
a central member;
a shaft extending through said central member;
a plurality of rib members fixedly attached to said central member and extending radially therefrom, wherein said rib members are shaped to form a parabolic skeleton; spindle member rotatably mounted to said shaft; plurality of cables extending from the tips of said rib members to the outermost surface of said spindle member;
a collapsible sheet of conductive material attached between each of said rib members, said conductive material when stretched between said ribs forming a parabolic reflector, the focal point of which lies along the axis of said shaft and positioned at a point corresponding to the position of said spindle; and
means for rotating said spindle member about said shaft.
2. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein said spindle member is shaped as a funnel to provide a varying torque to said tip members.
3. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein said spindle member is made of a dielectric type material.
4. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein said rib members in the expanded position extend radially from said central member along substantially straight lines.
5. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said rib members in the expanded position extend radially from said central member along substantially curved lines.
6. The invention, according to claim 1, wherein said rib members are made from material exhibiting springtype properties.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ELI LIEBERMAN, Primary Examiner 10 W. H. PUNTER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.
US711801A 1968-03-08 1968-03-08 Expandable parabolic reflector Expired - Lifetime US3541569A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US71180168A 1968-03-08 1968-03-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3541569A true US3541569A (en) 1970-11-17

Family

ID=24859584

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US711801A Expired - Lifetime US3541569A (en) 1968-03-08 1968-03-08 Expandable parabolic reflector

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3541569A (en)

Cited By (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3762207A (en) * 1971-12-03 1973-10-02 Weiser Robodyne Corp Method of fabricating curved surfaces
US3927227A (en) * 1974-02-27 1975-12-16 Nasa Method for manufacturing mirrors in zero gravity environment
US4030103A (en) * 1975-12-10 1977-06-14 Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc. Deployable offset paraboloid antenna
US4498087A (en) * 1981-06-25 1985-02-05 Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gesellschaft Mit Beschraenkter Haftung Apparatus for unfolding an antenna netting reflector
DE3621578A1 (en) * 1986-06-27 1988-01-07 Dornier System Gmbh FOLDABLE CONCAVE CURVED ANTENNA REFLECTOR
US4750002A (en) * 1986-09-12 1988-06-07 Harris Corporation Antenna panel having adjustable supports to improve surface accuracy
US4862190A (en) * 1987-05-15 1989-08-29 Trw Inc. Deployable offset dish structure
US5061945A (en) * 1990-02-12 1991-10-29 Hull Harold L Portable satellite antenna system
DE4137974A1 (en) * 1991-11-19 1993-05-27 Guenther Boehmig Foldable satellite reception aerial - has metallised, textile fabric as reflector, whose struts are curved strips forming paraboloid
US5421376A (en) * 1994-01-21 1995-06-06 Lockheed Missiles & Space Co., Inc. Metallized mesh fabric panel construction for RF reflector
US5446474A (en) * 1994-01-19 1995-08-29 Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc. Redeployable furlable rib reflector
US5488383A (en) * 1994-01-21 1996-01-30 Lockheed Missiles & Space Co., Inc. Method for accurizing mesh fabric reflector panels of a deployable reflector
US5515067A (en) * 1992-03-24 1996-05-07 Agence Spatiale Europenne Self-supporting shell for use in space
US5574472A (en) * 1991-09-27 1996-11-12 Hughes Electronics Simplified spacecraft antenna reflector for stowage in confined envelopes
US6028569A (en) * 1997-07-07 2000-02-22 Hughes Electronics Corporation High-torque apparatus and method using composite materials for deployment of a multi-rib umbrella-type reflector
US6373449B1 (en) 1999-09-21 2002-04-16 The Johns Hopkins University Hybrid inflatable antenna
US20040104861A1 (en) * 2002-07-31 2004-06-03 Manfred Schmid Deployable antenna reflector
US7557995B1 (en) 2006-07-11 2009-07-07 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Deployable telescope shade
US20120326921A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-27 David Geen Antenna Apparatus
US20140142769A1 (en) * 2007-10-01 2014-05-22 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Building management system with active building skin, an environmental resource collector for use in such a system and a method of managing resources used in a building
CN105140618A (en) * 2015-10-10 2015-12-09 中国电子科技集团公司第五十四研究所 Rapidly-deployable parabolic antenna unit mechanism
CN105206912A (en) * 2015-10-10 2015-12-30 中国电子科技集团公司第五十四研究所 Parabolic antenna capable of being rapidly unfolded
US9331394B2 (en) 2011-09-21 2016-05-03 Harris Corporation Reflector systems having stowable rigid panels
WO2017221872A1 (en) * 2016-06-21 2017-12-28 株式会社Qps研究所 Expandable antenna
DE102016012402A1 (en) * 2016-10-17 2018-04-19 Stefan Alfred Maier Device (45) arranged as a precision mirror / parabolic mirror of segment parts and a method that the mirror segments set in motion to the total mirror surface differently structured to take in the rest position, wind forces the attack surface.
GB2555656A (en) * 2016-11-08 2018-05-09 Oxford Space Systems Deployable wrapped rib assembly
WO2019087236A1 (en) * 2017-10-30 2019-05-09 株式会社Qps研究所 Reflector, developed antenna, and aerospace vehicle
US10797400B1 (en) 2019-03-14 2020-10-06 Eagle Technology, Llc High compaction ratio reflector antenna with offset optics
US10811759B2 (en) 2018-11-13 2020-10-20 Eagle Technology, Llc Mesh antenna reflector with deployable perimeter
US11139549B2 (en) 2019-01-16 2021-10-05 Eagle Technology, Llc Compact storable extendible member reflector
US20220181789A1 (en) * 2019-04-18 2022-06-09 Institute For Q-Shu Pioneers Of Space, Inc. Antenna apparatus and spacecraft

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3010372A (en) * 1960-02-11 1961-11-28 Wade E Lanford Folding apparatus
US3064534A (en) * 1960-04-13 1962-11-20 United Aircraft Corp Reflector for space vehicle
US3217328A (en) * 1963-03-08 1965-11-09 Electro Optical Systems Inc Antenna with wire mesh reflector collapsing in a pinwheel manner
US3286259A (en) * 1964-04-30 1966-11-15 Goodyear Aerospace Corp Unfurlable reflector
US3406404A (en) * 1964-10-16 1968-10-15 Ryan Aeronautical Co Furlable and unfurlable member

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3010372A (en) * 1960-02-11 1961-11-28 Wade E Lanford Folding apparatus
US3064534A (en) * 1960-04-13 1962-11-20 United Aircraft Corp Reflector for space vehicle
US3217328A (en) * 1963-03-08 1965-11-09 Electro Optical Systems Inc Antenna with wire mesh reflector collapsing in a pinwheel manner
US3286259A (en) * 1964-04-30 1966-11-15 Goodyear Aerospace Corp Unfurlable reflector
US3406404A (en) * 1964-10-16 1968-10-15 Ryan Aeronautical Co Furlable and unfurlable member

Cited By (41)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3762207A (en) * 1971-12-03 1973-10-02 Weiser Robodyne Corp Method of fabricating curved surfaces
US3927227A (en) * 1974-02-27 1975-12-16 Nasa Method for manufacturing mirrors in zero gravity environment
US4030103A (en) * 1975-12-10 1977-06-14 Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc. Deployable offset paraboloid antenna
US4498087A (en) * 1981-06-25 1985-02-05 Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gesellschaft Mit Beschraenkter Haftung Apparatus for unfolding an antenna netting reflector
DE3621578A1 (en) * 1986-06-27 1988-01-07 Dornier System Gmbh FOLDABLE CONCAVE CURVED ANTENNA REFLECTOR
EP0252247A1 (en) * 1986-06-27 1988-01-13 Dornier Gmbh Collapsible antenna reflector with a concave surface
US4899167A (en) * 1986-06-27 1990-02-06 Dornier System Gmbh Collapsible antenna
US4750002A (en) * 1986-09-12 1988-06-07 Harris Corporation Antenna panel having adjustable supports to improve surface accuracy
US4862190A (en) * 1987-05-15 1989-08-29 Trw Inc. Deployable offset dish structure
US5061945A (en) * 1990-02-12 1991-10-29 Hull Harold L Portable satellite antenna system
US5574472A (en) * 1991-09-27 1996-11-12 Hughes Electronics Simplified spacecraft antenna reflector for stowage in confined envelopes
DE4137974A1 (en) * 1991-11-19 1993-05-27 Guenther Boehmig Foldable satellite reception aerial - has metallised, textile fabric as reflector, whose struts are curved strips forming paraboloid
US5515067A (en) * 1992-03-24 1996-05-07 Agence Spatiale Europenne Self-supporting shell for use in space
US5446474A (en) * 1994-01-19 1995-08-29 Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc. Redeployable furlable rib reflector
US5421376A (en) * 1994-01-21 1995-06-06 Lockheed Missiles & Space Co., Inc. Metallized mesh fabric panel construction for RF reflector
US5488383A (en) * 1994-01-21 1996-01-30 Lockheed Missiles & Space Co., Inc. Method for accurizing mesh fabric reflector panels of a deployable reflector
US6028569A (en) * 1997-07-07 2000-02-22 Hughes Electronics Corporation High-torque apparatus and method using composite materials for deployment of a multi-rib umbrella-type reflector
US6373449B1 (en) 1999-09-21 2002-04-16 The Johns Hopkins University Hybrid inflatable antenna
US20040104861A1 (en) * 2002-07-31 2004-06-03 Manfred Schmid Deployable antenna reflector
US6930654B2 (en) * 2002-07-31 2005-08-16 Astrium Gmbh Deployable antenna reflector
US7557995B1 (en) 2006-07-11 2009-07-07 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Deployable telescope shade
US20140142769A1 (en) * 2007-10-01 2014-05-22 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Building management system with active building skin, an environmental resource collector for use in such a system and a method of managing resources used in a building
US9348328B2 (en) * 2007-10-01 2016-05-24 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Building management system with active building skin, an environmental resource collector for use in such a system and a method of managing resources used in a building
US20120326921A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-27 David Geen Antenna Apparatus
US9331394B2 (en) 2011-09-21 2016-05-03 Harris Corporation Reflector systems having stowable rigid panels
CN105140618B (en) * 2015-10-10 2018-01-30 中国电子科技集团公司第五十四研究所 A kind of parabola antenna unit mechanisms of rapid deployment
CN105140618A (en) * 2015-10-10 2015-12-09 中国电子科技集团公司第五十四研究所 Rapidly-deployable parabolic antenna unit mechanism
CN105206912A (en) * 2015-10-10 2015-12-30 中国电子科技集团公司第五十四研究所 Parabolic antenna capable of being rapidly unfolded
JPWO2017221872A1 (en) * 2016-06-21 2019-04-11 株式会社Qps研究所 Deployment antenna
WO2017221872A1 (en) * 2016-06-21 2017-12-28 株式会社Qps研究所 Expandable antenna
EP3474381A4 (en) * 2016-06-21 2020-01-22 Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. Expandable antenna
US11223139B2 (en) * 2016-06-21 2022-01-11 Institute For Q-Shu Pioneers Of Space, Inc. Expandable antenna
DE102016012402A1 (en) * 2016-10-17 2018-04-19 Stefan Alfred Maier Device (45) arranged as a precision mirror / parabolic mirror of segment parts and a method that the mirror segments set in motion to the total mirror surface differently structured to take in the rest position, wind forces the attack surface.
GB2555656A (en) * 2016-11-08 2018-05-09 Oxford Space Systems Deployable wrapped rib assembly
WO2019087236A1 (en) * 2017-10-30 2019-05-09 株式会社Qps研究所 Reflector, developed antenna, and aerospace vehicle
US11381001B2 (en) 2017-10-30 2022-07-05 Institute For Q-Shu Pioneers Of Space, Inc. Reflector, deployable antenna, and spacecraft
US10811759B2 (en) 2018-11-13 2020-10-20 Eagle Technology, Llc Mesh antenna reflector with deployable perimeter
US11139549B2 (en) 2019-01-16 2021-10-05 Eagle Technology, Llc Compact storable extendible member reflector
US11862840B2 (en) 2019-01-16 2024-01-02 Eagle Technologies, Llc Compact storable extendible member reflector
US10797400B1 (en) 2019-03-14 2020-10-06 Eagle Technology, Llc High compaction ratio reflector antenna with offset optics
US20220181789A1 (en) * 2019-04-18 2022-06-09 Institute For Q-Shu Pioneers Of Space, Inc. Antenna apparatus and spacecraft

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3541569A (en) Expandable parabolic reflector
US3863870A (en) Spin stabilized vehicle and solar cell arrangement therefor
US6104358A (en) Low cost deployable reflector
US5977932A (en) Self-deploying helical structure
US3477662A (en) Pneumatic tube deployment means,and solar cell therewith
EP0184330B1 (en) Deployable reflector
US4030102A (en) Deployable reflector structure
US8356774B1 (en) Structure for storing and unfurling a flexible material
US20040194397A1 (en) Elongated truss boom structures for space applications
US3360798A (en) Collapsible reflector
US4725025A (en) Deployment system
US11177576B2 (en) Antenna having deployable antenna fins and associated methods
JPS6255723B2 (en)
EP3598576B1 (en) Reflecting systems, such as reflector antenna systems, with tension-stabilized reflector positional apparatus
JPH06291537A (en) Expanded antenna reflector and expansion method therefor
US3217328A (en) Antenna with wire mesh reflector collapsing in a pinwheel manner
US3450372A (en) Self-projectable element for a space vehicle
Ochoa et al. Deployable helical antenna for nano-satellites
CN114030657A (en) Solar wing device capable of being repeatedly folded and unfolded and using method
US3809337A (en) Spin stabilized vehicle and solar cell arrangement therefor
Murphey Historical perspectives on the development of deployable reflectors
US3722840A (en) Spin stabilized vehicle and solar cell arrangement therefor
CN113682857B (en) Large parabolic film structure winding and folding tool system and folding method
US11124319B2 (en) Re-useable, deployable, sun-shade and solar sail mechanism
CN112531349B (en) Antenna unfolding mechanism