Harris Corporation

Bibb B Allen

Richard I Harless

John Warner Shipley

Rodney Sorrell

James D Sturgis

Rodolfo V Valentin

Charles F Willer

Kenny M Schumacher

A space deployable antenna reflector surface is formed as a continuous laminate that is shaped to conform with a prescribed energy-focusing surface geometry. The laminate is formed of very thin layers of flexible material, such as very thin sheets of graphite epoxy, containing collapsible radial and perimeter stiffening regions or stiffeners. Due to its thinness, the reflector laminate is collapsible into a folded shape, that facilitates stowage in a restricted volume, such as aboard the space shuttle. The stiffening elements of the laminate antenna structure of the invention facilitate deploying and maintaining the reflector in its intended geometric shape, and collapsing the reflector laminate into a compact serpentine stowed configuration.

Compactly stowable thin continuous surface-based antenna having radial and perimeter stiffeners that deploy and maintain antenna surface in prescribed surface geometry

A collapsible conductive material includes a generally mesh-configured, collapsible surface, that defines the intended reflective geometry of an antenna. A distribution of tensionable cords and ties form radial truss elements with a plurality of inflatable radially extending ribs and posts of a support structure. The antenna is fully deployed once the support structure is inflated to at least a minimum pressure necessary to place the ties and cords in tension so that the reflective surface acquires a prescribed (e.g., parabolic) geometry, which is stably maintained by the radial truss elements.

Tensioned cord/tie attachment of antenna reflector to inflatable radial truss support structure

A collapsible conductive material includes a generally mesh-configured, collapsible surface, that defines the intended reflective geometry of an antenna, and a distribution of tensionable cords and ties, which attach the reflective mesh to an inflatable support structure. The antenna is fully deployed once the inflatable support structure is inflated to at least a minimum pressure necessary to place the attachment tie/cord arrangement in a tension that causes the reflective surface to acquire a prescribed (e.g., parabolic) geometry. Preferably, the inflation pressure is above the minimum value, so as to allow for pressure variations (drops) within the support structure.

Tensioned cord attachment of antenna reflector to inflated support

A splined radial panel solar collector structure approximates compound curvature surfaces by a three-dimensional arrangement of compactly stowable flat reflective panel segments mounted on a collapsible, space-deployable support structure of linear components. The support framework is formed of an umbrella-like framework of radially-extending ribs, struts and cords which deploy away from a central hub to form a system of radial trusses. A semirigid reflective surface structure is divided into sections of radial panels which are supported and shaped by an arrangement of radially tensioned flexible tape members aligned with the ribs. Connecting ties between the tapes and the ribs cause the tapes to assume a catenary curve. The ribs and flexible tape members are bridged circumferentially by sets of cords and ties to which the panels are joined. These cord and tie pairs place the panels in bending to effect a 'splined' approximation of a parabola in the radial direction. The panels are arranged in a side-by-side relationship so as to be foldable in the circumferential direction during stowage. The panels are also discontinuous in the radial direction along lines connecting adjacent rib hinges in order to allow the reflective surface to be folded at the hinge points during stowage. As a result, each gore is effectively subdivided into a number of radial sections determined by the number of hinges along each rib and associated tape member. Openings are provided between the ends and sides of the panel strips so as to permit relative movement during folding and deployment, and to allow the panels to expand and contract with temperature change.

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Palm Bay, FL, United States of America

Bibb B Allen