The Boeing Company

Hughes Electronics Corporation

Michael Nolan

Cameron G Massey

William B Barvosa-Carter

Richard W Gehle

Miguel A Estevez

Terry R Denardo

John J Sennikoff

Guillermo A Herrera

Hans W Bruesselbach

Ketao Liu

Robert E Doty

Samir F Bassily

David Bressler

George Voulelikas

Robert U Johnson

Mark T Austin

Clifford R Harper

Clarence Douglas Reddell

Karl J Sakowski

Jerry Miles Lake

Peter D Anderson

Dru D Hartranft

Martin M Skredsvig

Patrick N Costantini

Russell Watkins

An optical metrology system having an optical metrology sensor assembly and a target is disclosed. The optical metrology sensor assembly transmits a light beam to the target and then uses the reflected beam from the target to determine the position of the target in three dimensions. The optical metrology sensor can comprise a light source, a ranging device, and a two-dimensional sensor. The optical metrology system is suitable for applications such as determining the position, orientation, and shape of a spacecraft antenna, so as to facilitate movement thereof to enhance operation of the antenna.

Optical metrology system

An invention is provided for generating a shaped reflector. The invention includes receiving required performance data that defines a desired RF performance of a shaped reflector. A mathematical model of the shaped reflector is manipulated to generate a new geometry for the shaped reflector, which is capable of generating the desired RF performance. To ensure the new geometry can be physically duplicated with high precision, the mathematical model is manipulated in a manner that can be duplicated using a plurality of tuners associated with the shaped reflector. Once the new geometry is created, data is outputted that defines alterations to the plurality of tuners needed to generate the new geometry for the shaped reflector.

Shaped reflector reoptimization

A laser metrology system for estimating the deformation of a structure is provided. The system includes a plurality of laser beam position detectors distributed across a surface of the structure. Each laser beam position detector is intersected by a laser beam and is configured to determine the change in location of the intersection point in at least one dimension. By determining the change in location of the intersection point for each laser beam position detector, the laser metrology system can calculate the deformation of the structure that caused these changes in location.

Smart spacecraft structures based on laser metrology

A framework for a deployable antenna is disclosed herein. The framework basically includes a plurality of elongate ribs, a matching plurality of foldable resilient members, and a hub. Each of the elongate ribs has both a proximal end and a distal end. The foldable resilient members serve to interconnect the proximal ends of the elongate ribs to the hub. Within such a configuration, each of the foldable resilient members is capable of storing strain energy whenever forcibly folded and also releasing the strain energy whenever subsequently permitted to elastically unfold. Thus, whenever the elongate ribs are released from a stowed position in which the foldable resilient members are forcibly folded, the strain energy causes automatic deployment of the antenna as the foldable resilient members are permitted to elastically unfold. In sum, therefore, the framework obviates many conventional uses of electro-mechanical motors or actuators in deploying various antennas.

Deployable antenna with foldable resilient members

A single surface reflector antenna and method for making same comprises a plurality of hat-shaped cross section ribs formed on the back surface of a reflector shell with flexible tooling. All antenna shell and backing structure components are comprised of triaxial weave graphite laminate layers thereby allowing the backing structure to conform precisely to the shape of the antenna shell when cured and heat cycled.

Self-forming rib reflector

An antenna having dual reflectors connected by a moving mechanism for moving the reflectors between stowed and deployed positions. In the stowed position the reflectors overlap and are positioned close to each other. In the deployed position the reflectors are spaced apart.

Antenna having movable reflectors

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Hermosa Beach, CA, United States of America

Michael Nolan