Gatr Technologies, Inc.

Cubic Corporation

Srs Technologies, Inc.

The Aerospace Corporation

Other

The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of the

Paul A Gierow

William R Clayton

Edward J Simburger

Frank R Jeffrey

James H Matsumoto

Anne K St Clair

Margaret H Abraham

Thomas W Giants

Aloysius F Hepp

Greg Laue

Gregory Laue

David G Gilmore

Dennis A Smith

Alec Garcia, Iii

David Murphy

Ronald D Hackett

Scott Borchers

Michael J Meshishnek

An inflatable tracking antenna assembly may include an inflatable antenna. The inflatable antenna may be configurable in a packed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration the inflatable antenna may be generally spherical in shape. The assembly may include an antenna support structure. The support structure may include a plurality of support arms that couple with lateral sides of the inflatable antenna. The support structure may include a base that is coupled with each of the plurality of support arms. The base may include an azimuth actuator that adjusts an azimuth position of the inflatable antenna and an elevation actuator that adjusts an elevation angle of the inflatable antenna. The support structure may include a plurality of support legs that extend outward from the base.

Tactical support structure for tracking spherical satellite antenna

A foldable radio wave antenna includes a foldable parabolic reflector member formed a foldable tension member attachable to the peripheral rim of the reflector member.

Foldable radio wave antenna

The present disclosure describes an antenna that has a parabola-shaped, flexible reflector member and one or more radial ribs embedded in the flexible reflector member and arranged to bias the reflector member in an open state.

Foldable radio wave antenna deployment apparatus for a satellite

A support apparatus for an inflatable communications antenna system includes a case the size of airline carry-on luggage that is dimensioned to store a deflated antenna and its accompanying power, control and inflation systems.

Support apparatus for an inflatable antenna

An automatically deployable, portable communications system includes an inflatable antenna stored in a case that also houses the antenna support assembly, drive mechanisms, inflation control modules, power supply modules and a control system. The case also includes a switch configured to close a circuit with the power supply module and initiate deployment and operation of the antenna when the case lid is opened.

Automatically deployable communications system

A positioning system for a spherical object which adjusts orientation thereof in azimuth and elevation comprising first and second drive rods threadably engaged with respective first and second brackets secured to the surfaces of opposing left and right hemispheres the object The first and second drive rods include a first coupling configured for imparting co-rotation to the drive rods and a second coupling configured for imparting counter-rotation to the drive rods, and a clutch for selecting operation of either coupling.

Positioning mechanism for a spherical object

Apparatus for maintaining differential internal fluid pressure in a dual fluid chamber object where it is desired for one chamber to have greater internal pressure than the other includes a sensor for generating a differential signal indicating the difference in pressure between the chambers, a pressure sensor for generating a pressure signal indicating the pressure inside the chamber desired to have less pressure, a comparator for generating a first output when the differential signal is less than a predetermined minimum differential value, a second comparator for generating a second output when the pressure signal is less than a predetermined minimum pressure value, where the predetermined minimum pressure value biased by the first output, and blowers coupled to the respective chambers and responsive to said first and second outputs respectively.

Inflation control apparatus for an inflatable object with two chambers

An apparatus for positioning and controlling a spherical, inflatable antenna includes a driven rotating table disposed in the horizontal plane which supports and drives a horizontal arm member to which is hingedly connected first and second upright support members at either end. The upright support members include journal bearings attachable to the surface of an inflatable antenna.

Antenna positioning system

A target for use in photogrammetric analysis that does not distort the object to be analyzed has been developed. The target is formed by mixing a diffuse material with a solvent and then applying the mixture to the surface of the object to be analyzed. The object is then coated with a reflective material so that the diffuse material forms a reflective target suitable for use in photogrammetric analysis.

Non-intrusive photogrammetric targets

One or more thin film battery cells are embedded in a multilayer thin film flexible circuit board supporting electronic devices, such as power regulators, for forming an integrated battery and circuit module. The module can be made using conventional thin film processes. The module is well suited for applications where size and space limitations, such as on spacecraft or credit cards, require the use of ultra thin power sources integrated with respective electronic devices and printed circuits.

Integrated thin film battery and circuit module

The invention is an inflatable antenna system. The antenna system includes an inflatable lenticular dish. The dish is enclosed in an inflatable radome. The inflatable radome stabilizes the orientation of the dish and protects it from environment conditions such as wind.

Inflatable antenna

A clear thermal emissive coating, such as clear polyimide, is deposited directly upon a thin film solar cell forming a flexible thin film solar cell. The thin film solar cell can be deposited on another thermal emissive coating used as a substrate during thin film solar cell semiconductor processing so that resulting flexible thin film solar cell can be illuminated on the top side and eject heat from both sides suitable for forming a solar cell array over a curved surface such as a power sphere nanosatellite with thermal regulation.

Flexible thin film solar cell

Multiple layers of a clear insulating material, such as clear polyimide, with horizontal metalization layers therebetween and with vertical feed through metal traces therethrough form a flexible three dimension circuit printed circuit board upon which semiconductor devices, such as thin film solar cell can be directly deposited for forming a flexible electronic module, and upon which electronic discrete component can be bonded and electrically connected. In one exemplar configuration, a flexible thin film solar cell power module has thin film solar cells deposited on one side and power converters bonded on the other for a solar array power system. The flexible printed circuit board is well suited for forming electronic systems about a curved surface such as a power sphere nanosatellite.

Integrated solar power module

A new holographic substrate utilizing flexible, optically transparent fluorinated polyimides. Said substrates have extremely low birefringence which results in a high signal to noise ratio in subsequent holograms. Specific examples of said fluorinated polyimides include 6FDA+APB and 6FDA+4BDAF.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, AL, United States of America

Paul A Gierow