Cubic Corporation

Gatr Technologies, Inc.

Nexolve Corporation

Srs Technologies, Inc.

Other

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

William R Clayton

Paul A Gierow

Gregory Laue

Garrett David Poe

Timothy Wright

Mark Johnson

Kevin Melton

Charles Matthew Erwin

Anne K St Clair

Jerre M Freeman

Roy E Williams

Greg Laue

David Murphy

Ronald G Driggers

Ronald D Hackett

Scott Borchers

Carl E Halford

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 satellite communications assembly has a foldable antenna that has a flexible reflector member and a flexible tension member. The assembly further has a feed assembly centrally disposed with respect to the foldable antenna and a plurality of reflector supports that extend radially from the feed assembly and coupled to the reflector member. Additionally, the assembly has a hub coupled to the feed assembly, the hub coupled to ends of a plurality of ground support legs.

Ground-based satellite communication system for a foldable radio wave 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

The present invention is a method for seaming a polymeric material. The method involves forming an interface between a plurality of separate polymeric sheets of materials. Next, heat and pressure are applied to facilitate the diffusion of the polymer molecules at the interface. A diffusion weld is made when the polymer molecules diffuse across the interface.

Polymer seaming using diffusion welds

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

Polymer seaming with diffusion welds

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

The present invention is a method for seaming a polyimide material. The method involves forming an interface between multiple the polyimide materials. Next, heat is applied to the interface to soften the polyimide material. The temperature of the heat source is below the melting point of the polyimide material. Finally, pressure is applied to the interface to create a seam between the polyimide materials.

Method for thermal seaming of polyimides

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.

Growing community of inventors

Huntsville, AL, United States of America

William R Clayton