The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 24, 1998
Filed:
May. 03, 1996
Walter Holemans, Washington, DC (US);
CTA Space Systems, Inc., Rockville, MD (US);
Abstract
The deployable helical antenna of the present invention and helical antenna deployment system includes a helical antenna having a plurality of helical filars and at least two guide plates positioned with respect to the helical filars. Each of the guide plates is provided with a plurality of guide elements operably attached to a corresponding helical filar. The novel helical antenna of the present invention can be collapsed into a stowed position such that each of the helical filars, and portions thereof, are tightly and efficiently layered one over another. Upon actuation of a retention mechanism, the stored energy in each of the collapsed helical filars initiates antenna deployment whereby the guide elements accurately and reliably control the movement and final position of a corresponding helical filar. The novel deployment system of the present invention controls the operational parameters of the antenna (such as diameter, height, and pitch angle), insures quick and reliable antenna deployment, and increases the lateral stiffness of the deployed antenna.