Deployable reflector antenna system
First Claim
1. A reflector antenna system, comprising:
- a hoop assembly comprising a plurality of link elements which are rigid and extend between a plurality of hinge members, the hoop assembly configured to expand between a collapsed condition wherein the link elements extend substantially parallel to one another and an expanded condition wherein the link elements define a circumferential hoop around a central axis;
a reflector surface comprised of a collapsible web and secured to the hoop assembly such that when the hoop assembly is in the expanded condition, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern;
wherein the hoop assembly in the expanded condition is defined by a plurality of N sides, each defining a rectangle, including a top, a bottom, and two opposing edges aligned with the central axis, said N sides disposed edge to edge circumferentially around a periphery of the hoop assembly whereby each opposing edge extends substantially the full axial depth of the hoop assembly in a direction aligned with the hoop central axis; and
wherein each of the N sides is comprised ofan X-member comprised of a plurality of the link elements including a first and a second link element respectively disposed on opposing diagonals of the rectangle in a crossed configuration, and a pivot member connected at a medial pivot point of the first and second link elements, the pivot member facilitating pivot motion of the first link element relative to the second link element on a pivot axis when the hoop assembly transitions between the collapsed condition and the expanded condition;
at least one top cord which extends along the top of the side between top ends of the first and second link elements, at least one bottom cord which extends along the bottom of the side between bottom ends of the first and second link elements; and
first and second edge tension elements which extend respectively along the two opposing edges of the side; and
at least one deployment cable to provide a force needed to transition the hoop assembly from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition by reducing a length of each opposing edge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Reflector antenna system includes a hoop assembly comprising a plurality of link elements which are rigid and extend between a plurality of hinge members, the hoop assembly expandable between a collapsed condition where the link elements are substantially parallel to one another and an expanded condition wherein the link elements define a circumferential hoop around a central axis. The hoop assembly defines a plurality of N rectangular sides, each comprised of an X-member including first and a second link element in a crossed configuration. A plurality of tension elements extend around the periphery of the side and apply tension between opposing ends of the first and second link elements in directions aligned with the top, bottom and two opposing sides.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A reflector antenna system, comprising:
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a hoop assembly comprising a plurality of link elements which are rigid and extend between a plurality of hinge members, the hoop assembly configured to expand between a collapsed condition wherein the link elements extend substantially parallel to one another and an expanded condition wherein the link elements define a circumferential hoop around a central axis; a reflector surface comprised of a collapsible web and secured to the hoop assembly such that when the hoop assembly is in the expanded condition, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern; wherein the hoop assembly in the expanded condition is defined by a plurality of N sides, each defining a rectangle, including a top, a bottom, and two opposing edges aligned with the central axis, said N sides disposed edge to edge circumferentially around a periphery of the hoop assembly whereby each opposing edge extends substantially the full axial depth of the hoop assembly in a direction aligned with the hoop central axis; and wherein each of the N sides is comprised of an X-member comprised of a plurality of the link elements including a first and a second link element respectively disposed on opposing diagonals of the rectangle in a crossed configuration, and a pivot member connected at a medial pivot point of the first and second link elements, the pivot member facilitating pivot motion of the first link element relative to the second link element on a pivot axis when the hoop assembly transitions between the collapsed condition and the expanded condition; at least one top cord which extends along the top of the side between top ends of the first and second link elements, at least one bottom cord which extends along the bottom of the side between bottom ends of the first and second link elements; and first and second edge tension elements which extend respectively along the two opposing edges of the side; and at least one deployment cable to provide a force needed to transition the hoop assembly from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition by reducing a length of each opposing edge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A reflector antenna system, comprising:
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a hoop assembly comprising a plurality of link elements which are rigid and extend between a plurality of hinge members, the hoop assembly configured to expand between a collapsed condition wherein the link elements extend substantially parallel to one another and an expanded condition wherein the link elements define a circumferential hoop around a central axis; a reflector comprised of a flexible web material secured to the hoop assembly such that when the hoop assembly is in the expanded condition, the flexible web material is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern; wherein the hoop assembly in the expanded condition defines a plurality of N rectangular sides, each of which includes a top, a bottom, and two opposing edges aligned with the central axis, the rectangular sides disposed side to side circumferentially around a periphery of the hoop assembly, and each opposing edge substantially extending the full axial depth of the hoop assembly in a direction aligned with the hoop central axis; and wherein each of the N rectangular sides is comprised of an X-member comprised of a plurality of the link elements including a first and a second link element which respectively extend substantially between opposing top and bottom corners of the rectangular side in a crossed configuration; and a plurality of tension elements which extend around the periphery of the side and apply tension between opposing ends of the first and second link elements in directions aligned with the top, bottom and two opposing edges. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A reflector antenna system, comprising:
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a hoop assembly comprising a plurality of link elements which are rigid and extend between a plurality of hinge members, the hoop assembly configured to expand between a collapsed condition wherein the link elements extend substantially parallel to one another and an expanded condition wherein the link elements define a circumferential hoop around a central axis; a reflector surface comprised of a collapsible web and secured to the hoop assembly such that when the hoop assembly is in the expanded condition, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern; wherein the hoop assembly in the expanded condition defines a plurality of N rectangular sides, each of which includes a top, a bottom, and two opposing edges aligned with a central axis of the hoop assembly, the rectangular sides disposed circumferentially side to side around a periphery of the hoop assembly; and wherein each of the N rectangular sides is comprised of an X-member comprised of a plurality of the link elements including a first and a second link element which respectively extend substantially between opposing top and bottom corners of the rectangular side in a crossed configuration; a top tension cord which extends along the top of the rectangular side between top ends of the first and second link elements, and a bottom tension cord which extends along the bottom of the rectangular side between bottom ends of the first and second link elements; and a first side tension element which extends along a first one of the opposing edges of the rectangular side between a top end of the first link element and a bottom end of the second link element, and a second edge tension element which extends along a second one of the opposing sides of the rectangular side between a bottom end of the first link element and a top end of the second link element. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification