Figure control system for a flexible antenna
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling the figure of a flexible antenna, said apparatus comprising:
- a) a framework for supporting said flexible antenna, said framework comprising a plurality of support members independently movable with respect to each other;
b) means attached to said plurality of support members for generating a corresponding plurality of optical signals;
c) means responsive to said plurality of optical signals for indicating precise locations of said support members, and concomitantly for determining an actual figure for said flexible antenna during a specified time interval; and
d) means responsive to said actual figure for generating electrical signals to actuate mechanical means for moving said support members independently of each other so as to change said actual figure of said flexible antenna as determined for said specified time interval into conformity with a specified figure.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The figure of an unfurled antenna comprising a radio-frequency reflective fabric (10) is mapped and controlled by a system comprising a plurality of light-emitting devices (14, 15) mounted at precisely specified locations on ribs (11), which support the fabric (10). Light from each of the light-emitting devices (14, 15) passes through a corresponding window assembly (16) on a hub (12), which support the ribs (11) and also houses a telescope of the Schmidt-Cassegrain type. A biconical reflector (27) mounted within the hub (12) directs rays of light from all the light-emitting devices (14, 15) to a primary mirror (21) of the telescope, from which the rays are reflected to a secondary mirror (22), which focuses the rays so as to form images on photodetector arrays (31) and (32). The images formed on the photodetector arrays (31) and (32) are swaths of light, which cross the photodetector arrays (31) and (32) at positions determined by the actual positions of the light-emitting devices (14, 15). Determination of centroid positions of the swaths of light crossing the photodetector arrays (31) and (32) enables the actual figure of the antenna to be mapped. Electronic signals generated by the photodetector arrays (31) and (32) are processed by a processor (35), which compares the actual figure of the antenna with a specified figure, and which generates electronic signals to activate actuator mechanisms (38) to move individual ribs (11) as necessary to bring the actual figure of the antenna into conformity with the specified figure.
22 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling the figure of a flexible antenna, said apparatus comprising:
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a) a framework for supporting said flexible antenna, said framework comprising a plurality of support members independently movable with respect to each other; b) means attached to said plurality of support members for generating a corresponding plurality of optical signals; c) means responsive to said plurality of optical signals for indicating precise locations of said support members, and concomitantly for determining an actual figure for said flexible antenna during a specified time interval; and d) means responsive to said actual figure for generating electrical signals to actuate mechanical means for moving said support members independently of each other so as to change said actual figure of said flexible antenna as determined for said specified time interval into conformity with a specified figure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification