Modular supertile array antenna
First Claim
1. An array antenna, comprising:
- a frame including a plurality of straight, elongated support beams, interconnected in two mutually orthogonal sets so as to, together, define a rectangular two-dimensional array of a first plurality of mutually identical rectangular openings, said frame being subject to distortion in response to forces acting on said frame parallel to said support beams;
a second plurality, which is no greater than said first plurality, of rectangular, electromagnetically radiating tiles, each of said radiating tiles having length and width dimensions selected to fit within said openings, and having a thickness dimension much less than either of said length and width dimensions;
mounting means affixed to each of said tiles and to the associated ones of said openings in said frame, for holding each tile in an associated opening of said frame, each of said mounting means including four mounts, each of said mounts being affixed to the center of one of the sides of the associated one of said radiating tiles and to the center of one of said support beams defining an edge of said associated one of said openings, each of said mounts including (a) an elongated flex beam defining a thickness dimension, a width dimension greater than said thickness dimension, and a length dimension greater than said width dimension, (b) spacing means coupled to said flex beam and to said associated one of said support beams, whereby the center of said flex beam may deflect toward and away from the center of said associated one of said support beams, and (c) further connection means connecting the associated side of said radiating tile to said flex beam, whereby expansion and contraction of said radiating tile cause said center of said flex beams to deflect toward and away from, respectively, their associated support beams, whereby each of said radiating tiles remains centered in its associated opening, and whereby the combination of said four mounts, and the longitudinal stiffness provided by said flex beam, together with the stiffness of said radiating tile along its diagonals, provides triangle-like support of said rectangular opening, to enhance the structural strength of said frame against forces directed parallel with said support beams.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An array antenna especially adapted for spacecraft use includes a support frame made up of intersecting beams which form an "eggcrate" of square openings. A plurality of subarrays or radiating tiles are dimensioned to fit within the openings. Distortion of the support frame due to external forces, or due to expansion and contraction of the radiating tiles, is accommodated andor resisted by a four-point mounting arrangement for each tile. Each mounting is located on the center of the sides of the radiating tile, and the corresponding center of the side of the opening in which it fits. Each mounting consists of a thin, flexible mounting beam, extending parallel to the associated support beam, and fastened to the support beam at the ends of the mounting beam. The center of the side of the tile is fastened to the center of the flexible support beam, so expansion and contraction of the tile are compensated by bending of the flexible beam. Mutually opposing external forces acting parallel to the elements of the support frame are resisted by the longitudinal stiffness of the flexible beam and the diagonal stiffness of the tile.
67 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. An array antenna, comprising:
-
a frame including a plurality of straight, elongated support beams, interconnected in two mutually orthogonal sets so as to, together, define a rectangular two-dimensional array of a first plurality of mutually identical rectangular openings, said frame being subject to distortion in response to forces acting on said frame parallel to said support beams; a second plurality, which is no greater than said first plurality, of rectangular, electromagnetically radiating tiles, each of said radiating tiles having length and width dimensions selected to fit within said openings, and having a thickness dimension much less than either of said length and width dimensions; mounting means affixed to each of said tiles and to the associated ones of said openings in said frame, for holding each tile in an associated opening of said frame, each of said mounting means including four mounts, each of said mounts being affixed to the center of one of the sides of the associated one of said radiating tiles and to the center of one of said support beams defining an edge of said associated one of said openings, each of said mounts including (a) an elongated flex beam defining a thickness dimension, a width dimension greater than said thickness dimension, and a length dimension greater than said width dimension, (b) spacing means coupled to said flex beam and to said associated one of said support beams, whereby the center of said flex beam may deflect toward and away from the center of said associated one of said support beams, and (c) further connection means connecting the associated side of said radiating tile to said flex beam, whereby expansion and contraction of said radiating tile cause said center of said flex beams to deflect toward and away from, respectively, their associated support beams, whereby each of said radiating tiles remains centered in its associated opening, and whereby the combination of said four mounts, and the longitudinal stiffness provided by said flex beam, together with the stiffness of said radiating tile along its diagonals, provides triangle-like support of said rectangular opening, to enhance the structural strength of said frame against forces directed parallel with said support beams. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A spacecraft, comprising:
-
a plurality of array antennas, each of said array antennas comprising; a frame including a plurality of straight, elongated support beams, interconnected in two mutually orthogonal sets so as to, together, define a rectangular two-dimensional array of a first plurality of mutually identical rectangular openings, said frame being subject to distortion in response to forces acting on said frame; a second plurality, which is no greater than said first plurality, of rectangular, electromagnetically radiating tiles, each of said radiating tiles having length and width dimensions selected to fit within said openings, and having a thickness dimension much less than either of said length and width dimensions; mounting means affixed to each of said tiles and to the associated ones of said openings in said frame, for holding each tile in an associated opening of said frame, each of said mounting means including four mounts, each of said mounts being affixed to the center of one of the sides of the associated one of said radiating tiles and to the center of one of said support beams defining an edge of said associated one of said openings, each of said mounts including (a) an elongated flex beam defining a thickness dimension, a width dimension greater than said thickness dimension, and a length dimension greater than said width dimension, (b) a pair of spacers, each of which is affixed to an end of its associated flex beam and to the side of said associated one of said support beams, whereby the center of said flex beam may deflect toward and away from the center of said associated one of said support beams, and (c) further connection means connecting the center of the associated side of said radiating tile to the center of said flex beam, whereby expansion and contraction of said radiating tile cause said center of said flex beams to deflect toward and away from, respectively, their associated support beams, whereby each of said radiating tiles remains centered in its associated opening, and whereby the combination of said four mounts, and the longitudinal stiffness provided by said flex beam, together with the stiffness of said radiating tile along its diagonals, provides triangle-like support of said rectangular opening, to enhance the structural strength of said frame.
-
Specification