US3569875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible antenna boom and transmission line
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1969-02-10
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1989-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible antenna boom and coaxial transmission line having an inflatable inner tube. The tubular outer casing is made of two sheets of thin sheet metal butted together and seam welded to form two protruding flanges at opposite sides of the casing. The inner tube, which provides considerable strength to the boom, has four compartments spaced around its outer circumference and a center compartment all interconnected by ports. Four parallel transmission line inner conductors are all equally spaced around the inner wall of the center compartment. The outer casing serves as the outer transmission line conductor. The design of the tubular outer casing and the inflatable inner tube permits the boom to be folded and rolled on a reel when not in use.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence L Rainwater
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/1235; H01B; H01B11/00; H01B11/18; H01B11/1895; H01P; H01P3/00; H01P3/12; H01P3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A COLLAPSIBLE ANTENNA BOOM AND COAXIAL TRANSMISSION LINE COMPRISING: A. A COLLAPSIBLE TUBULAR OUTER CASING SAID CASING HAVING TWO PROTRUDING SEAMS AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF ITS CIRCUMFERENCE, SAID CASING BEING EFFECTIVE FOR USE AS AN OUTER TRANSMISSION LINE CONDUCTOR; B. AN INFLATABLE INNER TUBE HAVING ITS OUTER WALL SHAPED TO FIT THE INNER WALL OF SAID CASING FOR SUPPORTING AND STRENGTHENING SAID CASING; C. AT LEAST ONE INNER TRANSMISSION LINE CONDUCTOR ATTACHED TO SAID INNER TUBE; D. SAID SEAMS PERMITTING SAID CASING AND SAID INNER TUBE TO FOLD DOWN TO A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT CONFIGURATION.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A COLLAPSIBLE ANTENNA BOOM AND COAXIAL TRANSMISSION LINE COMPRISING: A. A COLLAPSIBLE TUBULAR OUTER CASING SAID CASING HAVING TWO PROTRUDING SEAMS AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF ITS CIRCUMFERENCE, SAID CASING BEING EFFECTIVE FOR USE AS AN OUTER TRANSMISSION LINE CONDUCTOR; B. AN INFLATABLE INNER TUBE HAVING ITS OUTER WALL SHAPED TO FIT THE INNER WALL OF SAID CASING FOR SUPPORTING AND STRENGTHENING SAID CASING; C. AT LEAST ONE INNER TRANSMISSION LINE CONDUCTOR ATTACHED TO SAID INNER TUBE; D. SAID SEAMS PERMITTING SAID CASING AND SAID INNER TUBE TO FOLD DOWN TO A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT CONFIGURATION.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The collapsible antenna boom and coaxial transmission line of claim 1 wherein said inflatable inner tube has a plurality of outer compartments spaced around its outer circumference and a center compartment positioned inside said outer compartments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The collapsible antenna boom and coaxial transmission line of claim 2 having at least one said transmission line conductor attached to the wall of said inner tube center compartment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
129 words
A collapsible tubular outer casing and coaxial transmission line comprising: a. a collapsible tubular outer casing having two protruding seams at opposite sides of its circuMference, said casing being effective for use as an outer transmission line conductor; b. an inflatable inner tube having its outer wall shaped to fit the inner wall of said casing, said inner tube having a plurality of outer compartments spaced around its outer circumference and a center compartment positioned inside said outer compartments; c. four parallel inner transmission line conductors equally spaced around the inside of the wall of said inner tube center compartment and extending longitudinally along the inside wall of said center compartment; d. said seams permitting said casing and said inner tube to fold down to a substantially flat configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
A collapsible tubular outer casing and coaxial transmission line comprising: a. a collapsible tubular outer casing having two protruding seams at opposite sides of its circuMference, said casing being effective for use as an outer transmission line conductor; b. an inflatable inner tube having its outer wall shaped to fit the inner wall of said casing, said inner tube having a plurality of outer compartments spaced around its outer circumference and a center compartment positioned inside said outer compartments; c. four parallel inner transmission line conductors equally spaced around the inside of the wall of said inner tube center compartment and extending longitudinally along the inside wall of said center compartment; d. said seams permitting said casing and said inner tube to fold down to a substantially flat configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The collapsible antenna boom and coaxial transmission line of claim 4 wherein said center compartment has a square cross-sectional area.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |