Lightweight reflecting structures utilizing magnetic deployment forces

Claim 2

A reflecting structure for electromagnetic wave energy comprising a reflecting screen of electrically conductive, flexible material, said screen being preformed to a predetermined contour having a concave side; means attached to the periphery of said screen for supporting said screen about the periphery thereof; numerous magnetic needles bonded to the back side of said screen over a substantial portion of the area thereof, said needles being poled in a uniform direction relative to said screen for generating a first magnetic field; and means including a second interacting magnetic field for generating a force on said magnetic needles away from the concave side of said reflecting screen thereby to maintain said screen in said preformed contour.

Claim 3

The reflecting structure for electromagnetic wave energy as defined in claim 1 wherein said last-named means including a second interacting magnetic field for generating a force on said magnetic needles away from the concave side of said reflecting screen includes a conical screen disposed on said back side of said screen, and numerous additional magnetic needles bonded to said conical screen with the respective extremities thereof poled to a polarity opposite that of the nearest extremities of said magnetic needles bonded to said reflecting screen.

Claim 4

The reflecting structure for electromagnetic wave energy as defined in claim 1 wherein said last-named means including a second interacting magnetic field for generating a force away from the concave side of said reflecting screen on said magnetic needles constitutes no less than one loop of conductor and a current source connected thereto.

Claim 5

A lightweight antenna adapted to be attached to a moving vehicle, said antenna comprising a rigid circular element for providing a conductive surface having the contour of the center portion of a paraboloid of predetermined focal length, said paraboloid having a circular intersection with a plane normal to the axis of rotation thereof at a selected point therealong, said circular intersection having a diameter substantially greater than that of said rigid circular element; a ring structure having a diameter equal to that of said circular intersection mechanically supported about said axis of rotation at said selected point therealong; a conductive flexible mesh of preformed paraboloidAl contour having a focal length equal to said predetermined focal length extending from the outer periphery of said rigid circular element to said ring structure; an additional flexible mesh of preformed conical-shaped contour extending from said ring structure to said axis of rotation at a point therealong on the concave side of said paraboloidal contour; and numerous permanent magnet needles attached to said conductive flexible mesh and said additional flexible mesh, respectively, symmetrically about said axis of rotation, said permanent magnet needles on said conductive flexible mesh being poled to attract said permanent magnet needles on said additional flexible mesh, thereby to maintain said conductive flexible mesh in said preformed paraboloidal contour.

Claim 6

A lightweight antenna adapted to be attached to a moving vehicle, said antenna comprising a rigid circular element for providing a conductive surface having the contour of the center portion of a paraboloid of predetermined focal length, said paraboloid having a circular intersection with a plane normal to the axis of rotation thereof at a selected point therealong, said circular intersection having a diameter substantially greater than that of said rigid circular element; a ring structure having a diameter equal to that of said circular intersection mechanically supported about said axis of rotation at said selected point therealong; a conductive flexible mesh of preformed paraboloidAl contour having a focal length equal to said predetermined focal length extending from the outer periphery of said rigid circular element to said ring structure; an additional flexible mesh of preformed conical-shaped contour extending from said ring structure to said axis of rotation at a point therealong on the concave side of said paraboloidal contour; and numerous permanent magnet needles attached to said conductive flexible mesh and said additional flexible mesh, respectively, symmetrically about said axis of rotation, said permanent magnet needles on said conductive flexible mesh being poled to attract said permanent magnet needles on said additional flexible mesh, thereby to maintain said conductive flexible mesh in said preformed paraboloidal contour.

Claim 7

The lightweight antenna as defined in claim 4 wherein said ring structure is articulated in a manner to allow it to be collapsed with said conductive flexible mesh and said additional flexible mesh attached thereto.