US3680144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Singly-curved reflector for use in high-gain antennas
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-02-05
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1991-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A furlable antenna particularly suited for use aboard spacecraft. The antenna is characterized by an improved reflector plate conforming to a frusto-conical configuration combined with a point-source feed and a secondary reflector having a reflective surface conforming to a figure of revolution generated by rotating a segment of a parabola about an axis parallel the ray path of the intermediate rays, whereby the antenna can be stowed in a furled configuration without substantially reducing its efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur C Ludwig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/27; H01Q1/28; H01Q1/288; H01Q15/00; H01Q15/14; H01Q15/16; H01Q15/161; H01Q19/00; H01Q19/10; H01Q19/18; H01Q19/19; H01Q19/191
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An antenna comprising: A. a base having an annular configuration; B. a point-source feed operatively associated with said base; C. a plurality of substantially rigid ribs fixed to said base and extended therefrom; D. a reflector plate of an annular configuration supported by said ribs and having a reflective surface conforming to a frustum; and E. a sub-reflector coaxially related to said plate and operatively associated with said point-source feed and said plate having a reflective surface conforming to a figure of revolution of a segment of a parabolic curve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
An antenna comprising: A. a base having an annular configuration; B. a point-source feed operatively associated with said base; C. a plurality of substantially rigid ribs fixed to said base and extended therefrom; D. a reflector plate of an annular configuration supported by said ribs and having a reflective surface conforming to a frustum; and E. a sub-reflector coaxially related to said plate and operatively associated with said point-source feed and said plate having a reflective surface conforming to a figure of revolution of a segment of a parabolic curve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein said plate includes a plurality of arcuate gores suspended between said ribs and having a common radius of curvature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The antenna of claim 2 wherein each of said gores is fabricated from impervious sheet stock and includes a singly-curved reflective surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the reflector plate is fabricated from flexible sheet stock of impervious material and said ribs are pivotally coupled with said base and displaceable between a stowed position wherein the plate is caused to assume a pleated configuration, and an operative position wherein the reflector plate is caused to assume an expanded frusto-conical configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
In a high-gain antenna adapted to be deployed into an operative configuration and furled into a stowed configuration, a reflector comprising an annular plate having a singly-curved reflective surface formed of a plurality of flexible, thin-gauge metal sheets defining a frustum when deployed into an operative configuration and a sinuously curved reflective surface when furled into a stowed configuration, and means for alternately supporting said reflector in said deployed and stowed configurations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
In a high-gain antenna adapted to be deployed into an operative configuration and furled into a stowed configuration, a reflector comprising an annular plate having a singly-curved reflective surface formed of a plurality of flexible, thin-gauge metal sheets defining a frustum when deployed into an operative configuration and a sinuously curved reflective surface when furled into a stowed configuration, and means for alternately supporting said reflector in said deployed and stowed configurations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The reflector of claim 5 wherein said means for supporting said reflector includes a base and a plurality of substantially rigid ribs pivotally supported by said base.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |