Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
An erectable space antenna comprising a tubular member, a plurality of radially extendable arms pivotally mounted on the tubular member at spaced intervals for movement from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the arms being substantially parallel to the tubular member when in the collapsed position and extending radially outwardly from the member when in the expanded position, an expandable cellular panel extending between and supported by the arms, the panel being composed of interconnected sheets of material forming a plurality of adjacent honeycomb-like cells, the cells being disposed in closed condition with the panel forming a tubular structure around the tubular member when the arms are in the collapsed position, the cells being disposed in open condition with the panel extending substantially radially outwardly from the tubular member when the arms are in expanded position, means for releasably holding the arms and panel in the collapsed position, means for reinforcing the panel in the expanded position, the interconnected sheets of material forming the honeycomb cells being preliminarily assembled with the cells in the open position and the sheets being sustained in tension with the cells closed when the panel is in the collapsed position, means in the cells for reflecting electromagnetic waves to a focus point on the tubular member, electromagnetic wavereceiving means on the tubular member at the focus point, the tension sustained sheets forming the collapsed cells cause the panel and arms to expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position upon release of the means for releasably holding the arms and panel in the collapsed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
An erectable space antenna comprising a tubular member, a plurality of radially extendable arms pivotally mounted on the tubular member at spaced intervals for movement from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the arms being substantially parallel to the tubular member when in the collapsed position and extending radially outwardly from the member when in the expanded position, an expandable cellular panel extending between and supported by the arms, the panel being composed of interconnected sheets of material forming a plurality of adjacent honeycomb-like cells, the cells being disposed in closed condition with the panel forming a tubular structure around the tubular member when the arms are in the collapsed position, the cells being disposed in open condition with the panel extending substantially radially outwardly from the tubular member when the arms are in expanded position, means for releasably holding the arms and panel in the collapsed position, means for reinforcing the panel in the expanded position, the interconnected sheets of material forming the honeycomb cells being preliminarily assembled with the cells in the open position and the sheets being sustained in tension with the cells closed when the panel is in the collapsed position, means in the cells for reflecting electromagnetic waves to a focus point on the tubular member, electromagnetic wavereceiving means on the tubular member at the focus point, the tension sustained sheets forming the collapsed cells cause the panel and arms to expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position upon release of the means for releasably holding the arms and panel in the collapsed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the panel comprises top and bottom sides that are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tubular member when in the expanded position, and the interconnected sheets forming the cells are disposed in planes that are substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom sides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the interconnected sheets forming the cells are composed of metal and the contacting cell sides of adjacent sheets are welded together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic wave-reflecting means in the cells are metallic strips or wire extending across the open cells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The antenna of claim 4 wherein the metallic strips or wires in the cells are progressively grouped in wavelength bands wherein the strips radially nearer the tubular member are spaced longitudinally farther away from the focus point than are the strips in the cells radially father away from the tubular member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the radially extending arms are pivotally mounted on the tubular member at a location that is longitudinally spaced from the focus point, and the antenna reinforcing means include a guy wire extending from the tubular member to the extremity of each arm in the expanded position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the antenna reinforcing means include an extension of the tubular member which extension is telescopically disposed within the member in the collapsed position and is extended therefrom on the side of the panel remote from the focus point in the expanded position, and include a guy wire extending from the extremity of the tubular member extension to the extremity of each arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The antenna of claim 6 wherein the reinforcing means include a tubular member extension that is telescopically disposed in the member and is movable from a collapsed position within the member to an extended position of the member when the panel is expanded, and include a guy wire extending from the tubular member to the extremity of each arm in the expanded position and to the extremity of the extension.