US3978490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Furlable antenna
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1975-09-24
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Granted: 1976-08-31
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Expires: 1995-09-24
Abstract
Abstract An improved furlable antenna particularly suited for use in a celestial space environment. The antenna is characterized by an actuator comprising an elastomeric member of an annular configuration, an annular array of uniformly spaced antenna ribs rigidly affixed at the base ends thereof to said actuator and supported thereby for pivotal displacement from a deployed configuration, wherein the ribs are substantially radially extended from said actuator to a furled configuration wherein the ribs are extended in substantial parallelism with the axis of the actuator, a flexible reflecting web affixed to the ribs, and a plurality of angularly spaced bearing blocks supporting every radially extended section of the member for rotation about its own centroid.
Inventors
- 👤 with respect to an invention of Fletcher James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 👤 Morris A. Barnett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:32
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q15/00; H01Q15/14; H01Q15/16; H01Q15/161
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A furlable antenna comprising: A. a deployment actuator including an annular member characterized by a selected elastic modulus; B. an annular array of uniformly spaced antenna ribs rigidly affixed at one end thereof to said annular member and supported by said member for pivotal displacement from a deployed configuration, wherein the ribs are extended substantially radially from said annular member, to a furled configuration wherein said ribs are extended in substantial parallelism; C. a flexible reflecting web extended between said ribs and affixed thereto; and D. a plurality of bearing blocks rotatably supporting said annular member in a manner such that every radially extended section of the member is supported for rotation in its own plane, about its own centroid, as said array is displaced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A furlable antenna comprising: A. a deployment actuator including an annular member characterized by a selected elastic modulus; B. an annular array of uniformly spaced antenna ribs rigidly affixed at one end thereof to said annular member and supported by said member for pivotal displacement from a deployed configuration, wherein the ribs are extended substantially radially from said annular member, to a furled configuration wherein said ribs are extended in substantial parallelism; C. a flexible reflecting web extended between said ribs and affixed thereto; and D. a plurality of bearing blocks rotatably supporting said annular member in a manner such that every radially extended section of the member is supported for rotation in its own plane, about its own centroid, as said array is displaced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein said one end of each of said ribs includes an eye and said member is extended therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The antenna of claim 2 wherein said member includes a plurality of uniformly spaced segments of a noncircular cross-sectional configuration concentrically related to the eye of each of the ribs of said array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The antenna of claim 2 further including a plurality of uniformly spaced pins extended through said annular member for connecting said ribs with said annular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The antenna of claim 2 wherein said member includes a plurality of annular layers of fiberglass held in an epoxy matrix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
In a furlable antenna, an improved actuator including: A. an annular member having a selected elastic modulus comprising a plurality of annular layers of fiberglass held in an epoxy matrix; and B. means supporting said member including a plurality of uniformly spaced bearing blocks supporting said annular member in a manner such that every radially extended section of the member is supported for rotation in its own plane, about its own centroid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
In a furlable antenna, an improved actuator including: A. an annular member having a selected elastic modulus comprising a plurality of annular layers of fiberglass held in an epoxy matrix; and B. means supporting said member including a plurality of uniformly spaced bearing blocks supporting said annular member in a manner such that every radially extended section of the member is supported for rotation in its own plane, about its own centroid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3671965A
Cited
US3680144A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-31 | 1980-03-01 | 1980-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-31 | 1984-03-01 | 1984-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-31 | 1988-03-01 | 1988-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |