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US 10,122,092 B2Granted
Ground-based satellite communication system for a foldable radio wave antenna
AssigneeCubic Corporation
InventorsWilliam R. Clayton, Charles Matthew Erwin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A satellite communications assembly has a foldable antenna that has a flexible reflector member and a flexible tension member. The assembly further has a feed assembly centrally disposed with respect to the foldable antenna and a plurality of reflector supports that extend radially from the feed assembly and coupled to the reflector member. Additionally, the assembly has a hub coupled to the feed assembly, the hub coupled to ends of a plurality of ground support legs.
Claims20
A satellite communications assembly, comprising:
- a foldable antenna comprising a flexible concave reflector member and a flexible planar tension member attached to a peripheral rim of the reflector member, each of the reflector member and the tension member defining a central opening, the central openings being in axial alignment with one another when the antenna is in a deployed state;
- a feed assembly centrally disposed with respect to the foldable antenna;
- an azimuth and elevation positioning assembly coupled with the feed assembly;
- a mast coupled with the feed assembly and configured to extend through the central openings of the reflector member and the tensioning member;
- a plurality of reflector supports that extend radially from the feed assembly and are detachably coupled to a rear surface of the reflector member;
- a hub coupled to the feed assembly;
- and
- a plurality of ground support legs coupled to the hub.
5 more elements
A satellite communications assembly, comprising:
- a foldable antenna comprising a flexible concave reflector member and a flexible planar tension member attached to a peripheral of the reflector member, wherein:
- the tension member is configured to draw the peripheral rim centrally inward to ensure the peripheral rim maintains a circular shape;
- each of the reflector member and the tension member defines a central opening, the central openings being in axial alignment with one another when the antenna is in a deployed state;
- and
- the reflector member comprises a composite material formed from woven fibers and an electromagnetically reflective fabric;
- a feed assembly centrally disposed with respect to the foldable antenna;
- an azimuth and elevation positioning assembly coupled with the feed assembly;
- a mast coupled with the feed assembly and configured to extend through the central openings of the reflector member and the tensioning member;
- a plurality of reflector supports that extend radially from the feed assembly and are detachably coupled to a rear surface of the reflector member;
- a hub coupled to the feed assembly;
- and
- a plurality of ground support legs coupled to the hub.
9 more elements
A method of disassembling a satellite communications assembly, comprising:
- providing a satellite communications assembly, comprising:
- a foldable antenna comprising a flexible concave reflector member and a flexible planar tension member attached to the rim of the reflector member, each of the reflector member and the tension member defining a central opening, the central openings being in axial alignment with one another when the antenna is in a deployed state;
- a feed assembly centrally disposed with respect to the foldable antenna;
- an azimuth and elevation positioning assembly coupled with the feed assembly;
- a mast coupled with the feed assembly and configured to extend through the central openings of the reflector member and the tensioning member;
- a plurality of reflector supports that extend radially from the feed assembly and are detachably coupled to a rear surface of the reflector member;
- a hub coupled to the feed assembly;
- and
- a plurality of ground support legs coupled to the hub;
- detaching the foldable antenna from the plurality of reflector supports;
- withdrawing the mast from the central openings of the reflector member and the tensioning member;
- and
- folding the reflector member and the tension member.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.