# US 10,122,092 B2 · Ground-based satellite communication system for a foldable radio wave antenna > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,122,092 B2 - Document ID: US10122092B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/909,737 - Filed: 2018-03-01 - Published: 2018-09-13 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-11 - Assignees: Cubic Corporation - Applicants: Cubic Corporation - Inventors: William R. Clayton; Charles Matthew Erwin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10122092B2 ## CPC - H01Q 15/161: {Collapsible reflectors} - H01Q 1/12: Supports; Mounting means - H01Q 1/1228: {on a boom} - H01Q 1/1235: {Collapsible supports; Means for erecting a rigid antenna} - H01Q 19/13: the primary radiating source being a single radiating element, e.g. a dipole, a slot, a waveguide termination (H01Q19/15 takes precedence) - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The satellite communications assembly of claim 1, wherein: the tension member is detachable from the rim of the reflector member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The satellite communications assembly of claim 1, wherein: the mast comprises a telescoping feeder mast. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The satellite communications assembly of claim 1, wherein: each of the plurality of ground support legs defines an elongated cavity that is configured to receive one or more of another one of the plurality of ground support legs or at least one of the plurality of reflector supports. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The satellite communications assembly of claim 4, further comprising: a transceiver assembly, wherein the transceiver assembly comprises a housing that is sized and shaped to conform with the elongated cavity such that the transceiver assembly is stowable in the elongated cavity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The satellite communications assembly of claim 1, wherein: each of the plurality of reflector supports defines an elongated cavity that is configured to receive at least one other of the plurality of reflector supports. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The satellite communications assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a modem/router assembly that is mounted between two of the plurality of ground support legs. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The satellite communications assembly of claim 8, wherein: the tension member is detachable from the rim of the reflector member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The satellite communications assembly of claim 8, wherein: each of the plurality of ground support legs defines an elongated cavity that is configured to receive one or more of another one of the plurality of ground support legs or at least one of the plurality of reflector supports. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The satellite communications assembly of claim 10, wherein: a transceiver assembly, wherein the transceiver assembly comprises a housing that is sized and shaped to conform with the elongated cavity such that the transceiver assembly is stowable in the elongated cavity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The satellite communications assembly of claim 8, further comprising: a transceiver assembly, wherein the transceiver assembly comprises a housing that is sized and shaped to conform with the elongated cavity such that the transceiver assembly is stowable in the elongated cavity. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The satellite communications assembly of claim 8, wherein: each of the plurality of reflector supports defines an elongated cavity that is configured to receive at least one other of the plurality of reflector supports. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The satellite communications assembly of claim 8, further comprising: a modem/router assembly that is mounted between two of the plurality of ground support legs. ### Claim 15 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of disassembling a satellite communications assembly of claim 15, further comprising: detaching the plurality of ground support legs from the hub; and arranging the plurality of ground support legs in a nested configuration. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of disassembling a satellite communications assembly of claim 16, further comprising: detaching the plurality of reflector supports from the feed assembly; and nesting the plurality of reflector supports within one of the plurality of ground support legs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of disassembling a satellite communications assembly of claim 15, wherein: the mast comprises a telescoping feed mast; and the method further comprises retracting the telescoping feed mast. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of disassembling a satellite communications assembly of claim 15, further comprising: detaching the reflector member from the tensioning member prior to folding the reflector member and the tension member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of disassembling a satellite communications assembly of claim 15, further comprising: detaching the mast and the feed assembly from the azimuth and elevation positioning assembly.