Back to results
US 11,901,629 B2Granted
Deployable antenna reflector
AssigneeEagle Technology, LLC
InventorsIan Peterson, Andrew Bucossi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Deployable reflector system includes a support structure and a reflector surface secured to the support structure. The support structure transition from a compact stowed configuration to a larger deployed configuration to deploy the reflector surface. The reflector surface is comprised of a carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet. The sheet is intricately folded in accordance with a predetermined folding pattern to define a compact folded state. This predetermined folding pattern is configured to permit automatic extension of the CNT sheet from a compact folded state to a fully unfolded state. The unfolding operation occurs when a tension force is applied to at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the CNT sheet. In some scenarios, the support structure can comprise a circumferential hoop.
Claims25
A deployable reflector system, comprising:
- a support structure;
- a reflector surface connected to the support structure;
- the reflector surface comprised of a carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet which is highly reflective of electromagnetic waves;
- the support structure configured to transition from a compact stowed configuration to a larger deployed configuration;
- the CNT sheet intricately folded in accordance with a predetermined folding pattern to define a compact folded state when the support structure is in the stowed configuration;
- and
- the predetermined folding pattern configured to permit automatic extension of the CNT sheet from the compact folded state to a fully unfolded state when a tension force is applied to at least a portion of the CNT sheet by the support structure;
- the CNT sheet is comprised of a plurality of separate pieces of CNT sheet which are bonded together in a predetermined piece pattern so as to form a concave or parabolic shape when the CNT sheet is in the fully unfolded state;
- wherein the predetermined folding pattern is defined by primary fold elements including an inner polygon and an outer polygon;
- and
- wherein the inner polygon has predetermined number corners defined by the value n, and the outer polygon has a predetermined number of points or corners defined by the value 2n.
8 more elements
A deployable reflector system, comprising:
- a support structure;
- a reflector surface connected to the support structure;
- the reflector surface comprised of a carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet which is highly reflective of electromagnetic waves;
- the support structure configured to transition from a compact stowed configuration to a larger deployed configuration;
- the CNT sheet intricately folded in accordance with a predetermined folding pattern to define a compact folded state when the support structure is in the stowed configuration;
- and
- the predetermined folding pattern configured to permit automatic extension of the CNT sheet from the compact folded state to a fully unfolded state when a tension force is applied to at least a portion of the CNT sheet by the support structure;
- wherein the CNT sheet is comprised of a solid non-mesh surface;
- wherein the predetermined folding pattern is defined by primary fold elements including an inner polygon and an outer polygon;
- and
- wherein the inner polygon has predetermined number corners defined by the value n, and the outer polygon has a predetermined number of points or corners defined by the value 2n.
8 more elements
A deployable reflector system, comprising:
- a support structure;
- a reflector surface connected to the support structure;
- the reflector surface comprised of a carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet which is highly reflective of electromagnetic waves;
- the support structure configured to transition from a compact stowed configuration to a larger deployed configuration;
- the CNT sheet intricately folded in accordance with a predetermined folding pattern to define a compact folded state when the support structure is in the stowed configuration;
- and
- the predetermined folding pattern configured to permit automatic extension of the CNT sheet from the compact folded state to a fully unfolded state when a tension force is applied to at least a portion of the CNT sheet by the support structure;
- wherein the predetermined folding pattern is defined by three primary fold elements including an inner polygon, an outer polygon, and a plurality of wedges;
- and
- wherein the inner polygon has predetermined number corners defined by the value n, and the outer polygon has a predetermined number of points or corners defined by the value 2n.
7 more elements
A method for deploying a reflector system, comprising:
- forming the CNT sheet in a concave or parabolic shape by bonding together a plurality of separate pieces of CNT sheet in a predetermined piece pattern;
- intricately folding in accordance with a predetermined folding pattern CNT sheet which is highly reflective of electromagnetic waves to configure the CNT sheet in a compact folded state;
- selecting the predetermined folding pattern to permit automatic extension of the CNT sheet from the compact folded state to a fully unfolded state when a tension force is applied to at least a portion of peripheral edge of the CNT sheet;
- securing the CNT sheet to a support structure;
- transitioning the support structure from a compact stowed configuration to a larger deployed configuration to deploy the reflector surface;
- wherein the predetermined folding pattern is defined by primary fold elements including an inner polygon and an outer polygon;
- and
- wherein the inner polygon has predetermined number corners defined by the value n, and the outer polygon has a predetermined number of points or corners defined by the value 2n.
5 more elements
A method for deploying a reflector system, comprising:
- forming a carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet of a solid, non-mesh, surface;
- intricately folding in accordance with a predetermined folding pattern the CNT sheet which is highly reflective of electromagnetic waves to configure the CNT sheet in a compact folded state;
- selecting the predetermined folding pattern to permit automatic extension of the CNT sheet from the compact folded state to a fully unfolded state when a tension force is applied to at least a portion of peripheral edge of the CNT sheet;
- securing the CNT sheet to a support structure;
- and
- transitioning the support structure from a compact stowed configuration to a larger deployed configuration to deploy the reflector surface;
- wherein the predetermined folding pattern is defined by primary fold elements including an inner polygon and an outer polygon;
- and
- wherein the inner polygon has predetermined number corners defined by the value n, and the outer polygon has a predetermined number of points or corners defined by the value.
6 more elements
A method for deploying a reflector system, comprising:
- intricately folding in accordance with a predetermined folding pattern a carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet which is highly reflective of electromagnetic waves to configure the CNT sheet in a compact folded state;
- selecting the predetermined folding pattern to permit automatic extension of the CNT sheet from the compact folded state to a fully unfolded state when a tension force is applied to at least a portion of peripheral edge of the CNT sheet;
- securing the CNT sheet to a support structure;
- transitioning the support structure from a compact stowed configuration to a larger deployed configuration to deploy the reflector surface;
- wherein the predetermined folding pattern is defined by three primary fold elements including an inner polygon, an outer polygon, and a plurality of wedges;
- and
- wherein the inner polygon has predetermined number corners defined by the value n, and the outer polygon has a predetermined number of points or corners defined by the value 2n.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.