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US 2004/0070549 A1Published application
Inflatable reflector
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorRobert P. Thornburgh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inflatable antenna has a plurality of inflatable tori including a first toroidal member and a second toroidal member arranged one radially inward of the other. A front membrane having a reflective coating is attached to the plurality of tori to form a front reflective surface. A rear membrane is attached to the plurality of tori and provides a rear support surface. The inflatable reflector is lightweight and compact and can be easily inflated to a desired shape.
Claims20
An inflatable reflector comprising:
- a plurality of inflatable tori including a first inflatable toroidal member and a second inflatable toroidal member disposed radially inward of the first inflatable toroidal member;
- a front membrane attached to a front side of the plurality of inflatable tori and forming a front reflective surface;
- and
- a rear support membrane attached to a rear side of the plurality of tori and forming a rear support structure.
1 more element
An inflatable reflector comprising:
- a first inflatable toroidal member having a first radius;
- a second inflatable toroidal member disposed radially inward of the first toroidal member, wherein the second inflatable toroidal member has a second radius less than the first radius;
- a front reflective surface attached to a first side of the first and second toroidal members for forming a concave reflective surface for reflecting electromagnetic signals;
- and
- a rear membrane attached to a rear surface of the first and second inflatable toroidal members for supporting the first and second inflatable toroidal members to maintain the concave reflective surface.
2 more elements
A method of forming an inflatable antenna comprising the steps of:
- providing a first inflatable toroidal member having a first radius;
- providing a second inflatable toroidal member having a second radius, wherein the second radius is less than the first radius;
- disposing the second inflatable toroidal member radially inward and adjacent to the first inflatable toroidal member;
- attaching a reflective surface to a front side of the first and second inflatable toroidal members;
- attaching a supporting membrane to a rear side of the first and second inflatable toroidal members;
- and
- inflating the first and second inflatable toroidal members with a gas to form a reflector having a concave reflective surface for reflecting electromagnetic signals.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.