Antenna reflector interchange mechanism
AssigneeMacdonald, Dettwiler and Associates Inc.
InventorsRichard HORTH, Philippe LOISELLE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An interchange mechanism for deploying at least one reflector for reconfiguration of a spacecraft antenna. The interchange mechanism includes a rotary actuator having a fixed section mounted on an antenna structure and a mobile section rotating relative to the fixed section about a rotation axis. At least one carrier supports a reflector and is freely rotatably mounted on the fixed section for rotation about the rotation axis between first and second angular positions. An arm mounted on the mobile section carries a carrier engaging mechanism that successively and releasably engages the at least one carrier and displaces the at least one carrier from the first to the second angular position when the arm and the mobile section rotate in a first direction.
Claims16
An interchange mechanism for deploying at least one reflector for reconfiguration of an antenna, said interchange mechanism comprising:
- a rotary actuator having a fixed section for mounting on a structure of the antenna, and a mobile section rotating relative to the fixed section about a rotation axis;
- at least one carrier for supporting the at least one reflector, the at least one carrier freely rotatably mounting on the fixed section for rotation about the rotation axis between a first angular position and a second angular position;
- and
- an arm mounted on the mobile section and carrying a carrier engaging mechanism successively and releasably engaging the at least one carrier and displacing the at least one carrier from the first angular position to the second angular position when the arm and the mobile section rotate in a first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.