# US 2022/0037795 A1 · Scalable high compaction ratio hoop column deployable mesh reflector system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0037795 A1 - Document ID: US20220037795A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/943,580 - Filed: 2020-07-30 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-30 - Assignees: Eagle Technology, LLC - Applicants: Eagle Technology, LLC - Inventors: Robert M. Taylor; Dana M. Rosennier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220037795A1 ## CPC - H01Q 15/161: {Collapsible reflectors} - H01Q 1/288: {Satellite antennas} - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract Systems and methods for operating a reflector system. The methods comprise: structurally supporting a mesh reflector surface using a circumferential hoop that is coupled to a boom via cords; supporting the circumferential hoop using a series of cords extending at least from a base structure of the reflector system to the circumferential hoop and from the boom to the circumferential hoop (where the line of action of all the cords intersect an axis of symmetry of the circumferential hoop); and preventing rotation of the circumferential hoop using at least a first set of additional cords extending from the base structure of the reflector system to the circumferential hoop (where the additional cords of the first set both point to a first point that is horizontally offset from the axis of symmetry). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for operating a reflector system, comprising: structurally supporting a mesh reflector surface using a circumferential hoop coupled to a boom via a plurality of cords; supporting the circumferential hoop using a series of cords extending at least from a base structure of the reflector system to the circumferential hoop and from the boom to the circumferential hoop, where a line of action of all the cords intersect an axis of symmetry of the circumferential hoop; and preventing rotation of the circumferential hoop using at least a first set of additional cords extending from the base structure of the reflector system to the circumferential hoop, where the additional cords of the first set both point to a first point that is horizontally offset from the axis of symmetry. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the additional cords of the first set reside in multiple planes that intersect the axis of symmetry at only a point. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the additional cords of the first set each resides in a plane that does not intersect the axis of symmetry. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first set of additional cords comprises a first cord that opposes positive twisting of the circumferential hoop in a first direction with tension, and a second cord that opposes negative twisting of the circumferential hoop in a second opposed direction with tension. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein rotation of the circumferential hoop is further prevented using a second set of additional cords extending from the base structure of the reflector system to the circumferential hoop, where the additional cords of the second set both point to a second point that is horizontally offset from the axis of symmetry and that is different than the first point to which the additional cords of the first set point. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the additional cords of the first set are coupled to one or more extendable parts of the base structure. ### Claim 7 A reflector system, comprising: a boom; a circumferential hoop coupled to the boom via a plurality of cords and having an axis of symmetry; a mesh reflector surface structurally supported by the circumferential hoop; a series of cords structurally supporting the circumferential hoop from the boom, said cords coupled to the circumferential hoop and each oriented such that a line of action intersects the axis of symmetry; at least a first set of additional cords preventing rotation of the circumferential hoop, the additional cords coupled to the circumferential hoop and pointing to a first point that is horizontally offset from the axis of symmetry. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The reflector system according to claim 7, wherein the additional cords of the first set reside in multiple planes that intersect the axis of symmetry at only a point. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The reflector system according to claim 7, wherein the additional cords of the first set each resides in a plane that does not intersect the axis of symmetry. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The reflector system according to claim 7, wherein the first set of additional cords comprises a first cord that opposes positive twisting of the circumferential hoop in a first direction with tension, and a second cord that opposes negative twisting of the circumferential hoop in a second opposed direction with tension. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The reflector system according to claim 7, wherein rotation of the circumferential hoop is further prevented using a second set of additional cords extending from the boom a base structure of the reflector system to the circumferential hoop, where the additional cords of the second set both point to a second point that is horizontally offset from the axis of symmetry. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The reflector system according to claim 11, wherein the second point is different than the first point to which the additional cords of the first set point. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The reflector system according to claim 11, wherein each of the first and second sets of additional cords comprises a first cord that opposes positive twisting of the circumferential hoop in a first direction with tension, and a second cord that opposes negative twisting of the circumferential hoop in a second opposed direction with tension. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The reflector system according to claim 7, wherein the additional cords of the first set are coupled to a base structure of the reflector system at a first end to which the series of cords are also attached. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The reflector system according to claim 7, wherein the additional cords of the first set are coupled to a base structure of the reflector system at an intermediate location along a length of the base structure that resides between a first end and second end of the base structure, and that is horizontally offset from the axis of symmetry. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The reflector system according to claim 7, wherein the additional cords of the first set are coupled to a base structure of the reflector system at a first end which is opposed to a second end of the base structure to which the series of cords are coupled. ### Claim 17 (depends on 7) The reflector system according to claim 7, wherein the additional cords of the first set are coupled to one or more extendable parts of a base structure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 7) The reflector system according to claim 7, wherein the additional cords are formed of a different material than the material used to for the series of cords.