Kit for Reflector Structure

A kit comprising parts capable of being assembled into a reflector structure, the kit comprising:

• a deployable frame comprising a set of node connectors, wherein the set of node connectors comprises (i) a first node connector, a second node connector, and a third node connector, and (ii) a set of rods, wherein each rod in the set of rods comprises a first rod end and a second rod end;
• wherein the first node connector is configured to receive a first rod end of each rod in a first subset of rods of the set of rods such that, after the first rod end of an individual rod in the first subset of rods has been inserted into the first node connector, the individual rod is moveable within the first node connector into a plurality of positions, wherein the plurality of positions comprises a first position and a second position, wherein the first rod end of each rod in the first subset of rods is in the second position when the reflector structure is assembled, and wherein the second node connector is configured to receive at least one rod in the first subset of rods such that, after the second rod end of the at least one rod in the first subset of rods has been inserted into the second node connector, the at least one rod in the first subset of rods is moveable within the second node connector;
• a parabolic member comprising a track, a first parabolic-member end, and a second parabolic-member end, wherein the parabolic member is configured to interconnect with the deployable frame such that, when the reflector structure is assembled, the first parabolic-member end interconnects with the first node connector and the second parabolic-member end interconnects with the third node connector so as to rigidly support the parabolic member;
• and
• a reflective membrane comprising an edge bead configured to interface with the track of the parabolic member such that, when the reflector structure is assembled, the reflective membrane is stretched substantially along the track of the parabolic member.

A method for assembling a reflector structure, the method comprising:

• rotating individual rods in a first subset of rods of a set of rods from a first position to a second position to form a deployed space frame, wherein each rod in the set of rods comprises a first rod end and a second rod end, wherein a first node connector receives each rod in the first subset of rods of the set of rods such that the first rod end of each rod in the first subset of rods is moveable within the first node connector into a plurality of positions, wherein the plurality of positions comprises the first position and the second position, and wherein a second node connector receives at least one rod in the first subset of rods such that the second rod end of the at least one rod in the first subset of rods is moveable within the second node connector;
• interconnecting a parabolic member with the deployed space frame, wherein the parabolic member comprises a track, a first parabolic-member end, and a second parabolic-member end, wherein the parabolic member is configured such that, when interconnected with the deployed space frame, the first parabolic-member end interconnects with the first node connector and the second parabolic-member end interconnects with a third node connector so as to rigidly support the parabolic member;
• and
• interconnecting a reflective membrane with the track of the parabolic member, wherein the reflective membrane comprises an edge bead configured to interface with the track of the parabolic member, and wherein interconnecting the reflective membrane with the track of the parabolic member comprises stretching the reflective membrane substantially along the track of the parabolic member.

A reflector structure comprising:

• a space frame comprising (i) a set of node connectors comprising a first node connector, a second node connector, and a third node connector, and (ii) a set of rods, wherein each rod in the set of rods comprises a first rod end and a second rod end;
• wherein the first node connector receives the first rod end of each rod in a subset of rods of the set of rods, and wherein the second node connector is configured to receive at least one rod in the subset of rods;
• a parabolic member comprising a track, a first parabolic-member end, and a second parabolic-member end, wherein the parabolic member interconnects with the space frame such that the first parabolic-member end interconnects with the first node connector and the second parabolic-member end interconnects with the third node connector so as to rigidly support the parabolic member;
• and
• a reflective membrane comprising an edge bead extended within the track of the parabolic member such that the reflective membrane is stretched substantially along the track of the parabolic member.