Light-weight reflector for concentrating radiation

A reflector assembly having a deployed state and comprising, when in the deployed state;

• a rim structure having a longitudinal axis and a closed periphery centered on said longitudinal axis, said rim structure having first members which form first and second peripheral edges and a plurality of second members which extend between said peripheral edges to cause said peripheral edge to be spaced apart in the direction of said longitudinal axis while opposing forces tending to move said peripheral edges toward one another;
• a reflector structure supported by the rim structure forming a curved surface and comprising a flexible stratum of substantially inextensible material, wherein said stratum of said reflector structure is constituted by a plurality of polygonal pieces of substantially inextensible material;
• an electromagnetic reflector having a first and a second side, the electromagnetic reflector being supported by having its first side abut the curved surface of the reflector structure;
• and
• tensioning means connected to said stratum for applying tensioning forces which cause said stratum to form said curved surface.

A reflector assembly having a deployed state and comprising, when in the deployed state;

• a rim structure having a longitudinal axis and a closed periphery centered on said longitudinal axis, said rim structure having first members which form first and second peripheral edges and a plurality of second members which extend between said peripheral edges to cause said peripheral edges to be spaced apart in the direction of said longitudinal axis while opposing forces tending to move said peripheral edges toward one another;
• a reflector structure having a curved surface and comprising a flexible stratum of substantially inextensible material wherein said stratum comprises a plurality of polygonal pieces which are constituted by triangular metal sheets;
• and
• tensioning means connected to said stratum for applying tensioning forces which cause said stratum to form said curved surface.

A reflector assembly having a deployed state and comprising, when in the deployed state;

• a rim structure having a longitudinal axis and a closed periphery centered on said longitudinal axis, said rim structure having first members which form three peripheral edges of substantially annular shape, the first peripheral edge having a first diameter, the second peripheral edge having a second diameter, and the third peripheral edge having a third diameter, the third diameter being smaller than the first and the second diameters, a plurality of second members which extend between said first and second peripheral edges to cause said first and second peripheral edges to be spaced apart in the direction of said longitudinal axis, and between said third peripheral edge and said first and second peripheral edges to cause said third peripheral edge to be spaced apart from said first and second peripheral edges, while opposing forces tend to move said peripheral edges toward one another, and to cause the rim structure to have a triangular cross section;
• a reflector structure forming a curved surface and comprising a flexible stratum of substantially inextensible material;
• an electromagnetic reflector supported by the reflector structure;
• and
• tensioning means connected to said stratum for applying tensioning forces which cause said stratum to form said curved surface.

A light weight reflector assembly having a deployed state and comprising, when in the deployed state;

• a rim structure having a longitudinal axis and a closed periphery centered on said longitudinal axis, said rim structure having first members which form first and second radially rigid peripheral edges and a plurality of second members which extend between said peripheral edges to cause said peripheral edges to be spaced apart in the direction of said longitudinal axis while opposing forces tending to move said peripheral edges toward one another, each of said first members comprises a plurality of individual structural parts, and said rim structure further comprises a plurality of connection members each connecting together two of said individual structural parts of one of said peripheral edges and one of said second members, wherein each said connecting member comprises pivot means forming pivotal connections between said structural parts and said second member which are connected together by said connecting member, wherein said pivot means of each said connecting member is operative for causing said structural parts which are connected by said connecting member to pivot in synchronism with one another relative to said second member which is connected by said connecting member, wherein said structural parts which are connected together by each said connecting member are pivotal relative to one another between a first relative position when said reflector assembly is in the retracted state and a second relative position when said reflector assembly is in the deployed state;
• deployment means coupled to said rim structure for moving said structural parts between the first relative position and the second relative position, wherein said deployment means comprise inflatable elements extending between said second member and said two individual structural parts connected together by each said connecting member;
• a reflector structure supported by the rim structure forming a curved surface and comprising a flexible stratum of substantially inextensible material;
• and
• tensioning means connected to said stratum for applying tensioning forces which cause said stratum to form said curved surface.

A method of making a reflector assembly having a deployed state, the method comprising the steps of;

• forming with first members first and second radially rigid peripheral edges;
• extending a plurality of second members between said peripheral edges to cause said peripheral edges to be spaced apart substantially parallel to each other in the direction perpendicular to the planes of said peripheral edges to form a rim structure;
• arraying elongated members of flexible, substantially inextensible material in a plurality of sets to form a first network of a reflector structure;
• supporting the reflector structure with the rim structure whereby the first network is secured to the first peripheral edge;
• applying tensioning forces to the first network which cause the first network to form a curved surface;
• abutting an electromagnetic reflector onto the curved surface of the first network of the reflector structure.

A reflector assembly having a deployed state and comprising, when in the deployed state;

• a support rim defining a peripheral edge around a longitudinal axis;
• at least one substantially inextensible support stratum defining a curved, generally dish-shaped contour within said peripheral edge, said substantially inextensible stratum comprising a first network of flexible, elongated members composed of substantially inextensible material and coupled to the peripheral edge of said support rim;
• a flexible, generally extensible reflector defining an electromagnetically reflective surface and an opposite surface, wherein one of said reflective surface and opposite surface is arranged to stretch over and conform to the shape of the curved, generally dish-shaped contour of said support stratum such that the reflective surface forms a curved, generally dish shape;
• at least one tensioner coupled to said support stratum to maintain the curved, generally dish-shaped contour of said support stratum;
• wherein in the deployed state, said support rim comprises a plurality of first elongated and generally rigid members, a plurality of second elongated and generally rigid members and a plurality of third elongated and generally rigid members, wherein, said first generally rigid members are coupled to form a first peripheral edge extending around said longitudinal axis, said second generally rigid members are coupled to form a second peripheral edge extending around said longitudinal axis, and said third generally rigid members are coupled between said first and second peripheral edges to maintain said first and second peripheral edges spaced apart in the direction of said longitudinal axis;
• wherein said support rim comprises a collapsible structure that is collapsible into a retracted state, in which the reflector assembly occupies a smaller volume than when in the deployed state, wherein said support rim further comprises a plurality of coupling members, each coupling member coupling together two of said first generally rigid members and one of said third generally rigid members, and wherein each of said coupling members comprises pivot means forming pivotal connections between the first generally rigid members and the third generally rigid member which are coupled by said coupling member;
• wherein said first and third generally rigid members which are coupled together by each said coupling member are pivotal relative to one another between a first relative position when said reflector assembly is in the retracted state and a second relative position when said reflector assembly is in the deployed state;
• wherein said reflector assembly further comprising deployment means coupled to said support rim for moving said first and third generally rigid members between said first and second relative positions;
• and
• wherein said deployment means comprise inflatable elements extending between the third generally rigid member and the two first generally rigid members coupled together by each said coupling member.