Thermally insulated satellite reflector assembly
AssigneeMSX, Inc.
InventorThaddeus M. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is directed to a reflector assembly in a satellite system including a reflector having a reflecting surface and a back surface. The back surface is opposite the reflecting surface and has a plurality of ribs extending transversely therefrom. The reflector further includes a heater assembly embedded therein. The reflector assembly further includes a layer of closed cell plastic foam insulation which covers the heater assembly within the reflector. An inside surface of the insulation is disposed adjacent to the back surface of the reflector and includes a plurality of grooves. The plurality of grooves are configured to receive the plurality of ribs therein. The layer of insulation also includes a coating of ultraviolet radiation protectant disposed over an outside surface of the insulation.
Claims20
A reflector assembly in a satellite system, comprising:
- a reflector including a reflecting surface and a back surface, said back surface opposite said reflecting surface, said back surface having a plurality of ribs extending transversely therefrom, said reflector further including a heater assembly embedded therein between said front surface and said back surface;
- and
- a layer of air-entrapped foam insulation covering said heater assembly within said reflector, said layer of insulation including an inside surface and an outside surface, said inside surface disposed adjacent to said back surface of said reflector w and including a plurality of grooves, said plurality of grooves configured to receive said plurality of ribs therein, said layer of insulation further including a coating of ultraviolet radiation protectant disposed over said outside surface of said layer of insulation.
A reflector assembly in a satellite system, comprising:
- a reflector including a reflecting surface and a back surface, said back surface opposite said reflecting surface, said back surface having a plurality of ribs extending transversely therefrom, said reflector further including a heater assembly embedded therein between said front surface and said back surface;
- and
- a layer of air-entrapped foam insulation covering said heater assembly within said reflector, said layer of insulation including an inside surface and an outside surface, said inside surface disposed adjacent to said back surface of said reflector and including a plurality of grooves, said plurality of grooves configured to receive a corresponding one of said plurality of ribs therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.