Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – Antenna components
Patent
1989-10-05
1991-09-10
Hille, Rolf
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
Antenna components
343721, 343894, 343DIG2, H01Q 1520
Patent
active
050477889
ABSTRACT:
The figure of an unfurled antenna comprising a radio-frequency reflective fabric (10) is mapped and controlled by a system comprising a plurality of light-emitting devices (14, 15) mounted at precisely specified locations on ribs (11), which support the fabric (10). Light from each of the light-emitting devices (14, 15) passes through a corresponding window assembly (16) on a hub (12), which support the ribs (11) and also houses a telescope of the Schmidt-Cassegrain type. A biconical reflector (27) mounted within the hub (12) directs rays of light from all the light-emitting devices (14, 15) to a primary mirror (21) of the telescope, from which the rays are reflected to a secondary mirror (22), which focuses the rays so as to form images on photodetector arrays (31) and (32). The images formed on the photodetector arrays (31) and (32) are swaths of light, which cross the photodetector arrays (31) and (32) at positions determined by the actual positions of the light-emitting devices (14, 15). Determination of centroid positions of the swaths of light crossing the photodetector arrays (31) and (32) enables the actual figure of the antenna to be mapped. Electronic signals generated by the photodetector arrays (31) and (32) are processed by a processor (35), which compares the actual figure of the antenna with a specified figure, and which generates electronic signals to activate actuator mechanisms (38) to move individual ribs (11) as necessary to bring the actual figure of the antenna into conformity with the specified figure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 908838 (1909-01-01), Brown
patent: 3262121 (1966-07-01), Holloway
patent: 3540048 (1970-11-01), Clemens, Jr. et al.
patent: 3939478 (1976-02-01), Lorch
Hille Rolf
Le Hoang-anh
Lockheed Missiles & Space Company Inc.
Morrissey John J.
LandOfFree
Figure control system for a flexible antenna does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Figure control system for a flexible antenna, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Figure control system for a flexible antenna will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-543110