Spaceborne antenna with rolling flex hinges and associated methods
US12347937B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 2023 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2380/00
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A spaceborne antenna for a satellite may include antenna sections for the satellite, and at least one rolling flex hinge rotatably coupling first and second antenna sections together and permitting rotation between a stored position and a deployed position. The first and second antenna sections may be stacked in the stored position and extended in end-to-end relation in the deployed position. The at least one rolling flex hinge may include a first hinge body coupled to an end of the first antenna section, a second hinge body coupled to an end of the second antenna section, and a flexible strap arrangement coupling the first hinge body and second hinge body together to permit rolling contact therebetween. At least one locking linkage may be coupled between the first and second hinge bodies to lock the first and second hinge bodies when the first and second antenna sections are in the deployed position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.