Antenna erector for a towed buoyant cable
US5272486A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 21, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q1/34
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for erecting and stowing a communications antenna rom an underwater buoyant cable. In its stowed position, the antenna is approximately parallel to the cable. In its erected position, the antenna is approximately perpendicular to the cable. A hinge, spring biased to maintain the antenna in its stowed position, is connected to the cable and to one end of the antenna. A shape memory alloy actuator is connected to the cable and the antenna. The actuator overcomes the spring bias of the hinge to raise the antenna to its erected position when energy of activation is supplied thereto. Further, the actuator allows the spring bias of the hinge to return the antenna to its stowed position when the energy of activation is removed therefrom.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.