Patent · US Expired

Array antenna mounted on spacecrafts

US5430451A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
7References
56Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 7, 1993
Grant dateJul 4, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 7, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S343/02
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An array antenna mounted on a spacecraft in its stowed state. After the spacecraft is launched in a predetermined position or on a predetermined orbit, the array antenna is extended to a flat plate form or a curved surface form. The array antenna has a structure that a plurality of subarrays are connected by plate springs or the like. The array antenna is extended in a kite form by using cables for connecting a spacecraft body and the subarrays or is extended by using an extension pole mounted on the spacecraft body. Each subarray includes a variable phase shifter to switch a shape and a direction of a directivity beam. A feeder line, a power supply line, a control signal line and the like connect the spacecraft body and each subarray.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.