Deployable antenna with foldable resilient members
US7009578B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q1/288
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A framework for a deployable antenna is disclosed herein. The framework basically includes a plurality of elongate ribs, a matching plurality of foldable resilient members, and a hub. Each of the elongate ribs has both a proximal end and a distal end. The foldable resilient members serve to interconnect the proximal ends of the elongate ribs to the hub. Within such a configuration, each of the foldable resilient members is capable of storing strain energy whenever forcibly folded and also releasing the strain energy whenever subsequently permitted to elastically unfold. Thus, whenever the elongate ribs are released from a stowed position in which the foldable resilient members are forcibly folded, the strain energy causes automatic deployment of the antenna as the foldable resilient members are permitted to elastically unfold. In sum, therefore, the framework obviates many conventional uses of electro-mechanical motors or actuators in deploying various antennas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.