Furlable shape-memory reflector
US7710348B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49016
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A shape-memory reflector is disclosed along with methods for manufacturing, packaging and deploying the same. The shape-memory reflector may include an elastic reflector material, a shape-memory stiffener, and a plurality of radial stiffeners. The shape-memory stiffener may be coupled with the elastic reflector material in a band that encloses at least a portion of the elastic reflector surface, for example, the exterior of a paraboloid reflector. The plurality of radial stiffeners is coupled with the bottom surface of the elastic reflector material and extends radially from a central portion of the elastic reflector surface toward the outer edge of the elastic reflector surface. The shape-memory reflector may be packaged in a packaged configuration that includes a plurality of pleats within the elastic reflector material and/or the shape-memory stiffener, and the shape-memory reflector is configured to deploy into a deployed configuration (i.e. a paraboloid) by heating the shape-memory stiffener.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.