Antenna Assembly With Coiled Composite Mast

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna systems are cumbersome and heavy, requiring large constraining structures for compact storage and transportation, and often fail due to joint issues in varying weather conditions, while the antennas themselves are not optimized for compactness with the new generation of mast supports.

Innovation Solution

An antenna assembly with an extendible mast that integrates the antenna, allowing the mast and antenna to be coiled and extended together, using a slit tubular structure made from thin materials with a bistable composite design, enabling compact storage and reliable deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If telescopic or jointed structures are used for mast supports, then the antenna can be supported at extended heights, but the device becomes cumbersome and heavy with complex joints that fail in varying weather conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mast is divided into multiple telescopic sections that can be nested within each other, allowing the antenna support to achieve extended heights while maintaining a compact stowed configuration. The segmentation eliminates complex joints by using simple nested tubes with friction or mechanical retention features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending the mast by telescoping sections outward, the design inverts the approach by coiling the entire mast structure around a central axis, similar to a spring or hose. This inversion allows the mast to achieve extended length while maintaining a very compact stowed size and eliminating traditional joints entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Volume of moving object

If simple slit metal tubes are used for compact storage, then the initial envelope is small, but the device becomes awkward to handle with very low torsional stiffness requiring heavy constraining structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestowed volumeVSAvoidtorsional stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mast is constructed from composite materials that provide both the necessary torsional stiffness and strength while maintaining a lightweight construction. The composite structure allows the mast to achieve adequate mechanical properties without requiring heavy constraining structures, resolving the contradiction between compact stowed volume and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If standard antennas are used with new generation masts, then the antenna can function independently, but the overall assembly becomes cumbersome and takes up significantly more space in carriage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna independenceVSAvoidcarriage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is integrated with the mast structure itself, where the mast serves dual functions as both the support structure and the antenna element. This merging eliminates the need for separate standard antennas, reducing the overall carriage volume while maintaining the necessary adaptability and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design simplifies deployment, storage, and transportation by integrating the antenna with the mast, reducing bulk and weight, and enhancing reliability by eliminating joint failures and accommodating strain through materials like fibre-reinforced polymers and bistable composites.

Implementation Method 1

the mast is resiliently biased in the form of an elongate tube... when coiled the mast is wound about an axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

bi-stable reeled composites (BRCs)... exhibit a stable geometry in both the extended and coiled states

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory: Shape Memory Polymer

Data Source

PatentUS11641050B2Antenna assembly and related methods

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 RTL MATERIALS

AI summary

An antenna assembly and related methods are described. The antenna assembly (1) comprises an extendible mast (2) constructed and arranged so as to be configurable between a coiled form and an extended form. The extended mast (2) is resiliently biased in the form of an elongate tube having a slit along its length. The coiled mast is wound about an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the mast. An antenna (6) is integrally coupled to the mast such that when extended, the mast supports and positions the antenna, and when coiled, the mast and antenna are coiled together.