Deployable Reflector Antenna Assembly With Compact Cylindrical Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deployable reflector antenna structures for space systems face challenges such as high complexity, large number of devices and articulations, limited flight configurations, and restricted applications due to their design.
Innovation Solution
A deployable assembly with a hexagonal structure comprising pairs of segments, hinge joints, and hinged angular links that transforms from a cylindrical to a planar polygonal shape, incorporating a deployable boom, feeder, tensor elements, and a cable network to form a reflective surface, allowing for compact stowage and stable deployment with reduced mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional deployable reflector antenna structures are used, then the antenna can be deployed in space, but the structure becomes highly complex with many devices and articulations
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is divided into multiple identical modular units, each comprising two segments connected by hinge joints. These modular units can be independently manufactured, tested, and assembled, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining deployment reliability through redundancy and standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements are merged into integrated components. The hinge joints serve both as connection points between segments and as the primary deployment mechanism. The angular links between adjacent sides combine structural support with deployment control, eliminating the need for separate articulation devices.
2Reliability
If traditional deployable antenna structures are used, then the antenna can be deployed, but the structure requires a large number of devices and mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The structure employs self-deploying mechanisms where the geometric configuration and hinge joint design enable automatic deployment through minimal actuation. The interlocking nature of the segments and angular links allows the structure to self-stabilize in its deployed configuration without requiring numerous control mechanisms or devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional deployable antenna structures are used, then the antenna can be deployed, but the flight configurations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The modular hexagonal structure with hinge joints and angular links serves multiple functions: it provides the primary reflective surface, enables deployment from compact stowage, supports various feeder positions, and can be configured for different antenna types (parabolic, planar, etc.). This universal design allows the same basic structure to adapt to multiple flight configurations and application scenarios without requiring fundamentally different designs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional deployable antenna structures are used, then the antenna can be deployed, but the applications are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The structure transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, deployable system. The hinge joints and angular links enable the structure to transform from a compact stowed state to multiple deployed configurations, allowing the same physical components to serve different application requirements (Earth observation, telecom, space debris capture) without requiring additional structural elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A deployable assembly for antennae includes a structure having a reflective surface and n pairs of segments, each pair of segments corresponding to one side of a deployed polygonal shape. N hinge joints are between the two segments of a side. N hinged angular links are between every two adjacent sides. The structure is changeable from a stowed substantially cylindrical shape into a deployed substantially planar polygonal shape with n sides. A deployable boom is between two segments. The boom lays stowed between the two segments before deployment and ends in a feeder electromagnetically feeding the antenna and includes a clamping element for keeping the structure closed when stowed. The feeder acts as structural support element when stowed and electromagnetic feeder for the antenna when deployed. A cable network shapes the reflective surface, with corresponding cables held by tensor elements protruding from the back of the segments.