Deployable Reflectarray Antenna With Tape-Driven Compact Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deployable high-gain antennas for space-related applications face challenges in compactness and reliability, particularly with complex deployment mechanisms and high part counts in existing designs, such as parabolic and reflectarray antennas.
Innovation Solution
A deployable reflectarray antenna structure using a pair of flexible electrical elements and a deployment mechanism with tapes and a damper to transition from a compact undeployed state to a functional deployed state, forming a Cassegrain/Gregorian-type reflectarray antenna configuration, allowing for efficient volume utilization and reliable deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a parabolic antenna structure with wire mesh reflector and deployment mechanism is used, then high gain is achieved, but part count increases and stowed volume becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reflector and feed antenna into a single integrated reflectarray unit that deployes together as one component rather than separate parts, reducing the part count while maintaining deployment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable mechanism serves multiple functions: it deploys the reflectarray, positions the feed antenna, and provides structural support, eliminating the need for separate deployment mechanisms for each component
2Reliability
If a parabolic antenna structure with wire mesh reflector and deployment mechanism is used, then high gain is achieved, but stowed volume becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The feed antenna is nested within or attached to the reflectarray structure during stowed configuration, allowing both components to occupy the same space and reducing overall stowed volume
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure uses a flat or curved reflectarray geometry rather than a deep paraboloid shape, reducing the volume occupation in the stowed state while maintaining high gain when deployed
3Adaptability or versatility
If an inflatable deployment mechanism with two-layer reflectarray membrane is used, then deployability is achieved, but deployment kinematics become difficult to understand and reliability challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex inflatable deployment mechanism with a simpler mechanical deployable structure that uses rigid or semi-rigid support elements, making the deployment kinematics more predictable and reliable
Solution Approach 2:
The reflectarray structure transitions from a flexible two-layer membrane to a rigid or semi-rigid construction with defined geometric parameters, eliminating the complexity of inflatable deployment while maintaining deployability
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to deployable reflectarray antenna structure. In one embodiment, the deployable reflectarray antenna structure includes a pair of flexible electrical elements, a feed antenna, and a deployment mechanism that employs a plurality of tapes to respectively transition the pair of flexible electrical elements from an undeployed state in which the elements are folded towards a deployed state in which the deployment mechanism and electrical elements cooperate to form a reflectarray and a subreflector of a reflectarray antenna structure. Further, the deployment mechanism also operates to position the reflectarray and subreflector relative to one another and to the feed antenna so as to realize a reflectarray antenna structure.