Foam-Filled Inflatable Antenna for Lightweight Space Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inflatable antennas for spacecraft are not lightweight enough, leading to high launch costs due to their weight, especially in space applications where miniaturized satellites require larger antenna dimensions despite scaled-down sensors and electronics.

Innovation Solution

A space deployable antenna apparatus comprising a foam-filled inflatable structure made of collapsible tubular elements, including a longitudinally extending boom element, driven, reflector, and director conductive elements, which expand from a deflated storage position to an inflated deployed position using a solidifiable foam dispenser, allowing for a lightweight and cost-effective configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If traditional inflatable antenna structures are used, then the antenna can be deployed in space, but the weight is too high leading to excessive launch costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna weightVSAvoidlaunch cost effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin film structures for the antenna elements, replacing traditional rigid or heavy inflatable materials. The thin film conductive elements provide the necessary electrical properties while minimizing mass, directly addressing the weight reduction goal without compromising antenna functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes foam-filled tubular elements that provide structural support through their porous architecture. The foam material offers both mechanical strength and electrical conductivity properties needed for antenna operation, while the porous structure keeps the material density low, reducing overall antenna weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Volume of moving object

If the antenna is miniaturized to fit smaller satellites, then the satellite size is reduced, but the antenna cannot achieve full operational dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite volumeVSAvoidantenna dimension

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is divided into multiple collapsible tubular elements that can be individually packed in a compact configuration for launch. These segmented elements can then be inflated to their full operational dimensions in space, resolving the contradiction between compact storage volume and full deployment size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna structure transitions from a static compact state during launch to a dynamic inflated state in orbit. The collapsible tubular elements are designed to be deformable, allowing them to compress into small volumes for satellite integration while expanding to full operational dimensions once deployed in space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If rigid dimensional requirements are imposed on the antenna, then the antenna structure is constrained, but the weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna dimensional precisionVSAvoidantenna weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the antenna materials through the inflation process. The foam material transitions from a liquid or semi-solid state during packing to a solidified expanded state during deployment, achieving the required dimensional precision and structural integrity without requiring heavy rigid support structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna employs composite construction combining thin film conductive layers with foam core materials. This composite structure provides both the dimensional precision needed for antenna operation and the weight reduction benefits, as the foam provides structural support while the thin films provide electrical functionality with minimal mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The foam-filled inflatable antenna achieves significant weight reduction and cost savings while maintaining operational effectiveness without rigid dimensional constraints, enabling efficient communication in space without the need for large antenna sizes.

Implementation Method 1

A foam dispenser may be configured to inject a solidifiable foam into the inflatable antenna to configure to the inflated deployed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change (liquid to solid): Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS10957987B2Space deployable inflatable antenna apparatus and associated methods

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 HARRIS CORP

AI summary

A space deployable antenna apparatus includes an inflatable antenna configurable between a deflated storage position and an inflated deployed position. The inflatable antenna includes collapsible tubular elements coupled together in fluid communication. The collapsible tubular elements in the deployed position include a longitudinally extending boom tubular element, at least one driven tubular conductive element transverse to the boom tubular element, at least one reflector tubular conductive element transverse to the boom tubular element, and at least one director tubular conductive element transverse to the boom tubular element. A foam dispenser is configured to inject a solidifiable foam into the inflatable antenna to configure to the inflated deployed position.