Receiver Cover with Tensioning Elements for Non-Symmetrical Dish
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite dish covers struggle to securely and evenly stretch over non-symmetrical dish shapes, leading to potential snow and wind loading issues, solar ray concentration, and reduced structural strength, especially in HDTV satellite dishes with non-symmetrical reflector surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A receiver cover with a flexible panel and a plurality of tensioning elements positioned to create even stretching over the non-symmetrical outer edge, using apertures and grommets to distribute tensile force and maintain a planar profile, allowing for secure attachment to the dish without relying on a single tensioning element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single tensioning element is used to secure the cover to the dish, then the cover can be attached to the dish, but it cannot evenly stretch over non-symmetrical dish shapes, leading to sagging and reduced structural strength
Solution Approach 1:
The single tensioning element is divided into multiple tensioning elements (first tensioning element and second tensioning element) that are independently adjustable. This segmentation allows each tensioning element to be positioned and tensioned separately to accommodate the non-symmetrical shape of the dish, ensuring even distribution of tensile force across the cover and preventing sagging while maintaining structural strength.
2Strength
If the cover is stretched tight to withstand wind and snow weight, then structural strength is improved, but it becomes difficult to accommodate non-symmetrical dish shapes with even stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs asymmetrical positioning of multiple tensioning elements around the peripheral margin of the cover. Each tensioning element is positioned at a different location and can be independently adjusted to account for the non-symmetrical geometry of the dish. This asymmetrical arrangement allows the cover to be stretched evenly across the non-symmetrical dish surface while maintaining a planar profile and withstanding environmental loads.
3Ease of operation
If the cover is made flexible to allow stretching over the dish, then ease of installation is improved, but it reduces the structural strength needed to withstand snow and wind loading
Solution Approach 1:
The cover utilizes a dynamic tensioning system where multiple tensioning elements can be independently adjusted after installation. The flexible panel is initially stretched over the dish, and then the tensioning elements are progressively tightened to achieve the desired tautness. This dynamic adjustment process allows the flexible cover to transition from an easily installed state to a structurally strong state capable of withstanding snow and wind loading.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for a receiver cover to partially envelope a receiver, wherein the receiver has a non-symmetrical outer edge portion. The receiver cover includes a flexible panel having a peripheral margin portion with the peripheral margin portion being adjacent to the receiver non-symmetrical outer edge portion. The receiver cover also including structure for removably engaging the panel to the non-symmetrical outer edge portion of the receiver.