Deployable Reflectarray Antenna Using Bistable Tape Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deployable high-gain antenna designs for space-related applications face challenges such as high part count, large volume requirements, and reliability issues, particularly with inflatable reflectarray antennas, which complicate deployment kinematics and are unsuitable for compact, dimensionally constrained spaces like spacecraft.
Innovation Solution
A deployable reflectarray antenna structure utilizing a pair of electrical elements and a deployment mechanism that employs tapes and a damper to transition from a compact, undeployed state to a functional, deployed state, forming a Cassegrain/Gregorian-type reflectarray antenna configuration, with the tapes cooperating to establish the necessary positional relationships for antenna operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a parabolic antenna structure with wire mesh reflector and deployment mechanism is used, then high-gain antenna performance is achieved, but the part count increases and volume requirements become large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reflectarray elements, feed antenna, and deployment mechanism into an integrated single-layer structure. The electrical elements serve dual purposes as both the reflective surface and the structural framework, eliminating the need for separate support frames and reducing part count while maintaining deployability and high-gain performance
2Volume of moving object
If a two-layer reflectarray membrane with inflatable deployment mechanism is used, then deployability is achieved, but deployment kinematics become difficult to understand and reliability challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single-layer flexible reflectarray membrane that can be folded or rolled into a compact stowed configuration. The thin-film structure maintains structural integrity during deployment without requiring inflatable mechanisms, simplifying the deployment process and improving reliability through a more straightforward mechanical transition from stowed to deployed state
3Volume of moving object
If a compact antenna structure is used to minimize volume, then space constraints are satisfied, but the antenna cannot achieve proper reflectarray configuration when deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reflectarray into discrete electrical elements that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the structure to be folded or rolled into a compact stowed volume while enabling precise reconfiguration into the required reflectarray geometry when deployed, maintaining both compactness and functional shape
Data Source
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AI summary
A deployable reflectarray antenna structure (20) includes a pair of flexible electrical elements (26, 28), a feed antenna (24), and a deployment mechanism (30) that employs a plurality of bistable tapes (320, 322) 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 includes a damper (204, 244) to control the transition of the tape between the undeployed and deployed states.