Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a telescoping deployable mesh antenna reflector for space communication applications and a method of deployment is provided. The antenna reflector includes a plurality of telescoping radially extending ribs between which a plurality of interconnected guylines are secured to form a wire truss structure. The telescoping radially extending ribs include pivotally coupled inner and outer ribs that are collapsed and folded to stow the antenna. A highly reflective wire woven mesh is connected to the front surface of the wire truss structure with flexible radially extending strip members allowing for folding and telescoping of the antenna reflector.

Abstract: A sphere which provides a high emissivity, uniform, isothermal calibration ource which is fully instrumented for surface temperature and range measurements. The characteristics are achieved by using high thermal conductivity copper hemispheres disposed in spaced, concentric relation and containing a distributed heat pipe therebetween to minimize surface temperature gradients.

Abstract: A downhole liquid-gas separator for use with a submergible pump employs an inverted conical, convoluted, fine-mesh screen in a tubular housing. The convolutions form grooves extending upwardly along the screen. A liquid-gas mixture enters the housing near the lower, apex end of the screen. The screen mesh size is selected so that liquid is pumped through the screen and continues to flow upwardly through the housing, while gas bubbles rise along the exterior of the screen and are vented from the housing. The gas bubbles channel into the troughs of the screen grooves, leaving the peak regions of the convolutions free for the passage of liquid. A relief valve arrangement bypasses the screen when it becomes clogged, and permits the liquid-gas mixture to flow upwardly through the housing.

Abstract: A leak-tight joint between a Kovar ceramic feed-through and an aluminum housing is obtained by electron beam welding a short length of the outside surface of the Kovar cylindrical shell of the feedthrough to a region of nickel deposited on a thin wall cylindrical tube of aluminum formed in the aluminum housing.

Abstract: An elastic strain energy deployable helical antenna having a tubular resiliently flexible antenna element of relatively flat oval cross-section fixed at one end to a support and formed into a normally extended, resiliently compressible helix with the major axis of the oval cross-section of the element substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the helix, and flexible tension members of shorter overall length than the fully extended length of the helix fixed at one end to the support and extending axially of the helix across and secured to its helical turns. The antenna helix is compressible axially to a contracted length for storage and is deployable axially by stored elastic strain energy to an extended operating length at which the tension members are stressed in tension by the helix to reinforce the latter against deflection laterally of its longitudinal axis. The tension members may have rigid portions between the helix turns for increasing the natural frequency of vibration of the antenna.