Abstract: A spring washer for producing a load in an axial direction which includes an outer spring body extending about a central washer axis parallel to the axial direction. The washer further includes a central opening coaxial to the washer axis for accepting at least a portion of an elongated object extending in the axial direction. The washer has a plurality of circumferentially spaced spring fingers each extending inwardly towards the central washer opening. Each finger including a finger base attached to the outer body and a finger end adjacent to the central opening. The finger end of every other one of the plurality of spring fingers being axially spaced on either side of said outer spring body.

Abstract: A system is described for vertically stacking a plurality of satellite dishes for bulk transport and storage using minimal space. Each satellite dish has a parabolic dish with a stacking rim attached to its outer periphery at an angle of about 125 degrees. The stacking rim has two circumferential support regions on opposite surfaces. When the satellite dishes are stacked vertically, the support regions of the stacking rims abut, leaving a space between the parabolic surfaces of adjacent dishes. This space has the same dimensions as the thickness of the material forming the dishes. The support provided by the abutting support regions also causes the edges of the rims of stacked dishes to be separated by a space so that the dishes can be easily separated when needed.

Abstract: A deployable satellite antenna system permits an antenna with elevation and azimuth control to be mounted to the roof of a vehicle. The elevation control assembly for the antenna system has a base with two parallel tracks and a slider that moves along these tracks. The antenna reflector is connected to a support frame pivotably attached to the slider. Pivot arms are pivotally attached between the reflector and the base adjacent to the parallel tracks. The elevational position of the antenna is adjusted by a motor that controls the position of the slider along the parallel tracks between a stowed position in which the reflector is stowed facing the vehicle and a deployed position in which the reflector is rotated to a maximum elevational angle. In one embodiment, a feed arm supporting the feed horn extends outward from the antenna support frame adjacent to the lower edge of the antenna.