Patents by Inventor William E. Frain

William E. Frain has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Deployable ground plane antenna
    Patent number: 4115784
    Abstract: A deployable ground plane antenna for use aboard a satellite or the like, with the antenna and erection mechanism being compactly stowable within the confines of a launch vehicle prior to and during launch thereof. After ejection of the satellite from the launch vehicle, the ground plane antenna self-deploys on removal of a single cable restraint. The mesh-like ground plane or reflector is pulled into a deployed planar configuration by flexible rods which carry the ground plane and which are spring-loaded to provide erection force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Lee Schwerdtfeger, Lee E. Stillman, William E. Frain