Abstract: A dish antenna is supported on a framework which rests on the bed of movable platforms such as the bed of a truck or trailer. Folding legs on the framework can be extended into contact with the ground to support the weight of the antenna. A tension element between the framework and the platform allows the weight of the platform to be suspended from the framework after the supporting legs are in place to anchor the antenna while it is in use.

Abstract: A modified parabolic antenna exhibiting low wind load characteristics having a collapsible reflector boom and a plurality of reflector elements mounted thereon. The collapsible boom includes two symmetrical parabolically shaped half sections. A first and second series of thin substantially elongated rectangular shaped reflector elements are mounted to each boom in a predetermined spaced relationship. Each reflector element is identical to the other and is also parabolically curved.

Abstract: A flexible concave reflector having a solar energy absorbing means at the focus is maintained in its concave shape by an inflatable cushion on the convex surface and by a donut shaped chamber about the periphery of the reflector. The donut shaped chamber is maintained at high pressure and makes the entire structure lighter-than-air so that it may float above ground. The cushion is maintained at a low pressure and may be formed of a plurality of chambers. Additional support structure can be provided as disclosed.

Abstract: A reflector for high gain antennae comprising a plurality of generally triangular shaped petals joined in edgewise overlapping relation, wherein the overlap gradually increases from rim to center of the reflector, so as to provide a mechanically stable paraboloid configuration. The petals are supported by a rigid rim structure constructed of preformed tubular sections.

Abstract: An antenna structure, kit and method for making the structure comprising a generally circular base, a plurality of specially formed pre-stressed similarly shaped and sized arms which may be affixed in a disk array to the base and means, an arm encircling turnbuckel cable arrangement, for stressing the pre-stressed arms into a generally parabolic disk array is disclosed. The ribs are each made of a plurality of layers of resilient material, such as wood, which are bonded together in a bowed pre-stressed shape, which shape when modified by the stressing by the cable to assume a generally parabolic disk.

Abstract: An antenna structure, kit and method for making the structure comprising a generally circular base, a plurality of specially formed pre-stressed similarly shaped and sized arms which may be affixed in a disk array to the base and means, an arm encircling turnbuckel cable arrangement, for stressing the pre-stressed arms into a generally parabolic disk array is disclosed. The ribs are each made of a plurality of layers of resilient material, such as wood, which are bonded together in a bowed pre-stressed shape, which shape when modified by the stressing by the cable to assume a generally parabolic disk.

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.

Abstract: An array of sonar transducers enclosed within a flexible webbing and having spring members located between the transducers for urging the transducers against the webbing to provide a rigid structure which secures the transducers in their positions in the array. The webbing is stowed in spaces between the transducers with the array being in a compressed attitude and secured within an outer canister to permit air dropping of the array into the ocean.

Abstract: Electronically steered antenna system is provided by placing a panel of dielectric material with specific thickness and dielectric constant spaced forward of an array of piezoelectric transducers. These piezoelectric transducers present a refelective surface. High frequency wavefronts are transmitted toward the dielectric panel and pass on to the reflective surface. The phase of the reflected waves depends upon the spacing of the reflective surfaces from the panel. A change in this spacing is provided by electrical control signals being applied to the piezoelectric transducers.

Abstract: Equal and opposite moments are applied to distort a specimen in varying the configuration thereof so that transfer of reaction forces into the specimen's supporting structure is avoided. Specific embodiments where the specimen is a mirror in an optical system are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a deployable antenna or reflector having an offset paraboloid shape. The antenna can be packaged in a small volume. Radial ribs, interconnected by stiffeners, extend from a semicircular support hub. A metalized mesh is stretched between the radial ribs to form a reflective surface.

Abstract: A supporting structure that deployed resembles a spoked wheel which is retractable into a compact volume by virtue of hinged rim and reelable spokes that is an efficient and stable structure for storing, deploying and supporting surfaces such as radar and communications antennas, shielding, earth sensing, solar cell arrays and solar energy reflectors.

Abstract: A resiliently compliant, variable stiffness wire mesh structure, primarily for space applications, characterized by its lightweight construction, its compact stowage and deployment capability, and its ability to maintain its nominal shape under widely varying thermal conditions. The structure has a frame supporting a wire mesh including spring-like longitudinally compliant wires which are terminally secured to the frame to constitute primary structural elements of the mesh and are prestressed in a manner such that the compliant spring wires in different sections of the mesh have differing spring rates or stiffness. This non-uniform stiffness of the mesh is designed to maintain the mesh taut under widely varying thermal conditions and thereby avoid the formation of slack in the mesh wires which would allow out-of-plane displacement of the mesh. The described mesh structure is a wire mesh antenna reflector for space applications.

Abstract: A wire mesh structure, primarily for space applications, characterized by its lightweight, its compact stowage and deployment capability, and its ability to maintain its shape under widely varying thermal conditions. The structure has a frame supporting a wire mesh including wires which are terminally secured to the frame and constitute the primary structural elements of the mesh. These structural wires are preformed to a spring-like configuration which renders the wires resiliently compliant with a low spring rate in the endwise direction and are stretched to produce a predetermined tension preload in the wires when the mesh is installed on the supporting frame. This preload retains the mesh in a taut condition under widely varying thermal conditions and thereby prevents the formation of slack in the mesh which would allow out-of-plane displacement of the mesh.

Abstract: An improved furlable antenna particularly suited for use in a celestial space environment. The antenna is characterized by an actuator comprising an elastomeric member of an annular configuration, an annular array of uniformly spaced antenna ribs rigidly affixed at the base ends thereof to said actuator and supported thereby for pivotal displacement from a deployed configuration, wherein the ribs are substantially radially extended from said actuator to a furled configuration wherein the ribs are extended in substantial parallelism with the axis of the actuator, a flexible reflecting web affixed to the ribs, and a plurality of angularly spaced bearing blocks supporting every radially extended section of the member for rotation about its own centroid.

Abstract: Dish reflectors with high gain antennae comprising a plurality of generally triangular shaped petals joined in edgewise overlapping or abutting relation so as to form a substantially paraboloid configuration. Petal configuration is controlled by fastener holes positioned to bend the petal in a substantially parabolic manner along its longitudinal axis and in a substantially curvilinear manner along its transverse axis.

Abstract: A mesh article, such as a reflector for radio frequencies, comprises glassy base fibers of high tensile strength, low elongation properties and low coefficient of expansion, the fibers being coated with a thin layer of metal. In a typical embodiment, the fibers are quartz coated with aluminum. The fibers are not interwoven and are bonded together at their intersections and to a peripheral ring support. These articles are lightweight, flexible and foldable and possess a "shape memory.

Abstract: An antenna system for single or plural beams providing continuously variable beamwidth selectively in one or both of two orthogonal senses, i.e., azimuth and elevation, for either communications or angle-tracking. The system includes two parabolic cylindrical reflectors, which are respectively a main reflector and a sub-reflector; the reflectors are positioned with the focal axes thereof orthogonally. A point or multibeam (e.g., monopulse) feed is mounted adjacent the main reflector on the focal axis of the sub-reflector in the Airy disc of the system. Beamwidth is controlled using telescoping sections on the main and sub-reflectors to control the size of the surface areas thereof. Simultaneous operation of the telescoping sections of the reflector and sub-reflector provides bidirectional zooming of the beam without distortion while individual operation of the sections of the reflectors permits unidirectional zooming.