EP0144672B1 - Collapsible antenna net reflector - Google Patents

Collapsible antenna net reflector Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0144672B1
EP0144672B1 EP84112745A EP84112745A EP0144672B1 EP 0144672 B1 EP0144672 B1 EP 0144672B1 EP 84112745 A EP84112745 A EP 84112745A EP 84112745 A EP84112745 A EP 84112745A EP 0144672 B1 EP0144672 B1 EP 0144672B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reflector
mesh
ribs
auxiliary
aerial according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP84112745A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0144672A2 (en
EP0144672A3 (en
Inventor
Henning Dipl.-Ing. Herbig
Horst Heinze
Franz Drachenberg
Knud Pontoppidan
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Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Messerschmitt Bolkow Blohm AG
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Publication of EP0144672A2 publication Critical patent/EP0144672A2/en
Publication of EP0144672A3 publication Critical patent/EP0144672A3/en
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Publication of EP0144672B1 publication Critical patent/EP0144672B1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q15/00—Devices for reflection, refraction, diffraction or polarisation of waves radiated from an antenna, e.g. quasi-optical devices
    • H01Q15/14—Reflecting surfaces; Equivalent structures
    • H01Q15/16—Reflecting surfaces; Equivalent structures curved in two dimensions, e.g. paraboloidal
    • H01Q15/161—Collapsible reflectors

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a deployable antenna network reflector according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
  • Such an antenna network reflector is known from "Zeitschrift für Flugschen und Kunststoffforschung", 1980, page 264. There it is a deployable offset reflector with folding ribs and adjustable mesh reflector. Radially swiveling support ribs are attached to a central support body. The reflector network is attached to these. Furthermore, tension wires are drawn between the support ribs and essentially transversely to them, which ends are fastened to the support ribs. Network tensioning points are provided over the length of these tensioning wires, at which the reflector network is fastened to the tensioning wires in an adjustable manner by means of adjusting wires or adjusting pieces. In order to give the reflector network the desired, mostly parabolic shape with the greatest possible accuracy, the corresponding adjustment work must be carried out at all network tensioning points. This requires a very large adjustment effort, which should be avoided as far as possible.
  • the network reflector described there has, in addition to the reflector network attached to the top of the pivoting support ribs, a further adjustment network attached to the rear sides of the support ribs. The latter is connected to the reflector network in the sectors located between the radially swung out support ribs via a plurality of adjustable tensioning wires.
  • the aim of the adjustable tensioning wires is to ensure that the reflector network in the unfolded state between the supporting ribs assumes the desired parabolic shape that is already predetermined by this.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a deployable antenna network reflector of the type mentioned, in which the adjustment effort to set the desired parabolic shape of the reflector network is as low as possible.
  • the reflector network assumes a constant curvature from the outset, at least in the area of these auxiliary ribs, in the unfolded state of the network reflector, because the pointed sinks in the reflector network associated with the point-by-point adjustment at a large number of individual network tension points occur not up here. No further adjustment points are provided between the auxiliary ribs and the support ribs or between the auxiliary ribs themselves. The total adjustment effort can thus be significantly reduced. In addition, the number of relatively heavy support ribs can be reduced, which has a favorable effect on the total weight of the satellite.
  • the total number of ribs used can be increased by using the auxiliary ribs, which in turn brings about an improvement in the radiation properties.
  • So z. B. the location and number of side lobes of the radiation diagram appearing next to the main lobe depends on how many ribs are used in total. The more parabolic ribs there are, the further the side lobes move outwards.
  • the antenna network reflector according to the invention thus represents a simple and inexpensive concept which will be applicable to advantage in many cases.
  • a deployed antenna network reflector is shown in plan view in FIG. 1a.
  • the network reflector has a total of 12 support ribs 3, as well as 12 auxiliary ribs 4 arranged in the sectors between the support ribs 3. that should take the form of a paraboloid of revolution as precisely as possible.
  • the network consists of metal wire or metallized threads, for example of plastic. Depending on the requirements The permissible mesh size is selected with regard to the operating wavelength.
  • the support ribs 3 are pivotally mounted on a support body 1 (see FIG. 1b) in such a way that they can be pivoted vertically upwards from the unfolded state shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b.
  • the material of the support ribs 3 should be chosen so that the ribs have a high inherent rigidity and are at the same time as light as possible. Fiber-reinforced plastics are particularly suitable for this.
  • the length of the spacers 16 is adapted to the desired parabolic shape.
  • the auxiliary ribs 4 are not attached to the carrier body 1, but only to the reflector net 2, preferably on the upper side thereof, for example glued or sewn. They are put under tension from the underside of the reflector network 2 by tension wires 5, which are only shown schematically here and are fastened to the supporting ribs 3.
  • tension wires 5 which are only shown schematically here and are fastened to the supporting ribs 3.
  • adjusting pieces 6 see also FIGS. 2 and 3 can be provided, the auxiliary ribs 4 obviously having to have a certain flexibility.
  • one or more auxiliary ribs 4 can be fastened to the reflector network 2 between two supporting ribs 3.
  • cuts are shown transversely to the supporting ribs 3, which in this case are designed as hollow profiles.
  • the reflector mesh 2 is attached to the top of the support ribs 3 by means of spacers 16.
  • the auxiliary ribs 4 are expediently on the top of the reflector network 2.
  • the adjusting pieces 6 serve to hold the tensioning wires 5, which are each anchored on the underside of the support ribs 3.
  • the direction of action of the tensioning wires 5 must have a component directed transversely to the reflector net 2, so that the train required for adjusting the auxiliary ribs, directed downwards or towards the rear of the reflector net 2, results. Quartz threads, for example, can be used as tension wires 5.
  • FIG. 3 shows a possible embodiment of the adjustment pieces 6, which are only indicated schematically in FIGS. 2a to 2c.
  • a part of the reflector network 2 is shown in cross section, an auxiliary rib 4 extending transversely to the plane of the drawing and resting on the top of the reflector network 2. as well as the actual adjustment piece 6.
  • the latter consists of a plate 10 which is firmly connected to a hollow tube 9 and which rests on the underside of the reflector network 2 and is connected to the auxiliary rib 4, for example, via rivet connections 17.
  • an axially displaceable, designed as a sliding sleeve 7 mounting piece is provided in the hollow tube 9.
  • This sliding sleeve 7 has on its outer surface two mutually opposite, axially parallel grooves 18 into which two corresponding cams 19 attached to the inside of the hollow tube 9 engage.
  • the sliding sleeve 7 has a threaded bore 20, expediently with a rotation lock, which corresponds to a threaded bolt 8, the head 21 of which in turn is mounted in a corresponding depression in the plate 10. Except for a small amount of play, the threaded bolt 8 cannot be moved in the axial direction, for example due to a locking pin 22 inserted below the head 21. Rotation of the threaded bolt 8 clearly leads to the sliding sleeve 7 being moved up or down in the axial direction .
  • the tensioning wires 5, which are anchored at the lower end of the sliding sleeve 7, and the reflector net 2 with the auxiliary rib 4 mounted thereon are put under more or less tension.
  • the auxiliary ribs 4 can therefore at the points where the adjusting pieces 6 engage, more or less downwards, i.e. towards the back of the reflector net.
  • a cross section through three supporting ribs 3 in the folded state is shown in a highly schematic manner.
  • the likewise folded reflector net 2 carries an auxiliary rib 4 with the associated adjusting pieces 6 between each two supporting ribs 3.
  • the latter and thus the auxiliary ribs 4 can be attached to the spacers 16 of the supporting ribs 3 with the aid of detachable mounting brackets 11 which can be reinserted or latched when the antenna is folded up again anchored.
  • This anchorage should be maintained during the start and transport phase.
  • This has the advantage that the auxiliary ribs 4 and adjusting pieces 6 assume a defined spatial position during this phase, which is associated with strong vibrations and loads, and the adjusting pieces cannot get tangled in the reflector network.
  • the reflector network is only free in the relatively narrow areas between the ribs and is only under the loads of its own mass during the start phase, in contrast to the double network concept discussed above, where the reflector network is still separated from the mass of the adjustment network and the tensioning wires and their adjustment elements during the start accelerations is charged.
  • auxiliary ribs not shown, which are adjacent to the supporting ribs 13 and attached to the reflector network 2 above or below the plane of the drawing, care must of course be taken to ensure that these have the required flexibility at the folding points 23 of the reflector network 2.
  • joint regions 12 can be provided at the corresponding locations of the auxiliary ribs 14, which are designed to be correspondingly flexible. This can be done in the case of auxiliary ribs 14 made of fiber-reinforced plastic in that the joint regions 12 are formed only from the fibers without the addition of synthetic resin.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen entfaltbaren Antennen-Netzreflektor gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruchs 1.The invention relates to a deployable antenna network reflector according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Ein derartiger Antennen-Netzreflektor ist aus «Zeitschriftfür Flugwissenschaften und Weltraumforschung», 1980, Seite 264, bekannt. Dort handelt es sich um einen entfaltbaren Offset-Reflektor mit Klapprippen und justierbarem Netzreflektor. An einem zentralen Trägerkörper sind radial ausschwenkbare Tragrippen angebracht. An diesen ist das Reflektornetz befestigt. Weiterhin sind zwischen den Tragrippen und im wesentlichen quer zu diesen Spanndrähte gezogen, welche mit ihren Enden an den Tragrippen befestigt sind. Über die Länge dieser Spanndrähte verteilt sind Netzspannstellen vorgesehen, an denen das Reflektornetz über Justierdrähte oder Justierstücke justierbar an den Spanndrähten befestigt ist. Um dem Reflektornetz die gewünschte, zumeist parabolische Form mit möglichst großer Genauigkeit zu geben, müssen an sämtlichen Netzspannstellen die entsprechenden Justierarbeiten vorgenommen werden. Dies erfordert einen sehr großen Justieraufwand, der soweit irgend möglich vermieden werden sollte.Such an antenna network reflector is known from "Zeitschrift für Flugwissenschaften und Raumforschung", 1980, page 264. There it is a deployable offset reflector with folding ribs and adjustable mesh reflector. Radially swiveling support ribs are attached to a central support body. The reflector network is attached to these. Furthermore, tension wires are drawn between the support ribs and essentially transversely to them, which ends are fastened to the support ribs. Network tensioning points are provided over the length of these tensioning wires, at which the reflector network is fastened to the tensioning wires in an adjustable manner by means of adjusting wires or adjusting pieces. In order to give the reflector network the desired, mostly parabolic shape with the greatest possible accuracy, the corresponding adjustment work must be carried out at all network tensioning points. This requires a very large adjustment effort, which should be avoided as far as possible.

Ein weiterer Antennen-Netzreflektor, ebenfalls vorwiegend für die Satelliten-Technik vorgesehen, ist aus «Microwaves», März 1974, Seite 14, bekannt. Der dort geschilderte Netzreflektor weist außer dem an der Oberseite der ausschwenkbaren Tragrippen befestigten Reflektornetz ein weiteres, an den Rückseiten der Tragrippen angebrachtes Justiernetz auf. Letzteres ist in den zwischen den radial ausgeschwenkten Tragrippen befindlichen Sektoren über eine Vielzahl von justierbaren Spanndrähten mit dem Reflektornetz verbunden. Durch die justierbaren Spanndrähte soll erreicht werden, daß das Reflektornetz im entfalteten Zustand auch zwischen den Tragrippen die durch diese bereits vorgegebene, gewünschte parabolische Form möglichst genau annimmt. Die Justierung über diese Vielzahl von Spanndrähten bedeutet jedoch einen erheblichen Arbeitsaufwand, vor allem auch deshalb, weil die Verstellung jedes einzelnen Spanndrahtes sich sofort auf die benachbarten Justierpunkte auswirkt. Es wird dort noch erörtert, neben den Tragrippen kleinere Hilfsrippen zu verwenden, über deren Ausgestaltung und Anbringung keine näheren Angaben gemacht sind, bei denen es sich jedoch höchstwahrscheinlich ebenfalls um solche handelt, die am zentralen Trägerkörper ausklappbar angebracht sind.Another antenna network reflector, also primarily intended for satellite technology, is known from “Microwaves”, March 1974, page 14. The network reflector described there has, in addition to the reflector network attached to the top of the pivoting support ribs, a further adjustment network attached to the rear sides of the support ribs. The latter is connected to the reflector network in the sectors located between the radially swung out support ribs via a plurality of adjustable tensioning wires. The aim of the adjustable tensioning wires is to ensure that the reflector network in the unfolded state between the supporting ribs assumes the desired parabolic shape that is already predetermined by this. However, the adjustment using this large number of tensioning wires means a considerable amount of work, above all because the adjustment of each individual tensioning wire has an immediate effect on the adjacent adjustment points. It is also discussed there, in addition to the supporting ribs, to use smaller auxiliary ribs, the design and attachment of which are not specified, but which are most likely also those which are attached to the central support body in a fold-out manner.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, einen entfaltbaren Antennen-Netzreflektor der eingangs genannten Art bereitzustellen, bei dem der Justieraufwand zum Einstellen der gewünschten parabolischen Form des Reflektornetzes möglichst gering ist.The invention has for its object to provide a deployable antenna network reflector of the type mentioned, in which the adjustment effort to set the desired parabolic shape of the reflector network is as low as possible.

Diese Aufgabe wird gemäß der Erfindung durch die im kennzeichnenden Teil des Patentanspruchs 1 genannten Merkmale gelöst.This object is achieved according to the invention by the features mentioned in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

Mit Hilfe der zwischen den Tragrippen am Reflektornetz angebrachten Hilfsrippen wird erreicht, daß das Reflektornetz zumindest im Bereich dieser Hilfsrippen im entfalteten Zustand des Netzreflektors von vornherein eine stetige Krümmung annimmt, denn die mit der punktweisen Justierung an einer Vielzahl einzelner Netzspannstellen verbundenen spitzen Senken im Reflektornetz treten hier nicht auf. Zwischen den Hilfsrippen und den Tragrippen bzw. zwischen den Hilfsrippen selbst sind keine weiteren Justierpunkte vorgesehen. Der gesamte Justieraufwand kann damit erheblich verringert werden. Außerdem kann die Anzahl der relativ schweren Tragrippen herabgesetzt werden, was sich günstig auf das Gesamtgewicht des Satelliten auswirkt. Andererseits kann die Gesamtzahl der verwendeten Rippen durch den Einsatz der Hilfsrippen vergrö- Bert werden, wodurch wiederum eine Verbesserung der Abstrahlungseigenschaften bewirkt wird. So ist z. B. die Lage und Anzahl der neben der Hauptkeule auftretenden Nebenzipfel des Strahlungsdiagramms davon abhängig, wieviel Rippen insgesamt verwendet werden. Je mehr parabolische Rippen nämlich vorhanden sind, desto weiter schieben sich die Nebenzipfel nach außen. Der erfindungsgemäße Antennen-Netzreflektor stellt somit ein einfaches und kostengünstiges Konzept dar, das in vielen Fällen mit Vorteil anwendbar sein wird.With the help of the auxiliary ribs attached to the reflector network between the support ribs, the reflector network assumes a constant curvature from the outset, at least in the area of these auxiliary ribs, in the unfolded state of the network reflector, because the pointed sinks in the reflector network associated with the point-by-point adjustment at a large number of individual network tension points occur not up here. No further adjustment points are provided between the auxiliary ribs and the support ribs or between the auxiliary ribs themselves. The total adjustment effort can thus be significantly reduced. In addition, the number of relatively heavy support ribs can be reduced, which has a favorable effect on the total weight of the satellite. On the other hand, the total number of ribs used can be increased by using the auxiliary ribs, which in turn brings about an improvement in the radiation properties. So z. B. the location and number of side lobes of the radiation diagram appearing next to the main lobe depends on how many ribs are used in total. The more parabolic ribs there are, the further the side lobes move outwards. The antenna network reflector according to the invention thus represents a simple and inexpensive concept which will be applicable to advantage in many cases.

Bei der Justierung erweist es sich zudem als günstig, daß sich die Verstellung eines Justierpunktes in weit geringerem Maße auf die benachbarten Justierpunkte auswirkt, als dies beim oben geschilderten Doppelnetzkonzept der Fall ist.When adjusting, it also proves to be favorable that the adjustment of an adjustment point has a far smaller effect on the adjacent adjustment points than is the case with the double network concept described above.

Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen.Advantageous developments of the invention result from the subclaims.

Im folgenden soll die Erfindung an Hand von Abbildungen näher erläutert werden. Es zeigen in schematischer Weise:In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of figures. They show in a schematic way:

  • Fig. 1a einen entfalteten Antennen-Netzreflektor in Draufsicht,1a an unfolded antenna network reflector in plan view,
  • Fig. 1b den Netzreflektor der Fig. 1a im Querschnitt,1b in cross section, the network reflector of FIG. 1a,
  • Fig. 2 die Anordnung einer sowie mehrerer Hilfsrippen zwischen zwei Tragrippen,2 shows the arrangement of one and several auxiliary ribs between two supporting ribs,
  • Fig. 3 den Querschnitt eines an einer Hilfsrippe befestigten Justierstückes,3 shows the cross section of an adjusting piece fastened to an auxiliary rib,
  • Fig. 4 ausschnittweise einen gefalteten Netzreflektor, bei dem die Hilfsrippen durch Halterungs-d bügel an den Tragrippen verankert sind,4 a section of a folded net reflector, in which the auxiliary ribs are anchored to the supporting ribs by means of mounting brackets,
  • Fig. 5 in sich einklappbare Tragrippen,5 collapsible support ribs,
  • Fig. 6 ausschnittweise eine Hilfsrippe mit biegsamem Gelenkbereich.Fig. 6 detail of an auxiliary rib with a flexible joint area.

In Fig. 1a ist in Draufsicht ein entfalteter Antennen-Netzreflektor dargestellt. Der Netzreflektor weist insgesamt 12 Tragrippen 3 auf, sowie ebenfalls 12 in den Sektoren zwischen den Tragrippen 3 angeordnete Hilfsrippen 4. An den Tragrippen 3, genauer über diesen, ist mit Hilfe von Abstandshaltern 16 (sh. Fig. 1b) ein Reflektornetz 2 aufgespannt, das möglichst genau die Form eines Rotationsparaboloids annehmen soll. Das Netz besteht aus Metalldraht oder metallisierten Fäden, beispielsweise aus Kunststoff. Je nach den Anforderungen hinsichtlich der Betriebswellenlänge wird die zulässige Maschenweite gewählt. Die Tragrippen 3 sind an einem Trägerkörper 1 (sh. Fig. 1b) schwenkbar gelagert, und zwar derart, daß sie aus dem in den Fig. 1a und 1b dargestellten entfalteten Zustand senkrecht nach oben geschwenkt werden können. Der Werkstoff der Tragrippen 3 sollte so gewählt werden, daß die Rippen eine hohe Eigensteifigkeit besitzen und gleichzeitig möglichst leicht sind. Hierfür kommen insbesondere faserverstärkte Kunststoffe in Frage. Die Länge der Abstandshalter 16 ist an die gewünschte parabolische Form angepaßt. Die Hilfsrippen 4 sind nicht an dem Trägerkörper 1, sondern lediglich am Reflektornetz 2, vorzugsweise auf dessen Oberseite, befestigt, beispielsweise verklebt oder vernäht. Sie werden durch hier nur schematisch dargestellte Spanndrähte 5, die an den Tragrippen 3 befestigt sind, von der Unterseite des Reflektornetzes 2 her unter Spannung gesetzt. Um die Hilfsrippen 4 in die gewünschte parabolische Form zu bringen, können Justierstücke 6 (sh. auch die Fig. 2 und 3) vorgesehen sein, wobei die Hilfsrippen 4 ersichtlich eine gewisse Flexibilität besitzen müssen. Es ist aber auch möglich, die Hilfsrippen 4 eigensteif auszubilden, wobei dann die Justierstücke entfallen bzw. wesentlich einfacher ausgebildet sein können.A deployed antenna network reflector is shown in plan view in FIG. 1a. The network reflector has a total of 12 support ribs 3, as well as 12 auxiliary ribs 4 arranged in the sectors between the support ribs 3. that should take the form of a paraboloid of revolution as precisely as possible. The network consists of metal wire or metallized threads, for example of plastic. Depending on the requirements The permissible mesh size is selected with regard to the operating wavelength. The support ribs 3 are pivotally mounted on a support body 1 (see FIG. 1b) in such a way that they can be pivoted vertically upwards from the unfolded state shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. The material of the support ribs 3 should be chosen so that the ribs have a high inherent rigidity and are at the same time as light as possible. Fiber-reinforced plastics are particularly suitable for this. The length of the spacers 16 is adapted to the desired parabolic shape. The auxiliary ribs 4 are not attached to the carrier body 1, but only to the reflector net 2, preferably on the upper side thereof, for example glued or sewn. They are put under tension from the underside of the reflector network 2 by tension wires 5, which are only shown schematically here and are fastened to the supporting ribs 3. In order to bring the auxiliary ribs 4 into the desired parabolic shape, adjusting pieces 6 (see also FIGS. 2 and 3) can be provided, the auxiliary ribs 4 obviously having to have a certain flexibility. However, it is also possible to design the auxiliary ribs 4 to be inherently stiff, in which case the adjusting pieces are omitted or can be made considerably simpler.

Wie in den Fig. 2a bis 2c in stark schematisierter Weise dargestellt, können zwischen je zwei Tragrippen 3 eine oder mehrere Hilfsrippen 4 an dem Reflektornetz 2 befestigt sein. Dargestellt sind jeweils Schnitte quer zu den Tragrippen 3, die in diesem Falle als Hohlprofile ausgebildet sind. Das Reflektornetz 2 ist auf der Oberseite der Tragrippen 3 mittels Abstandshaltern 16 befestigt. Die Hilfsrippen 4 liegen zweckmäßig auf der Oberseite des Reflektornetzes 2. Die Justierstücke 6 dienen zur Halterung der Spanndrähte 5, die jeweils an der Unterseite der Tragrippen 3 verankert sind. Die Wirkungsrichtung der Spanndrähte 5 muß eine quer zum Reflektornetz 2 gerichtete Komponente aufweisen, damit der zur Justierung der Hilfsrippen erforderliche, nach unten bzw. zur Rückseite des Reflektornetzes 2 hin gerichtete Zug resultiert. Als Spanndrähte 5 können beispielsweise Quarzfäden verwendet werden.As shown in FIGS. 2a to 2c in a highly schematic manner, one or more auxiliary ribs 4 can be fastened to the reflector network 2 between two supporting ribs 3. In each case, cuts are shown transversely to the supporting ribs 3, which in this case are designed as hollow profiles. The reflector mesh 2 is attached to the top of the support ribs 3 by means of spacers 16. The auxiliary ribs 4 are expediently on the top of the reflector network 2. The adjusting pieces 6 serve to hold the tensioning wires 5, which are each anchored on the underside of the support ribs 3. The direction of action of the tensioning wires 5 must have a component directed transversely to the reflector net 2, so that the train required for adjusting the auxiliary ribs, directed downwards or towards the rear of the reflector net 2, results. Quartz threads, for example, can be used as tension wires 5.

Eine mögliche Ausführungsform der in den Fig. 2a bis 2c nur schematisch angedeuteten Justierstücke 6 zeigt die Fig. 3. Dargestellt ist im Querschnitt ein Teil des Reflektornetzes 2, eine sich quer zur Zeichenebene erstreckende Hilfsrippe 4, die auf der Oberseite des Reflektornetzes 2 aufliegt, sowie das eigentliche Justierstück 6. Letzteres besteht aus einem fest mit einem Hohlrohr 9 verbundenen Teller 10, der an der Unterseite des Reflektornetzes 2 anliegt und beispielsweise über Nietverbindungen 17 mit der Hilfsrippe 4 verbunden ist. In dem Hohlrohr 9 ist ein axial verschiebbares, als Gleithülse 7 ausgebildetes Halterungsstück vorgesehen. Diese Gleithülse 7 weist an ihrer Außenfläche zwei einander gegenüberliegende, achsparallele Rillen 18 auf, in die zwei entsprechende, an der Innenseite des Hohlrohres 9 angebrachte Nocken 19 eingreifen. Im unteren Teil weist die Gleithülse 7 eine Gewindebohrung 20, zweckmäßig mit Drehsicherung, auf, die mit einem Gewindebolzen 8 korrespondiert, dessen Kopf 21 wiederum in einer entsprechenden Einsenkung des Tellers 10 gelagert ist. Bis auf ein geringes Spiel kann der Gewindebolzen 8 nicht in axialer Richtung bewegt werden, und zwar beispielsweise aufgrund eines unterhalb des Kopfes 21 eingelassenen Sperrstiftes 22. Eine Drehung des Gewindebolzens 8 führt ersichtlich dazu, daß die Gleithülse 7 in axialer Richtung auf- oder abbewegt wird. Dadurch werden die Spanndrähte 5, die am unteren Ende der Gleithülse 7 verankert sind, sowie das Reflektornetz 2 mit der darauf angebrachten Hilfsrippe 4 mehr oder weniger unter Spannung gesetzt. Die Hilfsrippen 4 können also an den Stellen, wo die Justierstücke 6 angreifen, mehr oder weniger nach unten, d.h. zur Reflektornetz-Rückseite hingezogen werden.FIG. 3 shows a possible embodiment of the adjustment pieces 6, which are only indicated schematically in FIGS. 2a to 2c. A part of the reflector network 2 is shown in cross section, an auxiliary rib 4 extending transversely to the plane of the drawing and resting on the top of the reflector network 2. as well as the actual adjustment piece 6. The latter consists of a plate 10 which is firmly connected to a hollow tube 9 and which rests on the underside of the reflector network 2 and is connected to the auxiliary rib 4, for example, via rivet connections 17. In the hollow tube 9, an axially displaceable, designed as a sliding sleeve 7 mounting piece is provided. This sliding sleeve 7 has on its outer surface two mutually opposite, axially parallel grooves 18 into which two corresponding cams 19 attached to the inside of the hollow tube 9 engage. In the lower part, the sliding sleeve 7 has a threaded bore 20, expediently with a rotation lock, which corresponds to a threaded bolt 8, the head 21 of which in turn is mounted in a corresponding depression in the plate 10. Except for a small amount of play, the threaded bolt 8 cannot be moved in the axial direction, for example due to a locking pin 22 inserted below the head 21. Rotation of the threaded bolt 8 clearly leads to the sliding sleeve 7 being moved up or down in the axial direction . As a result, the tensioning wires 5, which are anchored at the lower end of the sliding sleeve 7, and the reflector net 2 with the auxiliary rib 4 mounted thereon are put under more or less tension. The auxiliary ribs 4 can therefore at the points where the adjusting pieces 6 engage, more or less downwards, i.e. towards the back of the reflector net.

In Fig. 4 ist in stark schematisierter Weise ein Querschnitt durch drei im gefalteten Zustand befindliche Tragrippen 3 dargestellt. Das ebenfalls gefaltete Reflektornetz 2 trägt zwischen je zwei Tragrippen 3 jeweils eine Hilfsrippe 4 mit den zugehörigen Justierstücken 6. Letztere und damit die Hilfsrippen 4 sind mit Hilfe lösbarer und beim Wiedereinfalten der Antenne wiedereinsteck- bzw. rastbarer Halterungsbügel 11 an den Abstandshaltern 16 der Tragrippen 3 verankert. Diese Verankerung soll während der Start- und Transportphase aufrechterhalten werden. Dies hat den Vorteil, daß die Hilfsrippen 4 und Justierstücke 6 während dieser mit starken Erschütterungen und Belastungen verbundenen Phase eine definierte räumliche Lage einnehmen und die Justierstücke sich nicht im Reflektornetz verheddern können. Das Reflektornetz ist nur in den relativ schmalen Bereichen zwischen den Rippen frei und steht während der Startphase nur unter den Belastungen seiner Eigenmasse, im Gegensatz zum eingangs diskutierten Doppelnetzkonzept, wo das Reflektornetz während der Startbeschleunigungen noch von der Masse des Justiernetzes sowie der Spanndrähte und ihrer Justierelemente belastet wird.In Fig. 4, a cross section through three supporting ribs 3 in the folded state is shown in a highly schematic manner. The likewise folded reflector net 2 carries an auxiliary rib 4 with the associated adjusting pieces 6 between each two supporting ribs 3. The latter and thus the auxiliary ribs 4 can be attached to the spacers 16 of the supporting ribs 3 with the aid of detachable mounting brackets 11 which can be reinserted or latched when the antenna is folded up again anchored. This anchorage should be maintained during the start and transport phase. This has the advantage that the auxiliary ribs 4 and adjusting pieces 6 assume a defined spatial position during this phase, which is associated with strong vibrations and loads, and the adjusting pieces cannot get tangled in the reflector network. The reflector network is only free in the relatively narrow areas between the ribs and is only under the loads of its own mass during the start phase, in contrast to the double network concept discussed above, where the reflector network is still separated from the mass of the adjustment network and the tensioning wires and their adjustment elements during the start accelerations is charged.

In Fig. 5 sind zwei in sich einklappbare Tragrippen 13 im hochgeschwenkten bzw. gefalteten Zustand dargestellt, wobei die ebenfalls schematisch gezeigten justierbaren Abstandshalter 16 im entfalteten bzw. aufgeklappten Zustand eine parabolische Kontur nachbilden sollen. Hinsichtlich der nicht dargestellten, den Tragrippen 13 benachbarten und oberhalb bzw. unterhalb der Zeichenebene an dem Reflektornetz 2 befestigten Hilfsrippen muß natürlich dafür Sorge getragen werden, daß diese an den Faltungsstellen 23 des Reflektornetzes 2 die erforderliche Biegsamkeit aufweisen. Dazu können beispielsweise, wie in Fig. 6 dargestellt, an den entsprechenden Stellen der Hilfsrippen 14 Gelenkbereiche 12 vorgesehen sein, die entsprechend biegsam gestaltet sind. Dies kann bei aus faserverstärktem Kunststoff hergestellten Hilfsrippen 14 dadurch geschehen, daß die Gelenkbereiche 12 lediglich aus den Fasern ohne Zusatz von Kunstharz gebildet werden.5 two collapsible support ribs 13 are shown in the swung-up or folded state, the adjustable spacers 16 likewise shown schematically being intended to emulate a parabolic contour in the unfolded or unfolded state. With regard to the auxiliary ribs, not shown, which are adjacent to the supporting ribs 13 and attached to the reflector network 2 above or below the plane of the drawing, care must of course be taken to ensure that these have the required flexibility at the folding points 23 of the reflector network 2. For this purpose, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, joint regions 12 can be provided at the corresponding locations of the auxiliary ribs 14, which are designed to be correspondingly flexible. This can be done in the case of auxiliary ribs 14 made of fiber-reinforced plastic in that the joint regions 12 are formed only from the fibers without the addition of synthetic resin.

Claims (8)

1. Deployable mesh-reflector aerial with a plurality of rigid supporting ribs (3) mounted on a central support body (1) so as to be radially outwardly pivotable and carrying a metallic reflector mesh (2) as well as with tensioning wires (5) extending substantially transversely to the support ribs (3) and with one end anchored thereto, characterised in that between the supporting ribs (3) there are arranged in radial array one or several supporting ribs (4) each fastened only to the reflector mesh (2), to which the tension wires (5) are adjustably fastened with their other end, and wherein the direction of action of the tensioning wires (5), in the deployed state of the mesh-reflector, also has a transverse component each relative to the surface area covered by the mesh reflector (2).
2. A mesh-reflector aerial according to Claim 1, characterised in that the auxiliary ribs (4) are each provided at several positions distributed along their length with special adjusting members (6), each having retaining means (7) for the tensioning wires (5), said means being each displaceable perpendicularly relative to the reflector mesh (2).
3. A mesh-reflector aerial according to Claim 2, characterised in that the retaining means (7) are sling sleeves displaceable axially in a hollow tube (9) by means of an axial threaded bolt (8) and that the hollow tube (9) is connected with a dish (10) each fastened to the auxiliary rib (4) and bearing against the rear side of the mesh reflector (2).
4. A mesh-reflector aerial according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the auxiliary ribs (4), in the folded state of the mesh reflector, are releasably fastened by means of retaining brackets (11) to each of the supporting ribs (3) adjacent to them on either side.
5. A mesh-reflector aerial according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that when using singly or multiply foldable supporting ribs (13), the auxiliary ribs (14) have flexible joint regions (12).
6. A mesh-reflector aerial according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the auxiliary ribs (4, 14) consist of fibre-reinforced plastic.
7. A mesh-reflector aerial according to Claim 5 and 6, characterised in that the joint regions (12) of the auxiliary ribs (14) made of fibre-reinforced plastic are formed of fibres (15) without addition of synthetic resin.
8. A mesh-reflector aerial according to Claim 7, characterised in that by way of fibres (15) Aramide or carbon fibres are employed.
EP84112745A 1983-10-27 1984-10-23 Collapsible antenna net reflector Expired EP0144672B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19833338937 DE3338937A1 (en) 1983-10-27 1983-10-27 DEVELOPABLE AERIAL NET REFLECTOR
DE3338937 1983-10-27

Publications (3)

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EP0144672A2 EP0144672A2 (en) 1985-06-19
EP0144672A3 EP0144672A3 (en) 1986-07-30
EP0144672B1 true EP0144672B1 (en) 1989-09-06

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ID=6212831

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84112745A Expired EP0144672B1 (en) 1983-10-27 1984-10-23 Collapsible antenna net reflector

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US (1) US4642652A (en)
EP (1) EP0144672B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS60173904A (en)
CA (1) CA1226935A (en)
DE (1) DE3338937A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3338937A1 (en) 1985-05-09
CA1226935A (en) 1987-09-15
DE3338937C2 (en) 1988-07-28
EP0144672A2 (en) 1985-06-19
JPS60173904A (en) 1985-09-07
US4642652A (en) 1987-02-10
JPH0568883B2 (en) 1993-09-29
EP0144672A3 (en) 1986-07-30

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