Compactable RF membrane antenna
Exemplary embodiments are described herein for compactable antennas. Exemplary compactable antennas include a support structure and a reflector surface. The support structure may directly or indirectly define the reflector shape. Exemplary embodiments comprise deployable support structures to permit the compactable antenna to have a smaller volume stowed configuration and a larger volume deployed configuration.
1. A deployable antenna, comprising:
a collector;
a support structure comprising a shape memory composite that is flexible and deformable along a length when a force is applied and has a remembered configuration when the force is removed; and
a reflector configured to direct radio frequency waves received at the reflector to the collector,
wherein the deployable antenna comprises a stowed configuration in which the support structure is dynamically deformed and a deployed configuration in which the support structure is in the remembered configuration.
2. The deployable antenna of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a toroidal outer frame and at least three struts coupled to the outer frame, and the deployable antenna comprises a net-mesh attached to the toroidal outer frame, the net-mesh defining a plurality of nodes.
3. The deployable antenna of claim 2 , wherein a plurality of tension elements are attached to the plurality of nodes, the tension elements in tension defining a deployed shape of the net-mesh in the deployed configuration.
4. The deployable antenna of claim 3 , wherein the reflector is attached to the tension elements.
5. The deployable antenna of claim 4 , wherein the reflector comprises a plurality of reflector membranes, each reflector membrane coupled to adjacent tension elements.
6. The deployable antenna of claim 5 , wherein the support structure comprises a shape memory composite.
7. The deployable antenna of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a shape memory composite.
8. The deployable antenna of claim 7 , wherein the shape memory composite comprises a base material and a matrix material.
9. The deployable antenna of claim 8 , wherein the base material comprises carbon fabric, carbon tows, Vectran, Kevlar, or combinations thereof.
10. The deployable antenna of claim 9 , wherein the matrix material comprises silicone, urethane, epoxy, or combinations thereof.
11. The deployable antenna of claim 10 , wherein the base material comprises strands and the matrix material fills a space between strands.
12. The deployable antenna of claim 11 , wherein the strands are generally aligned along an entire length of the support structure.
13. The deployable antenna of claim 12 , wherein the support structure comprises an outer frame, a plurality of ribs coupled to the outer frame, and a plurality of struts coupled to the outer frame.
14. The deployable antenna of claim 13 , wherein the outer frame comprises a toroid and the struts extend out of plane of the outer frame and generally converge toward each other.
15. The deployable antenna of claim 14 , wherein the outer frame and struts support the reflector.