Abstract:
A support apparatus for an inflatable communications antenna system includes a case the size of airline carry-on luggage that is dimensioned to store a deflated antenna and its accompanying power, control and inflation systems.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present invention relates generally to inflatable antennas, more particularly, to a support apparatus for inflatable antennas. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an inflatable antenna secured to an exemplary support apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is an end-on view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  depicts an interior chamber of the case; and 
         FIG. 4  is depicts the inter chamber with the antenna and control components stored therein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The various embodiments and their advantages are best understood by referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4  of the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles embodied in the apparatus. 
     The drawings represent and illustrate examples of the various embodiments of the apparatus, and not a limitation thereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as described herein. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be included in another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Moreover, variations in selection of materials and/or characteristics may be practiced to satisfy particular desired user criteria. 
     Furthermore, reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “various embodiments,” or any variant thereof means that a particular feature or aspect described in conjunction with the particular embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” or variations thereof in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to its respective embodiment. 
     The support apparatus described herein is generally contemplated for use with an inflatable, portable antenna apparatus. For an example of such inflatable antenna apparatuses, please see U.S. Pat. No. 6,963,315, to Gierow, et al, which is incorporated herein by reference. An inflatable antenna apparatus as contemplated herein is essentially a two-chamber, gas-filled sphere where a partition between the two chambers is maintained the shape of a parabolic dish, or lenticular dish. The partition reflects energy to or from a feed horn assembly mounted in the surface of the sphere. The parabolic shape of the reflector may be maintained by having higher air pressure in the chamber on the reflecting side of the partition, than in the chamber on the opposing side. 
       FIGS. 1 through 3  illustrate an exemplary support apparatus  100  for an inflatable antenna  1 . The antenna  1  includes a spherical inflatable shell  2  and a membrane  3  in the interior of the sphere roughly disposed at the interior equator. The antenna  1  is comprised of an upper  4   a  and lower chamber  4   b , the upper chamber  4   a  having a slightly greater air pressure so as to maintain the membrane in a generally parabolic shape. A feed horn  5  is positioned on the outside surface of the sphere  2  and is located roughly at the focal point of the parabola created by the membrane  3 . The membrane  3  is formed having an electromagnetic reflective surface oriented toward the feed horn  5 . Consequently, the inflatable antenna  1  functions as parabolic antennas currently known in the art. The antenna  1  also includes a blower  9  in fluid communication with at least one of the chambers  4   a, b , for inflating, and maintaining inflation of the antenna  1 . 
     The antenna  1  rests upon, and is secured to, a case  7  comprising a box  6  and a lid  8  hingedly attached thereto and latchable when closed in the style of a suitcase or briefcase. The case  7  is dimensioned to be to define a space no greater than that defined by airline carry-on luggage. For example, case preferably defines a space less than about 24″×16″×10″, and more preferably less than about 22″×14″×9″. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the box  6  together with the lid  8  define a chamber  11  for housing a controller  12 , a power supply module  13 , a battery  14 , and a transceiver  15 . The controller  12  is a computer-based system configured to control operation of the antenna  1  system and is responsive to a user interface  16  and may include an inflation control module  17 , which controls the blower  9  for maintaining proper pressure within the chambers  4   a, b.    
     The apparatus  100  is configured with a plurality of legs  18   a - c , extending outward from the case, and each comprising an elongated member with a foot  19  attached near the outer end of the elongated member to the underside thereof. The case  7  is adapted to include a plurality of hollow tubes  20   a - c  that open to respective apertures  26   a - c  defined in the walls of the case  7 , and in which the legs  18   a - c  may be stowed and from which the legs  18   a - c  extend when the antenna  1  is deployed. In the illustrated embodiment, three legs  18   a - c  are depicted with two  18   a, b , angled with respect to the long axis of the case (ref. line A) and one longitudinal leg  18   c . However, it will be appreciated that other numbers of legs, and other orientations, may be used. 
     The antenna  1  is secured to the case with lines  21   a, b  extending along either hemisphere of the antenna  1 , with first ends that a secured to an attachment point  22   b  located on the longitudinal leg  18   c , and second ends secured to an attachment point  22   a  located on surface of the antenna  1 , and with intermediate portions threaded through pulleys  24   a, b  located on the angled legs  18   a, b , and/or through a hook or eye  25  attached to either lateral side of the antenna  1 . 
     The stowed condition of the antenna is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , with the legs  18   a - c  retracted within their respective hollow tubes  20   a - c . The chamber  11  defines a volume sufficient to enclose the power, transmission and control components  12 - 17 , but also the antenna  1  (shown in dashed line for clarity) along with the feed horn  5  (not shown for clarity). 
     As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the present invention comprises a support apparatus for an inflatable antenna. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood, however, that any invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate such features or those improvements that incorporate the novel principles embodied by the apparatus.