NASA CASE NO. LAR 1451 3-1 -SB 

PRINT FIG. 3C 

NOTICE 

The invention disclosed in this document resulted from research in aeronautical and 

space activities performed under programs of the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration. The invention is owned by NASA and is, therefore, available for 

licensing in accordance with the NASA Patent Licensing Regulation (14 Code of 

Federal Regulations 1 245.2). 

To encourage commercial utilization of NASA-owned inventions, it is NASA policy 

to grant licenses to commercial concerns. Although NASA encourages 

nonexclusive licensing to promote competition and achieve the widest possible 

utilization, NASA will provide the necessary incentive to the licensee to achieve 

early practical application of the invention. 

Address inquiries and all applications for license for this invention to NASA Patent 

Counsel, Langley Research Center, Code 143, Hampton, Virginia 23681 -0001. 

Serial No.: 0811 26,286 

09123193 LaRC 

(NASA-Case-LAR-14513-1-SB) 

DEPLOYABLE REFLECTOR STRUCTURE 

Patent Application (NASA. Langley 

Research Center) 27 p 

N94-29360 

uncl as 
DEPLOYABLE REFLECTOR STRUCTURE 

AWARDS . ABSTRACT 

The present invention relates to large reflector structures 

for deployment in outer space. 

Referring to FIGS. 1A - ID, a deployable reflector structure 

according to the invention comprises a number of movable reflector 

panels pivotably supported on rigid arms. Several such arms are 

pivotably connected to a central structure, so the arms can move in 

starburst fashion from a packaged stage, where all arms are 

vertical, to a deployed stage, where all of the arms are 

horizontal. All of the movable reflector panels are maintained at 

a predetermined angle to an axis of the reflector structure when 

the arms are pivoted, so the reflector panels are stacked tightly 

on top of each other in the packaged stage. Simple mechanisms are 

provided for avoiding interference between panels on different arms 

in the packaged stage, and for fitting the movable panels together 

like tiles in the deployed stage. 

The movable arms act as a stabilizing sub-structure for the 

reflecting panels in a deployable reflector structure according to 

the invention, so a highly accurate reflecting surface is assured. 

The invention also provides very compact packaging of the reflector 

structure in its packaged stage. A reflecting structure of 20 

meter deployed diameter will fit in the cargo bay of the U.S. Space 

Shuttle. 

Inventor: Dr. Martin Mikulas, Jr. 

address : 4743 Kincross Court 

Boulde CO 80301 

SS#: 

Employer : NASA La I- C 

Inventor: Charles Hoberman 

Address : 472 Greenwich Street 

New York NY 10013 

SS#: 

Employer : (Form-ybee Robotics 

Initial Evaluator: Donald R. Rummler 

Serial No. : 08/126,286 

Filed: 09-23-93 
LAR 14513-1 -SB -1 - PATENT APPLICATION

DEPLOYABLE REFLECTOR STRUCTURE

Origin of the Invention

5 The invention described herein was jointly made by a U.S. Government

employee and a contractor employee in the performance of work under NASA

Contract NAS1-18599. In accordance with 35 U.S.C. 202, the contractor

elected not to retain title.

10 Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention

15

This invention relates in general to large reflectors for light or

microwave radiation, and specifically to large flat or parabolic reflectors for

deployment in outer space.

Description of the Related Art

20 Space based parabolic reflectors are today widely used for collecting

and focusing faint electromagnetic radiation in radio telescopy, and as part of

antennae for receiving and transmitting radio signals. The energy collecting

capability of a reflector is proportional to its surface area, so very large

reflectors are highly desirable. Space based reflector structures must,

25 however, be transported into space by rocket driven vehicles, such as the

U.S. Space Shuttle, where storage space is limited. In order to deploy a large

reflector structure in space, it must be possible to collapse it into a compact

package for transportation, and to restore it to its final size and shape after

it has been placed in orbit. Examples of deployable reflectors appear in patent

30 literature. U.S. Patent No. 3,618,101 issued November 2, 1971 to Emde
LAR 14513-1-SB -2- PATENT APPLICATION

et al.; U.S. Patent No. 4,529,277 issued July 16, 1985 to Gee et al.; and

U.S. Patent No. 4,899,167 issued February 6, 1990 to Westphal describe

three versions of deployable reflectors with outer parts of a reflector panel

divided into movable segments. The movable segments are hingedly

5 connected to a fixed part of the reflector panel, so they can be folded back

towards the axis of the reflector to form a compact package for

transportation, and extended to restore the desired reflector size and shape

after deployment. These designs, however, do not provide for very compact

packaging of the reflector structure for transportation, and are not suitable for

10 very large reflector structures.

U.S. Patent No. 4,811,034 issued March 7, 1989 to Kaminskas

describes a deployable reflector comprising a number of modules fitting

together in tile fashion. For transportation, the modules are stacked

compactly on top of each other, and each pair of modules are connected by

15 a one step-down hinge with an axis generally orthogonal to the surface of the

module. After the collapsed reflector is delivered in space, the restoration to

final shape starts by turning the top module about its step-down hinge. After

the top module no longer covers part of the second module in the stack, the

step-down hinge moves the top module downward until its top surface is

20 flush with the top surface of the second module, and the two modules are

then locked together by a separate locking pin. Next, modules one and two

are turned as a unit about the hinge connecting module two with module

three in the stack, and so on until the complete reflector structure is restored.

This deployable reflector design provides very compact packaging for

25 transportation of very large reflectors, but it requires a cumbersome process

for restoring the reflector structure to its final shape in space. The accuracy

of the reflector surface is also poorly defined, unless an even more

cumbersome to deploy structure of trusses are added for support.

U.S. Patent No. 4,343,005 issued August 3, 1982 to Han et al.

30 illustrates a solar panel comprising sections arranged on scissor-type arms
LAR 14513-1-SB -3- PATENT APPLICATION

extending radially outward. When the arms are extended, the solar panels

form a flat array.

5

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a

deployable reflector structure incorporating a plurality of rigid reflector panels

and an underlying support, which can be transported as a very compact

package.

10 It is another object of the present invention to provide a deployable

reflector structure employing a highly reliable and synchronous deployment

process requiring a small number of motors.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a deployable

reflector structure assuring a high degree of accuracy in the deployed reflector

15 structure.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a

deployable reflector structure wherein all structural elements are subject to

minimum bending or torsional strains both during storage and deployment.

These and other objects are accomplished by a deployable reflector

20 structure, which comprises a central structure, a movable arm, means for

attaching a first end of the arm pivotally to the central structure for

movement in a plane containing an axis of the reflector structure, means for

pivoting the arm between a storage position substantially parallel to the axis

and an operating position substantially orthogonai to the axis, a movable

25 reflector panel having a reflector surface, means for attaching the movable

reflector panel pivotally to the arm at a predetermined distance from the first

end, and means for maintaining the movable reflector panel at a

predetermined angle relative to the axis at all positions of the arm.

30
LAR 14513-1-SB

Brief Description of the Drawings

-4- PATENT APPLICATION

The present invention and the objects achieved by it will be understood

from the description herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings,

5 in which:

FIGS 1A - 1D are lateral views of a simplified first embodiment of the

invention in different stages of deployment.

FIGS. 2A- 2D are lateral views of a simplified second embodiment of

the invention in different stages of deployment.

10 FIGS. 3A - 3D are perspective views of an actual reflector structure

according to a first embodiment of the invention in different stages of

deployment.

FIGS. 4A - 4D are perspective views of a section of an actual reflector

structure according to a second embodiment of the invention in different

15 stages of deployment.

FIGS 5A - 5C are perspective views of a complete reflector structure

according to a second embodiment of the invention in different stages of

deployment.

FIGS. 6A - 6B are perspective views of one section of a further

20 reflector structure according to the second embodiment of the invention in

different stages of deployment.

FIGS. 7A - 7C are perspective views of a complete reflector structure

utilizing one central structure and multiple arms as shown in FIGS. 6A - 6B

in different stages of deployment.

25 FIGS. 8A - 8B are, respectively, a top view and a lateral view of the

reflector structure shown in FIG. 7A in its packaged state.

FIGS. 8C - 8D are, respectively, a top view and a lateral view of the

reflector structure shown in FIG. 7C in its deployed state.

30
LAR 14513-1-SB -5-

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

PATENT APPLICATION

FIGS. 1A - 1D show lateral views of a deployable reflector structure 10

according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The views are

5 simplified to show only those elements necessary for an understanding of the

invention. A central structure 12 has a base 14 and a top plate 50 connected

by a post 18. The top plate 50 serves as a fixed reflector panel in the

deployed reflector structure 10. A pair of movable reflector panels 60a and

60d are supported pivotably by arms 31a, 31d, which in turn are pivotably

10 mounted on the central structure 12 via arm carriers 41a, 41d. The arm

carriers 41a, 41d are slidably mounted on horizontal tracks 16a, 16d, which

are mounted on the base 14. The reflector structure 10 has a reflector axis

11.

The length of arm 31d is larger than the length of arm 31a, but

15 otherwise the two arms 31a, 31d are of similar construction. Each of the

arms 31a, 31d comprises a pair of parallel rods 34, 36 (34a, 36a and 34d,

36d|, which are connected to the arm carriers 41 (41a, 41d) via pivotable

joints 44, and to links 62a, 62d via pivotable joints 64. The rods 34, 36 and

the joints 44, 64 in each arm 31a, 31d form a parallelogram structure, so the

20 links 62a, 62d remain at a fixed angle to the reflector axis 11 when the arms

31a, 31d are moved. The links 62a, 62d are rigidly connected to the

movable reflector panels 60a, 60d, and are bent so the reflector panels 60a,

60d are parallel to the top panel 50.

In FIG. 1A, the deployable reflector structure 10 is shown in its

25 packaged stage, with the movable arms 31a, 31d arranged parallel to the

reflector axis 11. Because the movable arm 31d is longer than the movable

arm 31a, the movable reflector panel 60d is stacked on top of or above the

movable reflector panel 60a. It is readily apparent that the total diameter of

the deployable reflector structure 10 in its packaged stage is only slightly

30 larger than the diameter of the reflector panels 50, 60a, 60d, while the length
LAR 14513-1 -SB -6- PATENT APPLICATION

is about equal to the length of the longest arm 31d.

FIG. 1B shows the deployable reflector structure 10 in a partially

deployed stage. The movable arms 31a, 31d have been pivoted to positions

at about 45" angles to the reflector axis 11. The movable reflector panels

5 60a and 60d are displaced radially outward from the reflector axis 11, but

they remain parallel to the fixed reflector panel 50, because of the

parallelogram action of the movable arms 31a, 31d.

FIG. lC shows the deployable reflector structure 10 at a later stage of

deployment, where the movable arms 31a, 31d are pivoted to positions at

10 substantially right angles to the reflector axis 11. The movable reflector

panels 60a, 60d are now coplanar with the fixed reflector panel 50. An edge

of the movable reflector panel 60a is close to an edge of the fixed reflector

panel 50, but there is more of a gap between the edges of the fixed reflector

panel 50 and the movable reflector panel 60d, because the movable arm 31d

15 is longer than the movable arm 31a.

FIG. 1D shows the deployable reflector structure 10 at a stage of full

deployment. The arm carrier 41d has been moved radially inward on its track

16d, so the movable arm 31d is retracted into the central structure 12. The

edge of the movable reflector panel 60d is now close to the edge of the fixed

20 reflector panel 50, so all three reflector panels 50, 60a, 60d are contiguous,

forming a flat reflector with area much larger than the cross section of the

deployable reflector structure 10 in its packaged stage.

FIGS. 2A - 2D show lateral views of a deployable reflector structure 20

according to a second embodiment of the invention. The views are simplified

25 to show only those elements necessary for an understanding of the invention.

A central structure 22 with a base 24 is connected to a top panel 50 by a

number of supporting posts 28 distributed around the periphery of the central

structure 22. A pair of movable reflector panels 60a and 60d are supported

on arms 32a, 32d, which in turn are pivotably supported by the central

30 structure 22 via arm carriers 42a, 42d. The arm carriers 42a, 42d are
LAR 14513-1 -SB -7- PATENT APPLICATION

mounted slidably on the vertical posts 28, which serve as tracks for the arm

carriers 42a, 42d. The reflector structure has a reflector axis 21.

The deployable reflector structure 20 is essentially the same as the

deployable reflector structure 10 described above with reference to FIGS.

5 1A - 1D, except for the following two differences: (i) the movable arms 32a

and 32d are of equal length; and (ii) the arm carriers 42a and 42d are

movable on axially arranged tracks 28a, 28d on vertical posts 28, instead of

on tracks 16 parallel to the fixed reflector panel 50.

In FIG. 2A, the deployable reflector structure 20 is shown in its

10 packaged stage, with the movable arms 32a, 32d arranged parallel to the

reflector axis 21. The arm carriers 42a and 42d are at this stage located at

different axial positions on their tracks 28a, 28d, so the movable reflector

panels 60d and 60a are stacked on top of each other without interference.

FIG. 2B shows the deployable reflector structure 20 in a partially

15 deployed stage. The movable arms 32a, 32d are at an angle of about 45"

to the reflector axis 21. The movable reflector panels 60a and 60d have been

moved radially outward from the reflector axis 21, but they remain parallel to

the fixed reflector panel 50, because of the parallelogram action of the

movable arms 32a, 32d.

20 FIG. 2C shows the deployable reflector structure 20 at a later stage of

deployment, where the movable arms 32a, 32d are pivoted to substantially

horizontal positions. The movable reflector panel 60a is coplanar with the

fixed reflector panel 50, but the movable reflector panel 60d is axially

displaced relative to the fixed reflector panel 50. Edges of the fixed reflector

25 panel 50 are aligned with edges of both the movable reflector panels 60a,

60d.

FIG. 2D shows the deployable reflector structure 20 at a stage of full

deployment. The arm carrier 42d has been moved axially upward on its track

28d, so the edge of the movable reflector panel 60d is coplanar with the fixed

30 reflector panel 50. The three reflector panels 50, 60a, 60d are now coplanar
LAR 14513-1 -SB -8- PATENT APPLICATION

and contiguous, and form a flat reflector with area much larger than the cross

section of the deployable reflector structure 20 in its packaged stage.

The invention is not limited to flat reflectors. A deployable reflector

structure 10, 20 with a reflector surface forming a parabola of rotation ("a

5 parabolic reflector") can be obtained by shaping both the fixed reflector panel

50 and the movable reflector panels 60a, 60d to form parts of the desired

parabolic reflector surface. The links 62a, 62d have suitable dimensions and

angles to hold the movable reflector panels 60a, 60d in proper alignment for

the parabolic reflector surface.

10 For optimum packaging density in a reflector structure 10, 20 with a

parabolic reflector surface, the movable reflector panels 60 should be

substantially parallel to the fixed reflector panel 50 when the movable arms

31, 32 are in the packaged stage, but the reflector panels 60 should be

slightly tilted to conform to the average slope of the parabola when the

15 movable arms 31, 32 are in the fully deployed stage. Such a predetermined

variation in the tilt angle of the movable panels 60 can readily be obtained by

slight changes in the geometry of the rods 34, 36 and the links 42, 62, as is

well known to those skilled in the art.

The description above has assumed simplified reflector structures 10,

20 20 having only two movable arms 31 or 32, each with one movable reflector

panel 60, in order to make the illustrations easy to understand. A useful or

more practical deployable reflector structure 10 or 20 according to the

invention will contain a larger number of movable reflector panels and a

plurality of supporting arms arranged like petals on a flower and deployed in

25 starburst fashion. Three examples of such complete deployable reflector

structures will be described below.

FIGS. 3A - 3D are perspective views of an actual deployable reflector

structure 101 according to the first embodiment of the invention described

above with reference to FIGS. 1A - 1D.

30 FIG. 3A shows the deployable reflector structure 101 in its packaged
LAR 14513-1-SB -9- PATENT APPLICATION

stage. A central structure 121 carries one fixed reflector panel 501 and six

movable arms 31 la - 311f pivotally attached to it. The movable arms 31 la -

311f are vertically oriented. Pivotably attached to the movable arms 31 la -

311f are six rigid hexagonal reflector panels 601a - 601f. The six arms 31 la

5 311f are of different lengths, so the reflector panels 601a - 601f are

stacked on top of each other without interference.

FIG. 3B shows the deployable reflector structure 101 in an intermediate

stage of deployment. The six moveable arms 31 la - 311f have been pivoted

to orientations between the horizontal and the vertical position.

10 FIG. 3C shows the deployable reflector structure 101 in a further stage

of deployment. The six movable arms 311a - 311f have been pivoted to

essentially horizontal positions. The arms 31 la - 311f act as parallelogram

guides, so the six movable reflector panels 601a - 601f continue to lie in

substantially horizontal positions. Because the six arms 311a - 311f are of

15 different lengths, each of the six reflector panels 601a - 601f is positioned

at a different distance from the central reflector panel 501. Only panel 601a,

which is carried by the shortest arm 31 la, abuts the central reflector panel

501.

FIG. 3D shows the deployable reflector structure 101 in a fully

20 deployed stage. The movable arms 311b - 311f have been retracted within

the central structure 121 so the movable reflector panels 601b - 601f abut

the fixed reflector panel 501 and each other, providing a continuous reflecting

surface.

FIGS. 4A - 4D are perspective views showing an actual deployable

25 reflector structure 202 according to the second embodiment of the invention

described above with reference to FIGS. 2A - 2D. In this modified second

embodiment, a movable arm 322 supports two movable wedge shaped

reflector panels 602, 702, but otherwise the arm 322 functions exactly as

described above with reference to FIGS. 2A - 2D.

30 FIG. 4A shows a central structure 222 with twelve pairs of vertical
LAR 14513-1 -SB -10- PATENT APPLICATION

rods 282 connecting the base 242 to a fixed reflector panel 502. A movable

arm 322 comprises two sets of parallel rods 342", 342" and 362', 362'"

mounted on an arm carrier 422 via pivotable joints 442, and two links 622

and 722 mounted on the two pairs of rods 342", 342" and 362', 362"' by

5 means of pivotable joints 642 and 742. The arm carrier 422 is mounted

slidably on one pair of the vertical rods 282. The movable wedge-shaped

reflector panels 602 and 702 are rigidly supported by the respective links 622

and 722.

FIGS. 4B - 4D show one arm 322 with reflector panels 602 and 702

10 in different stages of deployment. FIG. 4B shows the movable arm 322 with

panels 602 and 702 in the packaged stage. The movable arm 322 is vertical,

and the reflector panel 702 is positioned above reflector panel 602. FIG. 4C

shows the movable arm 322 with panels 602 and 702 pivoted to a diagonal

position. The panels 602 and 702 are constrained to maintain a horizontal

15 position by the parallelogram action of the movable arm 322 and the links

622, 722. FIG. 4D shows the movable arm 322 pivoted to a horizontal

position. The panels 602, 702 now form a continuous wedge shaped

reflector surface.

FIGS. 5A - 5C are perspective views of a complete deployable reflector

20 structure 202 comprising the central structure 222 and twelve of the arms

322 with panels 602, 702 shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A shows the deployable reflector structure 202 in its packaged

stage, with all twelve arms 322a - 3221 oriented vertically. The arms 322a -

3221 are all of equal length, but their respective arm carriers 422a - 4221 are

25 positioned at different vertical positions on their tracks 282, so the panels

602, 702 on different arms 322a - 3221 do not interfere.

FIG. 5B shows the deployable reflector structure 202 with all arms

322a - 3221 fully extended horizontally, as was shown for one arm in FIG.

4D. The panels 602, 702 on each arm 322a - 3221 form continuous wedge

30 shaped surfaces, but the panels on different arms 322a - 3221 are located at
LAR 14513-1-SB -11- PATENT APPLICATION

different vertical levels.

FIG. 5C shows the reflector structure 202 fully deployed. The arm

carriers 422 for the different arms 322a - 3221 have now been moved to the

same vertical level, so the all the reflector panels 602a-6021, 702a-7021 form

5 a continuous surface.

FIGS. 6A - 6B are perspective views of details of still another

deployable reflector structure 203 at different stages of deployment. This

reflector structure 203 comprises a pivotable arm 323 slidably mounted on

vertical tracks 283 in a central structure 223 via an arm carrier 423. The

10 pivotable arm 323 comprises one outer rod 363 and two parallel inner rods

343", 343". The rods 363 and 343", 343" are connected to the arm carrier

423 via pivotable joints 443, and to three links 623, 723, 823 via pivotable

joints 643, 743, 843, forming a parallelogram structure. Three hexagonal

reflector panel sets 603, 703, 803 are carried by the arm 323. Each reflector

15 panel set 603, 703, 803 comprises a main reflector panel 603", 703', and

803', respectively, which is rigidly connected to respective links 623, 723,

823. Each of the main reflector panels 603', 703", 803" in turn supports a

hexagonal sub-panel 603", 703", and 803", respectively, via hinges 683,

783, 883.

20 FIG. 6A shows the pivotable arm 323 oriented vertically, corresponding

to the packaged stage of the reflector structure 203. The sub-panels 603",

703", 803" are folded fiat on top of their respective main panels 603", 703',

803" at this stage.

FIG. 6B shows the arm 323 in a partially deployed position. The arm

25 323 has been pivoted to a position between vertical and horizontal. The links

623, 723, 823 maintain a horizontal orientation for the panel sets 603, 703,

803. Sub-panel 803" is shown partially un-folded from its main panel 803".

It will be understood that main panel 803" and sub-panel 803" will form a

continuous reflecting surface when the sub-panel 803" is fully un-folded on

30 hinge 883, and that the same is true for the remaining pairs of main panels
LAR 14513-1-SB -12- PATENT APPLICATION

603", 703" and sub-panels 603"', 703"'.

FIGS. 7A - 7C are perspective views of a complete reflector structure

203 comprising six of the pivotable arms 323a - 323f shown in FIGS. 6A -

6B and as described above. Each of the six pivotable arms 323a - 323f

5 supports three hexagonal main reflector panels 603", 703', 803" with hinged

hexagonal sub-panels 603", 703", 803".

FIG. 7A shows the reflector structure 203 in its packaged stage. The

six pivotable arms 323a - 323f are all oriented vertically. The arm carriers

423a - 423f are arranged at different vertical levels on their tracks 283a -

10 283f, so the overlapping reflector panel sets 603, 703, 803 fit as a stack

without interference.

FIG. 7B shows the reflector structure 203 with all the pivotable arms

323a - 323f fully extended in the horizontal direction. The sub-panels 803"a

- 803"'f have been un-folded from their respective main reflector panels 803"a

15 - 803'f.

FIG. 7C shows the reflector structure 203 in its fully deployed stage.

All the sub-panels 603", 703", 803" have been unfolded from their

respective main reflector panels 603', 703', 803". The main reflector panels

603", 703", 803" and the sub-panels 603", 703", 803" together form a

20 continuous parabolic reflector surface.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are, respectively, a plan view and a lateral view of the

deployable reflector structure 203 in its packaged stage, and FIGS. 8C and

8D are, respectively, a plan view and a lateral view of the deployable reflector

structure 203 in its fully deployed stage. The scale is the same in all of FIGS.

25 8A - 8D.

By comparing FIGS. 8A and 8C, and FIGS. 8B and 8D it can be seen

that the diameter of the packaged structure is approximately one fifth of the

diameter of the fully deployed structure. This means that a reflector structure

according to this embodiment of the invention with a deployed diameter of

30 20 meters can be packaged within the cargo bay of the U.S. Space Shuttle.
LAR 14513-1-SB -13- PATENT APPLICATION

The reflector panels may be solid panels, as shown in FIGS. 3A - 3D

and FIGS. 5A - 5C, or structural panels built from struts, as shown in FIGS.

6A 7C. A solid reflector panel can be formed from a thin sheet of

composite material with a metallized reflecting surface. The reflecting

5 surfaces of structural panels will normally be covered by a thin metallized

plastic film. Panels may also be made from sheets of composite material

stiffened by a structure of struts.

In all the embodiments and examples of the deployable reflector

structures according to the invention described above, a predetermined angle

10 between the movable reflector panels and the axis of the deployable reflector

structure during pivoting of the arms has been assured by a parallelogram

linkage of rods and links. This is the preferred means for maintaining a

predetermined angle for the movable panels, but other means are available,

as is well known in the art. The angle of the movable reflector panels can,

15 for instance, be controlled by cam followers, or by rope driven pulleys, or by

servo motors acting on the links supporting the reflector panels. Whichever

means is selected is strictly a matter of cost, weight, and reliability, and the

invention is not limited to any specific choice of such mechanisms.

No specific means for pivoting the arms, or for moving the arm carriers

20 along their tracks have been described above. Such means are, however,

well known to those skilled in the art. For instance, the movable arms can

be pivoted from its packaged orientation to its fully deployed orientation by

means of motors under computer control, or the movable arms can be spring

loaded for deployment, with releasable restraints keeping the movable arms

25 in the packaged position until deployment is desired. Again, the choice of

such mechanisms is strictly a matter of cost, weight, and reliability, and no

specific means is required by the present invention.

The invention provides a deployable reflector structure that packs

compactly for storage and transportation, and has excellent structural stability

30 during and after deployment in outer space because the movable reflector
LAR 14513-1-SB -14- PATENT APPLICATION

panels are supported by an underlying structure of rigid arms.

A deployable reflector structure according to the invention requires only

few and simple means for deployment, and the deployment procedure for this

reflector structure can be reversed, so the reflector structure can reliably be

5 re-packaged for transportation while in outer space.

Numerous modifications and adaptations of the present invention will

be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the following claims and their

equivalents are intended to cover all such modifications and adaptations

which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

10 What is claimed is:
LAR 14513-1-SB PATENT APPLICATION

DEPLOYABLE REFLECTOR STRUCTURE

Abstract of the Disclosure

5 A deployable reflector structure of large size has a number of movable

reflector panels pivotably supported on rigid arms. Several such arms are

pivotably connected to a central structure, so the arm can move in starburst

fashion from a packaged stage, where all arms are vertical, to a deployed

stage, where all arms are horizontal. All of the movable reflector panels are

10 maintained at a predetermined angle to an axis of the reflector structure when

the arms are pivoted, so the reflector panels are stacked tightly on top of

each other in the packaged state of the reflector structure. Simple

mechanisms are used for avoiding interference between panels on different

arms in the packaged stage, and for fitting the movable panels together like

15 tiles in the deployed stage.
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24 ``) "280
FIG.3A

311f

_"°--_1[ IM

,o,-_-_, AIJ

"_' I_1_" 3lib _ _:_141

FIG. 3B

60If

31If

601o

311o

601b

3lib

501

\

3lie

6_e60i d

601c
601fro

FIG. 3C

501

f6Ole

f311e

3lid

31If

601d

311o

601o

601b

3lib

121

601c

)

311c

311f

60If

FIG. 3D 3lie

3lid

601c

311o 601o 311c

3lib 601b
FIG. 4A

702

/

722

742

5O2

222._

242

:522

442

282

62"

202

\

\
722 F IG. 4B

702

322

FIG. 4C

722 702

22

322

FIG. 4D

722 322

702 60

422

6O2

I

422
FIG. 5A

222

202

f_22d r322c -702b

FIG. 5B ' _'-_ 322 b722a

202_ 602a 702a

322 f 22_.

F,G.50#._):j._o

602a

_322_

-322g" _52_ i'_,,,...,22 j _22 k
603

FIG. 6B "l

703

\

223 _ 6_ 323

423

803"

:43
FIG. 7A

323c

323d

323e

230

323f
FIG.

203

L

7B 323c 323b

323d

)

323e 223 323o

FIG.

323d

23c

323b

323e

323f

3230
FIG.8A

203 -_

FIG. 8D 2o3-2

FIG. 8B

j-2os

-1

L •

FIG. 8C

203