Patent ID: 7626560

Claim:
A folding feed mechanism for a mobile satellite system, said mobile satellite system having a reflector antenna, a feed, and a feed arm; said feed arm having a distal end from said reflector antenna, said feed arm carrying said feed at said distal end when said reflector antenna is deployed; said folding feed mechanism comprising: a pivot connection between said distal end of said feed arm and said feed; at least one feed stop block connected at said distal end of said feed arm, said feed stop block having first and second surfaces; a spring having two ends, said first end of said spring operatively connected to said feed arm, said second end of said spring operatively connected to said feed; when said mobile satellite system stows said reflector antenna, said feed pivoting about said pivot connection to abut said first surface of said feed stop block against said feed to hold said feed at a first set angle less than 180 degrees with said feed arm; when said mobile satellite system deploys said reflector antenna, said feed pivoting about said pivot connection to abut said second surface of said feed stop block against said feed to hold said feed at a second set angle less than 180 degrees with said feed arm, said spring applying a force to hold said second surface against feed; said first set angle greater than said second set angle to provide a low profile to said stowed reflector antenna in said mobile satellite system.