Patent ID: 8035573

Claim:
A deployable panel structure for an array antenna comprising a first and a second set of panels hinged together for deployment between a folded configuration for stowage and an elongate unfolded configuration; wherein said panels carry a plurality of antenna elements which, when the structure is deployed, formed an array antenna, wherein the panels of said first set are hinged together about a plurality of spaced-apart axes which are transverse to an elongate axis of the unfolded structure and the panels of said second set are hinged to panels of the first set about lengthwise axes parallel to said elongate axis of the unfolded structure; and wherein the number and arrangement of the panels is such that a width of the unfolded structure, measured transversely of its elongate extent, is less at both of its ends than the width of its middle portion, wherein a principal said transverse axis is approximately at a mid-point of the longitudinal extent of the unfolded structure; wherein the structure is folded such that it is wider-measured transversely of its longitudinal extent—at one end than at the other; and wherein said one end becomes the mid-point of the structure when unfolded.