Christopher C Frame

US Patent:

51968576, Mar 23, 1993

Filed:

Jun 3, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/709736

Inventors:

Frank R. Chiappetta - Berwyn PA
Christopher L. Frame - King of Prussia PA
Kenneth L. Johnson - Eagleville PA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - East Windsor NJ

International Classification:

H01Q 108
H01Q 112
B64G 144

US Classification:

343881

Abstract:

A stowable and self-deployable array antenna includes flat, rectangular antenna panels hinged side-by-side so that when deployed they are coplanar, and they fold like an accordion for stowing. The deployed array antenna is stiffened by lateral stiffening panels hingedly attached to every other hinge between antenna panels, and to the unhinged ends of the antenna panels. Foldable longitudinal stiffening panels are hinged between adjacent lateral stiffening panels. Each hinged connection includes a pair of thin spring elements, corresponding to a portion of a cylinder. The two spring elements of each hinge are spaced apart with their concave sides facing, and with the axes of the defining cylinder parallel. The hinge pivots, when the spring elements buckle, about a line orthogonal to a line extending between the cylinder axes. The hinges are used as the structural elements of self-deployable masts.

US Patent:

52397939, Aug 31, 1993

Filed:

Jun 3, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/709732

Inventors:

Frank R. Chiappetta - Berwyn PA
Christopher L. Frame - King of Prussia PA
Kenneth L. Johnson - Eagleville PA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - East Windsor NJ

International Classification:

H01Q 1919
E04H 1200

US Classification:

52108

Abstract:

A stowable and self-deployable array antenna includes flat, rectangular antenna panels hinged side-by-side so that when deployed they are coplanar, and they fold like an accordion for stowing. The deployed array antenna is stiffened by lateral stiffening panels hingedly attached to every other hinge between antenna panels, and to the unhinged ends of the antenna panels. Foldable longitudinal stiffening panels hinged between adjacent lateral stiffening panels. Each hinged connection includes a pair of thin spring elements, corresponding to a portion of a cylinder. The two spring elements of each hinge are spaced apart with their concave sides facing, and with the axes of the defining cylinder parallel. The hinge pivots, when the spring elements buckle, about a line orthogonal to a line extending between the cylinder axes. The hinges are used as the structural elements of self-deployable masts.