LARGE SPREAD OUT REFLECTOR FOR SPACECRAFT Russian patent published in 2010 - IPC H01Q15/16 B64G1/22 

FIELD: physics; radio.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to space engineering, particularly to large spread out umbrella type reflectors, for example, with diametre of 25-50 m. According to the invention, the reflector for a spacecraft antenna strong ring supports whose adjacent ends are joined at both ends of the face of the strong ring with elastic peripheral cords, lying in the central zone of the strong ring of the central unit which has two flanges, each of which is joined by radial elastic cords to the strong ring supports in the region of their faces lying on the side for opening the reflector, and intersecting elastic cord joined to the radial cords, where the intersecting cords form two grids with the required cells, one of which is the profiling working surface to which is attached a net, and the other serves for supporting. Both grids are elastically joined together on oppositely lying junction points where the cords are intersect with parallel elastic tightening strings. The flange of the central unit which is joined to the supporting grid is movable without turning about the longitudinal axis passing through both flanges, and is mechanically connected to a device for adjusting the shape of the radio-reflecting surface of the reflector whose base lies on a plane passing through faces of the strong ring supports on the side of the supporting grid, and output elements of the said device are joined to spokes, each of which is made from a predefined equal odd number of links rigidly fixed in a straight position using springs and holders relative their axes of rotation after opening the reflector in the working position. The other end of each spoke is joined and fixed to the L-shaped end of an opposite support.

EFFECT: guaranteed working capacity of large (25-50 m) spread out reflectors during the entire on-station operation of not less than 15 years in conditions of combined effect of gravitational and centrifugal forces and under harsh effects of ionising radiations of space - cosmic radiation doses, which increases rigidity and reduces relative elongation of size-stable chords and strings used in making said reflectors, as well as provision for relatively low mass of the proposed reflector compared to existing ones.

6 cl, 6 dwg