William Edward Skullney

US Patent:

6373449, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Sep 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/666417

Inventors:

Robert S. Bokulic - Columbia MD
Cliff E. Willey - Millersville MD
William E. Skullney - Granite MD
Ronald C. Schulze - Catonsville MD

Assignee:

The Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

H01Q 1520

US Classification:

343915, 343840, 343912

Abstract:

An inflatable antenna system combining a fixed aperture with an inflatable aperture that greatly increases the reflector size of the antenna system. The fixed portion provides a ârisk bufferâ in that a moderate gain capability is retained in the event of an inflation failure. In a parabolic dish embodiment, an inflatable annulus is stowed compactly under a fixed dish to fit a variety of spacecraft and launch vehicle envelopes. Moderate gas pressure deploys the inflatable portion, which forms a larger reflector surface. After inflation, the materials that form the inflated reflector surface can be made rigid. A fixed feed system for the smaller fixed dish assures operation of the smaller fixed dish throughout the mission. Moreover, the smaller fixed antenna can receive signals that can be used to derive pointing information used to point the larger inflated antenna in a particular direction thus providing a dual-use capability. An optional sub-reflector feed system can be used to correct for surface shape deformations of the inflatable antenna.