Philip K Henderson

59908513, Nov 23, 1999

Jan 16, 1998

9/009008

Philip J. Henderson - Palm Bay FL
Richard A. Deadwyler - Palm Bay FL

Harris Corporation - Melbourne FL

H01Q 1520

343915

An antenna structure, such as an antenna reflector, comprises a collapsible mesh and catenary tie/cord attachment structure, retained in tension by a plurality of variable geometry spreader-standoffs connected to an inflatable tubular support hoop. The standoffs decouple the energy-focusing geometry of the antenna surface from the hoop, so as to reduce the sensitivity of the shape of the surface to variations in the shape of the tubing. Each spreader-standoff is connected to the hoop at a hinge joint of a pair of spreader-standoff elements, by a radial connection element retained in tension by the adjoining tubing. The hinge joint of a respective spreader-standoff pair is adjacent to an inner diameter side of the hoop, while distal locations of the spreader-standoff elements are located beyond an outer diameter side of the inflated hoop. As a consequence, the inflatable hoop may have a relatively small cross-section, which reduces its size and weight, as long as it is capable of effectively maintaining its intended configuration when inflated/deployed. Since the only connection between a respective pair of spreader-standoff elements and the tubular support hoop is through a radial connection element at the hinge joint, the inflatable hoop is self-centering, with radial loading effectively maintaining the antenna in its deployed state.

20210391643, Dec 16, 2021

Jun 11, 2020

16/899269

- Melbourne FL, US
Timothy L. Fetterman - Palm Bay FL, US
Philip J. Henderson - Palm Bay FL, US

H01Q 1/28
H01Q 3/20
H01Q 3/08

Systems and methods for deploying an extendable reflector structure. The methods comprise: transitioning the extendable reflector structure from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration; and causing expansion of a pantograph coupling structure while the extendable reflector structure is being transitioned from the stored configuration to the deployed configuration. The pantograph coupling structure indirectly couples the extendable reflector structure to a boom such that a beam produced by the extendable reflector structure during operation is offset from a focal axis of the extendable reflector structure by a certain amount.

20210384607, Dec 9, 2021

Aug 25, 2021

17/411865

- Melbourne FL, US
Philip J. Henderson - Palm Bay FL, US

H01Q 1/12
H01Q 1/28
H01Q 15/14

Perimeter truss reflector includes a perimeter truss assembly (PTA) comprised of a plurality of battens, each having an length which traverses a PTA thickness as defined along a direction aligned with a reflector central axis. A collapsible mesh reflector surface is secured to the PTA such that when the PTA is in a collapsed configuration, the reflector surface is collapsed for compact stowage and when the PTA is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a predetermined pattern. Each of the one or more longerons extend around at least a portion of a periphery of the PTA. These longerons each comprise a storable extendible member (SEM) which can be flattened and rolled around a spool, but exhibits beam-like structural characteristics when unspooled.

20210088064, Mar 25, 2021

Sep 20, 2019

16/577915

- Melbourne FL, US
Philip J. Henderson - Palm Bay FL, US

F16B 7/10

Systems and methods for extending a boom. The methods comprise: placing a drive train assembly in a start configuration in which an engagement member of the drive train assembly is coupled to an inner telescoping segment of the boom; rotating a spool in a first direction so as to unwind a slit-tube that is coupled to the engagement member; causing the inner telescoping segment to move in a direction away from a proximal end of the boom as the slit-tube is being unwound from the spool; and coupling the inner telescoping segment to an adjacent telescoping segment when the inner telescoping segment reaches an extended position. The slit-tube extends a distance inside the boom that is equal to or less than a length of the adjacent telescoping segment when the inner telescoping segment is in the extended position.

20200412007, Dec 31, 2020

Sep 14, 2020

17/020501

- Melbourne FL, US
Philip J. Henderson - Palm Bay FL, US

H01Q 15/16
B33Y 10/00
B33Y 80/00
B29C 64/10
B64G 1/22
B64G 1/66
H01Q 1/08
H01Q 1/28
H01Q 15/14

Deployable reflector antenna includes a fabrication hub in which at least one additive fabrication unit disposed. The additive fabrication unit is configured to form at least one rigid structural element of a reflector antenna system. In a stowed condition, an RF reflector material comprised of a flexible webbing is disposed in a stowed configuration proximate to the fabrication hub. A fabrication control system controls the additive fabrication unit so as to form the at least one rigid structural element. The RF reflector material is arranged to transition during the additive fabrication process from the stowed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is furled compactly at the fabrication hub, to a deployed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is unfurled.

20200227810, Jul 16, 2020

Jan 16, 2019

16/249083

- Melbourne FL, US
Philip J. Henderson - Palm Bay FL, US

H01Q 1/12
H01Q 1/28
H01Q 15/14

Perimeter truss reflector includes a perimeter truss assembly (PTA) comprised of a plurality of battens, each having an length which traverses a PTA thickness as defined along a direction aligned with a reflector central axis. A collapsible mesh reflector surface is secured to the PTA such that when the PTA is in a collapsed configuration, the reflector surface is collapsed for compact stowage and when the PTA is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a predetermined pattern. Each of the one or more longerons extend around at least a portion of a periphery of the PTA. These longerons each comprise a storable extendible member (SEM) which can be flattened and rolled around a spool, but exhibits beam-like structural characteristics when unspooled.

20190393615, Dec 26, 2019

Jun 20, 2018

16/013576

- Melbourne FL, US
Philip J. Henderson - Palm Bay FL, US

H01Q 15/16
B64G 1/66
B29C 64/10
B33Y 10/00
B33Y 80/00
B64G 1/22
H01Q 1/28
H01Q 15/14
H01Q 1/08

Deployable reflector antenna includes a fabrication hub in which at least one additive fabrication unit disposed. The additive fabrication unit is configured to form at least one rigid structural element of a reflector antenna system. In a stowed condition, an RF reflector material comprised of a flexible webbing is disposed in a stowed configuration proximate to the fabrication hub. A fabrication control system controls the additive fabrication unit so as to form the at least one rigid structural element. The RF reflector material is arranged to transition during the additive fabrication process from the stowed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is furled compactly at the fabrication hub, to a deployed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is unfurled.