Bibb Bevis Allen
Engineering in Melbourne, FL

6344835, Feb 5, 2002

Apr 14, 2000

09/549371

Bibb B. Allen - Palm Bay FL
Charles F. Willer - Indialantic FL
Richard I. Harless - West Melbourne FL
Rodolfo V. Valentin - Melbourne FL
Rodney S. Sorrell - Melbourne FL

Harris Corporation - Melbourne FL

H01Q 1520

343915, 343912

A space deployable antenna reflector surface is formed as a continuous laminate that is shaped to conform with a prescribed energy-focusing surface geometry. The laminate is formed of very thin layers of flexible material, such as very thin sheets of graphite epoxy, containing collapsible radial and perimeter stiffening regions or stiffeners. Due to its thinness, the reflector laminate is collapsible into a folded shape, that facilitates stowage in a restricted volume, such as aboard the space shuttle. The stiffening elements of the laminate antenna structure of the invention facilitate deploying and maintaining the reflector in its intended geometric shape, and collapsing the reflector laminate into a compact serpentine stowed configuration.

6417818, Jul 9, 2002

Apr 6, 2001

09/827475

John Shipley - Sebastian FL
Bibb Allen - Palm Bay FL

Harris Corporation - Melbourne FL

H01Q 1520

343915, 343912

A collapsible conductive material includes a generally mesh-configured, collapsible surface, that defines the intended reflective geometry of an antenna. A distribution of tensionable cords and ties form radial truss elements with a plurality of inflatable radially extending ribs and posts of a support structure. The antenna is fully deployed once the support structure is inflated to at least a minimum pressure necessary to place the ties and cords in tension so that the reflective surface acquires a prescribed (e. g. , parabolic) geometry, which is stably maintained by the radial truss elements.

5104211, Apr 14, 1992

Apr 9, 1987

7/036558

Kenny M. Schumacher - Satellite Beach FL
Bibb B. Allen - Palm Bay FL
James D. Sturgis - Palm Bay FL

Harris Corp. - Melbourne FL

G02B 510, H01Q 1520

359853

A splined radial panel solar collector structure approximates compound curvature surfaces by a three-dimensional arrangement of compactly stowable flat reflective panel segments mounted on a collapsible, space-deployable support structure of linear components. The support framework is formed of an umbrella-like framework of radially-extending ribs, struts and cords which deploy away from a central hub to form a system of radial trusses. A semirigid reflective surface structure is divided into sections of radial panels which are supported and shaped by an arrangement of radially tensioned flexible tape members aligned with the ribs. Connecting ties between the tapes and the ribs cause the tapes to assume a catenary curve. The ribs and flexible tape members are bridged circumferentially by sets of cords and ties to which the panels are joined. These cord and tie pairs place the panels in bending to effect a "splined" approximation of a parabola in the radial direction.

6970143, Nov 29, 2005

Mar 16, 2004

10/801995

Bibb Bevis Allen - Palm Bay FL, US
Dave C. Lenzi - Melbourne FL, US
Thomas Jeffrey Harvey - Nederland CO, US

Harris Corporation - Melbourne FL

H01Q001/08

343880, 343915, 52108

A boom structure is deployable from a collapsed, stowable configuration to an elongated truss configuration. The boom structure contains a plurality of truss-forming multi-sided bays. A bay contains a pair of battens joined together at corner regions by foldable longerons. A side of a bay has a plurality of diagonal cord members crossing one another and connected to diagonally opposed corner regions of the side. When the longerons are in their folded positions, the battens are nested together against one another in a stacked arrangement and the diagonal cord members flex into a compact stowed configuration between adjacent battens. The stowed battens are compressed to each other at their corners to form a stowed structure capable of reacting loads.

6219009, Apr 17, 2001

Jun 30, 1999

9/343954

John Shipley - Sebastian FL
Bibb Allen - Palm Bay FL

Harris Corporation - Melbourne FL

H01Q 1520

343915

A collapsible conductive material includes a generally mesh-configured, collapsible surface, that defines the intended reflective geometry of an antenna. A distribution of tensionable cords and ties form radial truss elements with a plurality of inflatable radially extending ribs and posts of a support structure. The antenna is fully deployed once the support structure is inflated to at least a minimum pressure necessary to place the ties and cords in tension so that the reflective surface acquires a prescribed (e. g. , parabolic) geometry, which is stably maintained by the radial truss elements.

2007020, Aug 30, 2007

Feb 28, 2006

11/363988

Bibb Allen - Palm Bay FL, US
John Shipley - Sebastian FL, US
Steven Wilson - Malabar FL, US

Harris Corporation - Melbourne FL

H01Q 1/38

3437000MS, 343879000

A phased array antenna may include a first flexible layer, in turn, including a plurality of phased array antenna elements. The phased array antenna may further include a second flexible layer including an electrically conductive material that serves as a ground plane for the phased array antenna elements. In addition, spacer members may be between the first and second flexible layers to permit movement thereof between a collapsed-together stowed position and a spaced-apart deployed position.

5920294, Jul 6, 1999

Jun 30, 1997

8/885451

Bibb B. Allen - Palm Bay FL

Harris Corporation - Melbourne FL

H01Q 138

343912

A collapsible conductive material includes a generally mesh-configured, collapsible surface, that defines the intended reflective geometry of an antenna, and a distribution of tensionable cords and ties, which attach the reflective mesh to an inflatable support structure. The antenna is fully deployed once the inflatable support structure is inflated to at least a minimum pressure necessary to place the attachment tie/cord arrangement in a tension that causes the reflective surface to acquire a prescribed (e. g. , parabolic) geometry. Preferably, the inflation pressure is above the minimum value, so as to allow for pressure variations (drops) within the support structure.