US 11,942,687 B2
Deployable reflectors
Philip J. Henderson, Palm Bay, FL (US); and Robert M. Taylor, Rockledge, FL (US)
Assigned to Eagle Technology, LLC, Melbourne, FL (US)
Filed by Eagle Technology, LLC, Melbourne, FL (US)
Filed on Feb. 25, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/284,255.
Prior Publication US 2020/0274248 A1, Aug. 27, 2020
Int. Cl. H01Q 15/16 (2006.01); H01Q 1/28 (2006.01)
CPC H01Q 15/161 (2013.01) [H01Q 1/288 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for operating an antenna with a surface shaping cord network coupled to a plurality of anchor points of a perimeter hoop structure, comprising:
using the surface shaping cord network to support a flexible antenna reflector surface such that a given shape of the flexible antenna reflector surface is provided;
using the surface shaping cord network and a plurality of first resilient members to couple the flexible antenna reflector surface to the perimeter hoop structure, wherein two resilient members of the plurality of first resilient members are respectively coupled to anchor points located at two opposing ends of a respective batten of a plurality of battens; and
using the plurality of first resilient members to further allow locations of the anchor points to change relative to the surface shaping cord network while the antenna is in use;
wherein the flexible antenna reflector surface is held taut when the locations of the anchor points change relative to the surface shaping cord network.