US3634863A

US3634863A - Flexible nose cone antenna

Info

Publication number: US3634863A
Application number: US604529A
Authority: US
Inventors: Norris F Dow
Original assignee: US Air Force
Current assignee: US Air Force
Priority date: 1966-12-21
Filing date: 1966-12-21
Publication date: 1972-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-11

Abstract

A flexible tubular antenna is coiled and stored inside a nose cone, and released through a rear door by spring or fluid pressure, applied as necessary to uncoil the antenna and maintain rigidity. The antenna trails behind the cone a sufficient distance to remain effective during the reentry period. Cooling is supplied by an outside layer of ablative material.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Norris F. Dow

. Radnor, Pa.

Appl. No. 604,529

Filed Dec. 21, 1966 Patented Jan. 1 l, 1972 Assignee The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force FLEXIBLE NOSE CONE ANTENNA 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 343/707, 343/873 Int. Cl l-l0lq 1/30 Field of Search 343/707,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,212,128 8/1940 Richter 343/915 A UX 3,170,471 2/1965 Schnitzer 343/915 A UX Primary Examiner-Rodney D. Bennett, .lr. Assistant Examiner-Richard E. Berger Attorneys-Harry A. Herbert, Jr. and Ruth 0. Codier ABSTRACT: A flexible tubular antenna is coiled and stored inside a nose cone, and released through a rear door by spring or fluid pressure, applied as necessary to uncoil the antenna and maintain rigidity. The antenna trails behind the cone a sufficient distance to remain effective during the reentry period. Cooling is supplied by an outside layer of ablative material.

FLEXIBLE NOSE CONE ANTENNA The present invention relates to a collapsible communications antenna particularly designed for use in the nose cone of space vehicles during the reentry stage of flight.

There is an acute need for facilities for maintaining uninterrupted communications with space craft during the critical period of reentry.

The object of the present invention is the provision of a flexible antenna element coiled when not in use, housed in a small space inside the nose cone, and provided with an adequate heat absorbing shield for protection when uncoiled and functioning.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a flexible antenna which is inflated by a pressure source which may also be housed within the nose cone, and one which uncoils to trail behind the nose cone easily withstands buffeting and turbulence, and if distorted will be forced back into functioning shape by further pressure applied from the pressure source.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an antenna as described above which is of such material and is so treated that it is able to withstand the conditions of reentry and remain functioning, thereby making it possible to maintain communications between ground and spacecraft during the critical reentry period.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such an antenna as has been described wherein cooling is supplied by ablation of antenna coating materials.

These and other advantages, features and objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the illustrative embodiments in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of the device showing the rear wall door open and the antenna in coiled condition;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal fragmentary view of the nose cone partly in cross section, showing the compartment door open, the antenna extended and showing in phantom the coiled position of the antenna and some of its intermediate positions; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of one possible form of the antenna.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the shell or casing of a nose cone is represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the numeral 10. Mounted in the rear wall 12 of the cone is a door 14 which is shown hinged at 15. The door 14 may be jettisonable as required. A housing 16 is located in the interior space of the cone and is mounted on the rear wall 12 to communicate with the door opening. A compartment 18 is thus formed for housing the antenna 20 when in coiled condition, as is shown in phantom in FIG. 2.

A source of pressure is indicated at 22 and pressure regulating means at 24. Means for initiating the pressure source for 1 stated, so that it may be whipped about in the turbulent conditions prevalent and still maintain its functioning capability. The antenna will be fabricated in such fashion as to present an ablative material as an outer coating, so that a sufficient amount of the heat encountered will be absorbed in the ablative process to maintain the capability of the antenna.

FIG. 3 shows a possible choice of design and materials. A metallic layer 32 is protected by insulating and ablative materials 27 and 28, respectively. A spring element 30 aug ments or replaces the inflating means.

Some suggested materials for producing a laminated flexible structure and which presents an outer layer of ablative material are, for exarngle, rubber and s nthetic rubbers as an inner lrnrng over whrc rs supenmpose an ablative matenal such as ablative Teflon.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that the invention is capable of a variety of alternative embodiments within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

I. A nose cone antenna unit comprising a nose cone casing, a rear wall on said casing, a housing located within said casing and adjacent said rear wall, an openable door on said rear wall providing egress from said housing, a flexible inflatable antenna capable of being stored in said housing in deflated and coiled condition, means located within said casing for inflating said antenna to trail behind said nose cone, and a layer of ablative material covering said antenna for providing ablation and cooling of the antenna for uninterrupted function of said antenna during the reentry period.

2. A nose cone antenna unit capable of uninterrupted function during the reentry period, said unit comprising a nose cone casing, a flexible, inflatable antenna unit, capable of being coiled in stored condition within said nose cone casing, means for extending said antenna to trail behind said nose cone means for extending said antenna to trail behind said nose cone and means for colling said antenna.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for cooling said antenna comprises a coating thereon of ablative material.

Claims

1. A nose cone antenna unit comprising a nose cone casing, a rear wall on said casing, a housing located within said casing and adjacent said rear wall, an openable door on said rear wall providing egress from said housing, a flexible inflatable antenna capable of being stored in said housing in deflated and coiled condition, means located within said casing for inflating said antenna to trail behind said nose cone, and a layer of ablative material covering said antenna for providing ablation and cooling of the antenna for uninterrupted function of said antenna during the reentry period.