GB1111381A - Improvements in and relating to reflectors - Google Patents

Abstract

1,111,381. Aerials. PAINS-WESSEX Ltd., D. A. S. LITTLE, and D. C. MURRAY. 16 Nov., 1964 [23 Oct., 1963]. No. 41879/63. Heading H4A. A self-erecting corner type radio wave reflector comprises an extensible main support rod and resilient means for extending it, radially opening struts hinged at their inner ends near the axis of the main support rod, and reflective flexible laminar material which when the framework opens is stretched between the struts and between the struts and the main support rod to provide the surfaces of either a tetrahedral or an octahedral corner reflector. When collapsed, the corner reflector may be stowed under restraint, for example, in the casing of a rocket, and it will open when released. As described, the main support rod 1, Fig. 1, comprises two telescoping tubular members la, 1b containing a helical compression spring which tends to force them apart. A collar 3 is a sliding fit on the larger member 1a and has four symmetrically disposed projections (4), Fig. 2 (not shown), on which are pivotally connected the inner ends of four struts 5. Sheets of conductive flexible laminar material, such as silver-coated cloth made of nylon or polyethylene terephthalate, are attached to the struts at their outer ends and near their inner ends. The main support rod members are contained in pockets in the material, which is cut away near the collar 3 to allow it limited axial movement when folding the collapsed reflector. Other flexible laminar materials may be used, for example, lamÚ, or an open mesh metallized cloth. The edges of the material extending from the outer ends of the struts 5 may be bowed inwardly and may be reinforced with wires, cords or the like. The hinges for the inner ends of the struts 5 may comprise catch devices and a catch device may be provided for the ring 3.