Co-axial joint technology applied to antenna backup structures

Glenn A. Reynolds; V. Alfonso Feria; Gary Noble Curtis; Dean Robert Hackbarth; Asim Sehic

doi:10.1117/12.551740

29 September 2004 Co-axial joint technology applied to antenna backup structures

Glenn A. Reynolds, V. Alfonso Feria, Gary Noble Curtis, Dean Robert Hackbarth, Asim Sehic

Proceedings Volume 5495, Astronomical Structures and Mechanisms Technology; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.551740
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2004, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

The increasing demand to improve focusing accuracy and to accommodate higher frequencies in space communications and radio astronomy has created significant challenges for improving the capability of the constituent systems in radio antennas and telescopes. One important system is the radio antenna/telescope backup structure connections. The backup structure is a key element in providing a stable, precise and rigid support for the reflective surface. The ideal connection for these types of structures is rigid and concentric resulting in minimal deformation with stress/strain curves that are linear, repeatable and exhibiting no hysteresis over the entire service load range. Conceivably such a connection could be designed so that the stress/strain curve mimics the stress/strain characteristics of the connecting member in both tension and compression. When this is achieved then such joints can be said to be "invisible" in the global behavior of the backup structure. At that point, overall reflector deflection becomes more linear and highly predictable. In conjunction with this advantage, optimized backup structure geometries, adaptive reflectors and compensating algorithms can best be applied in producing an instrument of unparalleled performance. This paper introduces Co-Axial Joint (CAJ) technology as the practical and economical means to produce an invisible connection.

Citation Download Citation

Glenn A. Reynolds, V. Alfonso Feria, Gary Noble Curtis, Dean Robert Hackbarth, and Asim Sehic "Co-axial joint technology applied to antenna backup structures", Proc. SPIE 5495, Astronomical Structures and Mechanisms Technology, (29 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.551740

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
12 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Antennas

Bridges

Reflectors

Connectors

Tolerancing

3D modeling

Assembly tolerances

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years