Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Large reflector inflatable space-based telescope
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Application No.: US16743264Application Date: 2020-01-15
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Publication No.: US11414217B2Publication Date: 2022-08-16
- Inventor: William Dean Perry , Ira Steve Smith, Jr.
- Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
- Applicant Address: US TX San Antonio
- Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
- Current Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
- Current Assignee Address: US TX San Antonio
- Agency: Livingston Law Firm
- Main IPC: B64G1/22
- IPC: B64G1/22 ; B64G1/10 ; G02B23/02 ; G02B26/08

Abstract:
A large reflector inflatable telescope. The telescope has an inflatable hull with a conical lower portion and a hemispherical upper portion. The conical portion is transparent to electromagnetic waves so that radio or light waves can reach an inner reflector, which is interposed between the conical portion and the hemispherical portion. The presence of the inner reflector allows the conical portion and the hemispherical portion to be inflated at different pressures such that the reflector becomes spherical or parabolic. If desired, the reflector can be made adjustable with a membrane behind the reflector that provides electro-static force to shape the reflector.
Public/Granted literature
- US20210214106A1 Large Reflector Inflatable Space-Based Telescope Public/Granted day:2021-07-15
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