EP2451007B1 - Device for emitting radio waves, antenna and spacecraft - Google Patents

Device for emitting radio waves, antenna and spacecraft Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2451007B1
EP2451007B1 EP11186580.4A EP11186580A EP2451007B1 EP 2451007 B1 EP2451007 B1 EP 2451007B1 EP 11186580 A EP11186580 A EP 11186580A EP 2451007 B1 EP2451007 B1 EP 2451007B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
membrane
face
reflector
tensioners
equipment
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EP11186580.4A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2451007A1 (en
Inventor
M. Jean-Luc Bouguereau
M. Fabien Calmettes-Carensac
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Thales SA
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Thales SA
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Publication of EP2451007A1 publication Critical patent/EP2451007A1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/42—Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
    • H01Q1/427—Flexible radomes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/28—Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
    • H01Q1/288—Satellite antennas
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/49016—Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making

Definitions

  • the field of the invention is that of telecommunication antennas intended to emit radio waves. These antennas are used on the ground or well in the space where they are embraded aboard telecommunication satellites.
  • the radio radiation is conventionally emitted by a source coupled to one or more reflectors or only by a radiating panel emitting the radio radiation directly towards the space.
  • thermoelastic deformations of the reflector or the radiating panel come from the cyclic thermal variations caused by the alternation of passages of shadow zones and zones of exposure to solar rays.
  • emitting equipment means reflector or radiating panel.
  • a thermal protection membrane is generally disposed between an active face of the transmitter equipment and the space to thermally isolate the transmitter equipment and limit the thermoelastic deformations. It is more particularly multi-layer protection membranes comprising a stack of polyimide layers.
  • the polyimide used is well known to those skilled in the art, it is, for example, a Kapton layer R on which is deposited Germanium. This insulation is extremely light. Moreover, this insulation has the advantage of being generally transparent to radio waves.
  • the membrane When mounting the membrane on a reflector, it is sought to prevent the membrane from sticking to the concave reflective face of the reflector to prevent deterioration of the reflector due to aerodynamic flows that heat its surface.
  • the Germanium focuses the sun's rays, which has the effect of damaging the elements in the path of a ray reflected by the concave reflecting surface of the reflector as, for example, a radiofrequency source or a secondary reflector.
  • the membrane is extended between the concave face of the reflector or the radiating panel and the space and is fixed the periphery of the membrane on the edge of the reflector separating the active surface of the inactive surface of the reflector or panel.
  • the membrane and the emitting equipment undergo, due to their design in different materials, different dilations / retractions when the temperature varies.
  • Kapton is not totally transparent to radiofrequency waves.
  • the membrane thus induces phase shifts on the radiation reflected by a reflector or radiated by the radiating panel.
  • the value of the phase shift depends on the positioning of the membrane relative to the active surface emitting, that is to say, reflecting or radiating, the radio waves.
  • the tensioners are folded in a U between the membrane and the slice 5 of the reflector 2 so that they apply a force E on the membrane towards the outside of the reflector which permanently tends the membrane like a drum skin between the active face and the space.
  • this solution can be implemented only on the bi-grid reflectors, it is not implantable on single reflectors or on the radiating panels because the edge of these equipment separating the active surface from the inactive surface, offers no smooth surface for bonding.
  • An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.
  • Another object of the invention is to overcome this disadvantage.
  • the subject of the invention is a device for transmitting radio waves comprising a transmitter equipment for a telecommunication antenna, a thermal protection membrane for the reflector and means for fixing the thermal protection membrane on the equipment, said thermal protection membrane being provided with a plurality of elastic tensioners provided to maintain the thermal protection membrane stretched between a first active face of the emitting equipment and the space, independently of the thermal expansions of the membrane and the equipment emitter occurring in a predetermined temperature range, when the fastening means ensure the attachment of the membrane to said transmitting equipment.
  • the predetermined temperature range is from - 250 ° C to + 400 ° C.
  • the membrane fixing means comprise first fastening means integral with the membrane. providing separation between the tensioners and the edge of the membrane to ensure contact between the transmitting equipment and the tensioners when the fastening means ensure the attachment of the membrane on said transmitting equipment.
  • the fixing means comprise second fixing means fixed on a second inactive face of the transmitting equipment and are intended to cooperate with the first fixing means to ensure the attachment of the membrane to the transmitter equipment.
  • the elastic tensioners comprise flexible blades having a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the membrane.
  • the flexible blades having a stiffness of between 5 N / m and 500 N / m.
  • the flexible blades are made of poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide PPD-T or polyimide.
  • the flexible blades have a thickness of between 0.1 mm and 2 mm.
  • the flexible blades are Kapton R blades having a thickness 10 to 20 times greater than the thickness of the membrane
  • the flexible blades are arranged so that they straddle the joint between a second inactive face of the panel and a slice of the transmitting equipment, connecting the first active face and the second inactive face, when the fastening means provide the attachment of the membrane to said transmitting equipment, the blades being further dimensioned so that they are flexed over the entire predetermined temperature range.
  • the flexible blades are pressed against the membrane.
  • the elastic tensioners are arranged so as to exert an additional force on the membrane in the direction perpendicular to the force and in the direction of the space so as to keep the membrane spaced apart from the first active face of the transmitting equipment. any point of the said first active face.
  • the transmitter equipment is a reflector.
  • the reflector is parabolic.
  • the transmitter equipment is a radiating panel.
  • the first active face is concave.
  • the first active face is flat.
  • the invention also relates to an antenna comprising a device according to the invention.
  • the invention further relates to a spacecraft comprising an antenna according to the invention.
  • the proposed solution makes it possible, because the tensioners are attached to the membrane, to limit as much as possible the downtime of the transmitting equipment which must be available to undergo numerous tests before being sent into space. It also ensures a permanent tension of the membrane.
  • the antenna is subjected to various tests that lead to install and remove the membrane several times on the transmitter equipment.
  • the proposed solution makes it possible to obtain a reproducibility of the mounting of the membrane on the transmitting equipment. In other words, it makes it possible to guarantee the same positioning of the membrane on the transmitter equipment at each new assembly.
  • the membrane-induced disturbances to the radiation emitted by the membrane are always the same over the lifetime of the antenna on the ground.
  • FIG. 2a and 2b there is shown a section of a telecommunication antenna 10 according to the invention, comprising a source 11 positioned at the focus of a device 12 for emitting radio waves according to the invention.
  • This device 12 comprises a reflector 13 on which radio waves are intended to be reflected from the source.
  • the source may be replaced by a receiver.
  • the waves are then reflected back to the receiver.
  • the telecommunication antenna may be for space or terrestrial applications.
  • the reflector 13 comprises a first active face 15 and a second inactive face 16. These faces are, on the realization of the figure 2a , substantially parallel.
  • the first face 15 and the second face 16 are joined via a wafer 17 extending continuously to the periphery of the two faces 15, 16.
  • a membrane separates the first face 15 of the space.
  • the reflector is parabolic.
  • the first active face 15 is concave.
  • the second face 16 is convex.
  • the reflector is simple, it consists of a single individual reflector.
  • the invention also applies to bigrille reflectors comprising two individual reflectors arranged one behind the other as previously described. In this case, the first face belongs to a first individual reflector and the second face belongs to a second individual reflector.
  • the device for reflecting radio waves further comprises a membrane 18 for thermal protection of the reflector 13, and fixing means 19, 20 of the thermal protection membrane 18 to the reflector 13.
  • the membrane 18 is a multilayer protective membrane comprising a stack of polyimide layers.
  • the polyimide used is well known to those skilled in the art, it is for example a Kapton R Germanized film (Kapton R with germanium deposition) developed by the company DuPont de Neumours.
  • Transparent thermal protection membranes for electromagnetic waves are chosen over the entire range of frequencies used in space telecommunications.
  • the thermal protection membranes conventionally have a thickness of between 0.025 mm and 0.2 mm (Kapton sheet assembly and separators) and a modulus of elasticity of between 2 GPa and 2.5GPa.
  • the modulus of elasticity depends on the temperature.
  • the membrane 18 separates the first face 15 of the reflector 13 and the space so as to provide thermal protection of the reflector 13. In other words, any point of the first face 15 is separated from the space by the membrane 18.
  • the dimensions of the membrane are chosen according to this condition. Moreover, the dimensions of the membrane 18 are chosen to allow the membrane 18 to be secured to the second face 16 of the latter by means of the fastening means 19, 20.
  • the membrane fixing means comprise first fixing means 19 secured to the membrane 18.
  • the first fixing means 19 are fixed on the periphery of the inner face 21 of the membrane 18.
  • the inner face 21 is the face of the membrane 18 which is intended to face the reflector 13, and the outer face 22 of the membrane 18 is the face of the membrane which is intended to be oriented towards the space.
  • the first fixing means are intended to cooperate with the reflector 13 to secure the membrane to the reflector.
  • first fastening means 19 are intended to cooperate with the second face of the reflector 16.
  • the fixing means are able to fix the membrane removably to the reflector but one could also use permanent fixing means.
  • the fixing means further comprise second fastening means 20 secured to the reflector. They are fixed on the periphery of the inner face of the diaphragm 25.
  • the second fastening means are fixed on the second face 16 ( figure 2b ).
  • the first fastening means 19 are intended to cooperate with the second fastening means 20 for fixing the diaphragm 18 to the reflector 13.
  • fastening means hooks and loops are, for example, marketed under the name of Velcro R.
  • the membrane 18 is provided with a plurality of elastic tensioners 23, shown in bold on the figure 2a , provided to maintain the membrane 18 tautly between the first face 15 of the reflector and the space, independently of the thermal expansions of the membrane 18 and the reflector 13 occurring in a predetermined temperature range, when the means of fixing 19, 20 ensure the attachment of the membrane on the reflector.
  • the membrane then forms a substantially flat surface between the first face of the reflector and the space.
  • the thermal protection membrane 18 is provided with a plurality of elastic tensioners 23 designed to create a force F which pulls the membrane 18 towards the outside of the reflector 13, that is to say towards space, when the membrane is attached to the reflector, so that the membrane forms a substantially planar surface between the first face 15 of the reflector 13 and the gap, independently of the thermal expansions of the membrane 18 and the reflector 13 occurring within a predetermined temperature range.
  • the elastic tensioners are dimensioned and arranged so as to tension the membrane like a drum skin between the first face of the reflector 15 and the space.
  • the tensioners catch up, due to their elasticity, the games due to the differential thermal expansion and contraction between the reflector and the membrane, when the temperature varies, to tension the membrane permanently.
  • This solution has the advantage of guaranteeing the voltage of the membrane in a temperature range chosen according to the conditions of use of the membrane and the reflector which makes it possible to overcome the problems of solar focusing described above. Moreover, because of the permanent tension of the membrane, the influence of the membrane on the performance of the reflection device is the same whatever the temperature. In addition, by coupling the tensioners to the membrane, it avoids unnecessarily immobilize the reflector to individually fix the tensioners on the reflector before coming to attach the membrane. The reflector is immobilized only during the operation of fixing the membrane.
  • the chosen temperature range depends on the applications. For space applications, a temperature range ranging from - 250 ° C to +350 ° C is chosen. This temperature range corresponds to the temperature range at which the protective membrane of a telecommunication antenna sent into space can be subjected to.
  • the elastic tensioners 23 are arranged at the periphery of the membrane and are fixed on the inner face 21 of the membrane.
  • the elastic tensioners 23 are attached to the membrane 18, for example, by means of an adhesive, such as, for example, glue or adhesive tape or by any other means of fixing the tensioner to the membrane.
  • Kapton R adhesive tape is advantageously used.
  • Kapton R is already used for space applications. It checks the criteria imposed for space applications. The use of this material makes it possible to get rid of all the homologation tests to which a new material is subjected in order to be able to be used for these applications.
  • the tensioners 23 are flexible blades. This is, for example Kapton blades R. PPD-T poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide slides can also be used.
  • Kevlar R The company Dupont de Nemours markets the latter material under the name of Kevlar R. This material has the advantage of maintaining its mechanical properties at extreme temperatures.
  • any material having stiffness and dimensional stability equivalent to Kapton R and verifying predetermined criteria imposed for a spatial application can be used.
  • Blades having a stiffness higher than that of the membrane are chosen.
  • blades having a stiffness of between 5 N / m and 500 N / m are chosen.
  • flexible blades have a thickness of between 0.1 mm and 2 mm.
  • Kapton blades R are advantageously chosen to have a thickness greater than that of the membrane.
  • blades having a thickness of between 10 and 20 times greater than the thickness of the membrane are chosen.
  • blades having a thickness of 0.38 mm are chosen.
  • the tensioners are arranged in relation to the first fastening means 19 of the diaphragm 18 so that the tensioners 23 rest on the reflector 13 when the diaphragm 18 is fastened to the reflector 13 by means of the fixing means 19, 20.
  • the first fastening means ensure the separation between the tensioners 23 and the edge of the membrane 18. With this arrangement, the tensioners can exert efforts F which pull the membrane outwardly of the reflector, that is to say towards the 'space.
  • tensioners 23 are flexible blades plated on the membrane, as shown in FIG. figure 2b , we organize more particularly the blades 23 so that they straddle the seam 24 between the second face 16 of the reflector 13 and the wafer 17 when the membrane 18 is fixed to the reflector and the blades 23 are dimensioned so that they are in flexion over the entire predetermined temperature range.
  • each blade 23 produces, due to its size and its arrangement, a force F which pulls the diaphragm 18 towards the outside of the reflector 13 so as to tension the membrane.
  • This force is exerted whatever the temperature to which the reflection device is subjected provided that it is in the predetermined temperature range.
  • the tensioners 23 are distributed over the periphery of the membrane 18 so that the membrane 18 forms a substantially flat surface between the space and the first face 15 when the membrane 18 is fixed to the reflector 13.
  • Obtaining a membrane 18 forming a substantially flat surface requires precise positioning of the tensioners 23 relative to the reflector.
  • the positioning accuracy is achieved in particular by judiciously arranging the tensioners 23 relative to the first fixing means 19, 20. This operation is delicate. It is made directly on the membrane before fixing it to the reflector.
  • the operation of making the first 19 and the second fastening means 20 cooperate is easy. It does not need to take special precautions to ensure accurate positioning of the membrane. Precision operations have already been performed on the membrane.
  • the blades are pressed against the membrane. Plating the blades 23 against the membrane ensures the positioning of the blades in the desired position when fixing the membrane on the reflector.
  • the tensioners are set back relative to the first face 15.
  • the membrane bears on the periphery of the active face 15.
  • the tensioners are arranged to maintain the membrane spaced apart from the first face of the reflector at any point on this face.
  • the tensioners 23 are arranged so as to exert an additional force on the membrane in the direction perpendicular to the force F towards the space so as to maintain the membrane 18 spaced from the first face 15 of the reflector 13 at any point of said first face 15.
  • the blades are arranged so that they have a border extending closer to the space than the first face 15.
  • This characteristic makes it possible to tension the membrane in a plane which is not attached to any point on the first face of the reflector, even at its periphery.
  • the arrangement of the blades so as to maintain the diaphragm 18 spaced from the first active face at any point of said active face is particularly advantageous when the transmitting equipment is a plane emitter panel, for example a planar radiating panel is plane. It ensures the spacing between the membrane and the first face of the reflector.
  • the membrane 18 comprises, on its periphery, tongues 26, one of which is referenced numerically for clarity. These tabs 26 are distributed in petals of flowers at the periphery of the membrane. In other words, the periphery of the membrane 21 has a cut into flower petals.
  • the first fastening means 19 are arranged on these tongues 26 so that when the membrane 18 is adhered to the reflector 13, they cooperate with the second fastening means 20.
  • This process is more interesting industrially than the manufacturing method of the prior art because it does not require a step of fixing the elastic tensioners to the membrane which limits the duration of the immobilization of the transmitter equipment. Moreover, the tensioners being arranged on the membrane to obtain the desired effect, the membrane fixing step is easy.
  • the invention also relates to a spacecraft, for example a satellite, comprising a telecommunication antenna, comprising a device according to the invention.

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  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
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Description

Le domaine de l'invention est celui des antennes de télécommunication destinées à émettre des ondes radioélectriques. Ces antennes sont utilisées sur la terre où bien dans l'espace où elles sont embraquées à bord de satellites de télécommunication. Le rayonnement radioélectrique est classiquement émis par une source couplée à un ou plusieurs réflecteurs ou bien uniquement par un panneau rayonnant émettant directement le rayonnement radioélectrique en direction de l'espace.The field of the invention is that of telecommunication antennas intended to emit radio waves. These antennas are used on the ground or well in the space where they are embraded aboard telecommunication satellites. The radio radiation is conventionally emitted by a source coupled to one or more reflectors or only by a radiating panel emitting the radio radiation directly towards the space.

On cherche généralement à minimiser les déformations thermo-élastiques du réflecteur ou du panneau rayonnant pour garantir une stabilité de la directivité de l'antenne. Les déformations thermo-élastiques du réflecteur ou du panneau rayonnant proviennent des variations thermiques cycliques causées par l'alternance de passages de zones d'ombre et de zones d'exposition aux rayons solaires.It is generally sought to minimize the thermoelastic deformations of the reflector or the radiating panel to guarantee stability of the directivity of the antenna. The thermoelastic deformations of the reflector or the radiating panel come from the cyclic thermal variations caused by the alternation of passages of shadow zones and zones of exposure to solar rays.

Dans la suite du texte, par équipement émetteur, on entend réflecteur ou panneau rayonnant.In the rest of the text, emitting equipment means reflector or radiating panel.

Une membrane de protection thermique est généralement disposée entre une face active de l'équipement émetteur et l'espace pour isoler thermiquement l'équipement émetteur et limiter les déformations thermo-élastiques. Il s'agit plus particulièrement de membranes de protection multi-couches comprenant un empilement de couches de polyimide. Le polyimide utilisé est bien connu de l'homme du métier, il s'agit, par exemple, d'une couche de KaptonR sur laquelle est déposée du Germanium. Cette isolation est extrêmement légère. Par ailleurs, cette isolation présente l'avantage d'être globalement transparente aux ondes radioélectriques.A thermal protection membrane is generally disposed between an active face of the transmitter equipment and the space to thermally isolate the transmitter equipment and limit the thermoelastic deformations. It is more particularly multi-layer protection membranes comprising a stack of polyimide layers. The polyimide used is well known to those skilled in the art, it is, for example, a Kapton layer R on which is deposited Germanium. This insulation is extremely light. Moreover, this insulation has the advantage of being generally transparent to radio waves.

Lors du montage de la membrane sur un réflecteur, on cherche à éviter que la membrane ne vienne se coller sur la face réfléchissante concave du réflecteur pour empêcher la détérioration du réflecteur du fait des flux aérodynamiques qui échauffent sa surface. Lorsque la membrane vient se coller sur la face concave du réflecteur, le Germanium focalise les rayons du soleil ce qui a pour effet de détériorer les éléments se trouvant sur le trajet d'un rayon réfléchi par la surface réfléchissante concave du réflecteur comme, par exemple, une source radiofréquence ou bien un réflecteur secondaire.When mounting the membrane on a reflector, it is sought to prevent the membrane from sticking to the concave reflective face of the reflector to prevent deterioration of the reflector due to aerodynamic flows that heat its surface. When the membrane sticks to the concave face of the reflector, the Germanium focuses the sun's rays, which has the effect of damaging the elements in the path of a ray reflected by the concave reflecting surface of the reflector as, for example, a radiofrequency source or a secondary reflector.

Généralement on étend la membrane entre la face concave du réflecteur ou du panneau rayonnant et l'espace et on vient fixer le pourtour de la membrane sur la tranche du réflecteur séparant la surface active de la surface inactive du réflecteur ou du panneau.Generally the membrane is extended between the concave face of the reflector or the radiating panel and the space and is fixed the periphery of the membrane on the edge of the reflector separating the active surface of the inactive surface of the reflector or panel.

Or, la membrane et l'équipement émetteur subissent, du fait de leur conception dans des matériaux différents, des dilations/rétractations différentes lorsque la température varie.However, the membrane and the emitting equipment undergo, due to their design in different materials, different dilations / retractions when the temperature varies.

Cette solution ne garantit pas une tension permanente de la membrane du fait que l'antenne est soumise à des variations de températures.This solution does not guarantee a permanent tension of the membrane because the antenna is subjected to temperature variations.

Par ailleurs, à fréquence élevée (Bande Ka), le Kapton n'est pas totalement transparent aux ondes radiofréquence. La membrane induit donc des déphasages sur le rayonnement réfléchi par un réflecteur ou rayonné par le panneau rayonnant. La valeur du déphasage dépend du positionnement de la membrane relativement à la surface active émettant, c'est-à-dire réfléchissant ou rayonnant, les ondes radioélectriques.Moreover, at high frequency (Ka Band), Kapton is not totally transparent to radiofrequency waves. The membrane thus induces phase shifts on the radiation reflected by a reflector or radiated by the radiating panel. The value of the phase shift depends on the positioning of the membrane relative to the active surface emitting, that is to say, reflecting or radiating, the radio waves.

On cherche à maintenir la membrane tendue en permanence entre l'équipement émetteur et l'espace pour que le déphasage induit par la membrane soit toujours le même.It is sought to maintain the membrane tensioned permanently between the emitting equipment and the space so that the phase shift induced by the membrane is always the same.

Il existe une solution pour garantir une tension permanente de la membrane 1. Cette solution est représentée sur les figures 1 a et 1 b dans le cas d'un réflecteur bigrille c'est-à-dire un réflecteur 2 comprenant deux réflecteurs individuels 7, 9. Elle est basée sur l'utilisation de tendeurs. Des tendeurs 6 sont répartis régulièrement sur la périphérie du réflecteur et sont fixés sur la structure 5 reliant les deux réflecteurs individuels c'est à dire séparant la face surface active 3 de la surface inactive 4 du réflecteur. Lors de l'opération de fixation de la membrane 1 sur le réflecteur 2 au moyen de moyens de fixation 8, les tendeurs sont repliés en U entre la membrane et la tranche 5 du réflecteur 2 de sorte qu'ils appliquent un effort E sur la membrane vers l'extérieur du réflecteur qui tend en permanence la membrane comme une peau de tambour entre la face active et l'espace.There is a solution to guarantee a permanent tension of the membrane 1. This solution is represented on the figures 1 a and 1b in the case of a bigrille reflector that is to say a reflector 2 comprising two individual reflectors 7, 9. It is based on the use of tensioners. Tensioners 6 are evenly distributed on the periphery of the reflector and are fixed on the structure 5 connecting the two individual reflectors, ie separating the active surface face 3 from the inactive surface 4 of the reflector. During the operation of fixing the membrane 1 on the reflector 2 by means of fastening means 8, the tensioners are folded in a U between the membrane and the slice 5 of the reflector 2 so that they apply a force E on the membrane towards the outside of the reflector which permanently tends the membrane like a drum skin between the active face and the space.

Toutefois, cette solution implique une immobilisation prolongée du réflecteur lors de l'installation des tendeurs avant de venir y fixer la membrane.However, this solution involves a prolonged immobilization of the reflector during the installation of the tensioners before coming to fix the membrane.

En outre, l'opération de fixation de la membrane sur le réflecteur est complexe et difficilement reproductible. Lors de cette opération, il faut non seulement s'assurer que l'on replie les tendeurs en U, mais également, que le pliage est tel qu'il permet de tendre la membrane comme une peau de tambour.In addition, the operation of fixing the membrane on the reflector is complex and difficult to reproduce. During this operation, it is necessary not only to make sure that the U-shaped tensioners are folded, but also that the folding is such as to allow the membrane to be stretched like a drum skin.

Par ailleurs, cette solution ne peut être implantée que sur les réflecteurs bi-grilles, elle n'est pas implantable sur les réflecteurs simples ou sur les panneaux rayonnants car la tranche de ces équipements séparant la surface active de la surface inactive, n'offre pas de surface lisse pour le collage.Moreover, this solution can be implemented only on the bi-grid reflectors, it is not implantable on single reflectors or on the radiating panels because the edge of these equipment separating the active surface from the inactive surface, offers no smooth surface for bonding.

Un but de la présente invention est de pallier les inconvénients précités.An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

Par ailleurs, cette solution est encombrante et fragile. Les tendeurs repliés en U occupent un espace non négligeable en périphérie du réflecteur, et le moindre choc peut les décoller ou les casser.Moreover, this solution is bulky and fragile. The U-folded tensioners occupy a non-negligible space at the periphery of the reflector, and the slightest shock can take them off or break them.

Un autre but de l'invention est de remédier à cet inconvénient.Another object of the invention is to overcome this disadvantage.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un dispositif pour émettre des ondes radioélectriques comprenant un équipement émetteur pour une antenne de télécommunication, une membrane de protection thermique du réflecteur et des moyens de fixation de la membrane de protection thermique sur l'équipement, ladite membrane de protection thermique étant munie d'une pluralité de tendeurs élastiques prévus pour maintenir la membrane de protection thermique tendue entre une première face active de l'équipement émetteur et l'espace, indépendamment des dilatations thermiques de la membrane et de l'équipement émetteur se produisant dans une plage de températures prédéterminée, lorsque les moyens de fixation assurent la fixation de la membrane audit équipement émetteur.For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for transmitting radio waves comprising a transmitter equipment for a telecommunication antenna, a thermal protection membrane for the reflector and means for fixing the thermal protection membrane on the equipment, said thermal protection membrane being provided with a plurality of elastic tensioners provided to maintain the thermal protection membrane stretched between a first active face of the emitting equipment and the space, independently of the thermal expansions of the membrane and the equipment emitter occurring in a predetermined temperature range, when the fastening means ensure the attachment of the membrane to said transmitting equipment.

Avantageusement, la plage de températures prédéterminée s'étend de - 250°C à + 400°C.Advantageously, the predetermined temperature range is from - 250 ° C to + 400 ° C.

Avantageusement, les moyens de fixation de la membrane comprennent des premiers moyens de fixation solidaires de la membrane assurant la séparation entre les tendeurs et la bordure de la membrane pour garantir un contact entre l'équipement émetteur et les tendeurs lorsque les moyens de fixation assurent la fixation de la membrane sur ledit équipement émetteur.Advantageously, the membrane fixing means comprise first fastening means integral with the membrane. providing separation between the tensioners and the edge of the membrane to ensure contact between the transmitting equipment and the tensioners when the fastening means ensure the attachment of the membrane on said transmitting equipment.

Avantageusement, les moyens de fixation comprennent des deuxièmes moyens de fixation fixés sur une deuxième face inactive de l'équipement émetteur et sont destinés à coopérer avec les premiers moyens de fixation pour assurer la fixation de la membrane à l'équipement émetteur.Advantageously, the fixing means comprise second fixing means fixed on a second inactive face of the transmitting equipment and are intended to cooperate with the first fixing means to ensure the attachment of the membrane to the transmitter equipment.

Avantageusement, les tendeurs élastiques comprennent des lames flexibles présentant une raideur supérieure à la raideur de la membrane.Advantageously, the elastic tensioners comprise flexible blades having a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the membrane.

Avantageusement, les lames flexibles présentant une raideur comprise entre 5 N/m et 500N/m.Advantageously, the flexible blades having a stiffness of between 5 N / m and 500 N / m.

Avantageusement, les lames flexibles sont en poly-para-phénylène téréphtalamide PPD-T ou en polyimide.Advantageously, the flexible blades are made of poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide PPD-T or polyimide.

Avantageusement, les lames flexibles présentent une épaisseur comprise entre 0.1 mm et 2 mm.Advantageously, the flexible blades have a thickness of between 0.1 mm and 2 mm.

Avantageusement, les lames flexibles sont des lames KaptonR présentant une épaisseur de 10 à 20 fois supérieure à l'épaisseur de la membraneAdvantageously, the flexible blades are Kapton R blades having a thickness 10 to 20 times greater than the thickness of the membrane

Avantageusement, les lames flexibles sont agencées de sorte qu'elles soient à cheval sur la jointure entre une deuxième face inactive du panneau et une tranche de l'équipement émetteur, reliant la première face active et la deuxième face inactive, lorsque les moyens de fixation assurent la fixation de la membrane audit équipement émetteur, les lames étant en outre dimensionnées de sorte qu'elles soient en flexion sur toute la plage de température prédéterminée.Advantageously, the flexible blades are arranged so that they straddle the joint between a second inactive face of the panel and a slice of the transmitting equipment, connecting the first active face and the second inactive face, when the fastening means provide the attachment of the membrane to said transmitting equipment, the blades being further dimensioned so that they are flexed over the entire predetermined temperature range.

Avantageusement, les lames flexibles sont plaquées contre la membrane.Advantageously, the flexible blades are pressed against the membrane.

Avantageusement, les tendeurs élastiques sont agencés de sorte à exercer un effort supplémentaire sur la membrane dans la direction perpendiculaire à l'effort et en direction de l'espace de sorte à maintenir la membrane espacée de la première face active de l'équipement émetteur en tout point de la dite première face active.Advantageously, the elastic tensioners are arranged so as to exert an additional force on the membrane in the direction perpendicular to the force and in the direction of the space so as to keep the membrane spaced apart from the first active face of the transmitting equipment. any point of the said first active face.

Avantageusement, l'équipement émetteur est un réflecteur.Advantageously, the transmitter equipment is a reflector.

Avantageusement, le réflecteur est parabolique.Advantageously, the reflector is parabolic.

Avantageusement, l'équipement émetteur est un panneau rayonnant.Advantageously, the transmitter equipment is a radiating panel.

Avantageusement, la première face active est concave.Advantageously, the first active face is concave.

Avantageusement, la première face active est plane.Advantageously, the first active face is flat.

L'invention a également pour objet une antenne comprenant un dispositif selon l'invention.The invention also relates to an antenna comprising a device according to the invention.

L'invention a en outre pour objet, un engin spatial comprenant une antenne selon l'invention.The invention further relates to a spacecraft comprising an antenna according to the invention.

Enfin, l'invention a pour objet un procédé de fabrication d'un dispositif pour réfléchir des ondes radioélectriques selon l'invention comprenant :

  • une étape consistant à équiper la membrane de tendeurs élastiques prévus pour assurer le maintien de la membrane tendue entre la première face de l'équipement émetteur et l'espace, indépendamment des dilatations thermiques de la membrane et de l'équipement émetteur se produisant dans une plage de températures prédéterminée, lorsque les moyens de fixation assurent la fixation de la membrane audit équipement émetteur,
  • une étape de fixation de la membrane munie des tendeurs élastiques à l'équipement émetteur.
Finally, the subject of the invention is a method of manufacturing a device for reflecting radio waves according to the invention comprising:
  • a step of equipping the membrane with elastic tensioners provided to maintain the membrane stretched between the first face of the emitting equipment and the space, independently of the thermal expansions of the membrane and the emitting equipment occurring in a predetermined temperature range, when the fastening means ensure the attachment of the membrane to said transmitting equipment,
  • a step of fixing the membrane provided with elastic tensioners to the transmitting equipment.

La solution proposée permet, du fait que les tendeurs sont fixés à la membrane, de limiter au maximum le temps d'immobilisation de l'équipement émetteur qui doit être disponible pour subir de nombreux tests avant son envoi dans l'espace. Elle permet également de garantir une tension permanente de la membrane.The proposed solution makes it possible, because the tensioners are attached to the membrane, to limit as much as possible the downtime of the transmitting equipment which must be available to undergo numerous tests before being sent into space. It also ensures a permanent tension of the membrane.

Par ailleurs, elle est peu encombrante et solide.Moreover, it is compact and solid.

En outre, lors de la préparation de l'antenne avant son envoi dans l'espace, l'antenne est soumise à différents test qui conduisent à installer et retirer plusieurs fois la membrane sur l'équipement émetteur. La solution proposée permet d'obtenir une reproductibilité du montage de la membrane sur l'équipement émetteur. Autrement dit, elle permet de garantir le même positionnement de la membrane sur l'équipement émetteur à chaque nouveau montage. Les perturbations induites par la membrane sur le rayonnement émis par la membrane sont toujours les mêmes sur toute la durée de vie de l'antenne au sol.In addition, during the preparation of the antenna before sending it into space, the antenna is subjected to various tests that lead to install and remove the membrane several times on the transmitter equipment. The proposed solution makes it possible to obtain a reproducibility of the mounting of the membrane on the transmitting equipment. In other words, it makes it possible to guarantee the same positioning of the membrane on the transmitter equipment at each new assembly. The membrane-induced disturbances to the radiation emitted by the membrane are always the same over the lifetime of the antenna on the ground.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit, faite à titre d'exemple non limitatif et en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • les figures 1 a et 1 b déjà décrites représentent schématiquement en coupe, un réflecteur muni d'une membrane selon l'art antérieur et, respectivement, un détail de l'agencement des tendeurs à la périphérie du réflecteur,
  • les figures 2a et 2b représentent schématiquement, en coupe, une antenne selon l'invention et respectivement, un détail d'un premier exemple d'agencement des tendeurs à la périphérie d'un réflecteur du dispositif de d'émission selon l'invention,
  • la figure 3 représente schématiquement la face interne de la membrane.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • the figures 1 a and 1 b already described schematically in section, a reflector provided with a membrane according to the prior art and, respectively, a detail of the arrangement of the tensioners at the periphery of the reflector,
  • the Figures 2a and 2b schematically represent, in section, an antenna according to the invention and respectively, a detail of a first example of arrangement of the tensioners at the periphery of a reflector of the transmission device according to the invention,
  • the figure 3 schematically represents the inner face of the membrane.

D'une figure à l'autre, les mêmes éléments sont repérés par les mêmes références.From one figure to another, the same elements are identified by the same references.

Sur les figures 2a et 2b, on a représenté une coupe d'une antenne de télécommunication 10 selon l'invention, comprenant une source 11 positionnée au foyer d'un dispositif 12 pour émettre des ondes radioélectriques selon l'invention. Ce dispositif 12 comprend un réflecteur 13 sur lequel des ondes radioélectriques sont destinées à être réfléchies depuis la source.On the Figures 2a and 2b , there is shown a section of a telecommunication antenna 10 according to the invention, comprising a source 11 positioned at the focus of a device 12 for emitting radio waves according to the invention. This device 12 comprises a reflector 13 on which radio waves are intended to be reflected from the source.

En variante, la source peut être remplacée par un récepteur. Les ondes sont alors réfléchies vers le récepteur.Alternatively, the source may be replaced by a receiver. The waves are then reflected back to the receiver.

L'antenne de télécommunication peut être destinée aux applications spatiales ou terrestres.The telecommunication antenna may be for space or terrestrial applications.

Le réflecteur 13 comprend une première face active 15 et une deuxième face inactive 16. Ces faces sont, sur la réalisation de la figure 2a, sensiblement parallèles. La première face 15 et la deuxième face 16 sont jointes par l'intermédiaire d'une tranche 17 s'étendant continument à la périphérie des deux faces 15, 16. Une membrane sépare la première face 15 de l'espace.The reflector 13 comprises a first active face 15 and a second inactive face 16. These faces are, on the realization of the figure 2a , substantially parallel. The first face 15 and the second face 16 are joined via a wafer 17 extending continuously to the periphery of the two faces 15, 16. A membrane separates the first face 15 of the space.

Sur les réalisations des figures, le réflecteur est parabolique. La première face active 15 est concave. Sur la réalisation de la figure 2a, la deuxième face 16 est convexe.On the embodiments of the figures, the reflector is parabolic. The first active face 15 is concave. On the realization of the figure 2a the second face 16 is convex.

Enfin, le réflecteur est simple, il est constitué d'un unique réflecteur individuel. L'invention s'applique également aux réflecteurs bigrilles comprenant deux réflecteurs individuels disposés l'un derrière l'autre comme décrit précédemment. Dans ce cas, la première face appartient à un premier réflecteur individuel et la deuxième face appartient à un deuxième réflecteur individuel.Finally, the reflector is simple, it consists of a single individual reflector. The invention also applies to bigrille reflectors comprising two individual reflectors arranged one behind the other as previously described. In this case, the first face belongs to a first individual reflector and the second face belongs to a second individual reflector.

Le dispositif pour réfléchir des ondes radioélectriques comprend en outre une membrane 18 de protection thermique du réflecteur 13, et des moyens de fixation 19, 20 de la membrane de protection thermique 18 au réflecteur 13.The device for reflecting radio waves further comprises a membrane 18 for thermal protection of the reflector 13, and fixing means 19, 20 of the thermal protection membrane 18 to the reflector 13.

La membrane 18 est une membrane de protection multicouche comprenant un empilement de couches de polyimide. Le polyimide utilisé est bien connu de l'homme du métier, il s'agit par exemple d'un film de KaptonR Germanisé (KaptonR avec dépôt de germanium) développé par la société DuPont de Neumours. On choisit des membranes de protection thermique transparentes aux ondes électromagnétiques sur toute la plage des fréquences utilisées en télécommunication spatiale.The membrane 18 is a multilayer protective membrane comprising a stack of polyimide layers. The polyimide used is well known to those skilled in the art, it is for example a Kapton R Germanized film (Kapton R with germanium deposition) developed by the company DuPont de Neumours. Transparent thermal protection membranes for electromagnetic waves are chosen over the entire range of frequencies used in space telecommunications.

Les membranes de protection thermique présentent classiquement une épaisseur comprise entre 0.025 mm et 0.2 mm (assemblage de feuilles de Kapton et de séparateurs) et un module d'élasticité compris entre 2 GPa et 2.5GPa. Le module d'élasticité dépend de la température.The thermal protection membranes conventionally have a thickness of between 0.025 mm and 0.2 mm (Kapton sheet assembly and separators) and a modulus of elasticity of between 2 GPa and 2.5GPa. The modulus of elasticity depends on the temperature.

La membrane 18 sépare la première face 15 du réflecteur 13 et l'espace de sorte à assurer la protection thermique du réflecteur 13. En d'autres termes, tout point de la première face 15 est séparée de l'espace par la membrane 18. Les dimensions de la membrane sont choisies en fonction de cette condition. Par ailleurs, les dimensions de la membrane 18 sont choisies pour permettre d'assurer la fixation de la membrane 18 sur la deuxième face 16 de ce dernier au moyen des moyens de fixation 19, 20.The membrane 18 separates the first face 15 of the reflector 13 and the space so as to provide thermal protection of the reflector 13. In other words, any point of the first face 15 is separated from the space by the membrane 18. The dimensions of the membrane are chosen according to this condition. Moreover, the dimensions of the membrane 18 are chosen to allow the membrane 18 to be secured to the second face 16 of the latter by means of the fastening means 19, 20.

Les moyens de fixation de la membrane comprennent des premiers moyens de fixation 19 solidaires de la membrane 18. Les premiers moyens de fixation 19 sont fixés sur la périphérie de la face interne 21 de la membrane 18.The membrane fixing means comprise first fixing means 19 secured to the membrane 18. The first fixing means 19 are fixed on the periphery of the inner face 21 of the membrane 18.

La face interne 21 est la face de la membrane 18 qui est destinée à faire face au réflecteur 13, et la face externe 22 de la membrane 18 est la face de la membrane qui est destinée à être orientée vers l'espace.The inner face 21 is the face of the membrane 18 which is intended to face the reflector 13, and the outer face 22 of the membrane 18 is the face of the membrane which is intended to be oriented towards the space.

Les premiers moyens de fixation sont destinés à coopérer avec le réflecteur 13 pour assurer la fixation de la membrane au réflecteur.The first fixing means are intended to cooperate with the reflector 13 to secure the membrane to the reflector.

Plus particulièrement, les premiers moyens de fixation 19 sont destinés à coopérer avec la deuxième face du réflecteur 16.More particularly, the first fastening means 19 are intended to cooperate with the second face of the reflector 16.

Les moyens de fixation sont aptes à fixer la membrane de façon amovible au réflecteur mais on pourrait également utiliser des moyens de fixation permanents.The fixing means are able to fix the membrane removably to the reflector but one could also use permanent fixing means.

Avantageusement, les moyens de fixation comprennent en outre des deuxièmes moyens de fixation 20 solidaires du réflecteur. Ils sont fixés sur la périphérie de la face interne de la membrane 25. Sur les réalisations des figures, les deuxièmes moyens de fixation sont fixés sur la deuxième face 16 (figure 2b). Les premiers moyens 19 de fixation sont destinées à coopérer avec les deuxièmes moyens de fixation 20 pour fixer la membrane 18 au réflecteur 13. Il s'agit, par exemple, de moyens d'accrochage à crochets et boucles. De tels moyens d'accrochage sont, par exemple, commercialisés sous le nom de VelcroR.Advantageously, the fixing means further comprise second fastening means 20 secured to the reflector. They are fixed on the periphery of the inner face of the diaphragm 25. In the embodiments of the figures, the second fastening means are fixed on the second face 16 ( figure 2b ). The first fastening means 19 are intended to cooperate with the second fastening means 20 for fixing the diaphragm 18 to the reflector 13. This is, for example, fastening means hooks and loops. Such attachment means are, for example, marketed under the name of Velcro R.

La membrane 18 est munie d'une pluralité de tendeurs élastiques 23, représentés en gras sur la figure 2a, prévus pour assurer le maintien de la membrane 18 de façon tendue entre la première face 15 du réflecteur et l'espace, indépendamment des dilatations thermiques de la membrane 18 et du réflecteur 13 se produisant dans une plage de températures prédéterminée, lorsque les moyens de fixation 19, 20 assurent la fixation de la membrane sur le réflecteur.The membrane 18 is provided with a plurality of elastic tensioners 23, shown in bold on the figure 2a , provided to maintain the membrane 18 tautly between the first face 15 of the reflector and the space, independently of the thermal expansions of the membrane 18 and the reflector 13 occurring in a predetermined temperature range, when the means of fixing 19, 20 ensure the attachment of the membrane on the reflector.

La membrane forme alors une surface sensiblement plane entre la première face du réflecteur et l'espace.The membrane then forms a substantially flat surface between the first face of the reflector and the space.

La membrane de protection thermique 18 est munie d'une pluralité de tendeurs élastiques 23 prévus pour créer un effort F qui tire la membrane 18 vers l'extérieur du réflecteur 13, c'est-à-dire vers l'espace, lorsque la membrane est fixée au réflecteur, de sorte que la membrane forme une surface sensiblement plane entre la première face 15 du réflecteur 13 et l'espace, indépendamment des dilatations thermiques de la membrane 18 et du réflecteur 13 se produisant dans une plage de températures prédéterminée.The thermal protection membrane 18 is provided with a plurality of elastic tensioners 23 designed to create a force F which pulls the membrane 18 towards the outside of the reflector 13, that is to say towards space, when the membrane is attached to the reflector, so that the membrane forms a substantially planar surface between the first face 15 of the reflector 13 and the gap, independently of the thermal expansions of the membrane 18 and the reflector 13 occurring within a predetermined temperature range.

En d'autres termes, les tendeurs élastiques sont dimensionnés et agencés de sorte à tendre la membrane comme une peau de tambour entre la première face du réflecteur 15 et l'espace.In other words, the elastic tensioners are dimensioned and arranged so as to tension the membrane like a drum skin between the first face of the reflector 15 and the space.

Les tendeurs rattrapent, du fait de leur élasticité, les jeux dus aux dilatations et contractions thermo-élastiques différentielles entre le réflecteur et la membrane, lorsque la température varie, pour tendre la membrane en permanence.The tensioners catch up, due to their elasticity, the games due to the differential thermal expansion and contraction between the reflector and the membrane, when the temperature varies, to tension the membrane permanently.

Cette solution présente l'avantage de garantir la tension de la membrane dans une plage de températures choisie en fonction des conditions d'utilisation de la membrane et du réflecteur ce qui permet de s'affranchir des problèmes de focalisation solaire décrits précédemment. Par ailleurs, du fait de la tension permanente de la membrane, l'influence de la membrane sur les performances du dispositif de réflexion est la même quelque soit la température. En outre, en couplant les tendeurs à la membrane, on évite d'immobiliser inutilement le réflecteur pour y fixer individuellement les tendeurs sur le réflecteur avant de venir y attacher la membrane. Le réflecteur n'est immobilisé que lors de l'opération de fixation de la membrane.This solution has the advantage of guaranteeing the voltage of the membrane in a temperature range chosen according to the conditions of use of the membrane and the reflector which makes it possible to overcome the problems of solar focusing described above. Moreover, because of the permanent tension of the membrane, the influence of the membrane on the performance of the reflection device is the same whatever the temperature. In addition, by coupling the tensioners to the membrane, it avoids unnecessarily immobilize the reflector to individually fix the tensioners on the reflector before coming to attach the membrane. The reflector is immobilized only during the operation of fixing the membrane.

La plage de température choisie dépend des applications. Pour des applications spatiales, on choisit une plage de température s'étendant de - 250°C à +350 °C. Cette plage de température correspond à la plage de températures à laquelle est susceptible d'être soumise la membrane protectrice d'une antenne de télécommunication envoyée dans l'espace.The chosen temperature range depends on the applications. For space applications, a temperature range ranging from - 250 ° C to +350 ° C is chosen. This temperature range corresponds to the temperature range at which the protective membrane of a telecommunication antenna sent into space can be subjected to.

Les tendeurs élastiques 23 sont agencés à la périphérie de la membrane et sont fixés sur la face interne 21 de la membrane.The elastic tensioners 23 are arranged at the periphery of the membrane and are fixed on the inner face 21 of the membrane.

La fixation des tendeurs élastiques 23 sur la face interne 21 de la membrane permet de limiter les risques de décollement du tendeur. Les efforts sont exercés par les tendeurs sur la membrane pour la maintenir tendue. Ces efforts ne sont pas repris par les moyens de fixation du tendeur sur la membrane car ils sont orientés perpendiculairement.Fixing the elastic tensioners 23 on the inner face 21 of the membrane makes it possible to limit the risks of detachment of the tensioner. The forces are exerted by the tensioners on the membrane to keep it taut. These forces are not taken up by the fastener means of the tensioner on the membrane because they are oriented perpendicularly.

Les tendeurs élastiques 23 sont fixés à la membrane 18, par exemple, au moyen d'un adhésif, comme, par exemple, de la colle ou d'une bande adhésive ou par tout autre moyen de fixation du tendeur à la membrane. On utilise avantageusement une bande adhésive en KaptonR.The elastic tensioners 23 are attached to the membrane 18, for example, by means of an adhesive, such as, for example, glue or adhesive tape or by any other means of fixing the tensioner to the membrane. Kapton R adhesive tape is advantageously used.

Le KaptonR est déjà utilisé pour les applications spatiales. Il vérifie les critères imposés pour les applications spatiales. L'utilisation de ce matériau permet de s'affranchir de tous les tests d'homologations auxquels est soumis un nouveau matériau pour pouvoir être utilisé pour ces applications.Kapton R is already used for space applications. It checks the criteria imposed for space applications. The use of this material makes it possible to get rid of all the homologation tests to which a new material is subjected in order to be able to be used for these applications.

Par ailleurs, il présente l'avantage de présenter le même comportement thermo-élastique que la membrane qui est réalisée dans le même matériau.Moreover, it has the advantage of having the same thermoelastic behavior as the membrane which is made of the same material.

Sur la réalisation des figures, les tendeurs 23 sont des lames flexibles. Il s'agit, par exemple de lames en KaptonR. On peut également utiliser des lames de poly-para-phénylène téréphtalamide PPD-T.In the embodiment of the figures, the tensioners 23 are flexible blades. This is, for example Kapton blades R. PPD-T poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide slides can also be used.

La société Dupont de Nemours commercialise ce dernier matériau sous le nom de KevlarR. Ce matériau présente l'avantage de conserver ses propriétés mécaniques à des températures extrêmes.The company Dupont de Nemours markets the latter material under the name of Kevlar R. This material has the advantage of maintaining its mechanical properties at extreme temperatures.

En résumé, tout matériau présentant une raideur et une stabilité dimensionnelle équivalente au KaptonR et vérifiant des critères prédéterminés imposés pour une application spatiale peut être utilisé.In summary, any material having stiffness and dimensional stability equivalent to Kapton R and verifying predetermined criteria imposed for a spatial application can be used.

On choisit des lames présentant une raideur supérieure à celle de la membrane. Avantageusement, on choisit des lames présentant une raideur comprise entre 5 N/m et 500 N/m. On choisit par exemple des lames flexibles présentent une épaisseur comprise entre 0.1 mm et 2 mm.Blades having a stiffness higher than that of the membrane are chosen. Advantageously, blades having a stiffness of between 5 N / m and 500 N / m are chosen. For example, flexible blades have a thickness of between 0.1 mm and 2 mm.

On choisit avantageusement des lames de KaptonR présentant une épaisseur supérieure à celle de la membrane. On choisit avantageusement des lames dont l'épaisseur est entre 10 et 20 fois supérieure à l'épaisseur de la membrane. On choisit, par exemple, des lames présentant une épaisseur de 0.38 mm.Kapton blades R are advantageously chosen to have a thickness greater than that of the membrane. Advantageously, blades having a thickness of between 10 and 20 times greater than the thickness of the membrane are chosen. For example, blades having a thickness of 0.38 mm are chosen.

On agence les tendeurs par rapport aux premiers moyens de fixation 19 de la membrane 18 de sorte que les tendeurs 23 soient en appui sur le réflecteur 13 lorsque la membrane 18 est fixée au réflecteur 13 au moyen des moyens de fixation 19, 20. Les premiers moyens de fixation assurent la séparation entre les tendeurs 23 et la bordure de la membrane 18. Grâce à cet agencement, les tendeurs peuvent exercer des efforts F qui tirent la membrane vers l'extérieur du réflecteur, c'est-à-dire vers l'espace.The tensioners are arranged in relation to the first fastening means 19 of the diaphragm 18 so that the tensioners 23 rest on the reflector 13 when the diaphragm 18 is fastened to the reflector 13 by means of the fixing means 19, 20. The first fastening means ensure the separation between the tensioners 23 and the edge of the membrane 18. With this arrangement, the tensioners can exert efforts F which pull the membrane outwardly of the reflector, that is to say towards the 'space.

Dans le cas où les tendeurs 23 sont des lames flexibles plaquées sur la membrane, comme représenté sur la figure 2b, on agence plus particulièrement les lames 23 de sorte qu'elles soient à cheval sur la jointure 24 entre la deuxième face 16 du réflecteur 13 et la tranche 17 lorsque la membrane 18 est fixée au réflecteur et on dimensionne les lames 23 de sorte qu'elles soient en flexion sur toute la plage de température prédéterminée.In the case where the tensioners 23 are flexible blades plated on the membrane, as shown in FIG. figure 2b , we organize more particularly the blades 23 so that they straddle the seam 24 between the second face 16 of the reflector 13 and the wafer 17 when the membrane 18 is fixed to the reflector and the blades 23 are dimensioned so that they are in flexion over the entire predetermined temperature range.

Ainsi, lorsque l'on vient fixer la membrane sur le réflecteur 13, chaque lame 23 produit, du fait de son dimensionnement et de son agencement, un effort F qui tire la membrane 18 vers l'extérieur du réflecteur 13 de sorte à tendre la membrane. Cet effort est exercé quelque soit la température à laquelle est soumis le dispositif de réflexion pourvu qu'elle se trouve dans la plage de température prédéterminée.Thus, when the membrane is attached to the reflector 13, each blade 23 produces, due to its size and its arrangement, a force F which pulls the diaphragm 18 towards the outside of the reflector 13 so as to tension the membrane. This force is exerted whatever the temperature to which the reflection device is subjected provided that it is in the predetermined temperature range.

Les tendeurs 23 sont répartis sur la périphérie de la membrane 18 de sorte que la membrane 18 forme une surface sensiblement plane entre l'espace et la première face 15 lorsque la membrane 18 est fixée au réflecteur 13.The tensioners 23 are distributed over the periphery of the membrane 18 so that the membrane 18 forms a substantially flat surface between the space and the first face 15 when the membrane 18 is fixed to the reflector 13.

L'obtention d'une membrane 18 formant une surface sensiblement plane nécessite un positionnement précis des tendeurs 23 par rapport au réflecteur. La précision du positionnement est obtenue notamment en agençant judicieusement les tendeurs 23 par rapport aux premiers moyens de fixation 19, 20. Cette opération est délicate. Elle est réalisée directement sur la membrane avant la fixation de celle-ci au réflecteur. L'opération consistant à faire coopérer les premiers 19 et les deuxièmes 20 moyens de fixation est aisée. Elle ne nécessite pas de prendre de précautions particulières pour assurer un positionnement précis de la membrane. Les opérations de précision ont déjà été réalisées sur la membrane.Obtaining a membrane 18 forming a substantially flat surface requires precise positioning of the tensioners 23 relative to the reflector. The positioning accuracy is achieved in particular by judiciously arranging the tensioners 23 relative to the first fixing means 19, 20. This operation is delicate. It is made directly on the membrane before fixing it to the reflector. The operation of making the first 19 and the second fastening means 20 cooperate is easy. It does not need to take special precautions to ensure accurate positioning of the membrane. Precision operations have already been performed on the membrane.

De préférence, comme représenté sur les figures 2a et 2b, les lames sont plaquées contre la membrane. Le fait de plaquer les lames 23 contre la membrane garantit le positionnement des lames dans la position souhaitée lors de la fixation de la membrane sur le réflecteur.Preferably, as shown on the Figures 2a and 2b the blades are pressed against the membrane. Plating the blades 23 against the membrane ensures the positioning of the blades in the desired position when fixing the membrane on the reflector.

Sur la réalisation de la figure 2b, les tendeurs sont en retrait par rapport à la première face 15. La membrane est en appui sur la périphérie de la face active 15.On the realization of the figure 2b , the tensioners are set back relative to the first face 15. The membrane bears on the periphery of the active face 15.

En variante, les tendeurs sont agencés de sorte maintenir la membrane espacée de la première face du réflecteur en tout point de cette face. Autrement dit, les tendeurs 23 sont agencés de sorte à exercer un effort supplémentaire sur la membrane dans la direction perpendiculaire à l'effort F vers l'espace de sorte à maintenir la membrane 18 espacée de la première face 15 du réflecteur 13 en tout point de ladite première face 15.Alternatively, the tensioners are arranged to maintain the membrane spaced apart from the first face of the reflector at any point on this face. In other words, the tensioners 23 are arranged so as to exert an additional force on the membrane in the direction perpendicular to the force F towards the space so as to maintain the membrane 18 spaced from the first face 15 of the reflector 13 at any point of said first face 15.

Par exemple, on agence les lames de sorte qu'elles présentent une bordure s'étendant plus près de l'espace que la première face 15.For example, the blades are arranged so that they have a border extending closer to the space than the first face 15.

Cette caractéristique permet de tendre la membrane dans un plan qui n'est accolé à aucun point à la première face du réflecteur, même à sa périphérie.This characteristic makes it possible to tension the membrane in a plane which is not attached to any point on the first face of the reflector, even at its periphery.

Notons que tout ce qui a été décrit précédemment est applicable en remplaçant le réflecteur par un autre équipement émetteur du type panneau rayonnant des ondes radioélectriques présentant une première face active, rayonnant des ondes radioélectriques et une face inactive reliées par une tranche.Note that all that has been previously described is applicable by replacing the reflector by another radio-wave radiating panel type emitting equipment having a first active face, radiating radio waves and an inactive side connected by a wafer.

L'agencement des lames de sorte à maintenir la membrane 18 espacée de la première face active en tout point de ladite face active est particulièrement avantageux lorsque l'équipement émetteur est un panneau émetteur plan, par exemple un panneau rayonnant plan est plan. Elle permet de garantir l'espacement entre la membrane et la première face du réflecteur.The arrangement of the blades so as to maintain the diaphragm 18 spaced from the first active face at any point of said active face is particularly advantageous when the transmitting equipment is a plane emitter panel, for example a planar radiating panel is plane. It ensures the spacing between the membrane and the first face of the reflector.

Comme représenté sur la figure 3, la membrane 18 comprend, sur sa périphérie, des languettes 26 dont une seule est référencée numériquement pour plus de clarté. Ces languettes 26 sont réparties en pétales de fleurs à la périphérie de la membrane. Autrement dit, la périphérie de la membrane 21 présente une découpe en pétales de fleurs.As shown on the figure 3 , the membrane 18 comprises, on its periphery, tongues 26, one of which is referenced numerically for clarity. These tabs 26 are distributed in petals of flowers at the periphery of the membrane. In other words, the periphery of the membrane 21 has a cut into flower petals.

Les premiers moyens de fixation 19 sont agencés sur ces languettes 26 de sorte que lorsque l'on vient coller la membrane 18 au réflecteur 13, ils viennent coopérer avec les deuxièmes moyens de fixation 20.The first fastening means 19 are arranged on these tongues 26 so that when the membrane 18 is adhered to the reflector 13, they cooperate with the second fastening means 20.

L'invention a également pour objet un procédé de fabrication d'un dispositif de réflexion 12 selon l'invention. Ce procédé comprend :

  • une étape consistant à équiper la membrane 18 de tendeurs élastiques 23 prévus pour assurer le maintien de la membrane 18 tendue entre la première face 15 de l'équipement émetteur et l'espace, indépendamment des dilatations thermiques de la membrane 18 et de l'équipement émetteur 13 se produisant dans une plage de températures prédéterminée, lorsque les moyens de fixation assurent la fixation de la membrane 18 audit équipement émetteur 13,
  • une étape de fixation de la membrane 18 munie des tendeurs élastiques 23 à l'équipement émetteur 13.
The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a reflection device 12 according to the invention. This process comprises:
  • a step of equipping the membrane 18 with elastic tensioners 23 provided to maintain the membrane 18 stretched between the first face 15 of the emitting equipment and the space, independently of the thermal expansions of the membrane 18 and the equipment transmitter 13 occurring in a temperature range predetermined, when the fastening means ensure the attachment of the membrane 18 to said transmitter equipment 13,
  • a step of fixing the membrane 18 provided with the elastic tensioners 23 to the transmitter equipment 13.

Ce procédé est plus intéressant industriellement que le procédé de fabrication de l'art antérieur car il ne nécessite pas d'étape de fixation des tendeurs élastiques à la membrane ce qui limite la durée de l'immobilisation de l'équipement émetteur. Par ailleurs, les tendeurs étant agencés sur la membrane pour obtenir l'effet souhaité, l'étape de fixation de la membrane est facile.This process is more interesting industrially than the manufacturing method of the prior art because it does not require a step of fixing the elastic tensioners to the membrane which limits the duration of the immobilization of the transmitter equipment. Moreover, the tensioners being arranged on the membrane to obtain the desired effect, the membrane fixing step is easy.

L'invention concerne par ailleurs un engin spatial, par exemple, un satellite, comprenant une antenne de télécommunication, comprenant un dispositif selon l'invention.The invention also relates to a spacecraft, for example a satellite, comprising a telecommunication antenna, comprising a device according to the invention.

Claims (13)

  1. A device for emitting radio waves, comprising emitter equipment (13) for a telecommunication antenna (10), a membrane (18) for thermally protecting the reflector and means (19, 20) for fixing said thermal protection membrane (18) to said equipment (13), characterised in that said thermal protection membrane (18) is provided with a plurality of elastic tensioners (23) provided to keep said thermal protection membrane (18) taut between a first active face of said emitter equipment (13) and the space, independently of the thermal expansions of said membrane (18) and said emitter equipment (13) that occur in a predetermined temperature range, when said fixing means (19, 20) fix said membrane (18) to said emitter equipment (13), said elastic tensioners (23) comprising flexible blades, having a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of said membrane, and being placed against said membrane and being fixed to said membrane (18).
  2. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein said fixing means (19, 20) of said membrane comprise first fixing means (19) rigidly connected to said membrane (18) providing the separation between said tensioners (23) and the edge of said membrane (18) so as to guarantee contact between said emitter equipment (13) and said tensioners (23) when said fixing means (19, 20) fix said membrane (18) to said emitter equipment (13).
  3. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fixing means comprise second fixing means (20) that are fixed to a second inactive face (16) of said emitter equipment (13) and are designed to cooperate with said first fixing means (19) so as to fix said membrane (18) to said emitter equipment (13).
  4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible blades have a stiffness of between 5 N/m and 500 N/m.
  5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible blades are made of polyparaphenylene terephtalamide PPD-T or polyimide.
  6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible blades have a thickness of between 0.1 mm and 2 mm.
  7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible blades are KaptonR blades, the thickness of which is 10 to 20 times greater than the thickness of said membrane.
  8. The device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the predetermined temperature range is between -250°C and + 400°C.
  9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible blades are arranged so that they straddle the joint (24, 25) between a second inactive face (16) of the panel and a slice (17) joining said first active face (15) and said second inactive face (16) of said emitter equipment (13) when said fixing means (19, 20) fix said membrane (18) to said emitter equipment (13), said blades also being dimensioned so that they are in flexion over the entire predetermined temperature range.
  10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said elastic tensioners (23) are arranged so as to exert an additional force on said membrane in the direction perpendicular to the force ( F ) and toward the space so as to keep said membrane (18) separate from said first active phase (15) of said emitter equipment (13) at all points of said first active face (15).
  11. An antenna comprising a device according to any one of the preceding claims.
  12. A spacecraft comprising an antenna according to the preceding claim.
  13. A method for manufacturing a device for reflecting radio waves according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising:
    - a step consisting in equipping said membrane (18) with elastic tensioners (23) provided to maintain said membrane (18) between said first face (15) of said emitter equipment and the space, independently of the thermal expansions of said membrane (18) and of said emitter equipment (13) that occur in a predetermined temperature range, when said fixing means fix said membrane (18) to said emitter equipment (13), said elastic tensioners (23) comprising flexible blades, the stiffness of which is greater than the stiffness of said membrane, said flexible blades being placed against said membrane and being fixed to said membrane (18),
    - a step of fixing said membrane (18) provided with elastic tensioners (23) to said emitter equipment (13).
EP11186580.4A 2010-10-29 2011-10-25 Device for emitting radio waves, antenna and spacecraft Active EP2451007B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1004272A FR2966984B1 (en) 2010-10-29 2010-10-29 DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING RADIO WAVES, ANTENNA AND SPACE ENGINE.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2451007A1 EP2451007A1 (en) 2012-05-09
EP2451007B1 true EP2451007B1 (en) 2014-11-26

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US (1) US8760358B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2451007B1 (en)
CN (1) CN102593607B (en)
CA (1) CA2757391C (en)
ES (1) ES2528407T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2966984B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2883276B1 (en) * 2013-06-27 2019-05-22 CommScope Technologies LLC Foldable radome
US10454161B1 (en) * 2016-03-04 2019-10-22 Raytheon Company Radome assembly
EP3220548B1 (en) * 2016-03-18 2018-12-12 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Antenna housing with tension element
US10516216B2 (en) 2018-01-12 2019-12-24 Eagle Technology, Llc Deployable reflector antenna system
US10707552B2 (en) 2018-08-21 2020-07-07 Eagle Technology, Llc Folded rib truss structure for reflector antenna with zero over stretch
CN113497360A (en) * 2021-05-24 2021-10-12 西安空间无线电技术研究所 High-precision profile control thermal control structure of zero-transmission solar screen and satellite-borne antenna reflector

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3388401A (en) * 1965-06-30 1968-06-11 Andrew Antenna Company Ltd Parabolic antenna with low-loss flexible radome
US4126864A (en) * 1978-01-23 1978-11-21 Hopkins B Ice shield for micro-wave antenna
US4364053A (en) * 1980-09-18 1982-12-14 William Hotine Inflatable stressed skin microwave antenna
US4918459A (en) * 1989-02-27 1990-04-17 Teso John S De Apparatus for protecting antennas
GB2277200B (en) * 1993-04-16 1997-03-12 British Aerospace A cover for a spacecraft antenna
US5729238A (en) * 1995-09-19 1998-03-17 Walton, Jr.; William B. Hot air de-icing of satellite antenna with cover
US5729241A (en) * 1996-05-28 1998-03-17 Ergen; Charles W. Direct broadcast satellite antenna cover
US6137449A (en) * 1996-09-26 2000-10-24 Kildal; Per-Simon Reflector antenna with a self-supported feed

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2528407T3 (en) 2015-02-10
FR2966984A1 (en) 2012-05-04
US20120274533A1 (en) 2012-11-01
CN102593607B (en) 2016-03-30
CA2757391C (en) 2018-08-28
EP2451007A1 (en) 2012-05-09
FR2966984B1 (en) 2013-08-30
US8760358B2 (en) 2014-06-24
CA2757391A1 (en) 2012-04-29
CN102593607A (en) 2012-07-18

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