GB746300A - Improvements in radar reflectors - Google Patents

Abstract

746,300. Radar reflectors. PORTER, A. E. Aug. 11, 1954 [Feb. 12, 1954], No. 4229/54. Class 40 (7). A collapsible radar corner reflector for use as a balloon-borne target comprises a central post 3 to which are hinged a plurality of arms 8, the arms and post carrying vertical triangular panels 1 and a further square horizontal panel 2 comprised of flexible reflecting material. The arms are capable of downward hinging movement into a position in which they lie parallel to the central post with the panels in a folded condition as illustrated in Fig. 6 and are raised and maintained in their operative position at right-angles to the post by means of a system of tensioning springs 21 and wires 20 attached to a sleeve 18 sliding on an extension 17 of the central post. The sleeve is slotted to engage a spring-urged detent 22 for holding it at the raised position. To assist the downward movement of arms 8, each is secured to the central post by a piece of elastic material 12. Panels 1 and 2 are formed of knitted thin steel wire or a nylon or textile mesh material metallized or otherwise treated to give it reflecting properties. Arms 8 are each formed of pairs of members between which the edges of the panels are clamped, whilst central post 3 is likewise made up of four members. Panel 2 is sandwiched between discs 4 where it is penetrated Panel 2 is sandwiched between discs 4 where it is penetrated by the central post. Prior to securing the arms and post to the panels during construction of the reflector, it is necessary to tension the material, and the Specification describes a Figure for doing this, Fig. 7-10 (not shown). The arms and central post may be constructed of aluminium, a plastic material or wood. It is stated that the reflector may comprise more or less sections than the four illustrated.