Radiation reflector

Abstract

A radiation reflector may be used in space telecommunications, having spherical reflecting surfaces and/or rectangular reflecting surfaces which may be folded, as required. The radiation reflector has an arrangement of reflecting surfaces on foldable frames which may be in the form of interacting balls or rings mounted on pneumatic tubes or ropes.

Description

[0001] The invention concerns space engineering, namely, space communication engineering.

[0002] There are well-known large-sized film reflectors of light, which could be used [1] for space radio-telephone communication and night-time illumination of ground objects from space.

[0003] Among reasons that prevent from achievement of underwritten technical result when using this device, is the fact that the mirror sheet is released under the influence of centrifugal force arising at its rotation.

[0004] A large-sized gyrating reflector provokes the force of inertia, which hinders in the control of the device and pointing it at the object to be illuminated.

[0005] There is also a reflector of electromagnetic radiation (light), the nearest [2] to the aforementioned device in purpose and combination of essential attributes. This reflector [2] can be specified as the prototype of the suggested invention. The prototype has internal and external pneumatic chambers installed on the guidance system and pneumatically connected with each other by radial supports, and a source of compressed gas (air). The pneumatic chambers and radial supports are linked to and interact with the mirror sheet, which, in its turn, consists of elastic dielectric film coated with the light reflecting metal film (aluminium).

[0006] However, the known design of the radiation reflector [2] does not allow to fold the mirror sheet and to receive specular spherical surfaces with small radius of curvature.

[0007] The task of the filed invention consists in expanding functional capabilities of the reflector by making spherical reflecting surfaces of small radius of curvature and rectangular radiation reflectors. Technical result obtained by realization of the invention lies in possibility to fold the mirror sheet in case of need. Square reflectors allow to create a controlled solar sail of the space ship (SS).

[0008] The indicated technical result is obtained owing to the fact that the radiation reflector has internal and external pneumatic chambers and radial supports in the form of perforated flexible tube supplied with globular interacting pneumaticnic cells made of an elastic material.

[0009] The external pneumatic chamber and radial supports can be also made in the form of perforated hoses with toroidal pneumatic chambers the insides of which intercommunicate with hoses through apertures.

[0010] The external chamber and the radial supports can be also constructed as perforated flexible tubes, whose insides intercommunicate with internal cavities of toroidal pneumatic chambers. In this case the toroidal pneumatic chambers are placed on flexible tubes in the way to make a series of alternating even and odd pneumatic chambers arranged in two perpendicular planes. Besides, pneumatic chambers partially overlap each other, i.e. some parts of the tube at the same time serve the diameters of neighbouring even and odd chambers.

[0011] In order to produce a square-shaped reflector, the pneumatic system is designed as a matrix of intercommunicating mutually perpendicular perforated flexible tubes, encircled by cubic pneumatic cells that interact among themselves and with a mirror sheet.

[0012] The reflector with spherically shaped surface presents mechanically and pneumatically connected radial and concentric sectional pneumatic tubes. Sphericity is due to apertures in flexible tubes surrounded by pneumatic cells shaped as sectors of spherical cover. Once inflated, pneumatic cells form a half-spherical concave cover of the reflector.

[0013] Convex parts of the pneumatic cells' bases are applied with metal strips that form current-conducting rings. These rings are connected to the source of voltage adjustable with respect of metal coat of the mirror sheet. Under the action of electrostatic forces the mirror sheet takes the spherical form.

[0014] Besides, to unfold a flat film reflector the external ring and radial supports can be configured as garlands of hollow balls (or rings) beaded to cables whose ends are passed through apertures of the hard inner ring and connected with the mechanism of rope tension and fixation.

[0015] Eventually, a reflector with the spherical surface has a garland of concentric rings made of radiation reflecting cells, which have the form of the spherical cover sector and are beaded on two cables passed through the middles of the cells' opposite lateral faces. Radial cables connect these concentric rings with each other, while the ends of concentric and radial cables are connected to the mechanism of cable tension and fixation.

[0016] Designs of radiation reflectors are given in FIGS. 1-13.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows the design of a radiation reflector where:

[0018] 1 —external pneumatic chamber;

[0019] 2 —radial supports;

[0020] 3 —internal pneumatic chamber;

[0021] 4 —concentric tube;

[0022] 5 —apertures;

[0023] 6 —globular pneumatic cells;

[0024] 7 —fastening eyelets;

[0025] 8 —taut bands (threads);

[0026] 9 —mirror sheet;

[0027] 10 —radial tube;

[0028] 11 —radial pneumatic cells;

[0029] 12 —joint of radial and concentric tubes.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows the design of a radiation reflector, which is unfolded with the help of toroidal pneumatic chambers:

[0031] 13 —radial pneumatic chambers;

[0032] 14 —flexible tube;

[0033] 15 —apertures;

[0034] 16 —joint of concentric and radial tubes;

[0035] 17 —concentric external pneumatic chamber;

[0036] 18 —taut bands (threads);

[0037] 19 —mirror sheet;

[0038] 20 —connection of the traction with the concentric external pneumatic chamber 17.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows the design of a reflector, in which toroidal pneumatic chambers are connected to make a chain:

[0040] 21 —joint of concentric and radial tubes;

[0041] 22 —external pneumatic chamber;

[0042] 23 —radial supports;

[0043] 24 —internal pneumatic chamber;

[0044] 25 , 26—even and odd toroidal pneumatic chambers correspondingly;

[0045] 27 —fastening eyelets;

[0046] 28 —taut bands;

[0047] 29 —mirror sheet;

[0048] 30 —hose connecting the internal pneumatic chamber with a source of compressed gas (SCG).

[0049] FIG. 4 shows the design of a rectangular radiation reflector where:

[0050] 31 —pneumatic cells;

[0051] 32 —matrix of flexible pipes;

[0052] 33 —aperture;

[0053] 34 —pneumatic cells of the external contour of the reflector;

[0054] 35 —fastening eyelets;

[0055] 36 —taut bands;

[0056] 37 —mirror sheet;

[0057] 38 —pneumatic cells in the form of the spherical cover sector.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows the design of a rectangular reflector, which is unfolded with the help of toroidal pneumatic chambers, where:

[0059] 39 , 40—even and odd toroidal pneumatic chambers correspondingly;

[0060] 41 —matrix of mechanically and pneumatically connected flexible tubes;

[0061] 42 —apertures;

[0062] 43 —connections of flexible tubes with the angular toroidal pneumatic chambers;

[0063] 44 —matrix of the toroidal pneumatic chambers, mutually covered with a chain;

[0064] 45 —fastening eyelets;

[0065] 46 —taut bands;

[0066] 47 —mirror sheet.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows the design of a spherical reflector, where:

[0068] 48 —radial section hoses;

[0069] 49 —concentric section hoses;

[0070] 50 —flexible tubes;

[0071] 51 —apertures;

[0072] 52 —pneumatic cells in the form of the spherical cover;

[0073] 53 —metal coat;

[0074] 54 —concentric current conducting rings;

[0075] 55 —mirror sheet;

[0076] 56 —source of adjustable voltage.

[0077] FIG. 7 shows the design of a radiation reflector, which is unfolded with the help of hollow balls or rings, where:

[0078] 57 —external ring;

[0079] 58 —radial supports;

[0080] 59 —internal ring;

[0081] 60 —hollow balls;

[0082] 61 —apertures;

[0083] 62 —cable;

[0084] 63 —rings;

[0085] 64 —apertures;

[0086] 65 —eyelets for link fastening;

[0087] 66 —taut bands (threads);

[0088] 67 —unit for cable tension and fixation;

[0089] 68 —central cell;

[0090] 69 —aperture for a radial cable;

[0091] 70 —aperture for a concentric cable.

[0092] FIG. 8 shows the design of a spherical reflector, where:

[0093] 71 —concentric rings of the spherical surface;

[0094] 72 —reflecting cells in the form of the spherical cover sector;

[0095] 73 —reflecting metal coat;

[0096] 74 —aperture;

[0097] 74 a —radial aperture;

[0098] 75 —cables;

[0099] 76 —mechanism of cable tension and fixation;

[0100] 77 —trapping cells;

[0101] 78 —blocks;

[0102] 79 —axis of block rotation.

[0103] FIG. 9 shows the design of a concave spherical reflector, where:

[0104] 80 —external pneumatic chamber;

[0105] 81 , 82—even and odd toroidal pneumatic cells orrespondingly;

[0106] 84 —taut bands;

[0107] 85 —the first mirror sheet;

[0108] 86 —the second mirror sheet;

[0109] 87 —metal current conducting rings;

[0110] 88 —sources of adjustable voltage;

[0111] 89 —device for orientation of the radiation reflector;

[0112] 90 —OX, OY-axes of reflector rotation on ±α, ±β angles.

[0113] FIG. 10 shows the design of a rectangular flat-surfaced reflector (a) and a reflector in the form of parabolic cylinder (b), where

[0114] 91 —I, II, III, IV—the first, second, third and fourth section of the rectangular reflector, OX, OY-axes of reflector's separate sections rotation;

[0115] 92 —reflector orientation device;

[0116] 93 —central cells;

[0117] 94 —external contour of the reflector's rectangular section;

[0118] 95 , 96—even and odd toroidal pneumatic chambers;

[0119] 97 —fastening eyelets;

[0120] 98 —taut bands;

[0121] 99 —the first mirror sheet;

[0122] 100 —the second mirror sheet;

[0123] 101 —metal current conducting strips.

[0124] 102 —sources of adjustable voltage.

[0125] FIG. 11 shows the design of a rectangular radiation reflector, where

[0126] 103 —internal pneumatic chamber;

[0127] 104 —extension (telescopic) radial supports;

[0128] 105 —elastic cable;

[0129] 106 —fastening eyelets;

[0130] 107 —braces (suspenders);

[0131] 108 —mirror sheet.

[0132] FIG. 12 shows the design of a radiation reflector, which has internal 109 and external 110 pneumatic chambers, radial supports 111, toroidal pneumatic chambers 112, bushings 113, mirror sheet 114, fastening eyelets 115 and taut bands 116.

[0133] FIG. 13 shows the design of a rectangular radiation reflector, where:

[0134] 116 —toroidal pneumatic chambers;

[0135] 117 —nodal cells;

[0136] 118 —coupling sleeves;

[0137] 119 —fastening eyelets;

[0138] 120 —taut bands;

[0139] 121 —mirror sheet;

[0140] 122 —globular pneumatic cells;

[0141] 123 —connection of globular pneumatic cells;

[0142] 124 —toroidal cells making a direct circuit;

[0143] 125 —nodal pneumatic cells joining rectangular parts at right angles;

[0144] 126 —nodal pneumatic cells, joining radial supports with the external ring.

[0145] The radiation reflector runs as follows.

[0146] For directing the radiation reflector it is revolved on its perpendicular axes OX and OY, which pass through the centre of the internal ring 3 (FIG. 1) similarly to the prototype [2]. For this purpose it is rigidly fixed on the external frame of the direction system gimbal suspension.

[0147] The external 1 and internal 3 pneumatic chambers are tube-shaped analogously to bicycle inner tubes. Elastic flexible radial tubes, similar to fire-hoses 2, connect these chambers with each other. Pneumatic chambers 1 and 3 concentric to each other, make, together with the radial tubes, a sealed pneumatic system, which is connected by a valve to the source of compressed gas (SCG). Once gas (air) fed, pneumatic chambers 1 and 3 take the form of a circle, radial tubes—the form of direct cores, and the whole pneumatic system takes the form of a wheel (see FIG. 1).

[0148] The following engineering solutions enable a large-sized pneumatic system to take the form of a wheel:

[0149] The film reflector shown in FIG. 1 is designed as to be unfolded under compressed gas pressure created in the pneumatic system by the source of compressed gas (SCG), which is not seen in FIG. 1. The radiation reflector in FIG. 1 functions as follows:

[0150] The external pneumatic chamber and radial supports 2 are formed of flexible tube 4 with apertures 5 overbuilt with globular pneumatic cells 6 made of some an elastic material (rubber, for example). The ring tube and radial tubes are pneumatically connected with each other and communicate with the internal pneumatic chamber 3, which, in its turn, is connected to the source of compressed gas (SCG) by a hose.

[0151] Globular pneumatic cells 11, which form radial supports 2, pneumatically communicate with the tube 4 of the external pneumatic chamber 1. Tubes 4 and 10 have apertures 5, shifted against each other at the distance equal to the diameter of globular pneumatic cells 6, 11 of the external ring 1 and radial supports 3 correspondingly. The globular pneumatic cells are overbuilt on hoses 4 and 10 so that the spheres would interact, i.e. repel each other while gas feeding.

[0152] Under repulsive force of pneumatic cells the closed ring hose 4 of the external pneumatic chamber 1 takes the form of the wheel, while the radial supports 12 become straight. Radial tubes 11 of the supports 2 pneumatically communicate with the tube 4, of the external pneumatic chamber 1 and internal pneumatic chamber 3. They make a closed pneumatic system connected by a hose to the source of compressed gas (SCG).

[0153] When being made, lateral surfaces of globular pneumatic cells of the external chamber are supplied with the fastening eyelets 7, to which the ends of the taut bands (fixing threads) 8 are tied. The other equally spaced ends of these taut bands are attached to similar fastening eyelets 7, mounted on the lateral surface of the internal pneumatic chamber 3. The section diameter of the internal chamber 3 is equal to the diameter of globular cells 6 of the external chamber 1. At feeding of compressed gas, pneumatic cells are filled by it and their interaction make the reflector take the form of a wheel (see FIG. 1).

[0154] Fixing threads 8, which connect eyelets 7 of external and internal pneumatic chambers, are tightened. To unfold the mirror sheet 9 the threads pull it along the whole perimeter in radial direction. At final tension of the threads, the sheet takes the form of a flat mirror.

[0155] To roll up the film reflector, it is necessary to disconnect the source of compressed gas (SCG) from the pneumatic system, to let gas go from the pneumatic system into the environment. By tightening fixing threads 8 and tubes 11 of the radial supports 2 it is possible to roll up the reflector.

[0156] The toroidal pneumatic chambers 13, 17 are used to unfold the film radiation reflector designed as shown in FIG. 2. Like the prototype, the internal pneumatic chamber has the form of the bicycle inner tube. Flexible tubes 14 of the radial supports 13 are connected with the chamber mechanically and pneumatically at equal distances of 90°. The other ends of the radial tubes are also connected at equal distances with the tube that constitutes the concentric pneumatic chamber 17.

[0157] In the radiation reflector of the given design the external concentric pneumatic chamber 17 and radial supports 13 are unfolded with the help of toroidal pneumatic chambers 17 and 13.

[0158] These chambers are overbuilt on flexible tubes 14. The tubes 14 have apertures arranged at a distance equal to the diameter of the toroidal pneumatic cells 13, 17. The apertures 15 pneumatically connect the inner cavity of flexible tubes 14 with the inner cavities of all toroidal pneumatic chambers 13, 17 making the radial supports and the external pneumatic chamber. Once fed with gas, the toroidal chambers take the round form. A part of the tube 14 spanned by the toroidal pneumatic cell become straight. At the interfaces between toroidal pneumatic chambers interaction (repulsion) of pneumatic cells makes the external pneumatic chamber 17 take the form of a circle, while radial supports 13 become straight.

[0159] The whole pneumatic system takes the form of a bicycle wheel.

[0160] Toroidal pneumatic chambers, which form the external concentric pneumatic chamber 17, can either be oriented perpendicular to the mirror sheet plane (FIG. 2a) or to coincide with the plane of the mirror sheet 19 (FIG. 2b).

[0161] Attachment of the taut bands (threads) 18 to the toroidal pneumatic chambers 17 differs depending on orientation of the latter.

[0162] In the first case, the taut bands 18 are attached to the toroidal chambers on both sides. The other ends of the taut bands are attached to the eyelets 7 of the internal pneumatic chamber 3, similarly to shown in FIG. 1. The taut bands fixed along the perimeter of the mirror sheet pull it to unfold the external pneumatic chamber. If the need arises, the mirror sheet 19 may be stretched on two sides with respect to the radial pneumatic chambers. The need may appear at formation of concave spherical mirror surfaces [2]. When planes of toroidal pneumatic chambers 17 coincide in orientation with the plane of the mirror sheet 19, the taut bands 18 are attached to pneumatic chambers 17 in one point (see FIG. 2b). With this end in view toroidal pneumatic chambers 17 can be supplied by eyelets 7, similar to those of the internal chamber 3.

[0163] In both cases, once the pneumatic chamber, which consists of the internal and external pneumatic chambers and radial supports, is completely unfolded, the mirror sheet 19 pulled in different directions by taut bands 18, will take the form of a flat reflector (mirror).

[0164] Toroidal pneumatic chambers also unfold a radiation reflector shown in FIG. 3, but here, unlike FIG. 2, alternate even and odd pneumatic chambers 25, 26 are connected into a chain.

[0165] The internal all-in-one pneumatic chamber 24, like the prototype and the variant in FIG. 2, is of the bicycle inner tube type.

[0166] The external pneumatic chamber 22 and the radial supports 23 are of identical design. They consist of flexible tubes 21, forming a closed concentric ring of the external pneumatic chamber 22 and radial supports 23. Radial tubes are joined at equal distances to the concentric tube 21. In our case the distance equals 2πR/4, where R is the radius of the external pneumatic chamber. The tubes have apertures located in pairs (even and odd pairs) at a distance approximately equal to ⅓ of the toroidal pneumatic chambers diameter. In the tube section each pair of apertures is shifted through 90° relative to the previous one, so they are in two mutually perpendicular planes of hoses that intersect on axes (planes, which intersect on the axes of the hoses).

[0167] Toroidal pneumatic chambers (cells) are overbuilt on the tubes around the said apertures.

[0168] The even toroidal chambers 25, overbuilt around the even pairs of apertures, are oriented in a plane perpendicular to the orientation of odd chambers overbuilt around the odd apertures. Thus, the internal cavities of toroidal chambers 25, 26 through the apertures on the tubes pneumatically communicate with the internal cavities of hoses 21 and the internal chamber 24. In such a way a single pneumatic system thus is created, which is connected to the source of compressed gas (SCG) by a valve and the hose 30. The SCG is not shown in FIG. 3.

[0169] At feeding gas into the pneumatic system, the toroidal pneumatic chambers 25, 26 are filled with gas and take the round form. At that moment, the part of the tube that passes through diametrically opposite points of the torus and rigidly connected with it, takes the form of a straight line. So, within the limits of every torus the tube accepts the piecewise-straight direction. As some part of the hose within the limits of the toroidal chamber diameter (⅓ on the average), concurrently belongs to both adjacent even 25 and odd 26 pneumatic chambers, the hose tends to assume the form of a straight line.

[0170] All four radial supports 23 will accept the forward direction, while the tube of the external pneumatic chamber 22 assumes the form of the concentric closed ring. It is bound up with the fact that the straightening force created by interaction of toroidal pneumatic chambers 25, 26, is distributed between them in equal parts. By modifying the distance between the centres of the even and odd toroidal pneumatic chambers, gas pressure, cross-section and material of the tubes and pneumatic chambers, it is possible to control over a wide range the speed of unfolding and the diameter of the film reflector of radiation.

[0171] The reflector completely unfolded, the pneumatic system assumes the form of a bicycle wheel (see FIG. 3).

[0172] For fastening the taut bands 28, the odd toroidal chambers 26 oriented at right angle to the plane of the mirror sheet 29 are overbuilt with fastening eyelets 27. Similar eyelets are overbuilt on the lateral surface of the internal pneumatic chamber 24. In this case, the section diameter of the internal pneumatic chamber 24 should be equal to the external diameter of the concentric toroidal pneumatic chambers 26. The taut bands 28 should be elastic and pull the attached mirror sheet 29 along the entire perimeter to the centre and outward. The mirror sheet also made of an elastic material, when tightened by elastic links (threads) takes the form of a flat mirror.

[0173] To suppress rotation of the odd toroidal pneumatic chambers of the concentric hose, fastening eyelets 27 are to be overbuilt on both sides of the chambers. In this case, similar eyelets are also overbuilt on two lateral sides of the internal pneumatic chamber 24. The eyelets on the backsides of the toroidal pneumatic chambers of the external ring are joined to the corresponding eyelets of the internal pneumatic chamber. In that way radial taut bands form the cavity parallel to the cavity of the mirror sheet. In case of need two mirror sheets can be stretched at one time.

[0174] Rectangular radiation reflector (FIG. 4) includes a matrix 32, which consists of pneumatically joined perpendicular flexible tubes. The tubes are made of lightweight an elastic material, which can be easily bent and folded. The tubes have apertures 33, equally removed from each other for a distance equivalent to the size of the pneumatic cell 31. The tube has pneumatic cells 31 in the form of a parallelogram (cube) around each aperture 33. The pneumatic cells are made of an elastic material (rubber, for example). The pneumatic cells 31 are arranged in such a way that the walls of adjacent cells interact, i.e. repel each other. Their mutual pressure results in straightening of the flexible tubes 32. The tubes must not stretch under pressure of gas.

[0175] At feeding gas into the tubes of the matrix 32, the walls of pneumatic cells stretch repel each other. As a result, the tubes stretch, and the matrix of tubes assumes the form of a plane (see FIG. 4). The pneumatic cells located along the perimeter of the rectangular reflector have extension eyelets 35 tailored for fastening the taut bands 36 of the mirror sheet 37.

[0176] The reflector completely unfolded, the mirror sheet will take the form of a flat rectangular mirror.

[0177] A reflector, which consists of four rectangular sectors, whose angular positions can be changed independently of each other, allows creation of a solar sail to pilot a space vehicle (SV) without fuel consumption (see FIG. 4).

[0178] To create rectangular reflectors of radiation (FIG. 5) it is possible to use the effect of interaction of toroidal pneumatic cells joined into a chain (similarly to FIG. 3).

[0179] First, a matrix is constructed of mutually perpendicular flexible tubes 41 mechanically and pneumatically joined to each other and supplied with periodically repeating apertures 42.The apertures in tubes 41 are arranged in pairs in two perpendicular planes, like in FIG. 3 and surrounded by toroidal pneumatic cells—pneumatic chambers 39, 40. The even pneumatic chambers 39 are oriented in the plane perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, i.e. to the mirror sheet. Orientation of the odd pneumatic chambers 40 is perpendicular to orientation of the even chambers, i.e. it coincides with the plane of the drawing (see FIG. 5). In that way, a matrix 44 is created, which consists of interlacing chains made by even 39 and odd 40 toroidal pneumatic chambers 44.

[0180] At feeding gas into the cavity of the matrix 41 flexible tubes, the toroidal pneumatic cells 39, 40 are filled with gas. Each cell assumes the round form of the torus, while tubes of the matrix 41 assume the piecewise-straight form within the limits of every torus.

[0181] Thus the whole of the matrix 44 takes the form of a plane (FIG. 5).

[0182] Position 43 shows the junction of the matrix 41 flexible tubes with the walls of the angle toroidal pneumatic cells.

[0183] To fasten the taut bands 46 of the mirror sheet 47, the lateral surfaces of the even pneumatic cells 39 located at the periphery of the reflector are provided by fastening eyelets 45. The elastic taut bands 46 along the entire perimeter join the mirror sheet with a reflecting metal coat with a quadrangular matrix 44. At complete unfolding of the reflector, the mirror sheet 47 assumes the flat form.

[0184] The concave film spherical reflector of radiation (see FIG. 6) is designed and released as follows.

[0185] The spherical reflector in FIG. 6 includes radial sectional pneumatic tubes 48, arranged at regular intervals over the entire surface of the reflector. Besides, the reflector has N of interacting concentric sectional pneumatic tubes. These pneumatic tubes interact with radial sectional pneumatic tubes 48, to which they are pneumatically joined. Sectional pneumatic tubes 48 and 49 have flexible tubes 50 with apertures 51. These tubes are pneumatically joined to each other and communicate with the source of compressed gas (SCG). The apertures 51 are arranged with equal spacing determined by the size of the cell. Tubes 50 are provided with pneumatic cells 52 repeating the form of the spherical envelope's sector. The cells 52 are made of some an elastic material, for example, of rubber.

[0186] The walls of pneumatic cells 52 interact, thus causing an inflexion of tubes 50 and corresponding sectional pneumatic tubes 48 and 49. The bending radius is determined by the inclination of lateral sides of the cells 52 belonging to the sectors of the spherical envelope. As the length of the tubes 50 does not depend on the pressure of gas filling them, the diameter of the spherical mirror is constant.

[0187] Interaction between the walls of pneumatic cells 52 in the line of corresponding concentric pneumatic tubes 49 and between the neighbouring lines, as well as the interaction with the joined to them radial pneumatic tubes 48, results in building up the basis of the spherical mirror (see FIG. 6).

[0188] In order to press the mirror sheet 52 to the spherical basis of the reflector (see FIG. 6), the bases of pneumatic cells 53 (the bases of sectors of the spherical envelope) are overcoated with the metal layer 53. The metal coat is applied on concentric sectional pneumatic tubes 49 so that the concentric conducting rings were isolated from each other. For this purpose the metal coat is applied to leave dielectric parts on two sides. On the other two sides the metal film is sprayed to partially cover the lateral sides of the tetrahedral pyramid. Feeding gas into the pneumatic cells 52 in the unfolded position of the reflector will make metal coats of neighbouring cells inside conducting ring.

[0189] Each of the metal rings is connected to a separate source of adjustable voltage 56. Negative terminals of the sources of adjustable voltage are connected in parallel with each other and with the metal reflecting coat of the mirror sheet 55. In the most ordinary case, all sputtered rings 54 can be bridged and connected to the positive terminal of the emf source. Varying the emf values it is possible to change the radius of curvature and the sag of the spherical mirror.

[0190] The elastic mirror sheet assumes the form of a sphere, the sag and surface of which depends on elasticity of the mirror sheet and the voltage values on the concentric conducting metal stripes 54.

[0191] The external ring 57 and the radial supports 58 assembled of small hollow balls 60 or rings 63 of light material (for example, plastic) feature the reflector of radiation designed as shown in FIG. 7.

[0192] The balls or the rings have two apertures 61 on the diametrically opposite sides. The balls (rings) of the external ring 57 are threaded on the cable 62, whose ends are passed through the aperture 69 of the central cell 68 and through apertures in the balls of one of the radial supports 58. The cable 62 of the external ring also has central cells 68 threaded onto it in the interfaces of the radial post 58 with the external ring 57. With the general number of balls of the external ring equal to N, the central cells 68 are placed after every N/n balls, where n is the number of supports.

[0193] In FIG. 7 the number of supports (n) is equal to four. The N number of balls should be divisible by n. The ends of cables 62 of the radial supports 58 are fastened to the central cells 68. The cables 62 are rove through apertures of balls 60 or rings 63 of the radial supports and pass through apertures in the internal ring 59. The internal ring 59 is rigid and has the n number of apertures symmetrically arranged along the perimeter of the ring.

[0194] The ends of the cable 62 of the external ring are also rove through apertures 69 of the central cell 68 and through apertures in the balls of one of the radial supports 58. Further they pass through an aperture of the internal ring 57 (see FIG. 7). With the ends of the cables 62 released, the balls, which make the external ring 57 and the radial supports 58, can be easily stowed and packed up. The cable 62 tightened with the help of the unit designed to tension and restrain cables 67 in the direction to the centre of the internal ring, the balls collect into the form of a bicycle wheel. Balls of the external ring 57 assume the form of a circle, while balls of the radial supports 58 collect along the straight line connecting apertures of the internal ring 59 with the central cells 68 threaded onto the cable of the external ring.

[0195] After the reflector assumes the form of a wheel it is necessary to fixate the ends of the cable 62 and position of the reflector. To unfold the reflector's external ring 57, the balls 60 pull the taut bands (threads) 66 bound to the eyelets 65. The taut bands are arranged like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. The other ends of the fixing threads are rigidly attached to the internal ring 59 at regular intervals. To get a flat mirror surface the distance between apertures in the internal ring 59 must be equal to the diameter of the balls 60, which make the external ring 57.

[0196] To be used for fastening links 66 the rings 63 must have apertures 61 drilled in them at the intervals equal to the distance between mounting holes of the internal ring 57.

[0197] In this case, when tightened, fixing threads 66 on two sides of the reflector become parallel to each other. External edge of the mirror sheet is rigidly fastened to the taut bands (threads) 66. Fixing threads 66 tightened, the mirror sheet takes the form of a plane. In case of need, the mirror sheet 55 can be fastened to fixing threads on two sides. This allows creating of two specular planes parallel to each other.

[0198] To assemble the reflector it is necessary to release the fixed ends of cables 62, to take the ends out of the apertures of the internal ring 59 and to fold the reflector by tightening separately the ends of radial cables.

[0199] In order to get a spherical mirror, light-reflecting cells in the form of the spherical envelope sector (see FIG. 8) can be used. The lateral sides of cells have apertures drilled in the middle of them; through these apertures two parallel cables are passed. The concentric rings are joined to each other by radial cables passed through reflecting cells all along the circle. Similarly to the designs shown in FIG. 7, the ends of the cables are led out through the apertures of the internal ring and joined to the mechanism of tightening and fixing position of the cables 76.

[0200] This mechanism tightens cables 75 of the concentric rings 71 in the certain sequence from the centre to periphery thus forming concentric reflecting rings. Each neighbouring ring has cells 72 that differ in structure. The quantity of cells and their size grow with the increase of the ring's number. Radius of curvature of reflecting surfaces 73, their size and configuration are calculated and made so that tightening of the cable would make ring cells 72 assume the form of concentric rings 71, while the reflector itself takes the form of the spherical envelope sector, similar to that shown in FIG. 8. For mutual orientation of separate cells, their lateral sides can also be coated with a magnetic film. Force lines of the magnetic field (N→S) of the neighbouring cells should be oriented at right angle to each other. In this case there is no necessity in two ring cables,—one cable is enough.

[0201] Principle of operation of the described construction coincides with the reflector shown in FIG. 7.

[0202] The reflector of radiation, shown in FIG. 8 functions as follows. The concentric rings 71, which form the spherical surface of the reflector, consist of cells in the form of a sector of the spherical envelope 72. Their upper faces (reflecting surfaces) coated with the reflecting metal layer 73 have a semi-spherical form with the given radius of curvature. All the cells 72 that make an N concentric ring 71 are identical in size and design. As the distance from the centre of the reflector increases together with N, the number of cells in the concentric ring 71 rises and the design of cells also changes. The radiuses of curvature of the internal and external faces of the cells 72 between the rings and the angles between lateral faces of the cells change as well.

[0203] The structure of cells, that make each of the concentric rings 71, should be calculated in advance. When assembled, the N concentric ring of the spherical reflector must form a ring of the spherical envelope cut by cones with the solid angles α1 and β2.

[0204] Two cables, which pass through apertures 74 in the centre of opposite flat faces, are used to orient cells 72 relative to each other and to form a closed ring of the spherical surface 71. When tightened, the cables 75 become parallel and press flat faces of the cells 72 against each other. The mechanism 76 for tightening and fixation of cables pulls ends of cables 75 in radial direction through special pulleys 78, incorporated into the central cells 77. The ends of cables 75 are closed on a circle and let to pass through pulleys 78, which rotate around axes 79.

[0205] Pulleys 78 are incorporated into the central cells. After the pulleys the ends of cables are passed through the radial apertures 74a in the cells 72. Having run through apertures in the cell of the central concentric ring, the ends of cables are joined to the mechanism for tightening and fixation of cables 76.

[0206] This mechanism provides tension of each of the two cables from both sides and fixation of their position. This permits to begin assembling and forming of the spherical mirror from the central ring 71 gradually adding rings from the centre to the periphery. Besides, the radial apertures in the cells 74a, that admit the ends of the cables tightening different concentric rings, are shifted against each other and arranged in regular intervals along the perimeter of the reflector.

[0207] As a result, tightening of the cables 75 not only forms concentric spherical rings 71, but join them to each other as well. This ensures formation of a spherical reflector that has the adjusted cells 72 not only inside the every concentric ring but also in the adjacent rings. Accuracy of adjustment is determined by the clearance between the cable and the wall of apertures 74 and 74a in a cell. For more exact adjustment of the cells 72 to each other, their adjacent faces may have conic (or globular) projections and hollows founded in them. Two projections and two corresponding hollows in the adjacent faces of the cells ensure their exact mutual orientation and a spherical surface of high accuracy and quality.

[0208] The mechanism of cable tension and fixation 76 draws out in turn both ends of cables 75, which form concentric rings 71. Extreme tension of both cables makes the concentric ring 71 take the form of a circle. The cables ends are fixed in this position so that the cables remained in tension.

[0209] After all the cables have been tightened, the concentric rings 71 form an integral construction with a spherical concave mirror surface. With the properly designed reflecting cells 72 it is possible to obtain flat or either surfaces or forms of the parabolic cylinder.

[0210] The given design of the reflector permits to obtain radii of any curvature and various forms of spherical surfaces or parabolic cylinder. Cells, that form the reflector, might be made of any material—quartz, glass, plastic, they might have a reflecting metal coat, etc.

[0211] The reflector of radiation in FIG. 9 has only one external pneumatic chamber 80. The chamber consists of flexible tube with the overbuilt even and odd toroidal pneumatic cells 81, 82. They are arranged to form a chain of mutually encircled toroidal pneumatic chambers so that the odd pneumatic chambers 82 are oriented in the plane perpendicular to the plane of the even chambers 81. Besides, one and the same part of the flexible hose equal in size to approximately ⅓ inner diameter of the torus belongs simultaneously to a pair of neighbouring pneumatic cells. The hose and pneumatic cells 81, 82 form a closed pneumatic system, which is connected to the source of compressed gas (SCG). At gas feeding, the toroidal pneumatic cells 81, 82 take the form of a bicycle inner tube and pull the flexible hose joined to it in diametrically opposite points.

[0212] As a part of the hose equal in size to approximately ⅓ inner diameter of the toroidal pneumatic cell belongs simultaneously to a pair of neighbouring pneumatic cells, the closed external chamber assumes the round form with piecewise-straight areas. This results from the fact that the straightening force, which affects the flexible hose with pneumatic cells, will be evenly applied to all pneumatic cells of the external chamber.

[0213] For fastening the taut bands 84, diametrically opposite points of toroidal pneumatic cells oriented perpendicular to the plane of the mirror sheet are provided with fastening eyelets 83.

[0214] The taut bands 84 join the first mirror sheet 85 to one side of the external pneumatic chamber 80, and the second mirror sheet 86 to the other part.

[0215] The second mirror sheet is evaporated with a metal layer in the form of isolated concentric rings. Terminals of the different sources of adjustable voltage 88 are connected to the conducting rings 87 of the second mirror sheet in relation to the specular reflecting metal layer of the first sheet 85.

[0216] Under the action of electrostatic forces the parallel elastic mirror sheets 85, 86 gravitate and their surfaces take the spherical form. To change configuration of the spherical surface, voltage of different values is fed to the rings 87. By selecting material for mirror sheets 85, 86, changing the width of conducting rings 87, the distance between them, and voltage values on the rings, it is possible to obtain the necessary radius of curvature and the desired form of the radiation reflector spherical surface.

[0217] For changing orientation the external pneumatic chamber 80 is rigidly mounted on the device 89 for orientation of the reflector. This device provides rotation of the opened reflector around the axes OX, OY at the angles ±α, ±β. In weightlessness and space vacuum the device for orientation can easily control orientation of a large-sized film reflector.

[0218] FIG. 10 shows the design of a rectangular radiation reflector, which is also unfolded with the help of toroidal pneumatic chambers.

[0219] The rectangular flat reflector (see FIG. 10a) consists of four sections I, II, III and IV. Each section is oriented independently with the help of the appropriate orientation devices 92. All the sections are of identical design. The outer contour 94 of the section has the rectangular form and consists of four central cells 93 and straight sides. The central cells and rectilinear sides are made of the even 95 and odd 96 toroidal pneumatic chambers, overbuilt on a flexible tube like a chain, similarly to FIG. 9.

[0220] Owing to the design of the central cells 93, pneumatic chambers that make the contour of the rectangular reflector group along four mutually perpendicular sides.

[0221] At feeding of compressed gas the contour assumes the rectangular form. Pneumatic cells, oriented perpendicular to the plane of the mirror sheet 99, on each side have overbuilt eyelets 97. The eyelets are joined to the taut bands 98, which help to establish the first and the second mirror sheets in parallel with each other.

[0222] The conducting metal coat of the second mirror sheet 100 is applied in the form of isolated rectilinear strips 101 parallel to each other.

[0223] These strips are connected to various sources of adjustable voltage 102 relative to the metal reflector of a layer of the first mirror sheet 99.

[0224] The voltage applied to metal strips 10, elastic mirror sheets 99, 100 affected by electrostatic forces assume the form of a parabolic cylinder. By selecting the material mirror sheets are made of, the width of strips, their number and arrangement, as well as the voltage values on the strips, it is possible to change radius of curvature and the form of the parabolic mirror.

[0225] FIG. 11 shows the design of a rectangular radiation reflector, which has an elastic cable instead of the external pneumatic chamber (shown in FIG. 3).

[0226] The internal pneumatic chamber 103 and the extensible radial supports are established on the toroidal pneumatic cells 104 similarly to the constructions shown in FIG. 3,10.

[0227] At feeding of compressed gas the radial supports extend thus drawing the elastic cable 105 fixed to their external ends.

[0228] Fastening eyelets 106 serve for joining radial supports 104 to the elastic cable 105.

[0229] The direction, in which the radial supports extend, is determined by the position (orientation) of the first toroidal pneumatic chamber, joined mechanically and pneumatically to the internal pneumatic chamber 103.

[0230] The mirror sheet 108 is joined to the elastic cable 105 along the whole perimeter with the help of suspenders 107. At complete unfolding of the reflector the mirror sheet takes the flat form.

[0231] The radiation reflector shown in FIG. 12, functions as follows.

[0232] The radiation reflector in FIG. 12 differs from the reflector in FIG. 3 in construction of the radial supports 111 and external pneumatic chamber 110. They have no flexible radial and concentric hoses. The toroidal pneumatic chambers 112, that make radial supports and external pneumatic chamber, are mechanically fixed to each other with the help of connecting sleeves 113.

[0233] Sleeves may be made of plastic or rubber. If sealed at both ends by heating and mechanical pressure the sleeves make a reliable mechanical junction between neighbouring toroidal pneumatic cells. They have apertures, by which the cells are pneumatically joined to each other and make an integral pneumatic system.

[0234] Mechanical junction of neighbouring toroidal pneumatic chambers can be carried out with the help of glue. For that, before pasting together pneumatic cells should have apertures drilled to ensure pneumatic junction between internal cavities of toroidal pneumatic chambers 112.

[0235] In comparison with the construction in FIG. 3, the given design of the reflector is more practically feasible, scales less and, therefore, is more economical.

[0236] At feeding gas into pneumatic system from the source of compressed gas (SCG) the toroidal pneumatic cells assume the round form of the torus. Interaction between toroidal pneumatic cells 112, which form the radial supporters 111 and the external pneumatic chamber 110, makes the pneumatic system assume the form of a bicycle wheel (see FIG. 12).

[0237] Toroidal pneumatic cells 112, which form the external pneumatic chamber 112, and the external perimeter of the internal pneumatic chamber 109 are provided with the overbuilt fastening eyelets 115. The mirror sheet 114 is fastened to these eyelets with the help of thin elastic taut bands 116.

[0238] Crossection of the internal pneumatic chamber 110 should be equal to the external diameter of the torus 112. In this case the stretched mirror sheet 114 becomes parallel to the plane in which the centres of the toroidal pneumatic chambers that make the radial supporters 111 and the external pneumatic chamber 110 of the reflector are oriented.

[0239] If it is necessary to form spherical film-type specular surfaces, fastening eyelets 115 are overbuilt on toroidal pneumatic chambers 110, which make the external pneumatic chamber 110, as well as on the either side of the internal pneumatic chamber 109 similarly to FIG. 9.

[0240] To limit the diameter of the reflector assembled of globular pneumatic cells it is possible to pass a strong thin thread (of kapron, for example) through the apertures in pneumatic cells along the perimeter and radial supports. This will make the toroidal pneumatic chambers assume the form of an ellipse, and globular cells take the form of an oblate spheroid.

[0241] The rectangular reflector of radiation in FIG. 13 functions as follows. This reflector differs from the one shown in FIG. 10 for it is unfolded with the use of direct interaction between toroidal pneumatic chambers 116 or between globular pneumatic cells (see FIG. 12).

[0242] Unlike the constructions in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 this one has no flexible hose.

[0243] The toroidal pneumatic chambers 116 or globular pneumatic cells 122 are joined to each other with the help of sleeves 118. The apertures in the sleeves provide pneumatic juncture between the cells.

[0244] The central cells 117 provide juncture of two adjacent sides of the rectangular reflector at right angles.

[0245] At feeding gas into pneumatic system, the interaction between toroidal pneumatic chambers 116 or globular pneumatic cells 122 will make the pneumatic system assume the rectangular form (see FIG. 13). The diametrically opposite sides of toroidal pneumatic chambers and globular pneumatic cells are provided with overbuilt (or pasted on) fixing eyelets 119.

[0246] The mirror sheet 121 is fastened to these eyelets with the help of the taut bands 120. The mirror sheet 121 can be fixed on one side (FIG. 13) or on two sides (see FIG. 10). The reflector completely unfolded, the specular sheet 121 takes the form of a flat mirror.

[0247] To get parabolic specular surfaces similar to those in FIG. 10, the mirror sheets are fastened to the rectangular contour only on two sides. Owing to electrostatic force aroused by applying voltage to mirror sheets it is possible to have parabolic specular surfaces (see FIG. 10).

[0248] The surface area of the sphere with the R radius is equal to Ssp=4πR2, while the surface of the torus of the same outer diameter R is equal to St=4Sπ2r(R−r), where, r is the radius of the torus section. So, the ratio is as follows: 1$\frac{S_w}{S_T}=\frac{4\pi R^2}{4{\pi }^{2}r\left(R-r\right)}=\frac{R^2}{\pi r\left(R-r\right)}.$

[0249] For example, at R=5 cm, r=0.5 cm, 2$\frac{S}{S}=\frac{25}{6,75}=3,7.$

[0250] Therefore, the surface area of the torus with the same overall dimensions is reduced by a factor of 3.7, with the following reduction in the amount of material used and the weight of the reflector.

[0251] Accordingly, this implicates reduction in the volume of compressed gas necessary for unfolding the reflector. With the above-stated notations and dimensions of the torus and globular pneumatic cell the ratio of the volumes can be defined as follows: 3$\begin{array}{c}{V}_w=\frac{3}{4}\pi R^3=\frac{3}{4}·3,14·5^3=500{\mathrm{cm}}^3\\ V_T=2{\pi }^2{r}^2\left(R-r\right)=20,25{\mathrm{cm}}^3\\ \frac{V_w}{V_T}=\frac{500}{20,25}\approx 25\end{array}$

[0252] As evident from the above ratios, a reflector assembled of pneumatic cells in the form of toroidal pneumatic chambers is economically much more feasible (see, FIGS. 12, 13).

[0253] The design of toroidal pneumatic cells must be practically feasible technologically well thought-out. There should be provided extension of the external ring and radial supports with the help of separate cells (see FIG. 13a) and their joining.

[0254] The central cells (13b) allow joining of toroidal pneumatic chambers at right angles. The cells, in which the radial supports are joined with the concentric external chamber, have three apertures (see FIG. 13c) to provide pneumatic connection of radial supports with the external chamber.

[0255] Joining of toroidal pneumatic cells with each other is performed with the help of glue. The glue provides necessary mechanical durability of the interface attachment and its impermeability Three versions (FIGS. 13a,b,c) of pneumatic cells provide all necessary junctures between them at formation of round and rectangular radiation reflectors (see FIGS. 12, 13).

[0256] A master arm of the space manipulator (robot) can be created on the same principle as was worked out for creation of radial supports.

[0257] Radiation reflectors, which are unfolded in the above ways, can be used as solar sails of space vehicles, as passive reflectors in space radio-telephone and television communication, for concentration of solar beams and pointing them at the enemy's ground and air objects with the purpose of their destruction.

[0258] Similarly to the prototype [2], the suggested controllable radiation reflector can be used in the systems of city illumination at night, as well as for creation of large solar sails. By operating of the sail orientation it is possible to put a space vehicle (SV) in a higher orbit. First the SV is put in the lowest orbit, and then with the help of the controlled solar sail she is in a geostationary orbit. The solar sail may be used for launching of interplanetary vehicles or for sending SVs to other galaxies.

[0259] On the ground such reflectors can be used for increasing the efficiency of solar batteries, for heating water, etc.

[0260] Sources of Information Used at Drawing up the Application:

[0261] 1. Project “Znamya”, Rocket Space Complex “Energia”.

[0262] 2. S. D. Amirov, A. S. Aliev. A System for an Object Illumination. The decision on patent issue by application No. 99111394 MIIK 7G01S17/66.

Claims

1. A radiation reflector, which includes pneumatically connected internal and external pneumatic chambers, radial supports and the source of compressed gas, as well as the mirror sheet performed as an elastic dielectric film, coated with a radiation reflecting metal layer distinguished by the following: the external pneumatic chamber and the radial supports are performed as a flexible perforated tube with the overbuilt interacting globular pneumatic cells of an an elastic material.

2. A radiation reflector distinguished by the following: it includes the external pneumatic chamber and the radial supports performed as flexible tubes with the apertures. On the apertures there are toroidal pneumatic chambers arranged in the way that the internal cavities of toroidal pneumatic chambers through these apertures communicate with the internal cavities of the tubes, pneumatically joined to the internal pneumatic chamber and the source of compressed gas, while the toroidal pneumatic chambers with the aid of the taut bands interact with the mirror sheet.

3. A radiation reflector distinguished by the following: it includes the external pneumatic chamber and the radial supports performed as flexible tubes with the apertures. On the apertures there are toroidal pneumatic chambers arranged in the way that they form a chain, while the alternate even and odd toroidal pneumatic chambers are oriented in perpendicular planes and interact among themselves and by means of taut bands with the mirror sheet.

4. A radiation reflector analogous to that of Item 3 but distinguished by the following: an elastic cable that interacts with the mirror sheet taut bands binds the ends of the radial supports.

5. A radiation reflector distinguished by the following: it includes the pneumatic chamber performed as a matrix of mechanically joined and pneumatically communicating perpendicular flexible tubes with the apertures surrounded by the overbuilt cubic pneumatic cells that interact among themselves and with the mirror sheet.

6. A radiation reflector distinguished by the following: it includes a matrix of mechanically and pneumatically joined intertwined chains of toroidal pneumatic chambers. The chambers are oriented at right angles and interact among themselves and with the mirror sheet.

7. A radiation reflector distinguished by the following: it includes the hemispherical basis performed as radial and concentric sectional pneumatic flexible tubes connected mechanically and pneumatically and interacting between themselves. The tubes have apertures surrounded by the overbuilt interacting pneumatic cells made of an an elastic material (for example, rubber) in the form of the spherical envelope. Besides, the upper faces of pneumatic cells have a conducting metal coating applied in the form of concentric rings connected to the terminals of the adjustable voltage sources relative to reflecting metal covering of the mirror sheet.

8. A radiation reflector distinguished by the following: it includes the mirror sheet and the external ring and radial supports performed as garlands of small hollow balls or rings threaded onto the cables, the ends of which are passed through the apertures in the rigid internal ring and joined to the mechanism of cable tension and fixation.

9. A radiation reflector distinguished by the following: it includes the hemispherical basis whose every concentric ring is performed as a garland of radiation reflecting cells in the form of the spherical envelope sector. The cells have a metal coating and are threaded onto a pair of concentric cables passed through the middles of the cells' opposite faces. In addition, the concentric rings are joined to each other be the radial cables, passed through the cells, with the ends of the concentric and radial cables joined to the mechanism of cable tension and fixation.

10. A radiation reflector distinguished by the following: it includes the external pneumatic chamber connected with the second mirror sheet established in parallel to the first one. The-second mirror sheet has a metal coating in the form of concentric conducting rings connected to the different newly introduced sources of adjustable voltage relative to the metal coating of the first mirror sheet. Besides the reflector has the orientation device connected with external pneumatic chamber.

11. A radiation reflector distinguished by the following: it includes a section with the rectangular outer contour joined to the orientation device and the second mirror sheet established in parallel to the first one. The second mirror sheet has metal conducting strips connected to the different sources of adjustable voltage relative to themetal coating of the first mirror sheet.

12. A radiation reflector distinguished by the following: the section with the rectangular outer contour is performed as a chain of mechanically and pneumatically joined toroidal pneumatic chambers or globular pneumatic cells, which interact among themselves and with the mirror sheet.