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Reflectors Made from Membranes Stretched Between BeamsLightweight cylindrical reflectors of a proposed type would be made from reflective membranes stretched between pairs of identically curved and identically oriented end rails. In each such reflector, the curvature of the two beams would define the reflector shape required for the intended application. For example, the beams could be curved to define a reflector of parabolic cross section, so that light incident along the axis of symmetry perpendicular to the cylindrical axis would be focused to a line. In addition, by applying suitable forces to the ends of the beams, one could bend the beams to adjust the reflector surface figure to within a precision of the order of the wavelength of the radiation to be reflected. The figure depicts an example of beams shaped so that in the absence of applied forces, each would be flat on one side and would have a radius of curvature R on the opposite side. Alternatively, the curvature of the reflector-membrane side could be other than circular. In general, the initial curvature would be chosen to optimize the final reflector shape. Then by applying forces F between the beam ends in the positions and orientations shown in the figure, one could bend beams to adjust their shape to a closer approximation of the desired precise circular or noncircular curvature.
Document ID
20090035879
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Other - NASA Tech Brief
External Source(s)
http://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/5798
Authors
Dooley, Jennifer (California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Dragovan, Mark (California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Tolomeo, Jason (Lockheed Martin Corp. Washington, DC, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 2009
Publication Information
Publication: NASA Tech Briefs, October 2009
Subject Category
Technology Utilization And Surface Transportation
Report/Patent Number
NPO-30571
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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IDRelationTitle20090035873Collected WorksNASA Tech Briefs, October 2009
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