Importance

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Abstract

A multi-faceted deployable antenna frame including a six-bar linkage structure in a lateral facet of the antenna frame, the six-bar linkage structure being convertible from a folded state into a deployed state and having two first bars and four second bars, each bar being coupled to two others by a hinge to form a closed loop, where in the deployed state, the six-bar linkage structure has a quadrilateral shape. The antenna frame also includes a deployment means for deploying the antenna frame by moving the six-bar linkage structures from the folded state into the deployed state, the deployment means including: a flexible, elongated member of a substantially inextensible material; a first guiding means provided at an end portion of one of the first bars and coupled to the elongated member; a storage means provided at the first bar that includes the first guiding means for storing a part of the elongated member; a driving means that is coupled to the elongated member to pull the elongated member to the storing means when deploying the antenna frame; and a second guiding means between two adjacent second bars, the elongated member being coupled to the second guiding means. A first end of the elongated member is attached to the storing means and a second end of the elongated member is coupled to another first bar, and wherein the elongated member is extending between said first end and said second end along a plurality of second bars.

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First Claim