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Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a research program from the U.S. Navy to develop a Buoyant Cable Antenna (BCA) transfer mechanism and stowage reel that can deploy and retract larger diameter BCAs while still fitting in the existing system’s footprint.

Current technologies are limited to capstan and rigid belt drive designs that can damage the BCA with too much bending, contact stress, or both. PSI and Granite State Manufacturing have teamed to provide the Navy with a linear drive that provides high output force while gently spreading load over the entire surface of the BCA. PSI’s solution will extend the service life of the BCA beyond what is capable with existing technologies and will allow for new and potentially more delicate BCA designs to be developed and deployed successfully in the future.

The Transversely Tensioned Belt Drive will be useful in deploying a variety of flexible and rigid structures for defense. Commercial applications include the transfer of utility cables, as well as the laydown and retrieval of undersea internet fiber optic cables. Rigid structure applications include land and space based light weight deployable booms.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Sean Torrez
Group Leader, Deployable Technologies
storrez@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003