Abstract: A method for heating materials by application of radio frequency (“RF”) energy is disclosed. For example, the disclosure concerns a method for RF heating of petroleum ore, such as bitumen, oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, or heavy oil. Petroleum ore is mixed with a substance comprising susceptor particles that absorb RF energy. A source is provided which applies RF energy to the mixture of a power and frequency sufficient to heat the susceptor particles. The RF energy is applied for a sufficient time to allow the susceptor particles to heat the mixture to an average temperature greater than about 212° F. (100° C.). Optionally, the susceptor particles can be removed from the mixture after the desired average temperature has been achieved. The susceptor particles may provide for anhydrous processing, and temperatures sufficient for cracking, distillation, or pyrolysis.

Abstract: An array of loop antennas for a heating subsurface formation by emission of RF energy and a method of heating a subsurface formation by an array of subsurface loop antennas is disclosed. The antennas are approximate loops and are positioned in proximity to adjacent loops. The antennas are driven by RF energy.

Abstract: The wireless communication system includes a first device, e.g. a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, having a wireless power transmitter, a first wireless data communications unit, and a first dual polarized loop antenna having isolated signal feedpoints along a first loop electrical conductor. The wireless power transmitter transmits a power signal having a first polarization, and the first wireless data communications unit communicates using a data signal having a second polarization. A second device, e.g. an RFID tag, includes a second dual polarized loop antenna. A second wireless data communications unit communicates with the first wireless data communications unit of the first device using the data signal having the second polarization. A wireless power receiver receives the power signal having the first polarization from the wireless power transmitter of the first device, and provides power for the second device.

Abstract: The antenna apparatus may include a planar, electrically conductive, slot antenna element having a geometrically shaped opening therein defining an inner perimeter, and a pair of spaced apart signal feedpoints along the inner perimeter separated by a distance of one quarter of the inner perimeter to impart a traveling wave current distribution. The inner perimeter of the planar, electrically conductive, slot antenna element may be equal to about one operating wavelength thereof. The antenna apparatus may provide at least one of linear, circular, dual linear and dual circular polarizations, and it may provide an in situ or conformal antenna for vehicles or aircraft.

Abstract: The planar antenna apparatus may include a planar, electrically conductive, patch antenna element having a geometric shape defining an outer perimeter, and a pair of spaced apart signal feedpoints along the outer perimeter of the planar, electrically conductive, patch antenna element and separated by a distance of one quarter of the outer perimeter to impart a traveling wave current distribution. The outer perimeter of the planar, electrically conductive, patch antenna element may be equal to about one operating wavelength thereof. The apparatus may provide dual circular or dual linear polarization. The planar patch element may relate to a full wave loop antenna as a compliment.

Abstract: The planar or printed chip antenna is configured to enhance the gain relative to its area. The antenna includes a dielectric substrate having first and second opposing sides and a plurality of electrically conductive traces thereon configured to define a half-loop antenna element extending along an arcuate path on a first side of the dielectric substrate and having spaced apart first and second ends. First and second base strips are electrically connected together and aligned on the respective first and second opposing sides of the dielectric substrate adjacent the spaced apart first and second ends of the half-loop antenna element. A feed strip is on the second side of the dielectric substrate and aligned with the first end of the half-loop antenna element and electrically connected thereto. At least one capacitive element is associated with the half-loop antenna element.

Abstract: A loop antenna may include first and second electrical conductors arranged to define a circular shape with first and second spaced apart gaps therein. Opposing portions of the first and second electrical conductors at the first gap may define a signal feedpoint, and opposing portions of the first and second electrical conductors at the second gap may define an impedance tuning feature. The second gap may be circumferentially spaced from the first gap less than ninety degrees, and the second gap may be greater than the first gap to provide a predetermined impedance. A coaxial transmission line may form a feed inset into the loop conductor. The loop antenna may be planar and have a reduced size for ease of manufacture and use, and it may provide an isotropic radiating pattern at a predetermined operating frequency, which may avoid the need for antenna aiming.

Abstract: The antenna includes an electrically conductive antenna body having a polyhedral shape with opposing first and second ends and a medial portion therebetween. The medial portion of the electrically conductive antenna body is wider than the opposing first and second ends thereof, and the electrically conductive antenna body has a slot therein extending from at least adjacent the first end to at least adjacent the second end. The polyhedral antenna has an omnidirectional pattern, is horizontally polarized and broad in bandwidth above a lower cutoff frequency.

Abstract: The discone antenna is a small communication antenna with broad voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) bandwidth. The discone antenna includes a conical antenna element and a disc antenna element adjacent the apex thereof and including a proximal electrically conductive planar member and a spaced apart distal electrically conductive planar member being electrically connected together at respective peripheries thereof defining a folded ground plane. An antenna feed structure is coupled to the disc and conical antenna elements and includes a first conductor coupled to the proximal electrically conductive planar member, and a second conductor coupled to the conical antenna element and to the distal electrically conductive planar member. An impedance element, such as a resistor, may be connected between the second conductor and the distal electrically conductive planar member.

Abstract: The conical monopole antenna includes a conical antenna element having an apex and a base, a conductive base member coupled across the base of the conical antenna element and a ground plane antenna element, e.g. a disc antenna element, adjacent the apex of the conical antenna element. A fold conductor is coupled between the conductive base member and the ground plane antenna element. The fold conductor may include at least one impedance element, such as a resistive element or inductive element. An antenna feed structure is coupled to the ground plane and conical antenna elements. The antenna may have reduced gain above a cutoff frequency being traded for low VSWR below the cutoff frequency to get increased usable bandwidth. The folded resistive termination is preferential to driving point attenuation and edge loading, and the conical monopole antenna provides low VSWR at most radio frequencies.

Abstract: The antenna may include a planar reflector having a plurality of loop electrical conductors defining an array of parasitically drivable antenna elements, and a circularly polarized antenna feed spaced from the planar reflector to parasitically drive the array of parasitically drivable antenna elements and impart a traveling wave current distribution therein. The antenna may have properties that are hybrid between parabolic reflectors and driven arrays, providing a relatively compact circularly polarized antenna capable of having low wind load. Closed circuit or loop elements may provide increased gain over antennas using dipole turnstile reflector elements.

Abstract: The broadband small antenna has equal magnetic electric proportions, circular polarization, and an isoimpedance magnetodielectric (?r??r) shell for controlled wave expansion. The shell is a radome without bandwidth limitation, with reflectionless boundary conditions to free space, providing loading and broad bandwidth antenna size miniaturization. The system is spherically structured based upon size, quality (Q) and bandwidth.

Abstract: The electrically tunable inductive device includes an electromagnet including an electromagnet core and a bias or tuning coil cooperating therewith to define opposing magnetic poles for generating a quiescent magnetic field that may be varied. An inductor is tunable based upon the variable magnetic field and includes an inductor core having a toroidal shape and fixed at a position adjacent the opposing magnetic poles of the electromagnet, and an inductor or signal coil is around at least a portion of the inductor core. The electromagnet core may include a pair of opposing legs and a bight portion therebetween defining a horseshoe shape. The inductor core may be positioned between ends of the opposing legs of the electromagnet core, and the tuning coil may surround the bight portion of the electromagnet core. The electrically tunable inductive device may have the combination of fine precision, high speed and high power handling, useful for tunable RF filters.

Abstract: The polarization-diverse antenna array includes three orthogonal loop antennas having a common center, e.g. together defining a sphere. Each loop antenna includes a loop electrical conductor. Two signal feedpoints are along the loop electrical conductor and separated by a fraction of a length of the loop electrical conductor. Each of the signal feedpoints includes a series signal feedpoint so that a polarization diversity controller coupled thereto may selectively provide vertical, horizontal, lefthand circular and righthand circular polarization for a single loop electrical conductor, including simultaneous (dual) polarizations. These signal feedpoints may supply signals with vertical, horizontal, lefthand circular and righthand circular polarization from each of the three orthogonal look-angles provided by the three loop electrical conductors.

Abstract: An antenna structure includes an omnidirectional broadband planar dipole antenna including a first electrically conductive disc defining a first dipole antenna element, and a second electrically conductive disc defining a second dipole antenna element in parallel with and spaced apart from the first dipole antenna element. A dual-line antenna feed structure may be connected to the planar dipole antenna and includes a first conductor electrically connected to the first conductive disc adjacent a peripheral edge thereof, and a second conductor electrically connected to the second conductive disc adjacent a peripheral edge thereof. The planar antenna may provide vertical polarization transmission and reception, and it may not require a ground plane. The antenna may use printed circuit construction like microstrip patch antennas. Operation may provide a single band antenna of broad bandwidth, a multiple band antenna, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A microstrip slot dipole antenna of the inverted F type, includes a coplanar feed, and is suitable for easy peel-and-stick adhesive mounting. The antenna includes a ground plane, a dielectric layer, a horizontal element and a pair of spaced apart vertical elements depending therefrom defining an inverted F antenna above the ground plane with the dielectric layer therebetween. The pair of vertical elements may be conductive vias. A first antenna feed point is on an upper surface of the horizontal element, and a second antenna feed point is on an upper surface of a second vertical element of the spaced apart vertical elements. The second feed point may be a conductive pad on the dielectric layer spaced apart from a first vertical element and insulated from the horizontal element.

Abstract: The folded-monopole whip antenna is for a portable wireless communication device having a portable housing and wireless communication circuitry carried thereby. The antenna includes a flexible antenna element extending outwardly from the housing and having a proximal end for coupling to the wireless communication circuitry and having a distal end spaced from the proximal end. The flexible antenna element may have first and second flexible elongate legs or whips extending parallel to one another. The first flexible elongate leg may have a proximal end defining a first antenna feedpoint to be coupled to the wireless communication circuitry, and the second flexible elongate leg may have a proximal end defining a second antenna feedpoint to be coupled to the portable housing. The first and second flexible elongate legs may have distal ends electrically coupled to one another. A dielectric layer may be fastened between the first and second flexible elongate legs.

Abstract: An antenna structure includes an omnidirectional broadband planar dipole antenna including a first electrically conductive disc defining a first dipole antenna element, and a second electrically conductive disc defining a second dipole antenna element in parallel with and spaced apart from the first dipole antenna element. A dual-line antenna feed structure may be connected to the planar dipole antenna and includes a first conductor electrically connected to the first conductive disc adjacent a peripheral edge thereof, and a second conductor electrically connected to the second conductive disc adjacent a peripheral edge thereof. The planar antenna may provide vertical polarization transmission and reception, and it may not require a ground plane. The antenna may use printed circuit construction like microstrip patch antennas. Operation may provide a single band antenna of broad bandwidth, a multiple band antenna, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The biconical loop antenna is the dual and compliment to the biconical dipole antenna, and has broadband omnidirectional horizontally polarized radiation. The antenna includes a conductive antenna body having first and second opposing ends with a medial portion therebetween. The antenna body has a slot extending from at least adjacent the first end to at least adjacent the second end, and the medial portion of the antenna body is wider than the opposing ends. First and second body portions may be conical antenna elements connected together at their respective bases. Antenna feed points are at the medial and chine portion of the antenna body adjacent the slot.

Abstract: The folded-monopole whip antenna is for a portable wireless communication device having a portable housing and wireless communication circuitry carried thereby. The antenna includes a flexible antenna element extending outwardly from the housing and having a proximal end for coupling to the wireless communication circuitry and having a distal end spaced from the proximal end. The flexible antenna element may have first and second flexible elongate legs or whips extending parallel to one another. The first flexible elongate leg may have a proximal end defining a first antenna feedpoint to be coupled to the wireless communication circuitry, and the second flexible elongate leg may have a proximal end defining a second antenna feedpoint to be coupled to the portable housing. The first and second flexible elongate legs may have distal ends electrically coupled to one another. A dielectric layer may be fastened between the first and second flexible elongate legs.