Abstract: A solar generator includes a base and a cover. The cover is disposed atop the base to define an enclosure and rotates relative to the base. A motor is disposed inside of the enclosure to rotate the cover. A solar panel is disposed atop the cover such that the solar panel is angled with respect to a horizontal plane. The solar panel includes a plurality of series of solar cell sections. Each series includes a plurality of solar cell segments arranged in a line. A reflector is disposed between adjacent series of solar cell sections. The reflector is angled to reflect inbound solar radiation onto a surface of the series of solar cell sections adjacent to the reflector. Each of the series of solar cell sections is arranged to receive both reflected solar radiation from the reflector and direct solar radiation from a sun.

Abstract: A solar generator includes a base, a rotary plate provided to the base such that the rotary plate can rotate with respect to the base, a cover disposed atop the rotary plate, solar panel disposed atop the cover such that the solar panel is angled with respect to a horizontal plane, and a motor provided to the rotary plate such that the motor can engage the base to enable rotation of the rotary plate with respect to the base. A photosensor and a method of rotationally aligning a solar panel with the sun in an azimuth orientation are also provided.

Abstract: A solar generator includes a base, a rotary plate provided to the base such that the rotary plate can rotate with respect to the base, a cover disposed atop the rotary plate, solar panel disposed atop the cover such that the solar panel is angled with respect to a horizontal plane, and a motor provided to the rotary plate such that the motor can engage the base to enable rotation of the rotary plate with respect to the base. A photosensor and a method of rotationally aligning a solar panel with the sun in an azimuth orientation are also provided.

Abstract: A solar generator includes a base, a turntable provided to the base, a solar array disposed atop the turntable and a cover or dome that is disposed atop the base to define an enclosure surrounding the solar array and turntable. The solar array can include separate solar cell segments arranged side-by-side in a row. Multiple rows can be provided. The rows are spaced-apart such that each row can be oriented towards the sun with less potential for shading the other solar panel arrays in adjacent rows. A motor control unit operates motors to adjust the azimuth and elevation angle of the solar elements in the array so that the sun's position in the sky can be tracked.

Abstract: A portable motorized satellite television antenna system is connectable to a separate receiver. The satellite television antenna system can include an enclosure with at least a portion thereof comprising an electromagnetic wave permeable material. A reflector dish can be disposed inside of the enclosure. A low noise block converter can be disposed inside of the enclosure and configured to receive incoming satellite television signals. A first drive motor can be coupled to the satellite television antenna system such that at least one of an azimuth orientation and an elevation orientation of the dish can be adjusted. An electronic control system disposed inside of the enclosure and connected to the first drive motor to control automated aiming of the dish. The electronic control system and first drive motor can be powered solely by the separate receiver though a single conduit that spans between the satellite antenna system and the receiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rooftop-mounted off-air television antenna system, device and method including an integrated signal meter. The antenna portion of the device is mounted to the roof of a vehicle. An antenna adjustment mechanism is located inside of the vehicle cabin. The adjustment mechanism enables the user to adjust a position of the antenna on the roof, such as by rotating a dial that is coupled to the antenna. A signal meter is disposed in the adjustment mechanism and electrically connected to the antenna. A display of the signal meter readout is disposed in the adjustment mechanism in a location that can be easily viewed by a user during an aiming operation. The display allows the user to determine when the antenna has been positioned in order to obtain the approximate maximum signal strength possible given the vehicle's current location.

Abstract: A portable motorized satellite television antenna system is connectable to a separate receiver. The satellite television antenna system can include an enclosure with at least a portion thereof comprising an electromagnetic wave permeable material. A reflector dish can be disposed inside of the enclosure. A low noise block converter can be disposed inside of the enclosure and configured to receive incoming satellite television signals. A first drive motor can be coupled to the satellite television antenna system such that at least one of an azimuth orientation and an elevation orientation of the dish can be adjusted. An electronic control system disposed inside of the enclosure and connected to the first drive motor to control automated aiming of the dish. The electronic control system and first drive motor can be powered solely by the separate receiver though a single conduit that spans between the satellite antenna system and the receiver.

Abstract: The satellite antenna device, system and methods according to certain embodiments of the present invention can receive broadcast information on both of two different frequency bands by selectively switching an alignment position of the low noise block converter (LNB) with respect to a fixed wave guide assembly so that the inlets to the respective frequency band inlets to the LNB align with the wave guide according to the selected target satellite broadcast signal.

Abstract: A bracket for releasably mounting an enclosed mobile/transportable motorized antenna system on a vehicle may include a support arm and a mounting assembly. The support arm can include a first end portion configured to secure to a vertically extending member of a vehicle and a second end portion configured to secure a mounting plate assembly. The mounting assembly can be secured to the second end portion of the support arm. The mounting assembly may comprise a generally planar mounting plate having a plurality of apertures defined therein. The apertures may be located within the periphery of the mounting plate and have a size and shape configured to secure a motorized antenna enclosure disposed on the mounting plate assembly. A releasably mountable enclosed mobile/transportable motorized antenna system on a vehicle may include an enclosed mobile/transportable motorized antenna system and a corresponding mounting bracket.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to enclosed antenna systems for receiving multiple different broadcast types. In one aspect of the disclosure, the enclosed antenna system comprises an enclosure including a satellite television antenna assembly, an off-air television antenna assembly and control electronics disposed on a motorized turntable. In another aspect, the off-air television antenna assembly comprises both UHF and VHF antenna assemblies. In a further aspect, the UHF and VHF television signals received by the off-air antenna assembly are combined, amplified and diplexed with the television signal received by the satellite television antenna assembly. A method of watching television broadcasts from satellite and off-air sources using a multi-antenna system contained within a single enclosure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rooftop-mounted off-air television antenna system, device and method including an integrated signal meter. The antenna portion of the device is mounted to the roof of a vehicle. An antenna adjustment mechanism is located inside of the vehicle cabin. The adjustment mechanism enables the user to adjust a position of the antenna on the roof, such as by rotating a dial that is coupled to the antenna. A signal meter is disposed in the adjustment mechanism and electrically connected to the antenna. A display of the signal meter readout is disposed in the adjustment mechanism in a location that can be easily viewed by a user during an aiming operation. The display allows the user to determine when the antenna has been positioned in order to obtain the approximate maximum signal strength possible given the vehicle's current location.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to enclosed antenna systems for receiving multiple different broadcast types. In one aspect of the disclosure, the enclosed antenna system comprises an enclosure including a satellite television antenna assembly, an off-air television antenna assembly and control electronics disposed on a motorized turntable. In another aspect, the off-air television antenna assembly comprises both UHF and VHF antenna assemblies. In a further aspect, the UHF and VHF television signals received by the off-air antenna assembly are combined, amplified and diplexed with the television signal received by the satellite television antenna assembly. A method of watching television broadcasts from satellite and off-air sources using a multi-antenna system contained within a single enclosure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An enclosed satellite antenna system can include a generally rigid enclosure defining a volume that is configured to enable both manual transportability of the satellite antenna system and automated operation of the satellite antenna system without a substantial change in the volume of the enclosure or manual repositioning of the satellite antenna system. The enclosure can have disposed therein a satellite dish, a feedhorn configured to collect incoming signals concentrated by the satellite dish, and a low noise block converter configured to receive incoming signals from the feedhorn, amplify and convert the incoming signals to received signals, and transmit the received signals to at least one receiver. A motorized elevation dravie system can be configured to selectively adjust an elevation of the satellite dish and a motorized azimuth drive system can be configured to selectively rotate the satellite dish.

Abstract: A bracket for releasably mounting an enclosed mobile/transportable motorized antenna system on a vehicle may include a support arm and a mounting assembly. The support arm can include a first end portion configured to secure to a vertically extending member of a vehicle and a second end portion configured to secure a mounting plate assembly. The mounting assembly can be secured to the second end portion of the support arm. The mounting assembly may comprise a generally planar mounting plate having a plurality of apertures defined therein. The apertures may be located within the periphery of the mounting plate and have a size and shape configured to secure a motorized antenna enclosure disposed on the mounting plate assembly. A releasably mountable enclosed mobile/transportable motorized antenna system on a vehicle may include an enclosed mobile/transportable motorized antenna system and a corresponding mounting bracket.

Abstract: An enclosed satellite antenna system can include a generally rigid enclosure defining a volume that is configured to enable both manual transportability of the satellite antenna system and automated operation of the satellite antenna system without a substantial change in the volume of the enclosure or manual repositioning of the satellite antenna system. The enclosure can have disposed therein a satellite dish, a feedhorn configured to collect incoming signals concentrated by the satellite dish, and a low noise block converter configured to receive incoming signals from the feedhorn, amplify and convert the incoming signals to received signals, and transmit the received signals to at least one receiver. A motorized elevation dravie system can be configured to selectively adjust an elevation of the satellite dish and a motorized azimuth drive system can be configured to selectively rotate the satellite dish.

Abstract: An enclosed satellite antenna system can include a generally rigid enclosure defining a volume that is configured to enable both manual transportability of the satellite antenna system and automated operation of the satellite antenna system without a substantial change in the volume of the enclosure or manual repositioning of the satellite antenna system. The enclosure can have disposed therein a satellite dish, a feedhorn configured to collect incoming signals concentrated by the satellite dish, and a low noise block converter configured to receive incoming signals from the feedhorn, amplify and convert the incoming signals to received signals, and transmit the received signals to at least one receiver. A motorized elevation dravie system can be configured to selectively adjust an elevation of the satellite dish and a motorized azimuth drive system can be configured to selectively rotate the satellite dish.

Abstract: An enclosed satellite antenna system can include a generally rigid enclosure defining a volume that is configured to enable both manual transportability of the satellite antenna system and automated operation of the satellite antenna system without a substantial change in the volume of the enclosure or manual repositioning of the satellite antenna system. The enclosure can have disposed therein a satellite dish, a feedhorn configured to collect incoming signals concentrated by the satellite dish, and a low noise block converter configured to receive incoming signals from the feedhorn, amplify and convert the incoming signals to received signals, and transmit the received signals to at least one receiver. A motorized elevation dravie system can be configured to selectively adjust an elevation of the satellite dish and a motorized azimuth drive system can be configured to selectively rotate the satellite dish.

Abstract: A method for positioning a dielectric dome covered satellite dish adapted to be connected to a satellite receiver, by inputting an elevation command into a control console corresponding to a geographic location of the satellite dish and then depressing a single key on the control console to activate an azimuth drive system on the satellite dish. The operator depresses any key on the console to stop azimuth rotation of the satellite dish upon viewing a satellite signal. The satellite signal is fine tuned by appropriately depressing the right arrow key, a left arrow key, an up arrow key, or a down arrow key to effect pointing of the satellite dish.

Abstract: More reliable satellite television reception in moisture conditions is provided by recognizing the critical relationship between satellite signal transmissivity and the effects of superhydrophobocity. Instead of trying to use a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating or material to shed water from a satellite antenna, superhydrophobic materials and coatings are strategically utilized to minimize the impact of water on the transmissivity of the satellite signal through transmissive surfaces in the antenna system. In a preferred embodiment, an exterior surface of a feed horn cover is coated with a superhydrophobic material to maintain a more consistent satellite signal reception.