Biconical Horn Type Patents (Class 343/773)
  • Patent number: 6337664
    Abstract: An improved tuning method is used in conjunction with a set of nested electrically conducting cones to increase the frequency band over which the resulting radiating system functions as an electrically small antenna with controlled variation in input impedance. This technique enables switching of the frequency band by means of simple circuits that can be activated by a control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventors: Paul E. Mayes, Walter Gee
  • Publication number: 20010048398
    Abstract: A dual polarization antenna for receiving and transmitting high frequency signals in conjunction with a substantially horizontal conducting vehicle panel defining a ground plane comprises three electrically conductive radiative elements, each radiative element being generally linear and extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and an electrically conducting mount (insulated from the vehicle panel) for securing the proximal ends together at a common point and in electrical circuit relation with one another for connection to a transceiver in the vehicle. The radiative elements extend vertically upwardly and outwardly from the common point whereby to form an imaginary cone with the proximal ends forming the apex of the cone. The radiative elements are of different lengths and disposed at an angle relative to the ground plane to provide horizontal and vertical polarization in a first, second and third frequency band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Jack Nilsson
  • Publication number: 20010013842
    Abstract: An antenna apparatus such that a dielectric strip and a dielectric resonator are provided to form a primary vertical radiator, another dielectric strip is provided which is coupled to the dielectric strip to form a directional coupler, and a radiation beam is tilted by changing the relative position of the primary radiator with respect to the dielectric lens by displacing the primary vertical radiator in the directional coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: YOHEI ISHIKAWA, TORU TANIZAKI, FUMINORI NAKAMURA, IKUO TAKAKUWA
  • Patent number: 6268834
    Abstract: A bicone antenna that facilitates the passage of cables for at least one other radiating antenna. The bicone antenna has a plurality of inductive shorts spaced approximately one-quarter wavelength (at the cut-in frequency) from the antenna axis. Each inductive short provides a pathway for a cable for another antenna. Consequently, an antenna cable from each of one or more other antennas can be led to a center point on the bicone antenna, directed radially along a cone to an inductive short, led through the inductive short and directed along the surface of the other cone to the center line. The outer conductor of each antenna cable attaches to an antenna surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Michael J. Josypenko
  • Patent number: 6198454
    Abstract: A broadband partial fan cone direction finding antenna and array disclosed. The antenna includes a radiator having a partial cone shape. The radiator substantially occupies a spatial area defined by a portion of a cone and the cone is defined by a cone axis, a cone height, and a cone angle. The cone has a base and an apex, and the portion of the cone is defined by a cone sweep angle. The cone sweep angle is determined as the angle subtended by a projection of the portion of the cone projected onto a plane that is perpendicular to the cone axis. The cone sweep angle is less than 360° so that the portion of the cone is bounded on its sides by edges which extend radially from the apex of the cone outward to the base of the cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: TCI International, Inc
    Inventors: Eugene D. Sharp, Sandy W. Hsi
  • Patent number: 6154182
    Abstract: An extensible top-loaded biconical antenna is modified to improve low frequency performance while retaining standard performance specifications when needed. The biconical antenna includes a balun and a pair of conical outrigger assemblies coupled to said balun. A conducting tophat plate is removably attached to the ends of each outrigger assembly. The tophats increase the capacitance of the antenna, thereby improving its low frequency gain by 10 dB or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: EMC Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: James Stuart McLean
  • Patent number: 5923299
    Abstract: A biconical antenna having fully adjustable design parameters. The biconical antenna has a coaxial feed having outer and inner conductors. A lower support structure secures a lower cone to the outer conductor. An upper support structure secures an upper cone to the inner conductor. A dielectric window support is disposed between the lower and upper support structures. To make the antenna relatively lightweight, each cone may be made of sheet metal plates that are connected to the lower and upper cone support structures. A reservoir is formed within the upper cone. Dielectric material, such as oil, is disposed within the antenna. Air bubble escape holes are disposed in the upper support structure so that air bubbles that are formed at the coaxial feed can escape to the reservoir. The holes do not allow electromagnetic power leakage between the coaxial feed and the reservoir, and the position of the holes is such that the air bubbles rise from the coaxial feed into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ken Brown, David Crouch, Pat Kratovil
  • Patent number: 5898409
    Abstract: A broadband horn-like, linearly polarized antenna element is driven from a microstrip line and a balun. The horn is skeletonized, and has no sides, and consequently operates in TEM mode for broad frequency bandwidth. In another embodiment, two or more baluns feed the horn-like antenna element, thereby allowing a plurality of amplifiers or other sources to be combined at the antenna, for power summation or for multiplexing. An array of such elements, arranged for both vertical and horizontal polarization, makes a structure which presents mostly metallic surfaces, and is therefore rugged, and overpressure resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Louis Holzman
  • Patent number: 5608416
    Abstract: This invention is a lightweight, portable, quickly assembled, wide band, discone antenna for high frequency ground wave communication. The disk portion of the antenna is formed of telescoping spokes and the cone portion is formed of separate retractable wire elements. Disassembled, the antenna can be carried in a backpack. It can be assembled in less than ten minutes to achieve non-fading, non-line-of-sight communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: James R. Champion, Denver N. Tenney, Laurence C. Simms
  • Patent number: 5600340
    Abstract: An omni-directional antenna is provided which comprises: 1) a first prolate spheroid having an electrically conductive first outer surface and a first center axis, 2) a second prolate spheroid having an electrically conductive second outer surface and a second center axis, 3) a structural member for supporting the first prolate spheroid a fixed distance from the second prolate spheroid so that the first and second center axes are coincident, 4) a first resistive ring mounted to the surface of the first prolate spheroid; 5) a second resistive ring mounted to the surface of the second prolate spheroid; and 5) a coaxial cable having an outer conductor electrically connected to the second surface of the second prolate spheroid and a center conductor electrically connected to the first surface of the first prolate spheroid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thinh Q. Ho, John W. Rockway
  • Patent number: 5598171
    Abstract: A velocity detecting radar unit that is easy to operate and to view so as to minimize distraction to the operator, particularly when in use in a moving vehicles includes a spotlight unit having a housing with a lens, a light source within the housing and a control wand pivotally mounting the housing for rotation about an axis and including an elongated tube adapted to extend through the windshield pillar of a vehicle. A radar antenna is mounted in the housing to be movable therewith and has a radar transmitting and receiving end extending from the housing oppositely of the spotlight lens. A display module is adapted to display velocity data and other information and is adjustable mounted to the tube at a location thereon remote from the spotlight housing. Similarly, an input or control module including function switches for providing function commands to a controller for the unit is provided and is adjustable mounted to the tube at a location thereon remote from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: Carroll R. Cole
  • Patent number: 5561439
    Abstract: An antenna comprises a radiating element and a cone-shaped ground plate the relative distance between which can be altered thus altering the resonant frequency of the antenna and a base. The resulting antenna is a wideband quarter-wave vertical antenna which can be employed for testing in the 1.8 GHz frequency range and for temporary use in all car phones as well as in fixed stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Limited
    Inventor: Mikko K. Moilanen
  • Patent number: 5451970
    Abstract: Heat dissipation problems in a sealed radar antenna unit are avoided in a construction including a generally cylindrical body (10) of metal having opposed ends (12, 14) and an interior, cone shaped chamber (16). The cone shaped chamber (16) has a wide opening (18) at the end (12) at a narrow opening (20) at the end (14). A plurality of peripheral grooves (30, 32, 34, 36 and 38) extend about the periphery of the body (10) between the ends (12), (14) thereof to define heat dissipating fins (40) integral with the body (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Carroll R. Cole
  • Patent number: 5260820
    Abstract: One or more decoys (22) are towed by an aircraft (18) to confuse hostile radar. The tow lines (20) to the decoys (22) include fiber optic components which optically transmit to the decoys (22) both radio frequency signals for retransmission to hostile radar (24), and direct current power. The fiber optic components absorb strain forces imposed by towing the decoys (22). Multiple decoys (22) are deployed at varying distances from the aircraft (18) to increase the overall range of frequencies covered by the system, simulate a plurality of false targets, or accomplish angle gate deception. The deception may be accomplished by transmitting signals from the decoys in sequence and can be enhanced by dynamically varying the power levels of the decoy transmitting antennas. The fiber optic components may be separate optical fibers deployed separately or joined together for simultaneous deployment. The preferred configuration is a single optical fiber with coaxial inner and outer cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventors: James G. Bull, Michael de La Chapelle, Bernard J. Lamberty
  • Patent number: 5140334
    Abstract: A broadband omnidirectional antenna comprises a figure of revolution having an axis and two axially spaced coaxial elements with rolled radially outer edge portions and defining therebetween an antenna aperture. One element has a conically-shaped aperture-defining surface radially diverging from a plane aperture-defining surface on the other element extending perpendicular to the axis, the outer edge portions of both surfaces being curved away from each other and back toward the axis. This antenna operates over a 500 MHz to 7 GHz band with a VSWR of approximately 3:1. The invention also comprehends a method of forming the antenna elements in metallically coated molds with a fiberglass-resin mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: GTE Government Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Keith A. Snyder, Gary L. Peisley
  • Patent number: 5134420
    Abstract: A bicone microwave antenna having an orthomode tee as an input/output terminal, an internal dielectric polarizer, a circular waveguide with eight longitudinal radiating slots, two 30 degree conical reflectors, an external meanderline polarizer, and a partial circular waveguide short. An RF signal from the input/output terminal is converted into a rotating TE.sub.11 mode by the internal dielectric polarizer. The radiating slots in combination with the conical reflectors radiate the RF signal as a horizontally polarized field in a doughnut-shaped pattern. The meanderline polarizer converts the horizontally polarized field into a circularly polarized field. The partial circular waveguide short leaks a predetermined amount of radiation out the end of the waveguide to fill the center hole of the doughnut-shaped radiation pattern, thus producing a hemispherical RF beam having an elevation angle from 110 to -110 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Harold A. Rosen, Krishnan Raghavan, Mon N. Wong, Gregory D. Kroupa
  • Patent number: 5017936
    Abstract: A constant E-plane beamwidth antenna (10), includes a rectangular feeder (12) communicating with a partly cylindrical sectoral horn (14) via a transition (30) positioned in the throat of the sectoral horn. The transition (30) has a plurality of electrically conductive partitions (32) positioned perpendicular to the electric field of a mode propagating, in use, in the sectoral horn (14). The disposition of the electrically conducting partitions is arranged to transport modes which have a constant plane across the surface on one side of the transition into modes which have a constant phase across the surface on the other side of the transition. The transition (30) may be used to control the E-plane beamwidth of an H-plane constant beamwidth horn. Optionally the spaces between the electrically conductive partitions (32) may be filled with a low loss dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corp.
    Inventor: Peter J. Massey
  • Patent number: 4959657
    Abstract: An omnidirectional antenna assembly for use with a satellite and others includes a four-element whip antenna, a first and a second reflector which are positioned to face each other, and a third reflector connecting the first and second reflectors to each other. The third reflector is provided with a frustoconical configuration and is highly conductive, whereby the range of antenna gain is broadened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 4947181
    Abstract: An improved biconical horn antenna having a broad azimuthal beamwidth and an asymmetrical elevation beam pattern. The antenna comprises two conical sections mounted against a grounded backplane with the tapered ends of the sections facing each other. The sections are of unequal size and have curved edges. The antenna is fed by a rectangular waveguide passing through the backplane between the tapered ends of the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Duncan, George S. Hardie, Robert Jobsky, Michael J. Maybell, Steven T. Wada
  • Patent number: 4940990
    Abstract: An intrabuilding wireless communication system is disclosed wherein a work space is divided into a radiation zone seldom entered or occupied by workers and into which the signal carrying radiation is directed and contained i.e. the space adjacent to the ceiling and extending down about 1 meter and a substantially radiation free zone that is mormally occupied by workers. A master node antennae and each of the subscriber antennae (one for each work station in the work space) are located within the radiation space.The master antennae will preferably be an omni-directional antennae formed by a pair of substantially mirror image frusta-conical disks, axially aligned along their conical axes and with their minimum radius end faces in spaced parallel facing relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Mostafa Z. Kharadly, Fredrick W. C. Siu
  • Patent number: 4890117
    Abstract: In view of the introduction of cellular radio, there is a requirement for an antenna of simple construction which can be sold in a consumer market. While the invention meets this need it also has application to the problem of providing TM.sub.01 to TE.sub.01 made converters. The invention employs radial conductors printed on a dielectric substrate and aligned with the transverse electric field in a waveguide supporting the TM.sub.01 mode. Circumferential conductors, each coupled to one of the radial conductors, act as monopoles radiating the required field in an antenna where the radial conductors project through apertures in the waveguide. For the mode converter, both radial and circumferential conductors are inside the waveguide, with the radial conductors aligned with the transverse electric field of the TM.sub.01 mode. Arrangements for maximizing the field at the position of the radial and circumferential conductors are described as are means for preventing the propagation of unwanted modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventor: Frans C. de Ronde
  • Patent number: 4851859
    Abstract: A discone antenna has a conducting cone having an apex and a conducting disc with a disc feed conductor extending from its center. The conducting disc is mounted at the apex of the cone in spaced relation therewith such that the disc feed conductor extends down into the cone through the cone's apex. A coaxial connector is mounted within the cone at the apex of the cone and defines a tuning cavity therein. A tuning slug is received in the tuning cavity through the apex of the cone and is vertically adjustable within the tuning cavity to tune the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventor: Theodore S. Rappaport
  • Patent number: 4349826
    Abstract: An antenna is disclosed which provides a horizontally polarized omnidirectional radiation pattern. The antenna includes a coax to waveguide transition, one waveguide section, and two radiating elements. A probe is located symmetrically within the waveguide section to provide equal loads or terminations to the propagating mode, resulting in an equal phase and amplitude distribution at the throats of the radiating elements. The throats (or slots) of the two radiating elements are displaced 180 electrical degrees in the plane parallel to the electric field to compensate for the reversal of the electric field sectors in this plane. The radiating elements are identical and configured in the E-plane to provide an E-plane radiation pattern with a half power beam width of 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Assignee: International Standard Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Constantino Lucanera
  • Patent number: 4225869
    Abstract: A compact multi-cone antenna is disclosed wherein quarter wavelength cones re utilized at each slot of a slotted ring antenna. The cones are selected to be quarter wavelength in order to provide an impedance transformation for better impedance matching with free space. The individual cones are chosen to have different characteristic impedances in order to provide the antenna with a sharp disc-like radiation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Dieter R. Lohrmann
  • Patent number: 4143377
    Abstract: An antenna of the discone type is omnidirectional in bearing and has a diagram whose directivity in elevation can be adjusted. At the apex end of each cone a dielectric disc of predetermined thickness is inserted parallel to the base of the cone concerned. In the central portion of the antenna these two discs create conditions for the propagation of energy which are different from those existing outside the discs, the result being an improvement in the phase pattern in the radiating aperture of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventors: Francois Salvat, Jean Bouko
  • Patent number: 4097869
    Abstract: An antenna comprises the combination of a biconical-horn and a circular waveguide. The major symmetry plane of the horn is horizontal and the horn describes a figure of revolution about the major axis of the circular waveguide. Coupled to the one wall of the horn with its axis perpendicular to the horizontal symmetry plane of the horn is the circular waveguide. A TEM coaxial port on the vertical axis of the horn is provided at the vertex of the cone forming the surface of the biconical-horn. Two orthogonal-ports are provided in the circular waveguide with two respective TEM transmission lines extending from within the circular waveguide outside of these ports to provide at their outputs the TE.sub.11 modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: Stanford Research Institute
    Inventor: Lloyd A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4074268
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein an antenna for generating a rotating pattern. The pattern is generated electronically, and no physically moving parts are required. An exemplary embodiment of the antenna radiates a cardioid pattern which rotates at a 15Hz rate for use as a Tacan beacon. The structure of the antenna is in the form of a conic monopole above a ground plane. A plurality of vertical modulator fins, providing controllable shorting elements, and a plurality of suppressor posts are added. The modulator fins have associated diodes to which are applied a bias current along with modulating signals which cause the resistance of the diodes to vary with respect to the flow of RF current at the frequencies of interest (such as in the neighborhood of 1 GHz for Tacan usage). Other details of the physical structure of the antenna are shown and described herein, as well as an electronic system for controlling the diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Assignee: Hoffman Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Roy H. Olson
  • Patent number: 3987456
    Abstract: A wide relative frequency band and reduced size-to-wavelength ratio antenna comprising essentially a first part in the form of a conductor ring and a second part in the form of a skirt respectively connected to the central and outer conductors of a coaxial feeder. The first part has a conductive path in the form of a circumference and one of its diameters; the central conductor of the feeder is connected to the mid-point of the said diameter. The second part is in the form of a skirt and has a conductive path formed by a circular ring connected to one of the ends of each one of a plurality of conducting strands having the form of broken lines inscribed in isosceles trapezoid forming an assembly defining the faces of a frusto-pyramid, while an annular and conical end member is connected to the feeder outer conductor and is in contact with the other ends of the strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1976
    Assignee: Lignes Telegraphiques et Telephoniques
    Inventor: Jean Gelin
  • Patent number: 3942180
    Abstract: An omnidirectional wide-band antenna which operates with simultaneous horizontal and vertical polarisation consists of two truncated conductive cones which operate as a bi-conical antenna and each truncated cone is associated with a conductor array perpendicular to the axis of the cones. The conductors are in the form of logarithmic spirals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1976
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventors: Jean Rannou, William Luther