US3579242A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Antenna design for surface wave suppression
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1969-12-23
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Granted: 1971-05-18
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Expires: 1989-12-23
Abstract
Abstract Means for suppressing the excitation of electromagnetic surface waves on a dielectric converter antenna. A hole is cut in the dielectric where it covers the antenna. A plug of the dielectric material is coated around its rim with a metal and then fitted into the hole such that the metal coating extends the conducting surface of the antenna through the dielectric material. The metallic coating minimizes the possibility of surface wave excitation by confining the waves reflected by the dielectric-air interface to the chamber formed by the coating.
Inventors
- 👤 William L Grantham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:39
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q13/00; H01Q13/02; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
Apparatus comprising: an antenna mounted on a spacecraft such that the antenna is flush with the outside surface of the spacecraft; a heat protection layer of dielectric material extending over the outside surface of the spacecraft and covering said antenna; a thin metallic walled extension of said antenna''s conducting surface through said layer of dielectric material whereby electromagnetic surface waves are suppressed by the metallic wall and the metallic wall does not impair the ablative character of the dielectric material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus comprising: an antenna mounted on a spacecraft such that the antenna is flush with the outside surface of the spacecraft; a heat protection layer of dielectric material extending over the outside surface of the spacecraft and covering said antenna; a thin metallic walled extension of said antenna''s conducting surface through said layer of dielectric material whereby electromagnetic surface waves are suppressed by the metallic wall and the metallic wall does not impair the ablative character of the dielectric material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said thin metallic wall comprises a dielectric plug the same size as the antenna aperture coated with a thin metallic wall and inserted into the hole provided for it at the antenna.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said antenna is a horn antenna.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said coating is about 1 to 10 microns thick.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
Method of making apparatus for suppressing the excitation of electromagnetic surface waves on an antenna covered by a layer of dielectric material comprising the steps of: cutting a hole in said layer of dielectric material over the aperture of said antenna; cutting a plug of said material slightly smaller than said hole; coating the rim of said plug with a thin layer of metal so that the coated plug is the same size as the hole; and fitting said coated plug into said hole so that said layer of metal makes contact with said antenna.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
Method of making apparatus for suppressing the excitation of electromagnetic surface waves on an antenna covered by a layer of dielectric material comprising the steps of: cutting a hole in said layer of dielectric material over the aperture of said antenna; cutting a plug of said material slightly smaller than said hole; coating the rim of said plug with a thin layer of metal so that the coated plug is the same size as the hole; and fitting said coated plug into said hole so that said layer of metal makes contact with said antenna.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for suppressing the excitation of electromagnetic surface waves on an antenna covered by a layer of dielectric material comprising: a hole in said layer of dielectric material over the aperture of said antenna; and a plug of said dielectric material, coated on its rim with a thin layer of metal, fitted into said hole such that said layer of metal makes contact with said antenna.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for suppressing the excitation of electromagnetic surface waves on an antenna covered by a layer of dielectric material comprising: a hole in said layer of dielectric material over the aperture of said antenna; and a plug of said dielectric material, coated on its rim with a thin layer of metal, fitted into said hole such that said layer of metal makes contact with said antenna.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3346865A
Cited
US3384895A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-17 | 1974-11-16 | 1975-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-17 | 1978-11-16 | 1979-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-17 | 1982-11-16 | 1983-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |