US3787865A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Discone antenna
Assignee: Namac Rese Labor Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-23
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1992-05-23
Abstract
Abstract An antenna comprising a conical element connected at the apex thereof to the outer conductor of an input transmission line, a disc-shaped antenna element connected to the transmission line inner conductor and positioned adjacent the apex of the conical element, and adjustment means mechanically connected to the line for adjusting the distance between the disc-shaped element and the conical element whereby the impedance match of the antenna to the line can be varied so as to obtain a desired level, preferably a minimum, of the standing wave ratio. The adjustment means can comprise a rack connected to the inner conductor of the line and a pinion engaging the rack whereby rotation of the pinion moves the inner conductor to change the position of the disc-shaped element. A coupling means in the transmission line maintains the electrical transmission path during the relative movement of the conductors. The adjustment means can be automatically operated under control of sensing means connected to the transmission line in response to changes in the standing wave ratio on the line.
Inventors
- 👤 W Macdowell
- 👤 W Nailos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q13/00; H01Q13/02; H01Q13/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
An antenna comprising: a. an input transmission line having an outer conductor and an inner conductor, one of said conductors having a stationary portion and a movable portion; b. a conical antenna element connected at the apex thereof to said outer conductor of said line; c. a disc-shaped antenna element connected to said inner conductor of said line and positioned adjacent the apex of said conical element; d. adjustment means mechanically connected to the movable portion of said one conductor of said transmission line for moving said inner and outer conductors of said line relative to each other to adjust the distance between said disc-shaped element and said conical element whereby the impedance match of said antenna to said transmission line can be varied so as to obtain a desired value of the standing wave ratio on the line, said adjustment means comprising rack means on said movable conductor portion, pinion means engaging said rack means for moving said rack means linearly in response to rotation of said pinion means, and means for rotating said pinion means in both clOckwise and counterclockwise directions whereby said disc element and said conical element are moved toward and away from one another in response to rotation of said pinion means in both directions; e. coupling means operatively connected in said line to said stationary and movable portions of said one conductor for maintaining the electrical transmission path provided by said line during relative movement of said conductors, said coupling means comprising a cylinder of electrically conducting material connected at one end thereof to said stationary conductor portion and positioned to receive at the other end said movable conductor portion for reciprocable movement of said movable portion within said cylinder and a wiper member of electrically conducting material connected to said cylinder at said other end and positioned in wiping contact with said transmission line movable portion; and f. locking means connected to said adjustment means for maintaining the distance between said disc-shaped element and said conical element after an adjustment has been made.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
An antenna comprising: a. an input transmission line having an outer conductor and an inner conductor, one of said conductors having a stationary portion and a movable portion; b. a conical antenna element connected at the apex thereof to said outer conductor of said line; c. a disc-shaped antenna element connected to said inner conductor of said line and positioned adjacent the apex of said conical element; d. adjustment means mechanically connected to the movable portion of said one conductor of said transmission line for moving said inner and outer conductors of said line relative to each other to adjust the distance between said disc-shaped element and said conical element whereby the impedance match of said antenna to said transmission line can be varied so as to obtain a desired value of the standing wave ratio on the line, said adjustment means comprising rack means on said movable conductor portion, pinion means engaging said rack means for moving said rack means linearly in response to rotation of said pinion means, and means for rotating said pinion means in both clOckwise and counterclockwise directions whereby said disc element and said conical element are moved toward and away from one another in response to rotation of said pinion means in both directions; e. coupling means operatively connected in said line to said stationary and movable portions of said one conductor for maintaining the electrical transmission path provided by said line during relative movement of said conductors, said coupling means comprising a cylinder of electrically conducting material connected at one end thereof to said stationary conductor portion and positioned to receive at the other end said movable conductor portion for reciprocable movement of said movable portion within said cylinder and a wiper member of electrically conducting material connected to said cylinder at said other end and positioned in wiping contact with said transmission line movable portion; and f. locking means connected to said adjustment means for maintaining the distance between said disc-shaped element and said conical element after an adjustment has been made.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means includes motor means and wherein said apparatus further comprises: a. sensing means connected to said line for developing an electrical signal having a parameter which varies in proportion to the magnitude of the standing wave ratio on said transmission line; and b. control means connected to said sensing means and to said motor means for operating said motor means in accordance with changes in said standing wave ratio.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
183 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means includes electric motor means and wherein said apparatus further comprises: a. control means connected to said motor means for energizing and deenergizing and controlling the direction of rotation of said motor means; b. first sensing means connected to said transmission line for providing an electrical signal when the standing wave ratio on said line reaches a predetermined maximum value; c. means connecting said first sensing means to said control means in a manner such that the direction of rotation of said motor means is changed when the standing wave ratio reaches said predetermined maximum value; d. second sensing means connected to said transmission line for providing an electrical signal when the standing wave ratio on said line reaches a predetermined minimum value; and e. means connecting said second sensing means to said control means in a manner such that said motor means remains energized so long as the standing wave ratio is greater than said predetermined minimum value and said motor means is deenergized when the standing wave ratio has said predetermined minimum value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
231 words
In combination with a television transmitting station including a transmitter having an output, a broadcasting antenna, and a station transmission line connecting the output of said transmitter to said antenna, an emergency antenna for replacing said broadcasting antenna temporarily whenever said broadcasting antenna should happen to fail, said emergency antenna comprising: a. an input transmission line having an outer conductor and an inner conductor; b. a conical antenna element connected at the apex thereof to said outer conductor of said input transmission line; c. a disc-shaped antenna element connected to said inner conductor of said input transmission line and positioned adjacent the apex of said conical element; d. adjustment means mechanically connected to said input transmission line for moving said inner and outer conductors of said line relative to each other to adjust the distance between said disc-shaped element and said conical element whereby the impedance match of said antenna to said line can be varied so as to obtain the lowest possible standing wave ratio on said station transmission line when said emergency antenna is connected thereto; e. coupling means in said input transmission line for maintaining the electrical transmission path provided by said line during relative movement of said conductors; and f. connecting means on said input transmission line for connecting said emergency antenna to said station transmission line when said broadcasting antenna is disconnected from said station line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
231 words
In combination with a television transmitting station including a transmitter having an output, a broadcasting antenna, and a station transmission line connecting the output of said transmitter to said antenna, an emergency antenna for replacing said broadcasting antenna temporarily whenever said broadcasting antenna should happen to fail, said emergency antenna comprising: a. an input transmission line having an outer conductor and an inner conductor; b. a conical antenna element connected at the apex thereof to said outer conductor of said input transmission line; c. a disc-shaped antenna element connected to said inner conductor of said input transmission line and positioned adjacent the apex of said conical element; d. adjustment means mechanically connected to said input transmission line for moving said inner and outer conductors of said line relative to each other to adjust the distance between said disc-shaped element and said conical element whereby the impedance match of said antenna to said line can be varied so as to obtain the lowest possible standing wave ratio on said station transmission line when said emergency antenna is connected thereto; e. coupling means in said input transmission line for maintaining the electrical transmission path provided by said line during relative movement of said conductors; and f. connecting means on said input transmission line for connecting said emergency antenna to said station transmission line when said broadcasting antenna is disconnected from said station line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the maximum diameter of said conical element is longer than one-quarter wavelength in free space of the lowest frequency of operation and wherein the diameter of said disc is 0.7 times the maximum diameter of said conical element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said transmission line inner conductor includes a stationary portion and a movable portion, said movable portion being connected to said disc-shaped element, wherein said adjustment means is operatively connected to said movable portion of said transmission line inner conductor, and wherein said coupling means is operatively connected to said stationary and movable portions of said transmission line inner conductor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, further including locking means connected to said adjustment means for maintaining the distance between said disc-shaped element and said conical element after an adjustment has been made.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apapratus according to claim 6, wherein said adjustment means comprises: a. rack means mounted on said transmission line inner conductor; b. pinion means engaging said rack means for moving said rack means linearly in response to rotation of said pinion means; and c. means for rotating said pinion means in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions whereby said disc element and said conical element are moved toward and away from one another in response to rotation of said pinion means in said both directions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, further including locking means connected to said pinion rotating means for maintaining a fixed rotary position of said pinion means after an adjustment has been made.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said coupling means comprises: a. a cylinder of electrically conducting material connected at one end thereof to said stationary portion of said transmission line inner conductor and positioned to receive at the other end said movable portion of said transmission line inner conductor for reciprocable movement of said movable portion within said cylinder; and b. a wiper member of electrically conducting material connected to said cylinder at said other end and positioned in wiping contact with said transmission line inner conductor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The combination according to claim 4, wherein said adjustment means includes motor means and wherein said combination further comprises: a. sensing means connected to said line for developing an electrical signal having a parameter which varies in proportion to the magnitude of the standing wave ratio on said transmission line; and b. control means connected to said sensing means and to said motor means for operating said motor means in accordance with changes in said standing wave ratio.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
183 words
The combination according to claim 4, wherein said adjustment means includes electric motor means and wherein said combination further comprises: a. control means connected to said motor means for energizing and deenergizing and controlling the direction of rotation of said motor means; b. first sensing means connected to said transmission line for providing an electrical signal when the standing wave ratio on said line reaches a predetermined maximum value; c. means connecting said first sensing means to said control means in a manner such that the direction of rotation of said motor means is changed when the standing wave ratio reaches said predetermined maximum value; d. second sensing means connected to said transmission line for providing an electrical signal when the standing wave ratio on said line reaches a predetermined minimum value; e. means Connecting said second sensing means to said control means in a manner such that said motor means remains energized so long as the standing wave ratio is greater than said predetermined minimum value and said motor means is deenergized when the standing wave ratio has said predetermined minimum value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |