US3964071A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radar antenna having a screen supported by shaped slats
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1975-03-11
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1995-03-11
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a radar antenna which is fabricated by forming a plurality of elongated flat ribs each having an inwardly curved forward edge. Slots extending normally from the forward or rearward edge are formed along the length of each of the ribs. A plurality of the ribs are oriented vertically and the slots therein are mated with the slots in a plurality of the ribs which are disposed horizontally. The vertical and horizontal ribs are thus interconnected in a rigid lattice network which defines a plurality of rectangular compartments. The inwardly curved forward edges of the ribs in the lattice network define a contoured shape for an antenna reflecting surface. A screen is attached over the forward edges in order to provide a reflecting surface on the radar antenna.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Townes, Jr.
- 👤 Stanley P. Svedeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q15/00; H01Q15/14; H01Q15/141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A radar antenna comprising: a first set of spaced apart parallel flat ribs interlocked with a second set of spaced apart flat ribs, said first and second sets of ribs extending at an angle to one another to form a rigid lattice network, the forward edges of said ribs defining an inwardly contoured support surface for a reflecting surface, and screen means attached to the inwardly contoured support surface for forming an antenna reflector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A radar antenna comprising: a first set of spaced apart parallel flat ribs interlocked with a second set of spaced apart flat ribs, said first and second sets of ribs extending at an angle to one another to form a rigid lattice network, the forward edges of said ribs defining an inwardly contoured support surface for a reflecting surface, and screen means attached to the inwardly contoured support surface for forming an antenna reflector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The radar antenna assembly of claim 1 wherein said first set of ribs extend generally horizontally and said second set of ribs extend generally vertical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
A radar antenna comprising: a plurality of elongated ribs each having a width substantially greater than the thickness thereof and forward edges contoured for forming a reflector surface, a first portion of said ribs being disposed with said widths in parallel horizontal planes and spaced apart one above the other, a second portion of said ribs being disposed in parallel spaced apart vertical planes, said first and second portions of said ribs being interconnected such that the forward edges of said ribs define a curved support surface for an antenna reflecting surface, and a screen attached to the curved support surface for forming the screen into a radar reflector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
A radar antenna comprising: a plurality of elongated ribs each having a width substantially greater than the thickness thereof and forward edges contoured for forming a reflector surface, a first portion of said ribs being disposed with said widths in parallel horizontal planes and spaced apart one above the other, a second portion of said ribs being disposed in parallel spaced apart vertical planes, said first and second portions of said ribs being interconnected such that the forward edges of said ribs define a curved support surface for an antenna reflecting surface, and a screen attached to the curved support surface for forming the screen into a radar reflector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The radar antenna of claim 3 wherein said ribs are interconnected by interfitting slots formed in said ribs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The radar antenna of claim 3 wherein the forward edges of interconnected ribs are flush with one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The radar antenna of claim 3 and further comprising: a base supporting said interconnected ribs, bracing struts extending between said base and the rear of said interconnected ribs, and an upper housing member overhanging the rear of said interconnecting ribs, and braces connected between said base and the overhanging portion of said upper housing member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The radar antenna of claim 3 and further comprising apertures formed through ones of said ribs for receiving support tooling during assembly of said ribs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
A radar antenna comprising: a plurality of horizontally oriented elongated flat ribs, a plurality of slots spaced apart along an edge of each of said horizontal ribs, a plurality of vertically disposed elongated flat ribs, a plurality of slots spaced apart along an edge of each of said vertical ribs, the slots of said horizontal ribs receiving the slots of said vertical ribs to rigidly interconnect said ribs in a lattice network defining a plurality of rectangular compartments, the forward edges of said ribs being inwardly curved such that said lattice network defines a contoured shape on which may be formed an antenna reflecting surface, and screen means attached over the contoured forward edges to form an antenna reflector surface of a preselected configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
A radar antenna comprising: a plurality of horizontally oriented elongated flat ribs, a plurality of slots spaced apart along an edge of each of said horizontal ribs, a plurality of vertically disposed elongated flat ribs, a plurality of slots spaced apart along an edge of each of said vertical ribs, the slots of said horizontal ribs receiving the slots of said vertical ribs to rigidly interconnect said ribs in a lattice network defining a plurality of rectangular compartments, the forward edges of said ribs being inwardly curved such that said lattice network defines a contoured shape on which may be formed an antenna reflecting surface, and screen means attached over the contoured forward edges to form an antenna reflector surface of a preselected configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The radar antenna of claim 8 wherein said reflecting surface has a parabolic configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The radar antenna of claim 8 wherein ones of said ribs include tabs on the end therof, and further including holding means including slots for receiving said tabs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The radar antenna of claim 8 wherein said interconnected ribs are welded together.
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) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |