US4117490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inconspicuous antenna system employing the airframe as an antenna
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
•
Filing: 1977-08-15
•
Granted: 1978-09-26
•
Expires: 1997-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A phase front homing system airborne antenna array which employs portions the airframe as two antenna elements and wherein each antenna element includes a coaxial sleeve coupler.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. Arnold, deceased
- 👤 Donn V. Campbell
- 👤 Charles M. DeSantis
- 👤 Felix Schwering
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/27; H01Q1/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A phase front homing airplane antenna array comprising: a pair of spaced substantially vertical sections of the metallic airframe of said airplane; and discrete coaxial coupling means comprising a pair of spaced concentric metallic cylindrical sleeves, identical in structure, encompassing a portion of said vertical sections, the combination of each of said coupling means and its associated vertical section comprising one of a pair of antennas of said array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A phase front homing airplane antenna array comprising: a pair of spaced substantially vertical sections of the metallic airframe of said airplane; and discrete coaxial coupling means comprising a pair of spaced concentric metallic cylindrical sleeves, identical in structure, encompassing a portion of said vertical sections, the combination of each of said coupling means and its associated vertical section comprising one of a pair of antennas of said array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The antenna array in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sleeves are of equal length and wherein one pair of corresponding ends of said sleeves are interconnected by a first metallic ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The antenna array in accordance with claim 2 wherein the free end of the inner concentric sleeve is connected to said vertical section by a metallic ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The antenna array in accordance with claim 3 and further including a radio frequency feed line connected between the free end of the outer concentric sleeve and said vertical section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The antenna array in accordance with claim 1 wherein said airplane includes symmetrically arranged landing gear struts and said struts comprise said vertical sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The antenna array in accordance with claim 5 wherein said coupling means comprises a pair of spaced concentric metallic cylindrical sleeves of equal length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The antenna array in accordance with claim 6 wherein one pair of corresponding ends of said sleeves are interconnected by a first metallic ring and the free end of the inner sleeve is connected to said strut by a second metallic ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The antenna array in accordance with claim 7 and further including a radio frequency feed line connected between the free end of the outer concentric sleeve and said strut.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The antenna array in accordance with claim 3 and further including a radio frequency feed line connected between said interconnected corresponding sleeve ends and said vertical section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The antenna array in accordance with claim 7 and further including a radio frequency feed line connected between said interconnected corresponding sleeve ends and said strut.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The antenna array in accordance with claim 1 wherein one end of the inner concentric sleeve is connected to said vertical section by a first metallic ring and the end of the outer concentric sleeve opposite said connected end is connected to said vertical section by a second metallic ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The antenna array in accordance with claim 11 and further including a radio frequency feed line connected between said vertical section and said second metallic ring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3587102A
Cited
GB1430304A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |