US4378559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radar antenna system
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1980-12-05
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Granted: 1983-03-29
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Expires: 2000-12-05
Abstract
Abstract An antenna beam switching system comprising three antennas whose apertures are disposed in a common plane and which, by means of selective shunting of one or more phase shifters associated with each of the antennas, allows for three dimensional beam switching in at least four directions in space.
Inventors
- 👤 Otto E. Rittenbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:56
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q25/00; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/30; H01Q3/34; H01Q3/36; H01Q3/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An antenna system comprising: three antenna elements centered in a common plane at three points defining a right triangle having two equal sides, a plurality of phase shifting means each disposed in respective feed lines between a common transceiver and a corresponding one of said antennas, one of said phase shifting means being fixed, and means for selectively shunting the other two of said phase shifting means to orient the axis of the composite radiation pattern of said antenna system along a selected one of four different three-dimensional positions in space, said other two phase shifting means each including a single phase shifter whose phase shift is twice that of said one phase shifting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An antenna system comprising: three antenna elements centered in a common plane at three points defining a right triangle having two equal sides, a plurality of phase shifting means each disposed in respective feed lines between a common transceiver and a corresponding one of said antennas, one of said phase shifting means being fixed, and means for selectively shunting the other two of said phase shifting means to orient the axis of the composite radiation pattern of said antenna system along a selected one of four different three-dimensional positions in space, said other two phase shifting means each including a single phase shifter whose phase shift is twice that of said one phase shifting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The antenna system according to claim 1 wherein the aperture of the antenna coupled to the fixed phase shifting means is twice that of the apertures of the other two antennas, and wherein said selective shunting means orients said radiation pattern in one of said four positions which are spaced at 90° intervals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The antenna system according to claim 2 further including a power divider for providing twice as much energy in the feed line in which said fixed phase shifting means is disposed as in the feed lines in which the other two of said phase shifting means are disposed.
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) | 1986-03-28 | 1986-09-27 | 1987-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-28 | 1990-09-27 | 1991-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-28 | 1994-09-27 | 1995-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |