US4536765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for reducing ice and snow build-up on the reflecting surfaces of dish antennas
Assignee: RADIATION SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1982-08-16
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Granted: 1985-08-20
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Expires: 2002-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A thin layer of a non-stick coating having a low coefficient of friction and a low solar reflectivity producing a non-wettable surface is applied to the reflecting face of an inclined dish receiving antenna to prevent the build-up of ice or snow on the reflecting face of the antenna.
Inventors
- 👤 Elton G. Kaminski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/02; B; B05; B05D; B05D5/00; B05D5/08; C; C09; C09K; C09K3/00; C09K3/18; B05D1/00; B05D1/28; B05D5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for preventing the build-up of ice and snow on the inclined reflecting surface of a dish antenna, which receives signals from a satellite, comprising coating the reflecting face of the antenna with a thin layer of weather-resistant material having a low coefficient of friction with respect to ice or snow of less than about 0.4 to produce a non-wettable outer surface operable to shed ice and snow, said coating having a textured pattern including minute hills and valleys to reduce solar radiation reflectivity to about 10% or less, yet avoid capillary retention of ice and snow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for preventing the build-up of ice and snow on the inclined reflecting surface of a dish antenna, which receives signals from a satellite, comprising coating the reflecting face of the antenna with a thin layer of weather-resistant material having a low coefficient of friction with respect to ice or snow of less than about 0.4 to produce a non-wettable outer surface operable to shed ice and snow, said coating having a textured pattern including minute hills and valleys to reduce solar radiation reflectivity to about 10% or less, yet avoid capillary retention of ice and snow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said coating has a static coefficient of friction with ice or snow of no more than about 0.1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said textured pattern is produced by embossing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said textured pattern is produced by applying a coating material to said reflecting surface with a textured roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said textured pattern is produced applying a coating material to said reflecting surface and thereafter polymerizing said applied coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said coating material comprises polytetrafluorethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said coating produces a surface having a solar reflectivity of about 10% or less and a coefficient of friction with ice or snow of no greater than about 0.1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a dish antenna of the type having a concave bowl-shaped reflecting face, said antenna being mounted such that the electrical bore site of the antenna is inclined with respect to the horizontal, the improvement in combination therewith comprising means for preventing the build-up of ice and snow on the reflecting surface of the antenna comprising a thin layer of weather resistant coating material applied to the reflecting face, with a textured surface having minute hills and valleys, said coating material having a low coefficient of friction between the coating and ice or snow of less than about 0.4 and producing a non-wettable outer surface operable to shed ice and snow, wherein said textured surface has a solar reflectivity less than about 10%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a dish antenna of the type having a concave bowl-shaped reflecting face, said antenna being mounted such that the electrical bore site of the antenna is inclined with respect to the horizontal, the improvement in combination therewith comprising means for preventing the build-up of ice and snow on the reflecting surface of the antenna comprising a thin layer of weather resistant coating material applied to the reflecting face, with a textured surface having minute hills and valleys, said coating material having a low coefficient of friction between the coating and ice or snow of less than about 0.4 and producing a non-wettable outer surface operable to shed ice and snow, wherein said textured surface has a solar reflectivity less than about 10%.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the static coefficient of friction between the coating and ice or snow is less than about 0.1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said coating material comprises polytetrafluorethylene.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-08-19 | 1989-02-18 | 1989-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-19 | 1993-02-18 | 1993-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-19 | 1997-02-18 | 1997-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |