US4816836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conformal antenna and method
Assignee: BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc
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Filing: 1986-01-29
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Granted: 1989-03-28
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Expires: 2006-01-29
Abstract
Abstract An antenna assembly and a method for mounting an antenna element in full conformity to a substantially curved surface are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a first, relatively thin dielectric substrate portion having an antenna element formed on a surface thereof; providing a second, relatively thick dielectric substrate portion; shaping and securing the second substrate portion to the curved surface; and shaping and securing the first substrate portion and the antenna element to the second substrate portion. The method permits a microstrip antenna, or other thin structure supported on a substrate, to be mounted to curved surfaces of even short radius or curvature (e.g., less than four inches) in full conformity therewith without damaging the thin fragile antenna element.
Inventors
- 👤 Farzin Lalezari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q21/00; H01Q21/06; H01Q21/20; H01Q21/061; H01Q21/065; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1028; Y10T156/1033; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49155; Y10T29/49156
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of mounting an electrical circuit element, comprising a thin, electrically conductive, planar antenna structure clad onto and interfaced with a dielectric substrate, in full conformity with a curved article surface having a radius of curvature of about four inches or less, said method comprising: providing the planar antenna structure on a first dielectric substrate portion having a thickness of about 2 thousandths to about 5 thousandths of an inch; shaping a second dielectric substrate portion having a thickness of at least about 1/32 of an inch to conform to said curved article surface; securing to said curved article surface by the application of a suitable bonding material said second dielectric substrate portion conforming to said curved article surface to provide a dielectric spacer and outer surface thereon; and after shaping and in mounting said second dielectric substrate portion to said curved article surface, shaping and bonding the first substrate portion to the outer dielectric surface of said second substrate portion to form said circuit element with said planar antenna structure in full conformity with the curved article surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of mounting an electrical circuit element, comprising a thin, electrically conductive, planar antenna structure clad onto and interfaced with a dielectric substrate, in full conformity with a curved article surface having a radius of curvature of about four inches or less, said method comprising: providing the planar antenna structure on a first dielectric substrate portion having a thickness of about 2 thousandths to about 5 thousandths of an inch; shaping a second dielectric substrate portion having a thickness of at least about 1/32 of an inch to conform to said curved article surface; securing to said curved article surface by the application of a suitable bonding material said second dielectric substrate portion conforming to said curved article surface to provide a dielectric spacer and outer surface thereon; and after shaping and in mounting said second dielectric substrate portion to said curved article surface, shaping and bonding the first substrate portion to the outer dielectric surface of said second substrate portion to form said circuit element with said planar antenna structure in full conformity with the curved article surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive, planar antenna element is photoetched on a surface of said first substrate portion and has a thickness of about 1.4 mils.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the first substrate portion is bonded to the second substrate portion by the application of heat and is made integral with said second substrate portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the second substrate portion is provided with a conductive ground plane on a surface thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the first substrate portion is interfaced with and bonded directly to the outer surface of said second substrate portion to seal said antenna element between said first and second substrate portions to define a radome.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the second substrate portion has a thickness of about 1/32 to about 2/10 of an inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the antenna element comprises substantially copper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the dielectric constant of the second substrate portion is between about one to about twenty and said second substrate portion has a thickness substantially less than one-quarter wavelength at the intended operating frequency of the antenna structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of claim 7 wherein the thickness of the first substrate portion is on the order of 0.01 wavelength at the intended operating frequency of the antenna structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said first and second substrate portions comprise fiberglass and polytetrafluoroethylene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1992-03-27 | 1992-09-26 | 1993-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-27 | 1996-09-26 | 1997-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-27 | 2000-09-26 | 2001-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |