Patent US5248987A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5248987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Widebeam antenna
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1991-12-31
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Granted: 1993-09-28
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Expires: 2011-12-31
Abstract
Abstract The widebeam antenna includes a tapered dielectric waveguide having a radiating end and an end for coupling electromagnetic energy into and out of the dielectric waveguide. A conducting sleeve surrounds the dielectric waveguide. A corrugated flange surrounds the sleeve near the radiating end of the waveguide and a dielectric ring also surrounds the radiating end of the waveguide. It is preferred that the dielectric ring have a dielectric constant in the range of 2.0 to 4.0. The structure of the invention provides substantially uniform hemispherical coverage for the transmission and reception of electromagnetic energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q13/00; H01Q13/06; H01Q13/065; H01Q19/00; H01Q19/06; H01Q19/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
Widebeam antenna comprising: a tapered dielectric waveguide having a radiating end; a conducting tube surrounding the dielectric waveguide, the conducting tube having an inner diameter which decreases from a first diameter at an opposite end opposite the radiating end to a second diameter, less than the first diameter, at a point between the radiating and opposite ends, and having a constant outer diameter from said opposite end to said point; a conducting corrugated flange surrounding the tube near the radiating end of the waveguide, one side of the flange nearest the radiating end of the waveguide comprising a plurality of corrugations oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the waveguide between the radiating and opposite ends; and a dielectric ring surrounding the tube at the radiating end of the waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
Widebeam antenna comprising: a tapered dielectric waveguide having a radiating end; a conducting tube surrounding the dielectric waveguide, the conducting tube having an inner diameter which decreases from a first diameter at an opposite end opposite the radiating end to a second diameter, less than the first diameter, at a point between the radiating and opposite ends, and having a constant outer diameter from said opposite end to said point; a conducting corrugated flange surrounding the tube near the radiating end of the waveguide, one side of the flange nearest the radiating end of the waveguide comprising a plurality of corrugations oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the waveguide between the radiating and opposite ends; and a dielectric ring surrounding the tube at the radiating end of the waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the corrugated flange includes two annular corrugations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The antenna of claim 2 wherein the annular corrugations have a depth of approximately 0.3 λ 0 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
9 words
The antenna of claim 1 having a circular cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
The antenna of claim 4 wherein the conducting tube includes an outer surface upon which is disposed mechanical threads, and wherein the corrugated flange and the dielectric ring each includes an inner surface adjacent the conducting tube, mechanical threads being disposed upon each inner surface in an orientation such that the dielectric ring and the corrugated flange may each be screwed on to the conducting tube so that the flange and ring threads engage the conducting tube threads to mechanically secure the corrugated flange and dielectric ring along the length of the conducting tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the dielectric ring has a dielectric constant in the range of 2.0 to 4.0.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the dielectric ring is made of cross-linked polystyrene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the dielectric ring is made of boron nitride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the dielectric ring is made of fused quartz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein electromagnetic radiation is polarized before entering the antenna.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the corrugated flange is spaced apart from the dielectric ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein a portion of the dielectric ring extends beyond the end of the conducting tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the dielectric ring is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the dielectric ring is made of polystyrene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the dielectric ring is made of polyethylene.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the dielectric ring is made of polymethylpentene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the dielectric ring has an outer diameter of approximately λ 0 and an inner diameter of approximately 0.5 λ 0 and a length of approximately 0.5 λ 0 where λ 0 is the center frequency wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the corrugated flange and dielectric ring are separated by approximately 0.2 λ 0 .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the dielectric waveguide and dielectric ring are a single piece.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The antenna of claim 1 having a regular polygon cross section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the tapered dielectric waveguide comprises a column of dielectric material tapered from a first width at an end opposite the radiating end to a second width, greater than the first width, at a point between the radiating and opposite ends.
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) | 1996-09-27 | 1997-03-29 | 1997-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-27 | 2001-03-29 | 2001-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-27 | 2005-03-29 | 2005-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |