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US5361077A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Acoustically coupled antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration

Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc
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Filing: 1992-05-29
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Granted: 1994-11-01
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Expires: 2012-05-29
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Abstract

Abstract An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium. The antenna includes a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, with the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit. A second thin film resonator includes a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator being operable for interfacing between the antenna and the propagating medium. A delay element interposed between the first and second thin film resonators has a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength of a desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band for acoustically coupling energy in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators. Alternatively, the delay element can have a thickness of a multiple of one-half wavelength plus one-quarter wavelength so that the delay element acts as an impedance inverter.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert J. Weber

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 15:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/36; H01Q1/364; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/2682; H01Q3/2688

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 186 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna including an antenna interface structure and comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator comprising an integral part of the antenna interface structure and operable for interfacing with the propagating medium; and a substrate formed of a non-magnetic material interposed between the first and second thin film resonators, the substrate having a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength of a desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band and supporting acoustic waves with a substantially constant resonant frequency to allow coupling of acoustic energy in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators of the antenna.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 186 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna including an antenna interface structure and comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator comprising an integral part of the antenna interface structure and operable for interfacing with the propagating medium; and a substrate formed of a non-magnetic material interposed between the first and second thin film resonators, the substrate having a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength of a desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band and supporting acoustic waves with a substantially constant resonant frequency to allow coupling of acoustic energy in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators of the antenna.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first and second pair of electrodes are formed from a superconducting material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 186 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna including an antenna interface structure and comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator comprising an integral part of the antenna interface structure and operable for interfacing with the propagating medium; and a delay element formed of a non-magnetic material interposed between the first and second thin film resonators, the delay element having a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength of a desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band and supporting acoustic waves with a substantially constant resonant frequency for acoustically coupling energy in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators of the antenna.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 186 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna including an antenna interface structure and comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator comprising an integral part of the antenna interface structure and operable for interfacing with the propagating medium; and a delay element formed of a non-magnetic material interposed between the first and second thin film resonators, the delay element having a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength of a desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band and supporting acoustic waves with a substantially constant resonant frequency for acoustically coupling energy in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators of the antenna.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein the first and second pair of electrodes are formed from a superconducting material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 170 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator operable for interfacing between the antenna and the propagating medium; and a delay element interposed between the first and second thin film resonators, the delay element having a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength plus one-quarter wavelength of a desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band so that the delay element functions as an impedance inverter and facilitates acoustical coupling of energy in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 170 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator operable for interfacing between the antenna and the propagating medium; and a delay element interposed between the first and second thin film resonators, the delay element having a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength plus one-quarter wavelength of a desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band so that the delay element functions as an impedance inverter and facilitates acoustical coupling of energy in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 163 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator operable for interfacing between the antenna and the propagating medium; and a substrate interposed between the first and second thin film resonators having a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength of a desired frequency plus one-quarter wavelength of the desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band to allow coupling of acoustic energy between the first and second thin film resonators, the substrate also serving as an impedance invertor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 163 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator operable for interfacing between the antenna and the propagating medium; and a substrate interposed between the first and second thin film resonators having a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength of a desired frequency plus one-quarter wavelength of the desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band to allow coupling of acoustic energy between the first and second thin film resonators, the substrate also serving as an impedance invertor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein the first and second pair of electrodes are formed from a superconducting material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein the first and second pair of electrodes are formed from a superconducting material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 140 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator operable for interfacing between the antenna and the propagating medium; and a delay element interposed between the first and second thin film resonators, the delay element providing acoustical impedance matching to facilitate acoustic energy transfer in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 140 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator operable for interfacing between the antenna and the propagating medium; and a delay element interposed between the first and second thin film resonators, the delay element providing acoustical impedance matching to facilitate acoustic energy transfer in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein the first and second pair of electrodes are formed from a superconducting material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 45 words
The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein the delay element has a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength plus one-quarter wavelength of a desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band so that the delay element functions as an impedance inverter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 138 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator operable for interfacing between the antenna and the propagating medium; and a substrate interposed between the first and second thin film resonators, the substrate providing acoustical impedance matching to facilitate acoustic energy transfer in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 138 words
An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium, the antenna comprising, in combination: a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit; a second thin film resonator having a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator operable for interfacing between the antenna and the propagating medium; and a substrate interposed between the first and second thin film resonators, the substrate providing acoustical impedance matching to facilitate acoustic energy transfer in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein the first and second pair of electrodes are formed from a superconducting material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 43 words
The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein the substrate has a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength plus one-quarter wavelength of a desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band so that the substrate functions as an impedance inverter.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2313850A Cited
GB736563A Cited
US3568108A Cited
US4320365A Cited
US4785269A Cited
US4988957A Cited
US5034753A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-10-31 1998-05-02 1998-11-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-10-31 2002-05-02 2002-11-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-10-31 2006-05-02 2006-11-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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