US5485159A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method to detect radar radome obstruction
Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1994-08-24
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Granted: 1996-01-16
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Expires: 2014-08-24
Abstract
Abstract Detection means having thin wire electrodes that are placed on the outer surface of a radome that shelters an antenna used for transmitting and/or receiving intelligence in the form of radio waves, such as those microwave signals used in radar, especially radar that is used for a vehicle. The thin wire electrodes are placed on the radome surface in a way which will not change antenna characteristics. The electrodes measure the electrical resistance of the obstruction material, such as wet mud, that may find its way onto the outer surface of the radome during the operation of the vehicle and that may reduce the sensitivity of the radar's receiver so as to prevent it from recognizing otherwise discernable echo information. The detection means, upon detecting a predetermined electrical resistance of the obstruction material, provides a signal that is routed to the operator that is indicative that the radar performance may have degraded beyond an acceptable limit.
Inventors
- 👤 Zhaohong Zhang
- 👤 Mark F. Henderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/40; G01S7/4004; G01S7/4039; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An antenna system comprising: (a) an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals; (b) a radome sheltering said antenna and having an outer surface susceptible to accumulating obstruction material which has an electrical resistance characteristic; (c) a pair of spaced-apart electrodes affixed to said outer surface of said radome; (d) means connected to the electrodes for measuring the electrical resistance characteristic of said obstruction material accumulated between said spaced-apart electrodes; (e) means for correlating the measured electrical resistance characteristic to a degree of attenuation of said transmitted and received signals due to the presence of said obstruction material on said radome; and (f) means for providing a warning indication when a surface impedance measurement corresponding to a predetermined degree of signal attenuation is reached.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An antenna system comprising: (a) an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals; (b) a radome sheltering said antenna and having an outer surface susceptible to accumulating obstruction material which has an electrical resistance characteristic; (c) a pair of spaced-apart electrodes affixed to said outer surface of said radome; (d) means connected to the electrodes for measuring the electrical resistance characteristic of said obstruction material accumulated between said spaced-apart electrodes; (e) means for correlating the measured electrical resistance characteristic to a degree of attenuation of said transmitted and received signals due to the presence of said obstruction material on said radome; and (f) means for providing a warning indication when a surface impedance measurement corresponding to a predetermined degree of signal attenuation is reached.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the antenna has an electric field, and the electrodes are arranged to be perpendicular to said electric field.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for detecting and responding to signal attenuation of an antenna system having an antenna which is sheltered by a radome with an outer surface susceptible to accumulate obstruction material, said method comprising the steps of: (a) affixing spaced-apart electrodes onto said outer surface of said radome; (b) connecting an impedance measuring means to said spaced-apart electrodes and measuring the surface impedance between said spaced-apart electrodes; (c) correlating the measured surface impedance to a degree of signal attenuation of said antenna system due to the presence of said obstruction material on said radome; and (d) terminating said operation of said antenna system when a surface impedance measurement corresponding to a predetermined degree of signal attenuation is reached.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for detecting and responding to signal attenuation of an antenna system having an antenna which is sheltered by a radome with an outer surface susceptible to accumulate obstruction material, said method comprising the steps of: (a) affixing spaced-apart electrodes onto said outer surface of said radome; (b) connecting an impedance measuring means to said spaced-apart electrodes and measuring the surface impedance between said spaced-apart electrodes; (c) correlating the measured surface impedance to a degree of signal attenuation of said antenna system due to the presence of said obstruction material on said radome; and (d) terminating said operation of said antenna system when a surface impedance measurement corresponding to a predetermined degree of signal attenuation is reached.
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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) | 1999-01-15 | 1999-07-17 | 2000-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-15 | 2003-07-17 | 2004-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-15 | 2007-07-17 | 2008-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |