US5640168A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultra wide-band radar antenna for concrete penetration
Assignee: Zircon Corp
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Filing: 1995-08-11
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Granted: 1997-06-17
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Expires: 2015-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A pyramidal horn antenna that decreases ringing in radar systems that are placed against a solid volume of e.g. concrete or wood for finding an object in or behind the solid volume. The antenna includes a solid, pyramid-shaped dielectric, the pyramid shape including a rectangular base and four triangular sides that extend from the base to meet at the apex of the pyramid. Two conductive triangular plates overlay opposite ones of the four sides of the pyramid, each of the plates including an electrical connection for coupling the plate to a radar system. The pyramid-shaped dielectric has a dielectric constant that approximates the dielectric constant of the solid volume, and therefore provides an impedance match between the antenna and the solid volume.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Heger
- 👤 James C. Long
- 👤 Noel H. C. Marshall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:57
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q13/00; H01Q13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A pyramidal horn antenna for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic signals into or from a surface, the antenna comprising: a pyramid formed of a solid dielectric material, the pyramid including a rectangular base and four triangular sides, the four sides defining four planes that extend from the base to meet at an apex of the pyramid; and first and second triangular plates, each of the plates formed of a conductive material, the first plate overlaying and in contact with one of two opposite ones of the four sides, the second triangular plate overlaying and in contact with the other of the two opposite ones of the four sides; wherein length of to first and second triangular plates substantially covers the respective opposite ones of the four sides: and wherein the pyramid and the first and second triangular plates reduce ringing associated with transmitting electromagnetic signals into the surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A pyramidal horn antenna for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic signals into or from a surface, the antenna comprising: a pyramid formed of a solid dielectric material, the pyramid including a rectangular base and four triangular sides, the four sides defining four planes that extend from the base to meet at an apex of the pyramid; and first and second triangular plates, each of the plates formed of a conductive material, the first plate overlaying and in contact with one of two opposite ones of the four sides, the second triangular plate overlaying and in contact with the other of the two opposite ones of the four sides; wherein length of to first and second triangular plates substantially covers the respective opposite ones of the four sides: and wherein the pyramid and the first and second triangular plates reduce ringing associated with transmitting electromagnetic signals into the surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The antenna of claim 1, wherein the pyramid is formed of a dielectric material having a dielectric constant .di-elect cons. R of approximately 10.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The antenna of claim 1, wherein the angle between the first and second plates is approximately 53°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The antenna of claim 3, wherein the rectangular base includes two opposite edges approximately 1.75 inches in length and two opposite edges approximately 1.5 inches in length, and wherein the first and second triangular plates extend toward the apex from the two opposite edges approximately 1.75 inches in length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The antenna of claim 1, wherein the conductive material includes copper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The antenna of claim 1, wherein the conductive material includes silver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
177 words
An antenna system for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals into or from surface, the system comprising: an enclosure having a plurality of chambers; and a plurality of pyramidal horn antennas, wherein each of the antennas is contained in a corresponding one of the chambers, each of the antennas including: a pyramid formed of a solid dielectric material, the pyramid including a rectangular base and four triangular sides, the four sides defining four planes that extend from the base to meet at an apex of the pyramid; and first and second triangular plates, each of the plates formed of a conductive material, the first overlaying and in contact with one of two opposite ones of the four sides, the second triangular plate overlying and in contact with the other of the two opposite ones of the four sides; wherein each of the first and second triangular plates substantially covers the respective opposite ones of the four sides; and wherein the pyramid and the first and second triangular plates reduce ringing associated with transmitting electromagnetic signal into the surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
177 words
An antenna system for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals into or from surface, the system comprising: an enclosure having a plurality of chambers; and a plurality of pyramidal horn antennas, wherein each of the antennas is contained in a corresponding one of the chambers, each of the antennas including: a pyramid formed of a solid dielectric material, the pyramid including a rectangular base and four triangular sides, the four sides defining four planes that extend from the base to meet at an apex of the pyramid; and first and second triangular plates, each of the plates formed of a conductive material, the first overlaying and in contact with one of two opposite ones of the four sides, the second triangular plate overlying and in contact with the other of the two opposite ones of the four sides; wherein each of the first and second triangular plates substantially covers the respective opposite ones of the four sides; and wherein the pyramid and the first and second triangular plates reduce ringing associated with transmitting electromagnetic signal into the surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
145 words
An antenna system for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals through a solid volume to locate objects within the volume, the system comprising: an enclosure defining a plurality of chambers, the enclosure having a face configured to abut the solid volume; and a plurality of pyramidal horn antennas, wherein each of the antennas is contained in a corresponding one of the chambers, each of the antennas including: a pyramid formed of a solid dielectric material, the pyramid including a rectangular base and four triangular sides, the four sides defining four planes that extend from the base to meet at an apex of the pyramid; and first and second triangular plates, each of the plates formed of a conductive material; wherein the face of the enclosure includes a lossy gasket having holes through which the base of each of the antennas is exposed to the solid volume.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
An antenna system for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals through a solid volume to locate objects within the volume, the system comprising: an enclosure defining a plurality of chambers, the enclosure having a face configured to abut the solid volume; and a plurality of pyramidal horn antennas, wherein each of the antennas is contained in a corresponding one of the chambers, each of the antennas including: a pyramid formed of a solid dielectric material, the pyramid including a rectangular base and four triangular sides, the four sides defining four planes that extend from the base to meet at an apex of the pyramid; and first and second triangular plates, each of the plates formed of a conductive material; wherein the face of the enclosure includes a lossy gasket having holes through which the base of each of the antennas is exposed to the solid volume.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The antenna system of claim 8, wherein each pyramid is formed of a dielectric material having a dielectric constant .di-elect cons. R of approximately 10.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The antenna system of claim 8, wherein the first and second triangular plates of each antenna have an angle between them of approximately 53°.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The antenna of claim 10, wherein each rectangular base includes two opposite edges approximately 1.75 inches in length and two opposite edges approximately 1.5 inches in length, and wherein the first and second triangular plates extend toward the apex from the two opposite edges approximately 1.75 inches in length.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The antenna of claim 8, wherein the conductive material includes copper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The antenna of claim 8, wherein the conductive material includes silver.
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) | 2000-06-16 | 2000-12-16 | 2001-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-16 | 2004-12-16 | 2005-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-16 | 2008-12-16 | 2009-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |