Radio transmission region in metallic panel

• US 20040113860A1
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation (Ohio State University)
• Original Assignee: Ohio State University
• Inventors: Walton, Eric K.
• Granted Patent: US 6,922,175 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/872
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/002 Protection against seismic waves, thermal radiation or other disturbances, e.g. nuclear explosion; Arrangements for improving the power handling capability of an antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1271 for mounting on windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/0013 said selective devices working as frequency-selective reflecting surfaces, e.g. FSS, dichroic plates, surfaces being partly transmissive and reflective
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/84 Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/00 Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]

Abstract

A region in a metallic panel that facilitates the transmission of radio frequency signals. The metallic panel may be included in a window such as the window of a vehicle or building. For example, the metallic panel may be used for heating or to reflect infrared radiation. An aperture is formed in the metallic panel to enable radio frequency signals to be transmitted through the metallic panel. The design of the aperture may be selected to enable the transmission of the desired frequency band. In an embodiment in which the metallic panel is used to conduct electric current, the aperture may be oriented such that the current may flow between the openings of the aperture. Accordingly, there may be uniform heating across the metallic panel without blocking the transmission of radio frequency signals in the desired frequency band.

Claims

1. A panel comprising:

a metal layer in electrical communication with a source of electricity; and

an aperture in said metal layer comprising a plurality of openings that are approximately parallel to each other, said aperture oriented such that electricity is adapted to pass between said openings from a first portion of said metal layer to a second portion of said metal layer;

wherein said aperture is adapted to enable the transmission of a radio frequency signal through said metal layer.

2. The panel of claim 1 wherein said openings are slots.

3. The panel of claim 1 wherein:

said openings are arranged in a pattern; and

the respective lengths of said openings generally increase from one side of said pattern to an opposite side of said pattern.

4. The panel of claim 1 wherein said openings are zigzags.

5. The panel of claim 4 wherein at least one of said zigzags is broken.

6. The panel of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of fill-in openings along opposing edges of said zigzags.

7. The panel of claim 1 further comprising:

a first bus in electrical communication with said source of electricity and said first portion of said metal layer; and

a second bus in electrical communication with said second portion of said metal layer;

wherein said aperture is oriented such that electricity is adapted to pass between said openings from said first bus to said second bus.

8. A window comprising:

a sheet of dielectric material;

a metal layer traversing said dielectric material; and

an aperture in said metal layer, said aperture comprising a plurality of openings that are approximately parallel to each other.

9. The window of claim 8 wherein said window is a vehicle window.

10. The window of claim 8 wherein said dielectric material is glass.

11. The window of claim 8 wherein:

said dielectric material is comprised of a plurality of layers; and

said metal layer is secured between said layers of said dielectric material.

12. The window of claim 8 wherein said metal layer is vacuum deposited on said dielectric material.

13. The window of claim 8 wherein said openings are slots.

14. The window of claim 8 wherein said openings are approximately vertically oriented.

15. The window of claim 8 wherein said openings are approximately horizontally oriented.

16. The window of claim 8 wherein:

said openings are arranged in a pattern; and

the respective lengths of said openings generally increase from one side of said pattern to an opposite side of said pattern.

17. The window of claim 8 wherein said openings are zigzags.

18. The window of claim 17 wherein at least one of said zigzags is broken.

19. The window of claim 17 further comprising a plurality of fill-in openings along opposing edges of said zigzags.

20. A window comprising:

a sheet of glass;

a metal layer traversing said sheet of glass;

a first bus in electrical communication with a power source and said metal layer;

a second bus in electrical communication with said metal layer; and

an aperture in said metal layer comprising a plurality of openings, said aperture oriented such that electricity is adapted to pass between said openings from said first bus to said second bus;

wherein said aperture is adapted to enable the transmission of a radio frequency signal through said metal layer.