Method for fabricating an antenna

• US 20060262029A1
• Filed: 05/19/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Anderson, Peter Traneus
• Granted Patent: US 7,522,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/895
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10287 Metal wires as connectors or conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10598 Means for fastening a component, a casing or a heat sink whereby a pressure is exerted on the component towards the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/103 by bonding or embedding conductive wires or strips

Abstract

Various methods for fabricating an antenna are provided. The methods include stitching an antenna pattern onto a substrate where the stitching incorporates a wire.

Claims

1. A method for fabricating an antenna, said method comprising stitching an antenna pattern to a substrate, the stitched antenna pattern incorporating a wire.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein stitching an antenna pattern to a substrate comprises stitching a spiral coil pattern onto the substrate.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein stitching an antenna pattern to a substrate comprises:

providing a bobbin of a sewing machine with the wire; and

stitching the antenna pattern onto the substrate using the sewing machine.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein stitching an antenna pattern to a substrate comprises stitching the antenna pattern onto one of a pre-perforated substrate, a rigid substrate configured for perforation by a needle of a sewing machine, and a flexible substrate.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein stitching an antenna pattern to a substrate comprises:

providing a bobbin of a sewing machine with wire and a needle of the sewing machine with a thread; and

stitching the antenna pattern onto the substrate using the sewing machine.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein stitching an antenna pattern to a substrate comprises:

controlling a position of the substrate with respect to a sewing machine needle using an X-Y positioning device; and

stitching the antenna pattern onto the substrate using the sewing machine and the precision X-Y positioning device.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein stitching an antenna pattern to a substrate comprises:

stitching a spiral coil pattern onto the substrate;

inserting an insulating material from an interior of the spiral coil to an area external of the spiral coil; and

stitching the insulating material onto the substrate to provide a lead for the antenna external to the coil.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein stitching an antenna pattern to a substrate comprises stitching a two dimensional antenna pattern onto the substrate, the two dimensional antenna pattern operable for a medical imaging system.

9. An antenna comprising:

a substrate;

an antenna pattern stitched onto said substrate, said antenna pattern stitched onto said substrate by a sewing machine; and

a wire attached to said substrate by the sewing machine, said wire provided as bobbin thread for the sewing machine, a shape of said wire defined by said antenna pattern.

10. An antenna according to claim 9 wherein said substrate comprises at least one of a flexible substrate, a rigid substrate configured for perforation by a needle of the sewing machine, and a pre-perforated substrate.

11. An antenna according to claim 9 wherein said antenna pattern comprises a spiral coil pattern.

12. An antenna according to claim 9 wherein said antenna pattern comprises a spiral coil pattern, said antenna further comprising an insulating material, said insulating material stitched onto said substrate and extending across said spiral coil pattern, a portion of said wire thereby providing a lead for said antenna.

13. An antenna according to claim 9 wherein said wire comprises at least one of a copper wire, an aluminum wire, and a copper coated steel wire.

14. An antenna according to claim 9 wherein said antenna pattern on said substrate is controlled using a precision X-Y positioning system.

15. An antenna according to claim 9 wherein said antenna pattern comprises a two dimensional pattern of stitches.

16. An antenna comprising a length of wire provided from a bobbin of a sewing machine, said wire incorporated as at least a portion of a stitched pattern output by the sewing machine.

17. An antenna according to claim 16 further comprising a substrate, said wire attached to said substrate.

18. An antenna according to claim 16 further comprising a substrate, said wire attached to said substrate in a two dimensional pattern.

19. An antenna according to claim 16 further comprising a substrate, said wire attached to said substrate in a two dimensional pattern, the pattern controlled using a precision X-Y positioning system.

20. An antenna according to claim 16 further comprising:

a substrate; and

an insulating material, said wire attached to said substrate in a pattern, said insulating material stitched onto said substrate and extending across at least a portion of the pattern, a length of said wire extending across the insulating material thereby providing a lead for said antenna.