Enclosed mobile/transportable satellite antenna system

• US 20080246677A1
• Filed: 12/19/2007
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electronic Controlled Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electronic Controlled Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: King, Lael, Shuster, Sam
• Granted Patent: US 7,679,573 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/766
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1257 using the received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/134 Rear-feeds; Splash plate feeds
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/17 the primary radiating source comprising two or more radiating elements H01Q19/15, H01Q25/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/08 for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation

Abstract

An enclosed satellite antenna system can include a generally rigid enclosure defining a volume that is configured to enable both manual transportability of the satellite antenna system and automated operation of the satellite antenna system without a substantial change in the volume of the enclosure or manual repositioning of the satellite antenna system. The enclosure can have disposed therein a satellite dish, a feedhorn configured to collect incoming signals concentrated by the satellite dish, and a low noise block converter configured to receive incoming signals from the feedhorn, amplify and convert the incoming signals to received signals, and transmit the received signals to at least one receiver. A motorized elevation dravie system can be configured to selectively adjust an elevation of the satellite dish and a motorized azimuth drive system can be configured to selectively rotate the satellite dish. A control system can be connected to the elevation drive system and the azimuth drive system to control automated operation of the satellite antenna system.

Claims

1. A satellite antenna system, comprising:

a generally rigid enclosure comprised of an electromagnetic wave permeable material defining a volume configured to enable both manual transportability of the satellite antenna system and automated operation of the satellite antenna system without a substantial change in the volume of the enclosure or manual repositioning of the satellite antenna system, the enclosure having disposed within the volume of the enclosure;

a satellite dish;

a feedhorn configured to collect incoming signals concentrated by the satellite dish;

a low noise block converter configured to receive incoming signals from the feedhorn, amplify and convert the incoming signals to received signals, and transmit the received signals to at least one receiver;

a motorized elevation drive system configured to selectively adjust an elevation of the satellite dish;

a motorized azimuth drive system configured to selectively rotate the satellite dish; and

a control system connected to the elevation drive system and the azimuth drive system to control automated operation of the satellite antenna system.

2. The satellite antenna system of claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to an outer surface of the enclosure.

3. The satellite antenna system of claim 2, wherein the enclosure includes a generally planar base defining a bottom of the enclosure when the satellite antenna system is positioned in a first orientation for automated operation and wherein the handle is positioned such that the base is oriented at an angle to ground when the satellite antenna system is positioned in a second position for manually transportability by the handle, the satellite antenna system being configured to provide a center of mass of the system that is the same in the first orientation and the second orientation.

5. The satellite antenna system of claim 1, wherein the control system operates to automatically position the satellite dish to acquire a satellite signal upon powering on the satellite antenna system.

6. The satellite antenna system of claim 1, further comprising a remote control in communication with the control system.

7. The satellite antenna system of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the enclosure has a smaller diameter than a diameter of the satellite dish.

8. The satellite antenna system of claim 2, wherein the handle is configured to allow manual carrying of the satellite antenna system with one hand.

9. The satellite antenna system of claim 8, wherein the satellite antenna system weighs less than 20 pounds.

10. The satellite antenna system of claim 1, a cover including a top surface and a plurality of flat, angled side surfaces, a base including a bottom surface and a plurality of flat, angled side surfaces, and wherein where the cover and base meet a plurality of flat, generally vertical side surfaces are formed.

11. The satellite antenna system of claim 10, wherein the cover and the base are generally symmetrical with each other.

12. The satellite antenna system of claim 10, wherein the flat, angled side surfaces of the cover and the base each include four side facets and four corner facets.

13. The satellite antenna system of claim 12, further comprising a handle connected to one of the corner facets of the cover.

4. The satellite antenna system 1, wherein the received signals are presented at a coaxial connector on an exterior surface of the enclosure and the satellite antenna system is configured to be powered by a coaxial cable that connects the system via the coaxial connector to the at least one receiver.

14. A satellite antenna system, comprising:

an enclosure comprised of an electromagnetic wave permeable material, wherein the enclosure comprises;

a cover including a top surface and a plurality of flat, angled side surfaces;

a base including a bottom surface and a plurality of flat, angled side surfaces; and

wherein where the cover and base meet a plurality of flat, generally vertical side surfaces are formed;

a satellite dish disposed within the enclosure;

a feedhorn configured to collect incoming signals concentrated by the satellite dish;

a low noise block converter configured to receive incoming signals from the feedhorn, amplify and convert the incoming signals to received signals, and transmit the received signals to at least one receiver;

a motorized elevation drive system configured to selectively adjust an elevation of the satellite dish;

a motorized azimuth drive system configured to selectively rotate the satellite dish; and

a control system connected to the elevation drive system and the azimuth drive system to control automated operation of the satellite antenna system.

15. The satellite antenna system of claim 14, wherein the bottom surface has a smaller diameter than a diameter of the satellite dish.

16. The satellite antenna system of claim 14, wherein the angled side surfaces diverge at an angle of greater than 90 degrees from the top surface and the bottom surface.

17. The satellite antenna system of claim 14, further comprising a handle connected to an outer surface of the enclosure.

18. The satellite antenna system of claim 17, wherein the handle is configured to allow manual carrying of the satellite antenna system with one hand.

19. The satellite antenna system of claim 18, wherein the satellite antenna system weighs less than 20 pounds.

20. The satellite antenna system of claim 14, wherein the cover and the base are generally symmetrical with each other.

21. The satellite antenna system of claim 14, wherein the received signals are presented at a coaxial connector on an exterior surface of the enclosure and the satellite antenna system is configured to be powered by a coaxial cable that connects the system via the coaxial connector to the at least one receiver.

22. The satellite antenna system of claim 14, wherein the control system operates to automatically position the satellite dish to acquire a satellite signal upon powering on the satellite antenna system.

23. The satellite antenna system of claim 14, further comprising a remote control in communication with the control system.

24. The satellite antenna system of claim 14, wherein the flat, angled side surfaces of the cover and the base each include four side facets and four corner facets.

25. The satellite antenna system of claim 24, further comprising a handle connected to one of the corner facets of the cover.