Modular design for a fill-level-radar antenna system

• US 20100066594A1
• Filed: 08/26/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fritz Lenk, Johannes Falk, Josef Fehrenbach, Juergen Motzer, Klaus Kienzle
• Original Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KG (Grieshaber Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH)
• Inventors: Fehrenbach, Josef, Motzer, Juergen, Falk, Johannes, Lenk, Fritz, KIENZLE, Klaus
• Granted Patent: US 7,940,207 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/175
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/284 Electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/225 used in level-measurement devices, e.g. for level gauge measurement
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/02 Waveguide horns
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/08 for modifying the radiation pattern of a radiating horn in which it is located corrugated horns H01Q13/0208; producing a circular polarisation H01Q13/0241

Abstract

A modular system is for assembling a fill-level radar antenna, a fill-level radar antenna, and o a fill level radar. The modular system comprises several modules that can be interconnected. In this way a host of different fill-level radar antennae may be produced that are optimally adapted to the corresponding conditions.

Claims

1. A modular system for assembling a fill-level radar antenna, comprising:

a first module; and

a second module;

wherein the first module is a base antenna horn that is filled with dielectric material and that feeds the second module with a transmission signal,

wherein the second module radiates the transmission signal to a fill level surface and

wherein the second module is selected from a group comprising an expansion horn, a parabolic antenna, a filled antenna horn, an antenna horn with a lens, an upright-tube antenna, and a rod antenna.

2. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the first module is detachably connecting to the second module.

3. The modular system according to claim 2, wherein the first module includes a first thread and the second module includes a counter-thread which corresponds to the first thread, for assembling the detachable connection.

4. The modular system according to claim 2, wherein the detachable connection is a flange connection.

5. The modular system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a third module being a waveguide,

wherein the first module is detachably connecting to the third module.

6. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the first module includes a waveguide section.

7. The modular system according to claim 5, wherein one of the waveguide and the waveguide section includes a glass window whose thickness corresponds to an integral multiple of half a wavelength of the transmission signal.

8. The modular system according to claim 7, wherein the glass window is coated on at least one side with a dielectric.

9. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the second module is a Cassegrain antenna.

10. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the first module includes a lens which is arranged between the first module and the second module.

11. The modular system according to claim 10, wherein the lens couples the transmission signal into the second module.

12. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein frequencies of the transmission signal is in a range of between 75 GHz and 110 GHz.

13. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein a transition between the first module and the second module is gapless so that the second module commences directly on the dielectric material of the first module.

14. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric material is attached in the first module using an injected thermoplastic material.

15. The modular system according to claims 1, wherein the dielectric material is directly injected into the first module.

16. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the dielectric material together with a seal is held to the first module using one of a mounting ring and a circumferential projection.

17. A fill-level radar antenna, comprising:

a modular system including a first module and a second module,

wherein the first module is a base antenna horn that is filled with dielectric material and that feeds the second module with a transmission signal,

wherein the second module radiates the transmission signal to a fill level surface and

wherein the second module is selected from a group comprising an expansion horn, a parabolic antenna, a filled antenna horn, an antenna horn with a lens, an upright-tube antenna, and a rod antenna.

18. A fill level radar, comprising:

a fill-level radar antenna including a first module and a second module,

wherein the first module is a base antenna horn that is filled with dielectric material and that feeds the second module with a transmission signal,

wherein the second module radiates the transmission signal to a fill level surface and

wherein the second module is selected from a group comprising an expansion horn, a parabolic antenna, a filled antenna horn, an antenna horn with a lens, an upright-tube antenna, and a rod antenna.