Monocoque antenna structure
First Claim
1. A monocoque antenna dish and cover each having substantially the same overall configuration which is a surface of revolution;
- said dishes each having a concave center region surrounded by an outwardly extending frusto-conical rim;
at least the curved surface of said antenna dish being capable of reflecting electromagnetic radiation;
the curved surface of said cover dish being substantially transparent to selelcted radiation;
means for securing said two dishes together in a concave face to face relationship to form a symmetrical antenna assembly;
said cover dish having an opening at substantially the center thereof;
feed mount means mounted on said cover dish over said opening;
at least one feedhorn assembly mounted on said feed mount means;
along an axis relative to the curved surface of said antenna dish at a location to receive maximum reflected radiation; and
means for moveably supporting the antenna assembly with said axis at an angle to the surface of the earth.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An enclosed terrestrial antenna system of monocoque construction for receiving television signals from satellites in geostationary orbit. The basic antenna comprises two dish-shaped members having substantially identical configurations, each of which is a surface of revolution. Each member (called a "dish" in the industry) has a central concave parabolic area surrounded by an upstanding frusto-conic rim. One, the antenna dish, has an electromagnetic radiation reflecting surface on the concave side. The other, the cover dish, is substantially transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The cover dish has an opening at the center, along the axis of revolution. The two dishes are secured together, concave face to concave face. A feed mount is secured to the cover dish over the opening and carries the feed assembly in a manner allowing the feed assembly to be moved toward and away from the reflective surface to focus the feed. Suitable ground supports are provided to hold the antenna assembly with the axis of revolution aligned at a selected azimuth and elevation. A cover is provided over the feed assembly, secured to the feed mount or vover dish. Thus, the antenna assembly is fully enclosed and protected from the weather or other outside influences.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A monocoque antenna dish and cover each having substantially the same overall configuration which is a surface of revolution;
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said dishes each having a concave center region surrounded by an outwardly extending frusto-conical rim; at least the curved surface of said antenna dish being capable of reflecting electromagnetic radiation; the curved surface of said cover dish being substantially transparent to selelcted radiation; means for securing said two dishes together in a concave face to face relationship to form a symmetrical antenna assembly; said cover dish having an opening at substantially the center thereof; feed mount means mounted on said cover dish over said opening; at least one feedhorn assembly mounted on said feed mount means;
along an axis relative to the curved surface of said antenna dish at a location to receive maximum reflected radiation; andmeans for moveably supporting the antenna assembly with said axis at an angle to the surface of the earth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A monocoque terrestrial antenna assembly for receiving signals for satellites in geostationary orbit which comprises:
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an antenna dish and cover each having substantially the same overall configuration which is a surface of revolution; said dishes having a concave center region surrounded by an outwardly extending frusto-conic rim; flanges extending outwardly from the rim edges of each dish, at least the concave surface and rim of said antenna dish and the rim of said cover dish being capable of reflecting electromagnetic radiation; the concave surface of said cover dish being substantially transparent to selected radiation; means for securing said two dishes together in a concave face to concave face relationship; said cover dish having a guiding means at substantially thecenter thereof; feed mount means comprising a generally circular body adapted to cover and overlap said guiding means of said cover dish; means to fasten said body to said cover dish; said feed mount having an opening aligned with the axis of rotation of said antenna; a feedhorn assembly; said guiding means adapted to receive a member carrying said feedhorn assembly; fastening means for securing said member within said opening at a selected position; said feedhorn assembly mounted on said member and slideable therewith to permit focusing movement along said axis relative to the curved surface of said antenna dish; and means for moveably supporting the antenna assembly with said axis at an angle to the surface of the earth. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. The process of making a monocoque antenna for receiving microwave signals employing the steps of:
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forming impact resistant plastic in thermo forming means into smooth parabolic surfaces of revolution comprising an antenna dish and a correspondingly shaped cover dish, each dish having a frusto conical rim with a peripherial flange; forming a central opening in the cover dish; providing indexing locations relative to each flange; fitting the flanges together with the indexing locations mated to preserve the thermoformed parabolic surfaces of revolution; securing the so-indexed flanges together to form a rigid antenna structure; supporting feedhorn means by the cover dish along the axis of revolution of the cover dish; the interior surface of the antenna dish including said rims being reflective to said signals and the cover dish being transparent to said signals; and
,locating the feedhorn means along said axis within said cover dish via said opening to receive maximum reflected signals as a result of the preserved shapes of the dishes and the precise dish to dish alignment.
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Specification