Conformal antenna and method
First Claim
1. A method of mounting an electrical circuit element, comprising a thin, electrically conductive, planar antenna structure clad onto and interfaced with a dielectric substrate, in full conformity with a curved article surface having a radius of curvature of about four inches or less, said method comprising:
- providing the planar antenna structure on a first dielectric substrate portion having a thickness of about 2 thousandths to about 5 thousandths of an inch;
shaping a second dielectric substrate portion having a thickness of at least about 1/32 of an inch to conform to said curved article surface;
securing to said curved article surface by the application of a suitable bonding material said second dielectric substrate portion conforming to said curved article surface to provide a dielectric spacer and outer surface thereon; and
after shaping and in mounting said second dielectric substrate portion to said curved article surface, shaping and bonding the first substrate portion to the outer dielectric surface of said second substrate portion to form said circuit element with said planar antenna structure in full conformity with the curved article surface.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An antenna assembly and a method for mounting an antenna element in full conformity to a substantially curved surface are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a first, relatively thin dielectric substrate portion having an antenna element formed on a surface thereof; providing a second, relatively thick dielectric substrate portion; shaping and securing the second substrate portion to the curved surface; and shaping and securing the first substrate portion and the antenna element to the second substrate portion. The method permits a microstrip antenna, or other thin structure supported on a substrate, to be mounted to curved surfaces of even short radius or curvature (e.g., less than four inches) in full conformity therewith without damaging the thin fragile antenna element.
79 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A method of mounting an electrical circuit element, comprising a thin, electrically conductive, planar antenna structure clad onto and interfaced with a dielectric substrate, in full conformity with a curved article surface having a radius of curvature of about four inches or less, said method comprising:
-
providing the planar antenna structure on a first dielectric substrate portion having a thickness of about 2 thousandths to about 5 thousandths of an inch; shaping a second dielectric substrate portion having a thickness of at least about 1/32 of an inch to conform to said curved article surface; securing to said curved article surface by the application of a suitable bonding material said second dielectric substrate portion conforming to said curved article surface to provide a dielectric spacer and outer surface thereon; and after shaping and in mounting said second dielectric substrate portion to said curved article surface, shaping and bonding the first substrate portion to the outer dielectric surface of said second substrate portion to form said circuit element with said planar antenna structure in full conformity with the curved article surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
Specification
-
- Resources
-
Current AssigneeBall Aerospace & Technologies Corporation (Ball Corporation)
-
Original AssigneeBall Corporation
-
InventorsLalezari, Farzin
-
Primary Examiner(s)Sikes, William L.
-
Assistant Examiner(s)Wimer, Michael C.
-
Application NumberUS06/823,702Time in Patent Office1,154 DaysField of Search343/700 MS, 343/795, 343/705, 343/829, 343/846, 343/873, 343/708, 29/846, 29/825, 29/847, 361/398, 156/212, 156/215, 156/150US Class Current343/700.0MSCPC Class CodesH01Q 21/065 Patch antenna arrayH01Q 21/20 the units being spaced alon...Y10T 156/1033 Flexible sheet to cylinder ...Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or...Y10T 29/49156 with selective destruction ...
