Variable helical antenna

• US 6,011,525 A
• Filed: 06/26/1998
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Orange S.A., Telediffusion De France SA
• Original Assignee: Orange S.A., Telediffusion De France SA
• Inventors: Piole, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US09/105,209
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/745, 343/749, 343/750, 343/751, 343/752, 343/866, 343/867, 343/868, 343/895
• US Class Current: 343/895
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/24 with receiving set
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/362 for broadside radiating helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/08 Helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/145 by varying the electrical length

Abstract

A variable helical antenna comprises coaxial conductive first and second helices extending in the same direction. The helices have first portions interleaved with each other without being in mechanical contact. A fixed protection member made in insulative material contains at least a portion of the first helix. A second member made in insulative material is screwed to the first member and contains at least a portion of the second helix. The second helix is attached to the second member. On screwing/unscrewing, the second helix is moved helically, by sliding on itself, relative to the first helix in order to tune the antenna to a required frequency indicated on a graduation on the fixed protection member.

Claims

1. A helical antenna, comprising:

(a) first and second conductive helices extending about a common central axis in the same direction and having first portions interleaved with each other without being in mechanical contact and non-interleaved second portions; and

(b) means for helically moving said second helix, by sliding, longitudinally relative to said first helix.

2. The antenna claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second helices are substantially identical.

3. The antenna claimed in claim 1, wherein the turns of said interleaved first helix portions are regularly spaced relative to each other.

4. The antenna claimed in claim 1, wherein said helically moving means comprises a fixed first insulative material member containing at least part of said first helix, and a second insulative material member screwed to said first insulative material member and containing at least part of said second helix.

5. The antenna claimed in claim 4, wherein at least said second portion of said second helix is fixed to said second insulative material member.

6. An antenna as claimed in claim 4, comprising a metal base having a pair of opposite parallel faces, and a coaxial cable connected with one face of said base, said first insulative member being connected with the other face of said base, said coaxial cable having a central conductor that extends through an opening contained in said base, said second portion of said first helix having a strand connected with said central conductor.

7. An antenna as claimed in claim 6, comprising a gasket washer lodged between said end of said first insulative material member and said base.

8. The antenna claimed in claim 4, wherein one end of said second insulative material member is closed by a removable cap.

9. An antenna as claimed in claim 4, comprising a frequency graduation along said first insulative material member and cooperating with one end of said second insulative material member.

10. An antenna as claimed in claim 1, comprising a cylindrical insulative material part which is fixed and accommodated substantially axially in at least said first helix.

11. An antenna as claimed in claim 1, comprising a cylindrical insulative material part which is mobile with said second helix and is accommodated substantially axially in at least said second helix.