Method and apparatus for modulating voltage to an antenna reflector heater
First Claim
1. A method of using a line voltage to heat an antenna reflector, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an electrical heater for said antenna reflector;
measuring a magnitude of the line voltage;
ascertaining an ambient temperature;
establishing a duty cycle for said heater dependent upon each of said measuring step and said ascertaining step, said duty cycle being defined as a percentage of total heating time in which the line voltage is electrically connected to said heater, said total heating time being a total time in which said ambient temperature is approximately between a first threshold temperature and a second threshold temperature; and
cyclically connecting the line voltage to said heater and disconnecting the line voltage from said heater in accordance with said duty cycle.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is directed to a method of using a line voltage to heat an antenna reflector. The method includes the steps of providing an electrical heater for the antenna reflector, measuring a magnitude of the line voltage, ascertaining an ambient temperature, establishing a duty cycle for the heater dependent upon each of the measuring step and the ascertaining step, and cyclically connecting the line voltage to the heater and disconnecting the line voltage from the heater in accordance with the duty cycle. The duty cycle is defined as a percentage of total heating time in which the line voltage is electrically connected to the heater. The total heating time is a total time in which the ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature.
14 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of using a line voltage to heat an antenna reflector, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrical heater for said antenna reflector; measuring a magnitude of the line voltage; ascertaining an ambient temperature; establishing a duty cycle for said heater dependent upon each of said measuring step and said ascertaining step, said duty cycle being defined as a percentage of total heating time in which the line voltage is electrically connected to said heater, said total heating time being a total time in which said ambient temperature is approximately between a first threshold temperature and a second threshold temperature; and cyclically connecting the line voltage to said heater and disconnecting the line voltage from said heater in accordance with said duty cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of using a line voltage to heat an antenna reflector, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrical heater for said antenna reflector; predetermining a desired average electrical power level to be dissipated by said heater; turning said heater ON; measuring a magnitude of the line voltage; establishing a duty cycle for said heater to achieve said desired average electrical power level, said duty cycle being dependent upon said measuring step, said duty cycle being defined as a total time in which the line voltage is electrically connected to said heater divided by a total time in which said heater is ON; and cyclically connecting the line voltage to said heater and disconnecting the line voltage from said heater in accordance with said duty cycle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An antenna reflector assembly, comprising:
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an antenna reflector; an electrical heater configured for heating said antenna reflector; a switching device electrically connected to said heater, said switching device being configured for selectively interconnecting said heater with a line voltage; a voltage measuring device configured for measuring the line voltage; and a control device interconnecting said switching device and said voltage measuring device, said control device being configured for receiving said voltage measurements from said voltage measuring device and controlling said switching device dependent upon said voltage measurements. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification