Method of fabricating a true-time-delay continuous transverse stub array antenna

• US 6,430,805 B1
• Filed: 11/06/1998
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Hashemi-Yeganeh, Shahrokh, Nash, Kenneth, Milroy, William W., Ekmekji, Alec, Klebe, Douglas O., Cox, Gerald A., Fitzgerald, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUGBANG, ANTHONY D
• Application Number:
  US09/187,673
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 296/00, 294/11, 29D/IG.47, 343/789, 343/772, 343/776, 343/853, 343/778
• US Class Current: 29/600
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/20 Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/28 comprising elements constituting electric discontinuities and spaced in direction of wave propagation, e.g. dielectric elements or conductive elements forming artificial dielectric
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0087 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing antenna arrays manufacturing waveguides H01P11/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 29/047 Extruding with other step
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making

Abstract

Methods of fabricating air-filed true-time-delay, continuous transverse stub array antenna. A plurality of extruded sections that are physically independent of one another are fabricated. The plurality of extruded sections are arranged in a predefined pattern defining the structure of the array antenna. Adjacent surfaces of the extruded sections form waveguides of the array antenna. The plurality of extruded sections are joined together at their respective ends to form the array antenna. The plurality of extruded sections may be joined using a plurality of end plates. The plurality of extruded sections and end plates may comprise metal or plastic. If the extruded sections are plastic, they are metallized 44 using a process such as vacuum deposition, electroless plating, or lamination during the extrusion process. The end plates are sealed to the extruded sections to form the array antenna structure.

Claims

1. A method of fabricating an air-dielectric true-time-delay continuous transverse stub array antenna, said method comprising the steps of:

fabricating a plurality of extruded sections that form an air-dielectric parallel-plate waveguide structure of the air-dielectric continuous transverse stub array antenna when assembled;

arranging the plurality of extruded sections to form the air-dielectric parallel-plate waveguide structure; and

joining the plurality of extruded sections together at their respective lateral ends to form the air-dielectric continuous transverse stub array antenna.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of extruded sections comprise plastic.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the plastic extruded sections comprise aerylonitrile-butadiene-styrene.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the plastic extruded sections comprise polypropylene.

5. The method of claim 1, which further comprises the step of metallizing, the individual extruded sections prior to arranging.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the metallizing step comprises electrolessly plating surfaces to be metallized.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of joining the plurality of extruded sections together comprises the steps of:

fabricating a plurality of end plates; and

sealing the plurality of extruded sections to the plurality of end plates to form the air-dielectric continuous transverse stub array antenna.

8. A method of fabricating an air-dielectric true-time-delay continuous transverse stub array antenna, said method comprising the steps of:

fabricating a plurality of extruded sections that form an air-dielectric parallel-plate waveguide structure of the air-dielectric continuous transverse stub array antenna when assembled;

arranging the plurality of extruded sections to form the air-dielectric parallel-plate waveguide structure; and

joining the plurality of extruded sections together at their respective lateral ends to form the air-dielectric parallel-plate continuous transverse stub array antenna such that air space exists between adjacent surfaces of the extruded sections that couples energy through the antenna.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of joining the plurality of extruded sections together comprises the steps of:

fabricating a plurality of end plates; and

sealing the plurality of extruded sections to the plurality of end plates to form the air-dielectric continuous transverse stub array antenna.