Squint-beam corrugated horn

• US 7,602,347 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2006
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raven Antenna Systems, Inc. (Satellite Acquisition Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raven Manufacturing Limited
• Inventors: Baird, Andrew, Mitchelson, Craig, Wolfenden, Neil, Flynn, Stephen John
• Primary Examiner(s): MANCUSO, HUEDUNG XUAN CAO
• Application Number:
  US11/423,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20070285329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 343/786, 343/776, 343771-772, 343/753
• US Class Current: 343/786
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/0208 Corrugated horns waveguide mouth antenna with corrugated flange H01Q13/065; manufacturing details H01Q13/0283

Abstract

A feed having a waveguide with a longitudinal axis. A plurality of corrugations extending from an end of the waveguide. The corrugations coaxial with the longitudinal axis, forming an extension of the waveguide. The corrugations having an end face angle less than 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis to squint the feed beam.

Claims

1. A feed with a longitudinal axis, comprising:

a waveguide;

at least one corrugation(s) extending from an end of the waveguide;

the corrugation(s) coaxial with the longitudinal axis, forming an extension of the waveguide;

the corrugation(s) having an end face angle less than 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis;

the waveguide and the at least one corrugation(s) extending from the end of the waveguide forming a first side feed formed as a unitary element also including a central feed;

the central feed spaced away from the first side feed and having a central feed longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the side feed.

2. The feed of claim 1, wherein the at least one corrugation is the open end of the waveguide.

3. The feed of claim 1, wherein the at least one corrugation is at least one step of increasing diameter greater than the end of the waveguide.

4. The feed of claim 1, further including a pair of adjacent feeds formed on opposing sides of the central feed.

5. The feed of claim 4, wherein the central feed has at least one corrugation(s) extending from an end of the central feed;

the corrugation(s) coaxial with the longitudinal axis, forming an extension of the waveguide;

the corrugations cut away from an open end of the adjacent feeds.

6. The feed of claim 1, further including a second side feed positioned between the first side feed and the central feed.

7. The feed of claim 1, wherein the first side feed and the central feed are formed with a vertical offset along a horizontal axis.

8. The feed of claim 1, wherein a polarizing septum is positioned within each of the first side feed and the central feed;

the polarizing septums having a vertical offset with respect to each other.

9. The feed of claim 1, wherein the end face angle is less than 90 and greater than 60 degrees.

10. The side feed of claim 1, wherein the extension is removable from the end of the waveguide.

11. A feed assembly, comprising:

a first side feed having a waveguide with an open end;

at least one corrugation(s) extending from the open end of the waveguide;

the corrugation(s) coaxial with a first side feed longitudinal axis, forming an extension of the waveguide with an increasing diameter;

the corrugation(s) having an end face angle less than 90 degrees with respect to the feed waveguide longitudinal axis; and

a central feed spaced away from the first side feed and having a central feed waveguide longitudinal axis that is parallel to the side feed longitudinal axis;

the first side feed and the central feed extending from a base plate, the first side feed and the central feed having a vertical offset along a horizontal axis.

12. A method for manufacturing a feed, comprising the steps of:

forming a waveguide having at least one corrugation(s) extending from an end of the waveguide;

the corrugation(s) coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the waveguide, forming an extension of the waveguide;

the corrugation(s) having an end face angle less than 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis;

the waveguide and the at least one corrugation(s) extending from the end of the waveguide forming a first side feed formed as a unitary element also including a central feed;

the central feed spaced away from the first side feed and having a central feed longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the side feed.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first side feed and the central feed have a vertical offset along a horizontal axis.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the waveguide is formed via die casting.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the waveguide is formed via injection molding.

16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of coating the waveguide with a conductive material.