Conformal High Frequency Antenna
First Claim
1. An antenna comprising:
- a dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer has a first curved surface and a second curved surface opposite the first curved surface;
a conductive body having a curved outer surface, wherein the first curved surface of the dielectric layer is positioned over the curved outer surface of the conductive body;
a high frequency (HF) antenna layer positioned over the second surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the HF antenna layer is curved to conform to the second curved surface of the dielectric layer; and
a pair of contacts configured to receive an electrical connection for the HF antenna layer,wherein, during use to radiate energy, the conductive body interacts with the HF antenna layer to radiate the energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Antennas, integrated driveshaft covers, and methods are disclosed. A particular antenna includes a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a first curved surface and a second curved surface opposite the first curved surface. A conductive body has a curved outer surface, where the first curved surface of the dielectric layer is positioned against the curved outer surface. A high frequency (HF) antenna layer is positioned over positioned over the second curved surface of the dielectric layer, where the HF antenna layer is curved to conform to the second curved surface of the dielectric layer. A pair of contacts may be configured to receive an electrical connection for the HF antenna layer. When an HF signal is applied to the pair of contacts, the conductive body interacts with the HF antenna layer to radiate energy.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An antenna comprising:
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a dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer has a first curved surface and a second curved surface opposite the first curved surface; a conductive body having a curved outer surface, wherein the first curved surface of the dielectric layer is positioned over the curved outer surface of the conductive body; a high frequency (HF) antenna layer positioned over the second surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the HF antenna layer is curved to conform to the second curved surface of the dielectric layer; and a pair of contacts configured to receive an electrical connection for the HF antenna layer, wherein, during use to radiate energy, the conductive body interacts with the HF antenna layer to radiate the energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An integrated driveshaft cover antenna, comprising:
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a driveshaft cover including a conductive layer, the driveshaft cover configured to be hingeably secured and electrically coupled to a helicopter tail boom section to cover a driveshaft access opening, wherein the driveshaft cover has a generally curved cross-section; a dielectric layer including a first surface shaped to conform to a curved outer surface of the driveshaft cover and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the dielectric layer covers a majority of an area of the curved outer surface of the driveshaft cover, and wherein the first surface is secured to the curved outer surface of the driveshaft cover; and a slotted patch high frequency (HF) antenna layer having an inner slot, wherein the slotted patch HF antenna layer extends a majority of a length of the dielectric layer, and wherein the slotted patch HF antenna layer is secured to the second surface of the dielectric layer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method, comprising:
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providing a layer of a dielectric layer having a first face and a second face opposite the first face and having a generally uniform thickness between the first face and the second face; position the first face over at least a portion of a curved outer surface of a conductive body, wherein the first face is curved along a first dimension to match a first curvature of the curved outer surface; position a curved conductive antenna layer over the second face, wherein the curved conductive antenna layer has a first antenna face and a second antenna face that are curved along the first dimension such that the first antenna face matches a second curvature of the second face of the dielectric layer, wherein the curved antenna layer includes an interior slot between the opposing antenna faces, and wherein the interior slot has a slot length that extends perpendicularly to the first curvature; and coupling transceiver leads to opposing edges of the interior slot at a midpoint of the slot length.
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Specification