Patent US3761936A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3761936A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-beam array antenna
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1971-05-11
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1991-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A multi-beam array antenna assembly is disclosed, such assembly being adapted to form a plurality of simultaneously existing beams of radio frequency energy, each one of such beams having the gain of the entire antenna aperture and a different scan angle. The preferred embodiment of the contemplated assembly is fabricated, using printed circuit techniques and matching sections on a dielectric substrate, to form an array of antenna elements and constrained electrical paths for radio frequency energy between each one of the antenna elements and a number of feed ports. The electrical length of each one of such paths is adjusted so as to focus radio frequency energy in each one of the desired beams at a different feed port. The preferred embodiment also illustrates a multi-beam array antenna assembly having antenna elements spaced to increase the scan angle of each desired beam.
Inventors
- 👤 D Archer
- 👤 R Prickett
- 👤 C Hartwig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q21/00; H01Q21/0006; H01Q21/0031; H01Q15/00; H01Q15/02; H01Q15/04; H01Q25/00; H01Q25/007; H01Q25/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
In an antenna array assembly wherein any one, or ones, of a first plurality of feedports disposed along an arcuate path may be actuated with microwave energy to energize a second plurality of antenna elements disposed to form a linear array, the direction of the beam, or beams, of microwave energy propagated by such array being dependent upon the one, or ones, of the actuated feedports, an improved microwave lens and transmission line arrangement interconnecting the first plurality of feedports with the second plurality of antenna elements, such arrangement comprising a section of stripline including: a. a printed circuit conductor having an irregular geometrical shape to define a different constrained electrical path between each one of the first plurality of feedports and each one of the second plurality of antenna elements; and, b. a dielectric spacer overlying the center conductor, the dielectric constant of such spacer being greater than unity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
In an antenna array assembly wherein any one, or ones, of a first plurality of feedports disposed along an arcuate path may be actuated with microwave energy to energize a second plurality of antenna elements disposed to form a linear array, the direction of the beam, or beams, of microwave energy propagated by such array being dependent upon the one, or ones, of the actuated feedports, an improved microwave lens and transmission line arrangement interconnecting the first plurality of feedports with the second plurality of antenna elements, such arrangement comprising a section of stripline including: a. a printed circuit conductor having an irregular geometrical shape to define a different constrained electrical path between each one of the first plurality of feedports and each one of the second plurality of antenna elements; and, b. a dielectric spacer overlying the center conductor, the dielectric constant of such spacer being greater than unity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
The improved microwave lens and transmission line arrangement as in claim 1 wherein the center conductor of the stripline includes: a. a printed portion having a first and a second curved side, the feed ports being coupled to points along the first curved side; and b. a first plurality of printed lines, one end of each different one thereof being coupled to a different one of the first plurality of antenna elements and the second end of each different one of such lines being coupled to points along the second curved side of the printed portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The improved microwave lens as in claim 1 wherein the electrical length of each different constrained electrical path between any one of the feedports and successive ones of the antenna elements differs progressively by an amount equal to the difference in the electrical length between any successive pair of antenna elements and a planar wavefront of microwave energy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |