US2527222A - Scanning antenna - Google Patents
Scanning antenna Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US2527222A US2527222A US783104A US78310447A US2527222A US 2527222 A US2527222 A US 2527222A US 783104 A US783104 A US 783104A US 78310447 A US78310447 A US 78310447A US 2527222 A US2527222 A US 2527222A
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- Prior art keywords
- radiator
- scanning
- energy
- scanning antenna
- sheets
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- 241000282461 Canis lupus Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000255925 Diptera Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009191 jumping Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010408 sweeping Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
- H01Q3/12—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system using mechanical relative movement between primary active elements and secondary devices of antennas or antenna systems
- H01Q3/14—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system using mechanical relative movement between primary active elements and secondary devices of antennas or antenna systems for varying the relative position of primary active element and a refracting or diffracting device
Definitions
- This invention relates to scanning antennas, for producing a directional beam of radio energy and sweeping said beam cyclically through a predetermined sector.
- it is desirable to scan sawtooth fashion i. e., start the beam at one extremity of its scan, move it continuously at constant angular velocity to the other extreme, then return it immediately to the starting position.
- a graph of angular position of the beam against time looks like a sawtooth wave.
- the principal object of the present invention is to provide improved means for scanning in the above described manner, wherein no reciprocatory or discontinuous mechanical motions are required.
- Another object is to provide a beam scanning structure adaptable for use in conjunction with another scanning device operating at a right angle thereto, to scan in two orthogonal coordinates, such as azimuth and elevation.
- FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a scanning antenna system embodying the invention.
- Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure of Fig. 1, with the upper portion removed to show the internal details.
- the antenna system illustrated comprises three elements: a radiator I, a scanning rotor assembly 3, and a focusing device 5.
- the radiator I is a flared horn
- the focusing device 5 is a dielectric lens.
- the scanning rotor comprises four similar stacks 1, 9, I I and I3 of parallel metal plates or ns I5.
- the stacks 1, 9, II, and I3 of met-al plates I5 may also be considered as four groups of parallel conductive sheets.
- the fins I5 are all of approximately the same dimensions, and are supported on edge between two discs I1 and I9.
- the four stacks 1, 9, I I, I3 are spaced at equal angular intervals around the discs in a cross shaped formation.
- the upper disc I1 (not shown in Fig. 2) includes a central opening 2l through which a wave guide 23 extends to the horn I.
- the lower ⁇ disc I9 is supported on a shaft 25 which is coupled to a motor 21. Means are thus provided to support the groups of plates 1, 9, II, and I3 for rotation around the radiator I to pass in succession across the beam of the radiator.
- the wave guide 23 and the radiator I are positioned so that in the normal mode of propagation, the electric vector lies. in a plane perpendicular to the planes of the fins I5, i, e., horizontal in the structure of Fig. 1.
- the apparent source on the periphery of the rotor moves clockwise (downward in Fig. 2), causing the concentrated beam from the lens 5 to swing in the opposite direction, i. e., counterclockwise, or to the left. This continues until the last of the bundle 1 of ns has passed the mouth of the horn; then the first of the bundle I3 comes into play. At this time, the apparent source of radiation disappears from its lowermost position and reappears at its upper extreme position.
- the apparent source repeatedly moves from left to right, starting at the left as each bundle of fins begins to pass in front of the radiator I.
- the beam from the lens 5 moves sawtooth fashion from right to left, jumping back substantially instantaneously to its starting position at the conclusion of each scan.
- the structure will operate also for reception, scanning repeatedly and providing output in the wave guide 23 whenever the beam points at a radiating source.
- the described structure is particularly useful in conjunction with a radiator or collector which scans in a direction at right angles to the scanning provided by the rotor 3.
- radiators or collectors are well known.
- a scanning antenna system for polarized electromagnetic energy comprising a beam pattern forming directive radiator or collector, a plurality of groups of conductive sheets, the sheets of each group being in spaced parallel planes substantially normal to the direction of the electric vector of the polarized energy, and means supporting said groups for rotation around said radiator to pass in succession across the beam pattern of said radiator or collector.
- a scanning antenna system including a cross shaped member whose arms each comprise a stack of parallel sheets, a directive beam forming radiator for radiating polarized electromagnetic energy positioned substantially at the center of said cross, the planes of said sheets being substantially normal to the direction of the electric vector of the polarized energy, means rotating said cross shaped member about said radiator whereby said arms pass in succession across the beam of said radiator, and beam converging means outside said cross and in the path of said beam.
- a scanning antenna system comprising a beam forming directive radiator for radiating polarized electromagnetic energy, an annular scanning assembly surrounding said radiator and intercepting the beam of said radiator, said assembly including at least one group of spaced parallel sheets extending in a generally radial direction from said radiator and substantially normal to the direction of the electric vector of the polarized energy, and means rotating said annular assembly about an axis through said radiator and parallel to said sheets.
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- Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
Description
Oct. 24, 1950 H. lAMs 2,527,222
scANNING ANTENNA Filed Oct. 30, 1947 Har Patented Oct. 24, 1950 SCANN ING ANTENNA Harley Iams, Venice, Calif., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Dela- Ware Application October 30, 1947, Serial No. 783,104
(Cl. Z50-33.63)
Claims. l
This invention relates to scanning antennas, for producing a directional beam of radio energy and sweeping said beam cyclically through a predetermined sector. For some purposes, it is desirable to scan sawtooth fashion, i. e., start the beam at one extremity of its scan, move it continuously at constant angular velocity to the other extreme, then return it immediately to the starting position. With scanning of this type, a graph of angular position of the beam against time looks like a sawtooth wave.
The principal object of the present invention is to provide improved means for scanning in the above described manner, wherein no reciprocatory or discontinuous mechanical motions are required.
Another object is to provide a beam scanning structure adaptable for use in conjunction with another scanning device operating at a right angle thereto, to scan in two orthogonal coordinates, such as azimuth and elevation.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:
Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a scanning antenna system embodying the invention, and
Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure of Fig. 1, with the upper portion removed to show the internal details.
The antenna system illustrated comprises three elements: a radiator I, a scanning rotor assembly 3, and a focusing device 5. In the present example, the radiator I is a flared horn, and the focusing device 5 is a dielectric lens. The scanning rotor comprises four similar stacks 1, 9, I I and I3 of parallel metal plates or ns I5. The stacks 1, 9, II, and I3 of met-al plates I5 may also be considered as four groups of parallel conductive sheets. The fins I5 are all of approximately the same dimensions, and are supported on edge between two discs I1 and I9. The four stacks 1, 9, I I, I3 are spaced at equal angular intervals around the discs in a cross shaped formation.
The upper disc I1 (not shown in Fig. 2) includes a central opening 2l through which a wave guide 23 extends to the horn I. The lower` disc I9 is supported on a shaft 25 which is coupled to a motor 21. Means are thus provided to support the groups of plates 1, 9, II, and I3 for rotation around the radiator I to pass in succession across the beam of the radiator. The wave guide 23 and the radiator I are positioned so that in the normal mode of propagation, the electric vector lies. in a plane perpendicular to the planes of the fins I5, i, e., horizontal in the structure of Fig. 1.
In the operation of the above-described device, energy applied to the horn I from the wave guide 23 propagates through the spaces between those of the fins I5 which lie in front of the mouth of the horn. When the rotor assembly 3 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the energy i3 radiated in a somewhat divergent beam whose apparent source is approximately at the point 29 near the periphery of the scanning assembly at the center of the stack 1. The lens 5 collects and concentrates the radiated energy in substantially parallel rays, 'forming a fan-shaped beam which is narrow in the direction perpendicular to the ns I5 of the stack 1 but relatively wide in the direction parallel to said ns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the beam may be made narrow both in elevation and azimuth by substituting for the horn I a radiator which is more highly directive in elevation.
As the motor 21 rotates the scanning assembly 3, for example clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2, the apparent source on the periphery of the rotor moves clockwise (downward in Fig. 2), causing the concentrated beam from the lens 5 to swing in the opposite direction, i. e., counterclockwise, or to the left. This continues until the last of the bundle 1 of ns has passed the mouth of the horn; then the first of the bundle I3 comes into play. At this time, the apparent source of radiation disappears from its lowermost position and reappears at its upper extreme position.
With continued rotation of the scanning assembly the apparent source repeatedly moves from left to right, starting at the left as each bundle of fins begins to pass in front of the radiator I. The beam from the lens 5 moves sawtooth fashion from right to left, jumping back substantially instantaneously to its starting position at the conclusion of each scan.
Although the operation has been described in terms of transmission of energy, the structure will operate also for reception, scanning repeatedly and providing output in the wave guide 23 whenever the beam points at a radiating source.
The described structure is particularly useful in conjunction with a radiator or collector which scans in a direction at right angles to the scanning provided by the rotor 3. Such radiators or collectors are well known.
I claim as my invention:
1. A scanning antenna system for polarized electromagnetic energy comprising a beam pattern forming directive radiator or collector, a plurality of groups of conductive sheets, the sheets of each group being in spaced parallel planes substantially normal to the direction of the electric vector of the polarized energy, and means supporting said groups for rotation around said radiator to pass in succession across the beam pattern of said radiator or collector.
2. The invention as set forth in the foregoing claim, including a focusing device in the path of said beam and outside the space swept by said sheets.
3. A scanning antenna system including a cross shaped member whose arms each comprise a stack of parallel sheets, a directive beam forming radiator for radiating polarized electromagnetic energy positioned substantially at the center of said cross, the planes of said sheets being substantially normal to the direction of the electric vector of the polarized energy, means rotating said cross shaped member about said radiator whereby said arms pass in succession across the beam of said radiator, and beam converging means outside said cross and in the path of said beam.
4. A scanning antenna system comprising a beam forming directive radiator for radiating polarized electromagnetic energy, an annular scanning assembly surrounding said radiator and intercepting the beam of said radiator, said assembly including at least one group of spaced parallel sheets extending in a generally radial direction from said radiator and substantially normal to the direction of the electric vector of the polarized energy, and means rotating said annular assembly about an axis through said radiator and parallel to said sheets.
5. The invention as set forth in claim 4, including means outside said scanning assembly and in the path of said beam for concentrating into a beam the energy owlng from said radiator through said scanning assembly.
HARLEY IAMS.
REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:
UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,075,808 Fliess Apr. 6, 1937 2,078,302 Wolf Apr. 27, 1937 2,283,568 Ohl May 19, 1942 2,442,951 Iams June 8, 1948 2,452,349 Becker Oct. 26, 1948 2,460,401 Southworth Feb. 1, 1949 OTHER REFERENCES Electronic Industries, page 66, March 1946.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US783104A US2527222A (en) | 1947-10-30 | 1947-10-30 | Scanning antenna |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US783104A US2527222A (en) | 1947-10-30 | 1947-10-30 | Scanning antenna |
Publications (1)
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US2527222A true US2527222A (en) | 1950-10-24 |
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US783104A Expired - Lifetime US2527222A (en) | 1947-10-30 | 1947-10-30 | Scanning antenna |
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Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2576182A (en) * | 1950-01-21 | 1951-11-27 | Rca Corp | Scanning antenna system |
US2608656A (en) * | 1950-02-17 | 1952-08-26 | Rca Corp | Microwave antenna |
US2664560A (en) * | 1949-12-01 | 1953-12-29 | Sperry Corp | Radio aid to navigation |
US2677766A (en) * | 1949-05-18 | 1954-05-04 | Sperry Corp | Scalloped limacon pattern antenna |
US2700138A (en) * | 1950-03-14 | 1955-01-18 | Gen Electric | Wave guide rotatable joint |
US2720589A (en) * | 1951-07-27 | 1955-10-11 | Sperry Rand Corp | Rapid scanning radar antenna |
US2730717A (en) * | 1951-04-18 | 1956-01-10 | Katchky Max | Directional wave antenna for marine radar use |
US2769171A (en) * | 1951-10-19 | 1956-10-30 | Bell Telephone Labor Inc | Wave energy compound refractors |
US2820214A (en) * | 1949-05-28 | 1958-01-14 | John P O'neill | Sonar transducers |
US2875439A (en) * | 1956-01-26 | 1959-02-24 | Sperry Rand Corp | Center-fed annular scanning antenna |
US2945228A (en) * | 1953-08-21 | 1960-07-12 | Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co | Antenna having two focusing elements |
US2981949A (en) * | 1956-09-04 | 1961-04-25 | Hughes Aircraft Co | Flush-mounted plural waveguide slot antenna |
US3173142A (en) * | 1959-04-29 | 1965-03-09 | Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd | Rotating beacon antenna with strip line modulators |
US3224005A (en) * | 1963-03-01 | 1965-12-14 | Boeing Co | Dual-aperture omnidirectional antenna |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2075808A (en) * | 1930-11-21 | 1937-04-06 | Robert A Fliess | Method and apparatus for observing bodies through opaque substances |
US2078302A (en) * | 1933-08-31 | 1937-04-27 | Rca Corp | Modulating system for short waves |
US2283568A (en) * | 1940-06-18 | 1942-05-19 | Bell Telephone Labor Inc | Ultra high frequency system |
US2442951A (en) * | 1944-05-27 | 1948-06-08 | Rca Corp | System for focusing and for directing radio-frequency energy |
US2452349A (en) * | 1942-12-24 | 1948-10-26 | Gen Electric | Directive radio antenna |
US2460401A (en) * | 1941-11-28 | 1949-02-01 | Bell Telephone Labor Inc | Directive microwave radio antenna |
-
1947
- 1947-10-30 US US783104A patent/US2527222A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2075808A (en) * | 1930-11-21 | 1937-04-06 | Robert A Fliess | Method and apparatus for observing bodies through opaque substances |
US2078302A (en) * | 1933-08-31 | 1937-04-27 | Rca Corp | Modulating system for short waves |
US2283568A (en) * | 1940-06-18 | 1942-05-19 | Bell Telephone Labor Inc | Ultra high frequency system |
US2460401A (en) * | 1941-11-28 | 1949-02-01 | Bell Telephone Labor Inc | Directive microwave radio antenna |
US2452349A (en) * | 1942-12-24 | 1948-10-26 | Gen Electric | Directive radio antenna |
US2442951A (en) * | 1944-05-27 | 1948-06-08 | Rca Corp | System for focusing and for directing radio-frequency energy |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2677766A (en) * | 1949-05-18 | 1954-05-04 | Sperry Corp | Scalloped limacon pattern antenna |
US2820214A (en) * | 1949-05-28 | 1958-01-14 | John P O'neill | Sonar transducers |
US2664560A (en) * | 1949-12-01 | 1953-12-29 | Sperry Corp | Radio aid to navigation |
US2576182A (en) * | 1950-01-21 | 1951-11-27 | Rca Corp | Scanning antenna system |
US2608656A (en) * | 1950-02-17 | 1952-08-26 | Rca Corp | Microwave antenna |
US2700138A (en) * | 1950-03-14 | 1955-01-18 | Gen Electric | Wave guide rotatable joint |
US2730717A (en) * | 1951-04-18 | 1956-01-10 | Katchky Max | Directional wave antenna for marine radar use |
US2720589A (en) * | 1951-07-27 | 1955-10-11 | Sperry Rand Corp | Rapid scanning radar antenna |
US2769171A (en) * | 1951-10-19 | 1956-10-30 | Bell Telephone Labor Inc | Wave energy compound refractors |
US2945228A (en) * | 1953-08-21 | 1960-07-12 | Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co | Antenna having two focusing elements |
US2875439A (en) * | 1956-01-26 | 1959-02-24 | Sperry Rand Corp | Center-fed annular scanning antenna |
US2981949A (en) * | 1956-09-04 | 1961-04-25 | Hughes Aircraft Co | Flush-mounted plural waveguide slot antenna |
US3173142A (en) * | 1959-04-29 | 1965-03-09 | Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd | Rotating beacon antenna with strip line modulators |
US3224005A (en) * | 1963-03-01 | 1965-12-14 | Boeing Co | Dual-aperture omnidirectional antenna |
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