Patent Grant
10396465
Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to an antenna system, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a mounting system for an antenna system.
Description of the Related Art
Content distributors deliver audiovisual content to users through a variety of different transmission systems, including satellite television transmission systems. Such transmission systems typically incorporate antenna systems to receive transmitted signals.
One important metric of an antenna system is the surface accuracy of the reflector. The surface accuracy can drastically affect the antenna gain if it is not held tightly to the nominal curve. One way to measure and quantify the surface accuracy of a reflector is by a calculation known as RMS (Root Mean Squared). Effectively, RMS is an average of all of the deviations on the surface of the reflector. Accordingly, a smaller RMS number for the reflector translates into a higher surface accuracy for the reflector, and the system achieving closer to its theoretical gain.
Traditionally, reflectors are connected to a mounting assembly with some type of backing structure. The manner in which backing structures are attached to reflectors may significantly affect reflector surface accuracy. Traditionally, backing structures are mounted with four bolts that come directly through the reflector face and mount to four tabs of the backing structure.
This effectively means that the reflector surface is sandwiched between the head of each bolt and the associated tab of the backing structure. When these bolts are tightened, the surface of the reflector is deformed to the shape of the backing structure, which is supposed to be the exact same curvature as the back of the reflector. However, the reality of traditional manufacturing processing is that the surface curvature of the backing structure is never held perfectly nominal to the curve of the design specification, just as the surface curvature of the reflector is not held perfectly nominal to the curve of the design specification. Accordingly, the result is that the surface of the reflector has one curve and the backing structure has another curve.
Therefore, the assembly of the reflector and the backing structure may result in a significant effect on the RMS of the reflector surface. Moreover, the assembly points (i.e., bolt holes) of traditional backing structures are all towards the middle portion of the reflector, which has been determined to be the portion of the reflector that contributes the most to the gain achieved by the antenna system. There is a continuing need to reduce or eliminate negative effects of the backing structure on the RMS of the reflector. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the embodiments described herein have been made.
Notably, all of the subject matter discussed in this section is not necessarily prior art and should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its discussion in this section. Accordingly, any recognition of problems in the prior art discussed in this section or associated with such subject matter should not be treated as prior art unless expressly stated to be prior art. Instead, the discussion of any subject matter in this section should be treated as part of the identification of the technological problem to be overcome, which in and of itself may also be inventive.
The present disclosure is direct towards an antenna system for achieving and maintaining improved surface accuracy. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a mounting assembly for an antenna system that achieves improved surface accuracy of an antenna reflector during manufacturing and assembly, as well as maintains the surface accuracy of the reflector when exposed to wear and tear from the weather.
The antenna system includes a reflector, a plurality of mounting tabs, and a backing structure. The reflector has a front reflecting curved surface, an outer rim, and a back surface. The plurality of mounting tabs are positioned around the outer rim of the reflector. Each of the plurality of mounting tabs is independently flexible with respect to the outer rim. The backing structure has a central mount, a plurality of attachment arms, and a feed arm attachment. The plurality of attachment arms are secured to the outer rim of the reflector via the plurality of mounting tabs.
In some embodiments, the antenna system employs a Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System and a reflector that is elliptical in shape. In another aspect of some embodiments, the reflector is a single piece of material. In still another aspect of some embodiments, the reflector is free from mounting holes. In yet another aspect of some embodiments, the antenna system further comprises a feed arm that secures to the feed arm attachment. Continuing, in another aspect of some embodiments, the antenna system further comprises an azimuth-elevation mount that secures to the central mount of the backing structure.
In at least one embodiment of the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an antenna system, the plurality of attachment arms only secure to the outer rim of the reflector. In another aspect of at least one embodiment, the plurality of attachment arms comprises four attachment arms. In still another aspect, the reflector is elliptical and has a major axis and a minor axis, and two of the attachment arms are secured to the reflector on the major axis while two of the attachment arms are secured to the reflector on the minor axis. In yet another aspect, each of the plurality of mounting tabs rotatably flexes with respect to the outer rim of the reflector.
Another embodiment of an antenna system having improved surface accuracy after assembly is also disclosed. This antenna system includes a reflector, a plurality of mounting tabs, and a conical backing structure. The reflector has a front reflecting curved surface, an outer rim, and a back surface. The plurality of mounting tabs are positioned around the outer rim of the reflector. Each of the plurality of mounting tabs is independently flexible with respect to the outer rim. The conical backing structure has a central vertex, a conically extended surface that is bounded by a base rim, and a feed arm attachment. The base rim of the conical backing structure secures to the outer rim bracket via the plurality of mounting tabs.
These features with other technological improvements, which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully described hereafter and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof.
The present application will be more fully understood by reference to the following figures, which are for illustrative purposes only. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. The figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the various embodiments described herein. The figures do not describe every aspect of the teachings disclosed herein and do not limit the scope of the claims.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the present disclosure is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments and various combinations of the presently disclosed system and method readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the assistance of this disclosure.
Each of the features and teachings disclosed herein can be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide an antenna system for Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System. Representative examples utilizing many of these additional features and teachings, both separately and in combination, are described in further detail with reference to attached
In the description below, for purposes of explanation only, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present system and method. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the teachings of the present system and method.
Throughout the specification, claims, and drawings, the following terms take the meaning explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “herein” refers to the specification, claims, and drawings associated with the current application. The phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” and other variations thereof refer to one or more features, structures, functions, limitations, or characteristics of the present disclosure, and are not limited to the same or different embodiments unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the phrases “A or B, or both” or “A or B or C, or any combination thereof,” and lists with additional elements are similarly treated. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional features, functions, aspects, or limitations not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include singular and plural references.
Moreover, the various features of the representative examples and the dependent claims may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings. It is also expressly noted that all value ranges or indications of groups of entities disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter. It is also expressly noted that the dimensions and the shapes of the components shown in the figures are designed to help to understand how the present teachings are practiced, but not intended to limit the dimensions and the shapes shown in the examples.
The embodiments of the antenna system incorporate technical improvements to enhance reception. One such technical improvement is a Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100. This Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100 significantly reduces or eliminates negative effects of the backing structure on the RMS surface accuracy of an RMS Affecting antenna reflector 110 by moving the mounting points to the outer rim 120 of the reflector 110. As shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
Accordingly, in some embodiments, the plurality of flexible mounting tabs 130 does not impart any negative reflector surface deflections whatsoever. In other embodiments, the plurality of flexible mounting tabs 130 imparts only a significantly reduced amount of reflector surface deflections. In some embodiments, there are four mounting tabs 130. In other embodiments, there are a larger or smaller number of mounting tabs 130.
By implementing flexible mounting tabs 130 that secure the outer rim 120 of the reflector 110 to the backing structure, the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100 also eliminates the requirement of punching mounting holes into the center of the reflector 110. This removal of the mounting hole punching process provides a technological improvement, since this mounting hole punching can negatively affect RMS surface accuracy of an antenna reflector 110 (both due to the mounting holes themselves and due to the potential deforming of the reflector 110 during the hole punching process). Notably, the center of the reflector has been identified as contributing more significantly to overall antenna performance than the periphery of the reflector. Otherwise stated, the center of the reflector may be described as a “sweet spot” for signal reception performance. As such, the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100 provides a technological improvement by moving the connection points with the backing structure 140 to the outer rim 120 of the reflector 110. In this manner, the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100 eliminates mounting holes in the “sweet spot” of the reflector 110 and reduces potential defections at the “sweet spot” due to manufacturing, assembly, or wear and tear on the reflector 110.
Additionally, another technological improvement provided by the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100 is the removal of the mounting hole punching procedure, which simplifies and increases the efficiency of the antenna system manufacturing process. Furthermore, the mounting hole punching procedure may sometimes prove difficult to perform during the manufacturing/stamping process. As such, the elimination of this step through the use of the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100 is a technological improvement to the process.
Referring now to
In some embodiments of the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100, the plurality of mounting arms 150 of the Non-RMS Affecting backing structure 140 assist in maintaining the rigidity of the Non-RMS Affecting reflector 110 during wind events. In traditional antenna mounting systems (as shown in
Correspondingly, by implementing a Non-RMS Affecting backing structure 140 that supports the Non-RMS Affecting reflector 110 at its periphery, the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100 also eliminates the requirement of manufacturing traditional central mounting systems. In this manner, the plurality of mounting arms 150 of the Non-RMS Affecting backing structure 140 are also significantly simpler and more efficient to manufacture than traditional central mounting systems, since the plurality of mounting arms 150 have no complex forms to hold. Therefore, the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100 helps to eliminate (or at least significantly reduce) reflector surface deviations imparted by the backing structure, which in turn lowers the assembled RMS surface accuracy. This ensures that the antenna system is achieving the highest level of gain that it may achieve, which helps increase overall satellite signal reception capacity.
In one embodiment of the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100, the plurality of mounting arms 150 of the Non-RMS Affecting backing structure 140 are rotatable about the central plate 160, which enables the backing structure 140 to occupy less space during shipment (e.g., require less space on the technician's truck or in a shipping package). In some embodiments, the plurality of mounting arms 150 of the Non-RMS Affecting backing structure 140 are made out of bent sheet metal with only two simple bends in the mounting arms 150. In at least one embodiment, the central plate 160 disc is a stamped piece of metal that is easy to manufacture. Additionally, the feed arm mounting bracket 170 is a simple stamped piece of metal that is easy to manufacture. As such, the Non-RMS Affecting backing structure 140 of the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100 is significantly easier to manufacture than the traditional central mounting systems that are currently in use.
In contrast to traditional antenna mounting systems, the plurality of mounting arms 150 of the Non-RMS Affecting backing structure 140 being mounted to the outer rim 120 of the Non-RMS Affecting reflector 110 in the Non-RMS Affecting Mounting System for an Antenna System 100 ensure that imperfections (e.g., manufacturing deviations from design specifications) in the form of the backing structure do not impart negatively on the RMS surface accuracy of the reflector 110. Moreover, in contrast to traditional antenna mounting systems, the plurality of mounting arms 150 of the Non-RMS Affecting backing structure 140 being mounted to the outer rim 120 of the Non-RMS Affecting reflector 110 also helps to ensure that, during wind events, the reflector does not permanently deform around the mounting bolts at or near the center of the reflector, which is a current technical problem to be overcome. Such wind events may have a grave effect on the RMS surface accuracy of a reflector, especially in high wind speed scenarios.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific nomenclature and formula to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It should be apparent to those of skill in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. The embodiments have been chosen and described to best explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments and its practical application, thereby enabling others of skill in the art to utilize the disclosed embodiments, and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and those of skill in the art recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.
These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the breadth and scope of a disclosed embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4860021 | Kurosawa | Aug 1989 | A |
| 5291212 | Cox | Mar 1994 | A |
| 20100289718 | Kang | Nov 2010 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180212332 A1 | Jul 2018 | US |
