The Boeing Company

Brian P Stapleton

Donald B Spencer

William L Rodman

Frank S Aoyama

Diane Woltz

Takeo Kuraishi

Todd C Baldwin

William P Kahle

Ronald R Hess

Jose L Rivera

An aircraft antenna, an antenna system, and a method of providing an antenna are disclosed. A conductive plate is configured to conform to an area on an outer surface of a fuselage of an aircraft. The conductive plate is configured to be positioned in direct and intimate contact with a conductive portion of the fuselage. A conductive rib is configured to be electrically coupled to the conductive plate and to extend toward a first point adjacent an inner surface of a structure of the aircraft that extends from the fuselage. A conductive spine configured to extend along the inner surface of the structure between the first point and a second point. The conductive spine is electrically coupled to the conductive rib at the first point and is configured to receive a conductive feed line at the second point. An antenna coupler mount is configured to receive an antenna coupler. The antenna coupler mount is physically coupled to a surface of the conductive plate and is electrically coupled to the conductive plate.

Dorsal high frequency antenna

A glide slope antenna for receiving information transmitted from the ground, including elevation guidance for the final approach. The glide slope antenna is integrated with the aft nose wheel well door and utilizes the inherent electrical properties associated with the graphite/epoxy composite door.

Nose gear door integral composite glide slope antenna

One quarter wavelength monopoles on the top and bottom centerline of the aircraft fuselage provide hemispherical coverage for an airborne transceiver thereby reducing shadowing during maneuver. A solid state pair of PIN diodes capable of transmitting and receiving V.H.F. A.M. band energy are utilized in an antenna lobing switch circuit for alternating between antennas at a switching rate of 25 KHz.

Antenna system for airborne transceiver providing quasi continuous

An omnidirectional VHF television antenna system for an aircraft which includes one pair of slot antennas on each side of the aircraft vertical fin. Each pair of antennas includes a VHF high band slot antenna and a VHF low band slot antenna. Due to co-channel interference the antenna system includes a left, right or omnidirectional azimuth response characteristic selectable by a cabin attendant through control of the antenna system antenna pattern select switch. The VHF low band slot antennas are tilted from the vertical by about 24.degree. and the VHF high band slot antennas are disposed vertically. Signal processing circuit means coupled between the slot antennas and the antenna system output terminal includes solid state switches to select antenna coverage omnidirectional and azimuth, or to the left or right of the aircraft to minimize ghosts or co-channel interference.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Brian P Stapleton