USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

David V Arney

Hale Bradford Simonds

Dennis G Bermeo

Peter Stuart Berens

Susan Lynn Morales

David W Brock

Robbi Mangra

Linda Hau

Christopher C Obra

Kelsey L Burrell

Andy Kho

Glenn D Snyder

A lens apparatus for improving antenna performance, the apparatus involving a lens configured to at least one of focus, refocus, and refract electromagnetic energy for constructively adding gain in a far-field, the lens configured to operably couple with an antenna, whereby electromagnetic energy is omnidirectionally concentrated, whereby antenna gain and directivity are improved, whereby antenna efficiency and antenna frequency range are maintained, and whereby antenna complexity is minimized.

Lens apparatus and methods for an antenna

An elliptical portion having planform cross-section involving a generally circular configuration and an elevational cross-section having at least a partial elliptical configuration; a conical portion having at least one of a conical configuration and a frustoconical configuration, the conical portion coupled with the elliptical portion; and a modifier feed, the modifier feed having a first feed element and a second feed element, whereby the antenna apparatus is configured to perform as a monopole antenna at a low frequency and as a hybrid monopole-biconical antenna at a high frequency.

Elliptical conical antenna apparatus and methods

An omni-directional antenna can include a feed disk, which can terminate at a feed disk apex, and a top element, which can include a nipple that terminates a top element apex. The feed disk and top element can be positioned so that the feed disk apex and the top element apex can be spaced-apart by a distance 'd', which can be chosen according to the desired frequency range and cable feed impedance. The feed disk and top element can also have respective bottom conical and top conical surfaces. When the feed disk and top element are positioned, the top and bottom conical surfaces can establish a respective first predefined angle relative to a horizontal plane and a second predefined angle relative to the horizontal plane, thereby extending the antenna frequency range. The predefined angles can be chosen according to the desired frequency range of operation and cable feed impedance.

Omni-directional antenna with extended frequency range

An apparatus includes first and second antenna elements each having a tapered width end, with the tapered width ends being separated by a gap. A portion of the edge of the tapered width end of the each antenna element has a thickness less than a thickness of the remainder of the respective antenna element. Such portion may be the portion of the edge of the antenna elements closest to a feed point of the antenna elements, and may be angled to a point or a flat edge. The thickness of the tapered width ends increases along the width and/or the height of the respective antenna element as the antenna element extends from the feed point.

Tapered slot antenna with reduced edge thickness

A compact, omnidirectional, broadband biconical antenna is described, having a first segment with its tip coincident with a horizontal plane, with an elevation angle between 23 degrees and 30 degrees from the horizontal plane; an open second segment joined to a distal end of the first segment, an elevation angle approximately 30 degrees greater than the first segment angle; an open third segment joined to a distal end of the open second segment, an elevation angle approximately 30 degrees greater than the open second segment angle; an open fourth resistive film segment joined to a distal end of the open third segment, an elevation angle approximately equal to the open third segment angle, wherein the segments are mirrored to form a biconical antenna; and a transmission line coupled to the tip of the first segment, interior to the first segment.

Broadband, small profile, omnidirectional antenna with extended low frequency range

The invention is a two-ended fastener having one end suitable for attaching the fastener to a base with a second end having a special thread that is substantially cylindrical at its root and sharp at its crown. This thread is designed to mate with the radially inward surfaces of a round wire helical spring so that the helical spring may simply be threaded to the fastener. By utilizing the special thread described, a high degree of surface contact between the fastener and the spring is made possible, increasing spring retention. The special thread inner diameter may be made slightly larger than the interior diameter of the spring so that the helical spring will be slightly expanded when threaded to the fastener. An elastic force between the threaded portion of the spring and the fastener further helps retain the spring to the fastener. This elastic force increases as an attempt is made to unthread the spring from the fastener.

Growing community of inventors

El Cajon, CA, United States of America

David V Arney