Andrew Corporation

Marianne Jones

Charles L Lipkin

An improved anti-icing and de-icing system is provided for reflector-type microwave antennas having a paraboloidal reflector and an associated feed horn for launching microwave signals onto the reflector and receiving microwave signals from the reflector. The improved system comprises a non-conductive, insulated enclosure forming an enclosed cavity adjacent the rear side of the reflector, and a radiant heating system disposed within the enclosure for heating the rear side of the reflector with radiant energy, whereby the air in said cavity is in turn heated by heat transferred to said air from the rear side of the reflector. The radiant heating system comprises at least one infra-red heating source, and is supplemented by a highly reflective mirror coating disposed on the inside surface of the insulated enclosure behind the heating source to direct the radiant energy emanating from the back of the heating source of all regions of the reflector. Sections of highly reflective mirror coating are also provided in regions of the rear surface of the reflector immediately opposing the front side of the heating source to divert excess radiant energy emanating from the front of the heating source and disperse it to all regions of the reflector.

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Lockport, IL, United States of America

Marianne Jones