The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 09, 1991
Filed:
Apr. 10, 1990
Chich-Hsing A Tsao, Saratoga, CA (US);
Ford Aerospace Corporation, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A microstrip antenna including an orthogonal planar array (12) of patch radiators (10) with specially configured feed boards (16) provided for each column of array elements. Each such board includes a portion disposed parallel to the plane of the array and one or more portions bent or folded to extend in the direction of the array axis for a distance sufficient to accommodate necessary circuitry (36) and active devices (40). A metal supporting frame (18) serves both as a common ground for the assembly and as a heat sink for conducting some of the heat generated by the active devices mounted to the feed boards. An additional planar circuit board (22) is positioned beneath the supporting frame to accommodate the power combining circuit and to interconnect all of the elements. Connection between feed boards (16) and combiner board (22) is accomplished using via-connections or a coaxial cable network. The hollows formed by the specially configured feed boards provide passageways for cooling air circulation and further enhance heat dissipation within the device.