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:
Dec. 24, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 04, 1994
David A Steffy, Herndon, VA (US);
Orbital Sciences Corporation, Dulles, VA (US);
Abstract
The present invention comprises an axially arrayed helical antenna system adapted for use in a variety of broadcasting or receiving stations including a low Earth orbiting communication satellite station. The helical antenna array comprises a plurality of antenna structures each including at least one helical antenna element coaxially mounted on a common mounting structure with a separating distance between them. Each element is electromagnetically coupled to a corresponding element of the subsequent antenna structure in the array to form a separate, isolated antenna. A feeding means is included for supplying appropriately phase shifted signals to the elements that comprise each antenna. In addition, in accordance with the invention, additional independent antennas or other equipment or payload can be deployed in the separating distance between the arrayed antenna structures.