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:
Jun. 20, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 01, 1998
Pierce T Wetter, Jr, Simi Valley, CA (US);
Datron/Transco Inc., Simi Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
An optical reflector antenna utilizes a subreflector that is offset from the optical axis of the antenna and that revolves about the optical axis to scan the beam from the antenna in a circular path about the axis of the antenna to facilitate the search for and acquisition of a satellite for subsequent tracking and communications. The subreflector is mounted on a rotatable shaft that is aligned with the optical axis of the antenna. When the shaft is not being rotated, one or more springs hold the subreflector in a fixed position aligned with the optical axis of the antenna to facilitate tracking and communications. When the shaft is rotated, rotational forces cause the subreflector to shift to and remain at a position that is offset from the optical axis and the rotation of the shaft causes the offset subreflector to revolve about the optical axis of the antenna, thus scanning the beam from the antenna to facilitate the search for and and the acquisition of the satellite.