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:
Sep. 05, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 11, 1998
Dennis J Kozakoff, Marietta, GA (US);
Other;
Abstract
This invention is directed to a apparatus that includes an inflatable antenna reflector assembly for generating electromagnetic plane waves. The apparatus can be used in a variety of applications in which plane waves are beneficial, such as in a compact range to simulate the long-range behavior of a radar system to test a target for its radar signature. The inflatable reflector assembly of the apparatus includes a base, an arched frame mounted to the base, and an envelope-like cover that fits over the frame. The cover's front side is transmissive to electromagnetic waves, and its rear side is reflective to such waves. The apparatus can include a point source antenna feed, in which case the cover's reflective portion is made to be parabolic, or the antenna feed can be a line source, in which case the cover's reflective portion is spherical. The base can be rested directly on the floor or ground for support. Preferably, the base extends along the largest dimension of the inflatable assembly for enhanced stability, and/or the materials and dimensions of the apparatus are made so that its center of gravity is relatively low. The reflective portion of the cover can be made by inclusion of metal or alloy wires in a transmissive fabric material. Such wires also provide reinforcement so that the reflective portion does not distort from the desired configuration upon inflation. Alternatively, metal can be applied to a transmissive fabric or sheet material through flame-spraying or a curable coating to form the reflective surface. The metal material can be applied in a serrated pattern to inhibit edge effects that would otherwise adversely affect the quiet zone in which plane waves generated by the apparatus are undisturbed. Alternatively a round edge of reflective material can be configured to bound the outer curved edge of the cover's reflective portion to inhibit edge effects.