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:
Nov. 06, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 07, 2000
Kenneth W. Brown, Yucaipa, CA (US);
Vincent Giancola, Chino, CA (US);
Raytheon Company, , MA (US);
Abstract
A phased array antenna including at least one configurable phase shifter. The configurable phase shifter includes a U-shaped primary waveguide section and multiple switchable waveguide U-shaped sections disposed within the primary section. The switchable waveguide sections include a plunger in the U-shaped waveguide section and one or more solenoids attached to the plunger, driving the plunger in and out such that the switches can be actuated in less than 100 milliseconds. The plunger and the switchable waveguide section are shaped such that the waveguide height is constant in the U-shaped waveguide section when the switch is closed and constant in the primary waveguide section when the switch is open, thereby minimizing return loss. The U-shaped primary waveguide section includes an input port and an output port at opposite sides. A radiating slot is located at the bottom face of the U-shaped primary waveguide section. The radiating slot may be formed in a detachable plate attached to the bottom the U-shaped primary waveguide section. Further, multiple one configurable phase shifters may be cascaded to form a traveling wave phased array antenna.