Patent ID: 6556174
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
An apparatus for use in directing a collimated electromagnetic beam to any heading within a disc-shaped volume, the disc-shaped volume formed by scanning of the collimated electromagnetic beam through 360 degrees about a center of the disc-shaped volume, comprising:a stationary structure; a housing coupled to the stationary structure such that the housing is rotatable about a rotational axis, the rotational axis being fixed perpendicular to a surface of the stationary structure, the housing having a longitudinal axis intersecting the rotational axis and extending perpendicular to the rotational axis, a continuous void axially centered on the rotational axis and extending from within the stationary structure to within the housing; an emitter and receiver coupled to the stationary structure, located on the rotational axis, and protruding through the continuous void, the emitter capable of emitting electromagnetic energy and the receiver responsive to the electromagnetic energy; a reflecting surface located within the housing at the intersection of the rotational axis and the longitudinal axis and rigidly coupled to the housing, the reflecting surface positioned at an angle of substantially 45 degrees with respect to the rotational axis and capable of deflecting the emitted electromagnetic energy through a directional change of substantially 90 degrees; and, a focusing mechanism coupled to the housing and axially centered on the longitudinal axis, the focusing mechanism capable of collecting the emitted electromagnetic energy and focusing the emitted electromagnetic energy into a beam axially centered about an extension of the longitudinal axis.