Patent ID: 6424307
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
In a processing system having an in-line guided-microwave spectrometer that includes a measurement chamber through which food product passes, a transmitting antenna located within a first dielectric antenna window body that is mounted within an antenna window through a side of the measurement chamber, and a receiving antenna located within a second dielectric antenna window that is mounted within an antenna window through an opposite side of the measurement chamber, an improved mounting assembly for the antennas comprising:an antenna including an antenna loop and a pair of microwave connectors for the antenna loop; an antenna cover plate that mounts to the measurement chamber over an antenna window, the antenna cover plate having an antenna side and a connector side on which the microwave connectors are located, wherein the antenna loop is mounted to the antenna cover plate such that the antenna loop extends away from the antenna side and the antenna cover plate further includes a recess in the antenna side that surrounds the antenna loop; and a dielectric window body that covers the antenna loop and is mounted to the antenna side of the antenna cover plate, the dielectric window body having a main body portion that extends away from the antenna cover plate and fits closely within the antenna window on the side of the measurement chamber when the antenna cover plate is mounted to the measurement chamber, and a flange that extends peripherally outward from the main portion and fits closely within the recess in the antenna side of the antenna cover plate; wherein a peripheral edge of the flange abuts a wall in the antenna cover plate defining a perimeter of the recess in the antenna side of the antenna cover plate along a seam which is located such that it interfaces entirely against an outer surface of the wall of the measurement chamber surrounding the antenna window when the antenna cover plate is mounted to the wall of the measurement chamber over the antenna window.