Patent ID: 8842051
Filing Date: 2014-09-23
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
1. A buoyant cable antenna for use with an underwater vehicle comprising: an encapsulating cylindrical encasement joined to an underwater vehicle via a transmission line, wherein the encasement is made from a potting compound that encapsulates a plurality of electronic components of the antenna that are electrically connected to said transmission line; a buoyant section joined to said encapsulating cylindrical encasement, wherein said buoyant section is a cable made of polyethylene foam that provides buoyancy in seawater; four identical antenna elements that are attached to and protrude from said encapsulating cylindrical encasement wherein the four identical antenna elements are arranged symmetrically around the encasement in a cross configuration, wherein in operation at least one element is extended vertically above and perpendicular to the water surface when the antenna is deployed regardless of the encasement rotations as the antenna moves along the surface of the water; a system of four shielded inductor units, encapsulated by the encapsulating cylindrical encasement electrically, connected at a first end to said transmission line and electrically connected in series at a second end to each of the four identical antenna elements by one of four insulated coaxial wires such that one shielded inductor unit is electrically connected in series to only one antenna element by only one insulated coaxial wire; and wherein the design and dimensions of the buoyant cable antenna allow it to float on the surface of a body of water while being towed by an underwater vehicle to be deployed and retrieved by the U.S. Navy BRA-24 deployment and retrieval system.