English:
[0001] Today's wireless networks use sophisticated radio-frequency (RF) and microwave frequency antennas to transmit and receive voice, video and data communications. Such antennas may also be used as part of a wired network's infrastructure. Many, if not most, antennas are placed outdoors on top of antenna towers or tall structures (e.g., buildings). As such, antennas are subject to weather conditions, including rain, wind, snow and humidity. Generally speaking, an antenna may consist of a number of components which are connected together. For an antenna to work properly it is important to prevent water, humidity, other types of moisture and fine particulate, e.g., dust (collectively referred to as "contaminants") from leaking, seeping or otherwise infiltrating into the antenna. Typically, unwanted contaminants may enter into an antenna at the junction of two or more antenna components. To prevent this from occurring, a sealant or a customized, a pre-formed gasket may be used at the junction (i.e., in between) of components. In a typical antenna a number of gaskets may be used. While effective, traditional gaskets require specialized molds that are expensive to create and use. In addition, during the design and development of a new antenna the need to design customized molds for each gasket adds to the time required to test and finalize a particular antenna design. Similarly, if a particular antenna design needs to be modified so too must the gaskets and their associated, customized molds further adding to the time and expense of designing and developing an antenna.
[0002] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide antennas that are sealed from the infiltration of contaminants and related methods for preventing such infiltration from occurring
[0003] Exemplary embodiments of antennas and methods for protecting antennas and antenna components from contaminants, are disclosed.
[0005] In addition to a first portion, the antenna component may further comprise a second portion configured to be connected to the first portion in a same plane as the one or more first receptacles, and one or more third portions (e.g., side waveguide portions) configured to be connected to the first portion and the second portion in a same plane as the one or more second receptacles.
[0008] The present invention also includes novel methods for providing a seal between antenna components. One method comprises: forming one or more first receptacles, each configured to receive a first type of compressible sealing component, in a first portion of an antenna component, and forming one or more second receptacles in the first portion, each substantially perpendicular to one or more of the first receptacles, and each configured to receive a second type of compressible sealing component and to create at least one point of contact on a first and second type of compressible sealing component. The method set forth above may include one or more additional steps, such as: inserting one or more of the first type of compressible sealing components and one or more of the second type of compressible sealing components into the first and second receptacles, and connecting a second portion of the antenna component to the first portion in a same plane as the one or more first receptacles.
[0009] In an additional embodiment, the method may yet further comprise connecting one or more third portions to the first portion and second portion in a same plane as one or more of the second receptacles.
[0010] To assure that contaminants and the like do not infiltrate the antenna component, in another embodiment the method may comprise compressing the second type of sealing component by an amount within a compression range to maintain a seal at a point of contact on the first and second type of compressible sealing components, where the range may comprise 20% to 35% of an uncompressed, cross sectional diameter of the second type of compressible sealing component.
[0011] Additional features and embodiments of the inventions will be apparent from the following detailed description and appended drawings.
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts an antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of a component that may be used in the antenna depicted in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3A depicts a view of the component depicted in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3B depicts another view of the component depicted in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 depicts a compressible sealing component that a may be used in the component depicted in FIGs. 1 through 3B according to an additional embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary method according to one or more embodiments of the invention.
[0018] Exemplary embodiments (i.e., examples) of an antenna, antenna components and related methods are described herein in detail and shown by way of example in the drawings. Throughout the following description and drawings, like reference numbers/characters shall refer to like elements.
[0019] It should be understood that although specific structural and functional details are discussed herein for purposes of describing the exemplary embodiments, there is no intent to limit the scope of present invention to such embodiments. Practically speaking, it is next to impossible for the inventors to describe each and every variation of the inventive methods and devices. Thus, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments discussed herein are for illustrative purposes, and that varied, modified, equivalent and alternative embodiments may be implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0020] It should be noted that some exemplary embodiments are described as processes or methods depicted in flowcharts. Although the flowcharts may describe the processes/methods as sequential, many of the processes/methods may be performed in parallel, concurrently or simultaneously. In addition, the order of each step within a process or method may be re-arranged. The processes/methods may be terminated when completed, may also include additional steps not included in a particular flowchart and/or may correspond to functions, procedures, subroutines, subprograms, etc completed by an antenna, antenna component and/or antenna system.
[0021] It should be further understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, the elements should not be limited by these terms. Such terms are used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of disclosed embodiments. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated or listed items. It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "attached" to another element, it may be directly connected or attached to the other element, or intervening elements may be present, unless otherwise specified. Additional words used to describe connective or spatial relationships between elements or components (e.g., "between") should be interpreted in a like fashion. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are not intended to include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0022] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary antenna 1 for a communication system according to an embodiment. The antenna 1 may be, for example, a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) antenna or a terrestrial microwave radio antenna, operating over the range of 6 to 80 gigahertz, to name a few examples. As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna 1 comprises an antenna component 10 and transmitter 100. In an embodiment of the invention, the component 10 may comprise an orthomode transducer, or a section of an orthomode transducer, for example. As is known in the art, orthomode transducers are typically used to either to combine, or separate, two microwave signal paths. One of the paths may form an uplink and the other a downlink. Both paths may use the same transducer 10. Three surfaces of the component 10 are labeled A, B and C, respectively.
[0023] FIG. 2 depicts an "exploded" view of the antenna component 10 shown in FIG. 1. As shown component 10 may comprise two portions 2a, 2b. For ease of understanding the portion designated as 2a will be referred to as a "first" or bottom portion while the portion designated as 2b will be referred to as a "second" or upper portion, it being understood that the numbering and orientation of the portions may be reversed.
[0024] In an embodiment of the invention the first portion 2a may comprise one or more first receptacles or channels 35a, 35b, 35c (sometimes referred to as "glands"), each configured to receive an associated, first type of compressible sealing component 3a, 3b, 3c. The sealing components 3a, 3b, 3c may comprise corded O-rings, for example. In addition, the first portion 2a may further comprise one or more second receptacles or channels 45a, 45b, 45c, each substantially perpendicular to one or more of the first receptacles 35a, 35b, 35c, and each configured to receive a second type of compressible sealing component 4a, 4b, 4c. In an embodiment of the invention the second type of sealing component may comprise an O-ring, for example. As shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the component 10 may comprise a plurality of the first type of compressible sealing components and a plurality of the second type of compressible sealing components, it being understood that the component 10 includes at least one or more of each type of compressible sealing component.
[0025] Yet further, the configuration of first and second receptacles within the first portion 2a is operable to create at least one point of contact "P" on a first and second type of compressible sealing component. In more detail, as shown in FIG. 2 positions at which a first type of compressible sealing component makes contact with a second type of compressible sealing component is labeled "P". Contact occurs, for example, after the two types of sealing components are received into their respective, associated receptacles and the first and second portions are connected or otherwise joined together (see FIGs. 3A and 3B). In an embodiment of the invention the second portion 2b may be configured to be connected to the first portion 2a in a same plane as the one or more first receptacles. This configuration generates a force on the first type of compressible sealing components, causing it to bulge somewhat at points P. When third portions (e.g., covers) (not shown in FIG. 2) are placed on top of the second type of compressible sealing components 4a, 4b, 4c at surfaces A, B and C (see FIG. 1) the second type of compressible sealing components come in contact with the bulging sections of the first type of compressible sealing components at points P, causing the second type of compressible sealing components to deform at points P (or vice- versa, i.e., the second type of sealing component causes the first type to deform). More generally, the point of contacts P occur when one or more third portions (e.g., side waveguide portions) are configured to be connected to the first portion 2a and a second portion 2b in a same plane as the one or more second receptacles 45a, 45b , 45c at surfaces A, B and C.
[0026] Before going further it should be noted that although the second receptacles 45a, 45b, 45c are shown as semi-circular receptacles this is only one exemplary shape. Other shapes may be configured without departing from the scope of the present invention. Yet further, to the extent that the discussion above and below discusses receptacles that are configured to receive a type of compressible sealing component the inventors note that this phrase includes the state wherein the receptacles have not yet received a sealing component but are configured to do so (e.g., when the two portions 2a, 2b are separate, or when the third portions are not connected) as well as the state wherein sealing components are fully received by receptacles.
[0027] Continuing, in an embodiment of the invention, the configuration of each one of the first receptacles and an associated first type of sealing component may compress a second type of sealing component by an amount within a compression range to maintain a seal at a point of contact P on the first and second type of compressible sealing components. Said another way, in an embodiment of the invention a bulging section of a first type of compressible sealing component may cause a second type of compressible sealing components to deform at a point P (or vice-versa) by an amount within a compression range that maintains a seal at a point P. This compression range may comprise a range of 20% to 35% of an uncompressed, cross sectional diameter of the second type of compressible sealing component, for example.
[0028] Though the first and second type of compressible sealing components depicted in FIG. 2 are different types (i.e., corded O-rings versus O-rings) and shapes, this need not be the case. In an alternative embodiment the two types of sealing components may be the same type, same shape or same type and shape.
[0029] FIGs. 3A and 3B depict views of antenna component 10. As shown, the component 10 comprises a unified component (i.e., both the first and second components 2a, 2b are attached or otherwise connected together). The view in FIG. 3A mainly shows a view of surfaces B and C while FIG. 3B mainly shows a view of surface A.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 4 there is depicted an alternative type of compressible sealing component 340. As shown the component 340 comprises a unitary, compressible sealing component. Instead of using separate, first and second compressible sealing components as shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment the functions of both the first and second compressible sealing components are combined into a single, unitary compressible sealing component.
[0031] The discussion above has focused on exemplary devices made in accordance with principles of the present invention. In addition, various methods of providing such devices are also within the scope of the invention, For example, FIG. 5 depicts steps in one or more exemplary methods for providing a seal between antenna components according to the present invention. One such method may comprise: forming one or more first receptacles, each configured to receive a first type of compressible sealing component, in a first portion of an antenna component (step 501); and forming one or more second receptacles in the first portion, each substantially perpendicular to one or more of the first receptacles, and each configured to receive a second type of compressible sealing component (e.g., O-ring) and to create at least one point of contact on a first and second type of compressible sealing component (step 502). In addition, such a method may further comprise inserting one or more of the first type of compressible sealing components and one or more of the second type of compressible sealing components into the first and second receptacles (step 503), connecting a second portion of the antenna component to the first portion in a same plane as the one or more first receptacles (step 504), and connecting one or more third portions (e.g., side waveguide portions) to the first portion and a second portion in a same plane as the one or more second receptacles (step 505). Yet further, the method may alternatively include compressing the second type of sealing component (O-ring) by an amount within a compression range (e.g., 20 to 35% of an uncompressed, cross sectional diameter of the second type of compressible sealing component) to maintain a seal at a point of contact on the first and second type of compressible sealing components (step 506).
[0032] While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that variations of the disclosed embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow..

中文:
[0001]现今的无线网络使用精密的射频(RF)和微波频率天线来发射和接收语音、视频和数据通信。也可以使用这样的天线作为有线网络的基础设施的一部分。许多(如果不是大多数的话)天线被放置在室外的天线塔或者高耸结构(例如,建筑物)的顶部。如此,天线经受各种气象条件,包括下雨、刮风、下雪以及湿气。一般而言,天线可以由连接在一起的多个组件构成。为了天线恰当地工作,防止水、湿气、其他类型的水分和细微颗粒,例如灰尘(统称为“污染物”)渗漏、渗透、或者以其他方式渗入到天线中是重要的。通常,不想要的污染物可能在两个或更多天线组件的接合处进入到天线中。为了防止这种情况发生,可以在组件的(即,之间的)接合处使用密封剂(sealant)或者定制的预先形成的垫圈(gasket)。在典型的天线中,可以使用多个垫圈。尽管是有效的,但是传统的垫圈要求专门的模具,专门的模具制造和使用起来是昂贵的。另外,在新天线的设计和开发期间,针对每个垫圈设计定制模具的需求增加了测试和完成特定天线设计所要求的时间。类似地,如果特定天线设计需要被修改,垫圈和它们相关联的定制模具也必须被修改,这进一步增加了设计和开发天线的时间和费用。
[0002]因此,令人合意的是,提供被密封而免于污染物渗入的天线以及用于防止这种渗入发生的相关方法。
[0003]公开了天线以及用于保护天线和天线组件免受污染物之害的方法的示例性实施例。
[0005]除了第一部分之外,该天线组件可以进一步包括:第二部分,被配置为在与该一个或多个第一接纳器相同的平面中连接到第一部分;以及一个或多个第三部分(例如,侧部波导部分),被配置为在与该一个或多个第二接纳器相同的平面中连接到第一部分和第二部分。
[0008]本发明还包括用于在天线组件之间提供密封的新颖方法。一种方法包括:在天线组件的第一部分中形成一个或多个第一接纳器,每个第一接纳器被配置为接纳第一类型的可压缩密封组件;以及在第一部分中形成一个或多个第二接纳器,每个第二接纳器大体上垂直于第一接纳器中的一个或多个第一接纳器,并且每个第二接纳器被配置为接纳第二类型的可压缩密封组件以及在第一和第二类型的可压缩密封组件上创建至少一个接触点。上面所阐述的方法可以包括一个或多个附加步骤,诸如:将第一类型的可压缩密封组件中的一个或多个可压缩密封组件以及第二类型的可压缩密封组件中的一个或多个可压缩密封组件插入到第一和第二接纳器中;以及在与该一个或多个第一接纳器相同的平面中将天线组件的第二部分连接到第一部分。
[0009]在附加的实施例中,该方法可以又进一步包括:在与第二接纳器中的一个或多个第二接纳器相同的平面中将一个或多个第三部分连接到第一部分和第二部分。
[0010]为了确保污染物等不渗入天线组件,在另一实施例中,该方法可以包括:以一个压缩范围内的一个量对第二类型的密封组件进行压缩,以在第一和第二类型的可压缩密封组件上的接触点处维持密封,其中该范围可以包括未压缩的第二类型的可压缩密封组件的横截面直径的20%到35%。
[0011]从以下的详细描述和附图来看,本发明的附加特征和实施例将是明显的。
[0012]图1描绘了根据本发明的一个实施例的天线。
[0013]图2描绘了根据本发明的实施例的可以在图1中描绘的天线中使用的组件的爆炸图。
[0014]图3A描绘了根据本发明的实施例的在图2中描绘的组件的视图。
[0015]图3B描绘了根据本发明的实施例的在图2中描绘的组件的另一视图。
[0016]图4描绘了根据本发明的另外的实施例的可以在图1至3B中描绘的组件中使用的可压缩密封组件。
[0017]图5描绘了根据本发明的一个或多个实施例的示例性方法的流程图。
[0018]在本文中详细地描述了并且通过示例的方式在附图中示出了天线、天线组件和有关方法的示例性实施例(即,示例)。贯穿以下的描述和附图,相似的参考数字/字符将指代相似的元件。
[0019]应当理解,尽管为了描述示例性实施例的目的在本文中讨论了特定的结构性和功能性细节,但是不存在将本发明的范围限制于这些实施例的意图。实际上而言,发明人对发明方法和设备的每个和每种变型都进行描述几乎是不可能的。因此,应当理解,本文所讨论的示例性实施例用于说明性目的,并且不偏离本发明的范围,可以实施变化的、修改的、等价的和替换的实施例。
[0020]应当注意,一些示例性实施例被描述为在流程图中描绘的过程或方法。尽管流程图可能将这些过程/方法描述为有次序的,但是这些过程/方法中的许多过程/方法可以并行地、并发地、或者同时地被执行。另外,一个过程或方法内的每个步骤的顺序可以被重新布置。这些过程/方法在完成时可以终止,也可以包括特定流程图中没有包括的附加步骤,和/或可以对应于由天线、天线组件和/或天线系统完成的功能、进程、子例程、子程序等。
[0021]应当进一步理解,尽管在本文中可能使用了术语第一、第二、第三等来描述各种元件,但是这些元件不应当被这些术语限制。这些术语被用来将一个元件与另一个元件进行区分。例如,不偏离所公开的实施例的范围,第一元件可以被称为第二元件,并且类似地,第二元件可以被称为第一元件。如本文中所使用的,术语“和/或”包括相关联的或者所列出的项目中的一个或多个项目的任何组合和所有组合。应当理解,当一个元件被称为“连接”或“附接”到另一元件时,它可以直接地连接或附接到该另一元件,或者可以存在中间元件,除非另有指定。被用来描述元件或组件之间的连接或空间关系的另外的词语(例如,“之间”)应当以相似方式加以解释。如本文所使用的,单数形式“一种”、“一个”和“该”不意图为包括复数形式,除非上下文清楚地另有指示。
[0022]现在转向附图,图1描绘了根据一个实施例的用于通信系统的示例性天线1。提名出几个示例,天线1可以是,例如,操作在6至80千兆赫的范围上的甚小孔径终端(VSAT)天线或者陆上微波无线电天线。如图1中所示出的,天线1包括天线组件10和发射器100。在本发明的一个实施例中,组件10可以包括,例如,正交模换能器(orthomodetransducer)、或者正交模换能器的一段。如在本领域中已知的,正交模换能器通常被用来组合或者分离两个微波信号路径。路径中的一个路径可以形成上行链路并且另一个路径形成下行链路。两个路径可以使用相同的换能器10。组件10的三个表面分别被标记为A、B和C。
[0023]图2描绘了图1中所示出的天线组件10的“爆炸”视图。如所示出的,组件10可以包括两个部分2a、2b。为了容易理解,标明为2a的部分将被称为“第一”或者底部部分,而标明为2b的部分将被称为“第二”或者上部部分,所理解的是,这些部分的编号和取向可以颠倒。
[0024]在本发明的一个实施例中,第一部分2a可以包括一个或多个第一接纳器(receptacle)或者通道35a、35b、35c(有时称为“填料函(gland)”),每个第一接纳器被配置为接纳相关联的第一类型的可压缩密封组件3a、3b、3c。例如,密封组件3a、3b、3c可以包括绳状(corded)O形环。另外,第一部分2a可以进一步包括一个或多个第二接纳器或者通道45a、45b、45c,每个第二接纳器大体上垂直于第一接纳器35a、35b、35c中的一个或多个,并且每个第二接纳器被配置为接纳第二类型的可压缩密封组件4a、4b、4c。在本发明的一个实施例中,例如,第二类型的密封组件可以包括O形环。如图2中示出的实施例中所示出的,组件10可以包括多个第一类型的可压缩密封组件以及多个第二类型的可压缩密封组件,所理解的是,组件10包括每种类型的可压缩密封组件中的至少一个或多个。
[0025]更进一步地,第一部分2a内的第一和第二接纳器的配置可操作为在第一和第二类型的可压缩密封组件上创建至少一个接触点“P”。更详细地,如图2中所示出的,第一类型的可压缩密封组件与第二类型的可压缩密封组件进行接触的位置被标记为“P”。接触发生在,例如,两种类型的密封组件被接纳到它们相应的相关联的接纳器中并且第一部分和第二部分被连接或者以其他方式连结在一起之后(参见附图3A和3B)。在本发明的一个实施例中,第二部分2b可以被配置为在与该一个或多个第一接纳器相同的平面中连接到第一部分2a。这种配置在第一类型的可压缩密封组件上生成了一个力,促使它在点P处稍微有些膨胀(bulge)。当第三部分(例如,盖部)(未示出在图2中)在表面A、B和C处(参见图1)被放置在第二类型的可压缩密封组件4a、4b、4c的顶部上时,第二类型的可压缩密封组件与第一类型的可压缩密封组件的膨胀段在点P处相接触,促使第二类型的可压缩密封组件在点P处形变(或者反之亦然,即第二类型的密封组件促使第一类型形变)。更一般地,接触点P发生在一个或多个第三部分(例如,侧部波导部分)被配置为在表面A、B和C处在与该一个或多个第二接纳器45a、45b、45c相同的平面中连接到第一部分2a和第二部分2b时。
[0026]在进一步向前之前,应当注意,尽管第二接纳器45a、45b、45c被示出为半圆形的接纳器,但是这只是一种示例性形状。不偏离本发明的范围,可以配置其他的形状。更进一步地,在上面和下面的讨论对被配置为接纳一种类型的可压缩密封组件的接纳器进行讨论的范围内,发明人指出这个词组包括接纳器还没有接纳密封组件但是被配置为这样做(例如,当两个部分2a、2b分离时,或者当第三部分没有连接时)的状态、以及密封组件完全被接纳器接纳的状态。
[0027]继续,在本发明的一个实施例中,第一接纳器中的每个第一接纳器以及相关联的第一类型的密封组件的配置可以按一个压缩范围内的一个量对第二类型的密封组件进行压缩,以在第一和第二类型的可压缩密封组件上的接触点P处维持密封。以另一种方式来说,在本发明的一个实施例中,第一类型的可压缩密封组件的膨胀段可以促使第二类型的可压缩密封组件在点P处以在点P处维持密封的压缩范围内的一个量进行形变(或者反之亦然)。例如,这个压缩范围可以包括未压缩的第二类型的可压缩密封组件的横截面直径的20%到35%的范围。
[0028]尽管图2中所描绘的第一和第二类型的可压缩密封组件是不同的类型(即,绳状O形环相对O形环)和形状,但是并不需要是这种情况。在替换的实施例中,这两种类型的密封组件可以是相同的类型、相同的形状、或者相同的类型和形状。
[0029]图3A和3B描绘了天线组件10的视图。如所示出的,组件10包括一体的(unified)组件(即,第一组件和第二组件2a、2b两者被附接或者以其他方式连接在一起)。图3A中的视图主要示出了表面B和C的视图,而图3B主要示出了表面A的视图。
[0030]现在参考图4,描绘了一种替换类型的可压缩密封组件340。如所示出的,组件340包括单一的(unitary)可压缩密封组件。替代使用如图2中所示出的分离的第一和第二可压缩密封组件,在这个实施例中,第一和第二可压缩密封组件两者的功能被组合为单个的单一的可压缩密封组件。
[0031]上面的讨论关注于根据本发明的原理做出的示例性设备。另外,提供这种设备的各种方法也在本发明的范围之内。例如,图5描绘了根据本发明的用于在天线组件之间提供密封的一个或多个示例性方法中的步骤。一个这样的方法可以包括:在天线组件的第一部分中形成一个或多个第一接纳器,每个第一接纳器被配置为接纳第一类型的可压缩密封组件(步骤501);以及在该第一部分中形成一个或多个第二接纳器,每个第二接纳器大体上垂直于第一接纳器中的一个或多个第一接纳器,并且每个第二接纳器被配置为接纳第二类型的可压缩密封组件(例如,O形环)以及在第一和第二类型的可压缩密封组件上创建至少一个接触点(步骤502)。另外,这样的方法可以进一步包括:将第一类型的可压缩密封组件中的一个或多个可压缩密封组件以及第二类型的可压缩密封组件中的一个或多个可压缩密封组件插入到第一和第二接纳器中(步骤503),在与该一个或多个第一接纳器相同的平面中将天线组件的第二部分连接到第一部分(步骤504),以及在与该一个或多个第二接纳器相同的平面中将一个或多个第三部分(例如,侧部波导部分)连接到第一部分和第二部分(步骤505)。更进一步地,该方法可以替换地包括:以一个压缩范围(例如,未压缩的第二类型的可压缩密封组件的横截面直径的20%到35%)内的一个量对第二类型的密封组件(O形环)进行压缩,以在第一和第二类型的可压缩密封组件上的接触点处维持密封(步骤506)。
[0032]虽然在本文中已经示出并且描述了示例性实施例,但是应当理解,不偏离随后的权利要求的精神和范围,可以做出所公开的实施例的变型。