Patent ID: 7173436

Claim:
An antenna device for use in a radar level gauging system for determining the filling level of a filling material in a container, comprising: an essentially flat array antenna with an emitting areas for emitting measuring signals towards the surface of the filling material; means for holding the array antenna over an opening of the container and to be connected to the rim of said opening in at least two points of attachment; and a protective dielectric cover covering said emitting area, wherein said dielectric cover has an extension larger than said opening in order to extend over the rim of said opening; wherein the means for holding the array antenna comprises a support arranged on the backside of the array antenna for improving the pressure resistance, said support comprising a plate-like member of a rigid material and having an extension that is larger than said opening in order to extend over the rim of said opening, whereby the plate-like member takes up outwardly directed forces acting on the antenna device; and wherein said protective dielectric cover in the vicinity of said opening is at least partly arranged between the container wall and the plate-like member.