Noncoplanar Bent Wire Antenna for Hemispherical Satellite Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antennas designed for moveable machines require complex mechanical and electronic components to maintain orientation with satellites, adding weight and complexity, and often need programming to adjust for the machine's movement.
Innovation Solution
A bent wire antenna configuration with multiple noncoplanar straight and curved portions made of steel or copper, allowing the antenna to maintain connection to satellites without needing to move, as the overlapping pattern of straight portions radiates in all directions over a hemisphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing antennas are configured to move to maintain connection to satellites, then the antenna can maintain orientation with satellites, but the antenna requires additional mechanical and electronic components that increase weight and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna elements are configured with multiple straight portions at different orientations that can be selectively activated. Instead of physically moving the entire antenna structure, the system dynamically switches between different antenna elements depending on the machine's orientation, maintaining satellite connection without mechanical movement components
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is divided into multiple discrete antenna elements, each with straight portions oriented in different directions. This segmentation allows individual elements to be optimized for specific orientations while the collective array provides omnidirectional coverage, eliminating the need for a single complex movable structure
2Reliability
If existing antennas are configured to move in response to machine movement, then the antenna can track satellites, but programming and algorithms are required to determine orientation information, adding complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system automatically adapts to machine orientation changes through pre-configured multi-orientation elements. The system self-adjusts by selecting appropriate antenna elements based on detected orientation, eliminating the need for complex tracking algorithms and programming while maintaining reliable satellite connection
3Adaptability or versatility
If antenna elements are arranged in noncoplanar configurations, then the antenna can radiate in all directions over a hemisphere, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each antenna element is designed with straight portions optimized for specific local radiation patterns. Rather than requiring perfect global alignment of all elements, each element's straight portions are precisely configured for its specific orientation, allowing manufacturing tolerances to be applied locally to each element rather than globally to the entire array
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The antenna remains connected to electromagnetic sources regardless of the machine's orientation, reducing weight, complexity, and the need for orientation sensing, while maintaining efficient electromagnetic wave transmission and reception.
Implementation Method 1
An antenna is a device that converts electrical signals into electromagnetic waves and vice versa
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna defining a horizontal direction and a vertical direction is provided. The antenna can include a plurality of antenna wires. Each of the plurality of antenna wires can define at least three straight portions. At least one of the at least three straight portions can be noncoplanar with another one of the at least three straight portions.