Tunable Parallel Plate Antenna with Movable Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parallel plate antennas have a fixed resonant frequency, limiting their applicability beyond specific radio-frequency (RF) applications and failing to effectively measure RF 'leakiness' in field-deployed shielded rooms.
Innovation Solution
A tunable parallel plate antenna design featuring a base, support, hollow tube, parallel plates, a shaft, tuning piston, and tuning plate, where the tuning piston's movement within the hollow tube adjusts the resonant frequency by altering the admittance across the antenna aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed resonant frequency design is used, then the antenna structure is simple, but the adaptability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a movable tuning piston within the hollow tube that can be positioned at different locations to change the resonant frequency of the antenna. The piston's movement along the tube creates variable capacitance, enabling the antenna to be tuned across a range of frequencies rather than being fixed at a single frequency. This dynamic adjustment mechanism directly resolves the contradiction by providing frequency adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the electrical parameters of the antenna through the tuning piston. By changing the position of the piston along the hollow tube, the electrical length and capacitance of the antenna are altered, which changes the resonant frequency parameter. This allows the same physical structure to operate at multiple frequencies by simply adjusting the piston position, thereby achieving frequency versatility without redesigning the entire antenna structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single frequency antenna is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the versatility for different RF applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the antenna with a tuning mechanism that enables it to perform multiple RF measurement functions across different frequencies. The hollow tube with the movable piston serves as a universal tuning structure that can adjust the antenna's resonant frequency to match different RF application requirements, making the same antenna suitable for various shielded room leakiness measurements at different frequencies rather than requiring separate fixed-frequency antennas for each application.
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
Enables the antenna to be tuned to any resonant frequency within a design range, enhancing its versatility and efficiency in measuring RF energy leakage, allowing for effective use in various RF applications.
Implementation Method 1
the tuning piston's movement within the hollow tube adjusts the resonant frequency by altering the admittance across the antenna aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A tunable antenna includes a base supporting a support and hollow tube opposing and spaced apart from one another, and spaced-apart and parallel plates. Each plate is coupled only at one end thereof to one of the support and hollow tube. One of the plates located furthest from the base extends past the hollow tube and is spaced apart therefrom. A shaft extends through the hollow tube and the one plate extending past the hollow tube. A tuning plate is coupled to the end of the shaft. A tuning piston is coupled to the shaft and is adapted for movement within the hollow tube where such movement changes the resonant frequency of the antenna.