Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With ice clearer or preventer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-31
2001-02-27
Phan, Tho (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With ice clearer or preventer
C343S912000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195056
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to satellite systems, and, more particularly, reflectors for satellite systems.
2. Description of the related art.
A reflector, commonly called a dish, is generally a parabolic section having a round, elliptical or other configuration. A reflector functions to gather radio or microwave frequency energy transmitted from the feedhorn or through the ambient environment from an external transmitter. The reflector can thus be used to receive and transmit signals to and from the satellite system. Reflectors are usually located outdoors, where snow and ice may collect on the receiving or concave side, degrading the performance of the reflector.
It is known to heat the front receiving surface of the reflector with an embedded heater wire. A problem with embedding a heater wire within a reflector is that it can be difficult or even impossible to repair the heater wire in the event that the heater wire is damaged during or after the embedding process. Another problem is that the decision to install a heater wire must be made before manufacture of the reflector. Often this decision must be made before it is known whether the reflector will be located in a climate sufficiently cold that a heater wire is required.
What is needed in the art is a reflector assembly for a satellite system including a heater assembly which inhibits or melts snow or ice accumulation on the reflecting surface of the reflector, can be easily installed after manufacture of the reflector, and can also be easily repaired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a reflector assembly in a satellite system including a heater assembly attached to a molded, air-entrapped foam layer of insulation. The heater assembly is adhered to a back surface of the reflector such that the heater assembly can be easily repaired, replaced or installed.
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a reflector assembly in a satellite system including a reflector having a reflecting surface and a back surface. The back surface is opposite the reflecting surface and has a plurality of ribs extending transversely therefrom. The reflector assembly further includes a layer of air-entrapped foam insulation having an inside surface. The inside surface has a plurality of grooves configured to receive the plurality of ribs therein. The reflector assembly further includes a heater assembly attached to the inside surface of the layer of air-entrapped foam insulation. The heater assembly includes a plurality of heaters such as heater pads, a plurality of jumper wires electrically interconnecting the heater pads in series, and two end wires. Each end wire is connected to a respective end one of the series connected heater pads. Each of the plurality of heater pads is disposed between a corresponding adjacent pair of the grooves. The reflector assembly further includes an adhesive layer covering substantially all of each one of the plurality of heater pads and interconnecting the heater assembly with the back surface of the reflector.
An advantage of the present invention is that the heater assembly may be installed on the reflector as an after-market item. Thus, it is unnecessary to decide during manufacture whether to embed a heater wire into a particular reflector.
Another advantage is that the layer of air-entrapped foam insulation may be molded to conform to the back surface of any particular reflector, and thereby provide easy installation of the attached heater assembly on the corresponding reflector.
Yet another advantage is that in the event that the heater assembly becomes damaged, it can easily be removed from the back surface of the reflector for repair or replacement. The heater assembly can also be removed from the inside surface of the layer of air-entrapped foam insulation for replacement and reinstallation.
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MSX, Inc.
Phan Tho
Taylor & Aust P.C.
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