Radio frequency antenna with granular or powder insulating material and method of making the same
Inventors
Newman, Robert L. • Cors, Douglas E. • Post, James M.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10476142-B2
Publication Date
2019-11-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A radio frequency antenna comprising an inner conductor or antenna surrounded by and spaced from an outer sleeve, the space between the inner conductor and the outer sleeve being filled with a granular or powder insulating material. A sealant material covers a first end of the outer sleeve for sealing and retaining the insulating material in the antenna. A method of making the antenna includes the step of bending the inner antenna and the outer sleeve during assembly following the steps of filling the space between the inner conductor and the outer sleeve with the insulating material and sealing the insulating material in the antenna. In one embodiment, the radio frequency antenna is adapted for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in a radio frequency vehicle exhaust control and sensor system.
Core Innovation
A radio frequency antenna includes a center antenna surrounded by and spaced from an outer ground sleeve. The space between the center antenna and the outer ground sleeve defines an interior cavity filled with a granular or powder insulating material. The granular or powder insulating material allows bending of the outer ground sleeve and the center antenna during manufacturing and restricts movement of the center antenna during use.
A radio frequency antenna assembly is adapted for use in a radio frequency vehicle exhaust control and sensor system. The assembly includes a coaxial cable with a coaxial conductor, a center antenna with a distal end coupled to the distal end of the coaxial conductor, and an outer sleeve surrounding and spaced from the center antenna to define a cavity between the center antenna and the outer sleeve. The cavity is filled with a granular or powder insulating material.
In making the radio frequency antenna assembly, a center antenna is coupled to a distal end of a coaxial center conductor, and an outer sleeve is slid over the center antenna so that a circumferential cavity is defined between the outer sleeve and the center antenna. The cavity is filled with an insulating granular or powder material, and a seal material is provided to cover a second end of the outer sleeve to seal and retain the insulating material. The center antenna and the outer sleeve are then bent into a desired final shape.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides three independent claims. Across these independent claims, the main inventive features center on using a granular or powder insulating material in a cavity between a center antenna and an outer ground sleeve, allowing bending during manufacturing while restricting movement during use, and on applying the antenna to a vehicle exhaust control and sensor system, with sealing and coupling arrangements also defined in the method claim.
Granular or powder insulating cavity enabling manufacturing bending and use restriction
A radio frequency antenna has a center antenna surrounded by and spaced from an outer ground sleeve, where the space defines an interior cavity filled with a granular or powder insulating material that allows bending during manufacturing and restricts movement of the center antenna during use.
Vehicle exhaust control and sensor radio frequency antenna assembly with granular or powder cavity fill
A radio frequency antenna assembly adapted for use in radio frequency vehicle exhaust control and sensor system includes a coaxial cable with a coaxial conductor, a center antenna with a distal end coupled to the distal end of the coaxial conductor, an outer sleeve surrounding and spaced from the center antenna defining a cavity between them, and a granular or powder insulating material filling the cavity.
Method of making with cavity fill, sealing, and final bending
A method of making a radio frequency antenna assembly including providing a coaxial cable with a coaxial center conductor, providing a center antenna, coupling a distal end of the center antenna to a distal end of the coaxial center conductor, providing and sliding an outer sleeve to define a circumferential cavity between the outer sleeve and the center antenna, securing a first end of the outer sleeve to the coaxial cable, providing and filling the cavity with an insulating granular or powder material, providing a seal material covering a second end of the outer sleeve to seal and retain the insulating material, and bending the center antenna and the outer sleeve into a desired final shape.
The independent claims define a radio frequency antenna and antenna assembly in which a granular or powder insulating material fills a cavity between a center antenna and an outer ground sleeve, enabling bending during manufacturing while restricting movement during use. The vehicle exhaust control and sensor system adaptation is explicitly tied to the antenna assembly claim, and the method claim adds sealing retention and forming by bending.
Stated Advantages
Allows bending of the outer ground sleeve and the center antenna during manufacturing.
Restricts movement of the center antenna during use.
Adapted for use in a radio frequency vehicle exhaust control and sensor system.
Documented Applications
Use in a radio frequency vehicle exhaust control and sensor system for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals.
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