A horn antenna that is readily collapsible while not in use is described. A number of different sized annular metal rings are arranged in a sequence such that each ring is larger than the one that precedes it in the sequence. A number of thin flexible electrically conductive members attach successive metal rings together physically and connect them together electrically. Each flexible conductive member is attached to make electrical contact between the outside surface of a metal ring and the inside surface of an adjacent metal ring in the sequence

Barthlome, D. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

United States Patent [191 
Barthlome 
P11 4,089,004 
M I  May 9,1978 
[54] COLLAPSIBLE CORRUGATED HORN 
[75] Inventor: Donald E. Barthlome, Hampton, Va. 
[73] Assignee: The United States of America as 
ANTENNA 
represented by the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, Washington, D.C. 
[21] Appl. NO.: 799,025 
[22] Filed: May 20,1977 
[51] Int. C l . 2  ............................................. HOlQ 13/02 
[52] U.S. Cl. .................................................... 343/786 
[58] Field of Search ........................ 343/786, 880, 895 
[561 References Cited 
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 
3,836,979 9/1974 Kurland et al. ...................... 343/895 
3,949,406 4/1976 Yuard ................................... 343/786 
Primary Examiper-Eli Lieberman 
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William H. King; John R. 
Manning; Howard J. Osborn 
This invention is a corrugated horn antenna that is 
readily collapsible while not in use. A plurality of differ- 
ent sized annular metal rings are arranged in a sequence 
such that each ring is larger than the one that precedes 
it in the sequence. A plurality of thin flexible electrically 
conductive members attach successive metal rings to- 
gether physically and connect them together electri- 
cally. Each flexible conductive member is attached to 
make electrical contact between the outside surface of a 
metal ring and the inside surface of an adjacent metal 
ring in the sequence. 
8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 
38. 
I2 
38 
38 
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U.S.Patent May 9, 1978 Sheet 1 of 3 
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1U.S.Patent May 9, 1978 Sheet 3 of 3 4,089,004 
FIG. 4 
FIG. 3 
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37 
37 
4,089,004 
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COLLAPSIBLE CORRUGATED HORN ANTENNA DETAILED DESCRIPTION O F  THE 
INVENTION 
Turning now to the embodiment of the invention ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION 
The invention described herein was made by an em- 5 selected for illustration in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the draw- 
p l o w  of the United States Government and may be ings, the numbers 12-36 designate flat rigid metal annu- 
manufactured and used by or for the Government for lar rings having eqQal thicknesses. n e  metal in the 
governmental PuWoses without the Payment of any rings can be any conductive metal; however, aluminum 
royalties thereon or therefor. is a good selection because of its high conductivity and 
10 its light weight. The number of rings and their relative 
diameters are not critical and can vary depending upon 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates generally to a corngated horn the performance requirements imposed on the antenna. 
antenna and more sPecificallY concerns a corngated The annular rings 12-36 are arranged in a sequence so 
horn antenna that is lightweight and readily collapsible. that ring 12, the smallest ring is first in the sequence, and Oftentimes, when a corrugated horn antenna is not in 15 each of the other rings is larger than the ring that pre- 
use, it is desirable to have the antenna readily collapsible cedes it in the sequence. A ring is designated as being 
available a collapsible corrugated horn antenna without larger. A flexible electrically conductive member 37 
made from a material such as, for example, aluminum first disassembling the antenna. 
provide a 'Omgated horn antenna that is readily '01- rings together physically and connects them together 
electrically. The number of electrically conductive lapsible without disassembling the antenna. 
for shipping or storage. In the past there has not been larger than another ring if its outside dimensions are 
It is therefore the primary purpose Of this invention to 2o mylar laminate attaches each pair of adjacent annular 
Another object of this invention is to provide a col- 
a high col- 
members 37 is one less than the number of annular rings. 
The antenna is heid in its extended position by any lapsible corrugated horn antenna that lapse ratio (ratio Of Of extended length to collapsed 25 suitable such as, for example, 38 and rods 
39. These can be removed for shipment or storage. 
In FIG. 3 an enlarged view of annular rings 24, 25 
and 26 is shown. The electrically conductive members 
cent annular rings around their entire inside and outside 
circumferences. That is, the conductive member 37 that 
attaches annular rings 24 and 25 together is cut and 
ne invention consists essentially of several different formed into a shape like the frustum of a cone with the 
sized flat rigid metal rings arranged in a 35 bottom or outside circumference of member 37 folded 
sequence such that the fust ring in the sequence is the around the outside circumference of ring 24 and with 
smallest and all other rings are larger than the one that the top or inside circumference of member 37 folded 
precedes it in the sequence. Each adjacent pair of rings around the inside circumference or ring 25. Likewise 
in the sequence are attached together physically and the member 37 that attached rings 25 and 26 together is 
connected together electrically by a thin flexible sheet 40 cut and formed to fold around the outside circumfer- 
of an electrically conductive material such for exam- ence of ring 25 and the inside circumference of ring 26. 
an aluminum mylar laminate. ne flexible sheet of An adhesive capable of conducting electricity is placed 
electrically conductive material is attached to make in regions 39, 40, 41 and 42 as illustrated in FIG. 3. 
contact between the outside surface of one of the metal Hence, each adjacent Pair of annular rings is attached 
rings and inside side surface of the succeeding metal 45 together physically and connected together electrically 
ring in the sequence. Consequently, when the annular by a conductive member 37. Once the assembly has 
metal rings are moved away from each other a corru- been completed, rings 12 through 36 and conductive 
gated horn antenna is formed and when the annular members 37 form an unbroken conductive surface ex- 
metal rings are stacked the antenna is in its collapsed tending from ring 12 to 36. When collapsed, the 
state ready for shipment or storage. 
In an alternate embodiment of the invention the annu- An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown 
lar rings are in the shape ofa frustum ofa cone and each partially in FIG. 5. In this embodiment each of the thin 
of the flexible sheets of electrically conductive material rigid annular metal rings 43,44 and 45 (maw more than 
is attached to make contact between the inside surface three rings would probably be used to make an antenna) 
of one of the metal rings and the outside surface of the 55 is shaped to form the frustum of a cone. The flexible 
succeeding metal ring in the sequence. electrically conductive members 37 are attached to the 
inside circumference of one of the rings and to the out- 
OF THE side circumference of the succeeding ring in the se- 
quence. When the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is col- 
tutes the invention when the antenna is extended for 60 lapsed each of the rings will fit inside the ring that suc- 
use; ceeds it in the sequence. 
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view 2-2 of the antenna Although the invention has been described as being 
shown in FIG. 1; constructed with annular metal rings, it should be un- 
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2; derstood that other shapes can be used. For example, 
FIG. 4 is a side view of the antenna shown in FIGS. 65 the shape of the rings could be rectangular, elliptic, etc., 
without departing from the invention. 
FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of 
length). 
lightweight collapsible horn antenna. 
become apparent hereinafter in the specification and 30 
drawings. 
A further object of this invention is to provide a 
Other Objects and advantages Of this invention 37 are cut to the proper shape and sizes to fit the adjaw 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
50 antenna appears as shown in FIG. 4. 
FIG. 1 is a view looking into the antenna that consti- 
1 and 2 in its collapsed state; and 
the invention. 
What is claimed is: 
1. A collapsible corrugated horn antenna comprising: 
a 
3 
4,089,004 
4 - 
plurality of rigid flat thin metal pieces with each 3. A collapsible corrugated horn antenna according 
having a hole in it the Same shape as the holes 
in all other pieces but having a size different from 
to claim 2 wherein said adjacent metal piece is the suc- 
ceeding metal piece in said sequence. 
4. A collaDsible corruPated horn antenna 
I - 
the sizes of the holes in all other pieces; 5 to claim 3 wherein each of said conductive members 
makes electrical contact completely around the inside said metal Dieces arranged in a seauence such that the 
1 
metal piece having the hole is fist and and outside surfaces bf the two adjacent metal pieces. 
5. A collapsible corrugated horn antenna according 
such that Other metal has a larger to claim 4 wherein the outside surface of said antenna is 
than the hole in the metal piece that precedes it in cont~uous when it is in its extended 
the sequence; and 6. A collapsible corrugated horn antenna according 
a Dlurality of flexible electrically conductive mem- to claim 1 wherein said flat thin metal pieces are flat 
bers attaching successive metal pieces together rings- 
7. A collapsible corrugated horn antenna according physically and connecting them together 15 to claim 1 wherein each of &d flat thin metal pieces is 
cally. an annular ring shaped like the frustum of a cone. 
8. A collapsible corrugated horn antenna according 
to claim 7 wherein each of said flexible electrically 
conductive members is attached to make electrical 
20 contact between the inside surface of an annular ring 
and the outside surface of the succeeding annular ring in 
said sequence. 
2. A collapsible corrugated horn antenna according 
to claim 1 wherein each of &d flexible electrically 
conductive members is attached to make the electrical 
‘Ontact between the Outside surface Of a metal piece and 
the inside surface of an adjacent metal piece in the se- 
quence. * * * * *  
25 
30 
35 
45 
50 
55 
60 


Collapsible corrugated horn antenna

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