US 11,888,222 B1 · Flange for 3D printed antennas and related methods

Abstract

Antenna components include an additively manufactured elongate body portion and one or more additively manufactured flanges. The elongate body portion extends from a base portion to an aperture opposite the base portion. The elongate body portion is at least substantially hollow and is configured to direct radio frequency signals. Each flange extends radially outwardly from the elongate body portion and around an outer circumference of the elongate body portion. Each flange is integrally formed with the elongate body portion, and includes an angled portion and a horizontal portion. The angled portion of the flange diverges from the elongate body portion at an acute angle, and the horizontal portion is at least substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body portion. Satellite systems including said antenna components also are disclosed, along with related methods of additively manufacturing antenna components with integral flanges.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An antenna component, comprising:

an additively manufactured elongate body portion extending from a base portion to an aperture opposite the base portion, wherein the elongate body portion is at least substantially hollow, and wherein the elongate body portion is configured to direct radio frequency signals;
and
an additively manufactured first flange extending radially outwardly from the elongate body portion and around an outer circumference of the elongate body portion, wherein the first flange is integrally formed with the elongate body portion, wherein the first flange comprises an angled portion that diverges from the elongate body portion at a first angle, wherein the first flange further comprises a horizontal portion that is at least substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body portion, and wherein the first angle is acute.

A method of additively manufacturing an antenna component, the method comprising:

additively manufacturing an elongate body portion, wherein the elongate body portion extends up from a base portion to an aperture opposite the base portion, wherein the elongate body portion is at least substantially hollow, and wherein the elongate body portion is configured to direct radio frequency signals;
and
additively manufacturing a first flange that extends radially outwardly from the elongate body portion and around an outer circumference of the elongate body portion, wherein the first flange is integrally formed with the elongate body portion, wherein the additively manufacturing the first flange comprises:
additively manufacturing an angled portion of the first flange, wherein the angled portion diverges from the elongate body portion at a first angle, wherein the first angle is acute;
and
additively manufacturing a horizontal portion of the first flange, wherein the horizontal portion is at least substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body portion.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flange for 3D printed antennas and related methods

Life of this patent

Flange for 3D printed antennas and related methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20