Microstrip patch antenna for high temperature environments

An antenna operational within a high temperature an external environment exhibiting a high temperature of greater than 600 degrees Fahrenheit comprising:

• an antenna radiating element, comprising a patch formed by a conductive element in contact with a dielectric material element, operative to communicate electromagnetic signals;
• a housing comprising a conductive material and operable to accept the antenna radiating element, the housing having at least one a plurality of orifices and at least one passage supporting flow of air from the exterior of the housing to the interior of the housing for cooling the antenna within the external high temperature environment at least one of the orifices positioned along the housing and away from the antenna radiating element to distribute cooling air through the passage and within the housing to another one of the orifices located adjacent to the antenna radiating element;
• and
• a dielectric window positioned in front of the antenna radiating element and adjacent to the housing, the dielectric window comprising a dielectric material operative to provide thermal and environmental protection for the antenna radiating element.

A method of manufacturing an antenna for operation within a high temperature environment of at least 600 degrees Fahrenheit, comprising the steps of

• forming an antenna radiating element by joining a conductive element to a dielectric material element;
• adding at toast one orifice to a housing for housing the antenna radiating element, each orifice supporting the passage of air from the exterior of the housing to the interior of the housing for cooling the antenna within the high temperature environment;
• adding at least one passage to the dielectric material element of the antenna radiating element to further support the distribution of air for cooling the antenna;
• and inserting the antenna radiating element within at least a portion of the housing.