Allen J Lockyer

US Patent:

61984450, Mar 6, 2001

Filed:

Dec 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/474213

Inventors:

Kevin Herman Alt - Huntington Beach CA
Michael David Durham - Ventura CA
Allen John Lockyer - Huntington Beach CA
Daniel Patrick Coughlin - Torrance CA
James Kenneth Gath - Seal Beach CA
Jayanth Nandalke Kudva - Rancho Palos Verdes CA

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H01Q 128

US Classification:

343705

Abstract:

A conformal load bearing antenna structure for attachment to an aircraft having an outer skin. The conformal load bearing antenna structure comprises a top face sheet and an end fed radiating element disposed thereon. Disposed adjacent to the top face sheet is a dielectric and a structural core disposed adjacent to the dielectric. In the preferred embodiment, a bottom face sheet is disposed adjacent to the structural core and an absorber is disposed adjacent to the bottom face sheet. Accordingly, the top face sheet, the dielectric, the structural core, and the bottom face sheet are configured to provide structural strength to the aircraft when the antenna is attached to the outer skin thereof.

US Patent:

6175336, Jan 16, 2001

Filed:

Dec 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/472497

Inventors:

Daniel Patrick Coughlin - Torrance CA
Allen John Lockyer - Huntington Beach CA
Michael David Durham - Ventura CA
Kevin Herman Alt - Huntington Beach CA
Peter Lacombe - Torrance CA
Jayanth Nandalke Kudva - Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Keith Alan Olsen - Lakewood CA

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H01Q 128

US Classification:

343708

Abstract:

A structural endcap antenna for a vertical tail of an aircraft. The endcap antenna comprises an outer skin having an inner surface and an antenna element disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the outer skin. The antenna element is in electrical communication with an RF signal source. Disposed adjacent to the antenna element is an inner support structure electrically bonded thereto. The antenna element and the inner support structure are excited by the RF signal source and provide structural support to the endcap antenna.