TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a transportable satellite antenna .

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, a satellite antenna comprises: a parabolic disk, which reflects the signal coming- from a satellite; and a feeder, set in front of the parabolic disk for receiving the signal reflected by the parabolic disk itself. These two components are supported by a positioning apparatus, which enables adjustment of the angle of elevation and azimuth of the parabolic reflector for pointing it towards the desired satellite.

The external diameter of the parabolic disk and the type of feeder are chosen on the basis of the frequency band of the satellite signal.

The need is felt to provide an antenna that is compact and relatively light, is dismantleable so that it can be transported, even by just one person, and can be re-assembled in a short time in order to exchange communications in emergency situations, for example in areas affected by natural calamities. In particular, there is felt the need to be able to transport relatively cumbersome antennas that have at least two feeders that operate in bands different from one another, and/or that have parabolic disks of a relatively large diameter, for example in the region of one metre.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide a transportable satellite antenna that will enable the needs set forth above to be achieved in a simple and economically advantageous way. According to the present invention, a transportable satellite antenna is provided, as defined in Claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For , a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is now described, purely by way of non- limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the satellite antenna provided according to the present invention and set in a closed configuration in order for it to be transportable;

- Figure 2 illustrates the satellite antenna of Figure 1 set in an open configuration for exchange of communications via satellite;

- Figures 3 to 5 are different perspective views that illustrate at an enlarged scale some details of the satellite antenna while it is set in the open configuration; and

- Figure 6 illustrates the satellite antenna during the passage between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Figure 1, designated by 1 is a satellite antenna, set in a closed configuration so that it can be transported. In particular, the antenna 1 comprises an openable case or container 2. In the closed configuration, the case 2 defines a closed internal compartment that houses the remaining components of the antenna 1. The case 2 is made of composite material, for example, carbon fibre, and has dimensions that comply with the standards for air transport (in the specific case, the IATA standards) : in particular, the dimensions are 50 x 39 x 80 cm. Also the total weight of the antenna 1 meets the same standards: in particular, the weight of the case 2 with the other components inside it is approximately 26.5 kg.

Preferably, the case 2 is provided with an extractable handle and with at least two wheels (not illustrated) for transporting the . case 2 like an ordinary travel trolley. Possibly, the case 1 is provided with straps so that it can be carried on a person's shoulders, such as a normal rucksack.

With reference to Figures 1 and 6, the case 2 comprises a base 5 and a lid 6, which have respective rectangular floor walls 7 and 8 and respective side walls 9 and 10, which extend along all the sides of the corresponding floor walls 7 and 8. The side wall 10 of the lid 6 is set on top of and aligned to the side wall 9 of the base 5 and is fixed to the side wall 9 via manually operated clasps 11 for keeping the case 2 closed.

When the clasps 11 are released, the lid 6 can be lifted and completely detached from the edges of the side wall 9. By turning over the lid 6 through 180° and setting it alongside the base 5, with the floor walls 7 and 8 substantially coplanar, the side walls 9 and 10 can be fixed to one another, for example with screws 13 carried by the side wall 9 and screwed into threaded holes 14 provided in the side wall 10.

In this way, the case 2 defines a bedplate 15 for setting the antenna 1 in an open operating configuration shown in Figure 2 and thus exchanging communications via satellite. The floor walls 7 and 8 are provided with feet 16 (some of which are illustrated in Figure 1) , which define respective points for resting the bedplate 15 on the ground. The feet 16 are adjustable in height in a way not illustrated to obtain a stable resting on rough ground and for setting the bedplate 15 level, according to the indication of a spirit level 17 set on a internal portion 18 of the base 5. The portion 18 defines part of the internal surface 19 of the floor wall 7 and projects upwards, i.e., inside the base 5.

With reference to Figures 2 to 5, the portion 18 carries a coupling assembly 20, which couples in a permanent and angularly adjustable way a supporting structure 21 to the base 5. In turn, the structure 21 carries a parabolic disk 23, which has a diameter of approximately 96 cm, is made of composite material, for example carbon fibre, and is defined by a plurality of disk portions fixed in a releasable way so that can be taken apart .

In particular, the parabolic disk 23 comprises: a bottom central portion 24, having the rear surface fixed to the structure 21; two bottom side portions 25, arranged on opposite sides of the portion 24 and set up against the side edges of the portion 24; and two top portions 26, set up against one another and up against the top edges of the portions 24 and 25. The edges of the portions 24, 25, 26 are fixed via male-female couplings, i.e., via a plurality of pins 27 set-in in corresponding seats 28. At the same time, the rear surfaces of the portions 24, 25, 26 are coupled to one another via releasable engagement devices 29, which are set astride of the edges of the portions 24, 25, 26 and thus prevent the pins 27 from coming out of the respective seats 28. When the portions 25 and 26 are detached from the portion

24, they can be set on top of one another and laid away inside the case 2 for transport thereof, in a way not illustrated in detail . According to what is shown in particular in Figure 4, the assembly 20 comprises an intermediate element 31 and a device 32 for adjustment of the azimuth, comprising, in turn, a thrust bearing 33, which is preferably made of Teflon and couples the element 31 to the portion 18 permanently and in such a way that the element 31 can be rotated through 360° about an axis 35 of its own substantially orthogonal to the portion 18 and to the internal surface 19. When the bedplate 15 is set level by adjusting the feet 16, the axis 35 is substantially vertical. The device 32 further comprises: a graduated scale 36, which indicates the relative angular position of the element 31 with respect to the portion 18; and an arrest device (not illustrated) , for example of the spring- operated type, which is housed in the portion 18 and can be operated via a manual control 38, for blocking the angular position of the parabolic disk 23 about the axis 35 once pointing is completed.

According to what is shown in particular in Figure 3 , the assembly 20 further comprises a elevation-adjustment device 40, which in turn comprises a hinge 41 that couples the structure 21 to the element 31 in a rotatable way about an axis 42, which is set orthogonal and skew with respect to the axis 35. When the bedplate 15 is set level via adjustment of the feet 16, the axis 42 is horizontal. The device 40 moreover comprises: an inclinometer 43 (generally referred to as "satellite-angle finder"), which is brought into a fixed position on one side of the structure 21 so as to indicate the inclination about the axis 42 of the structure 21 with respect to the vertical (i.e., in absolute value); and an arrest device 45 (partially illustrated) , which can be operated and released via a manual control 46, for blocking the angular position of the parabolic disk 23 about the axis 42, once pointing is completed. For example, the control 46 comprises a knob 47 coupled to a pin member 48 (partially illustrated) , which slidably engages two slits 49, which are made in respective sides of the structure 21 and have the profile of an arc of a circle with the centre defined by the axis 42. Preferably, the control 46 comprises a safety block 50, which prevents any accidental rotation and hence the release of the knob 47 and/or of the pin member 48 after the position in elevation of the parabolic disk 23 has been fixed.

A device with springs and gears (not illustrated) is provided within the structure 21 and is associated to the device 40 for facilitating rotation of the structure 21 about the axis 42, compensating the unbalancing of the weight due to a feeder 55, which is supported by the end of an arm 56. With reference to Figures 2 and 6, the arm 56 is made of composite material, for example carbon fibre, and comprises two coaxial portions 57, 58 fixed to one another via a blocking device 59 that can be released for separating the portion 58 from the portion 57. The portion 58 terminates with a projection 60, which engages a corresponding end seat of the portion 57 so as to define a male-female coupling; the device 59 is preferably defined by a clasp, which prevents the projection 60 from sliding out of the corresponding seat. The portion 58 is provided with appendages and/or holes 63 that define respective attachment points for fixing the feeder 55 to the portion 58 in a releasable way. Consequently, the feeder 55 can be removed from the portion 58 and can be replaced with a feeder that operates in a different frequency band .

At the opposite end with respect to the device 59, the portion 57 is hinged to the structure 21 about an axis 64 parallel to the axis 42 for being turned over between a reclosed or folded position (Figure 6) and a extended position (Figure 2) . In the reclosed position, the portion 57 is set facing, and adjacent to, the concave front surface of the portion 24, to enable laying of the portions 24 and 57 back inside the case 2 in the closed configuration, after rotation of the structure 21 through approximately 180° about the axis 35 so that the rear surface of the portion 24 faces the internal surface 19. In the extended position, it is possible to mount the portion 58 and have the feeder 55 set in the operative position, i.e., set facing the parabolic disk 23.

Starting from the closed configuration, after the case 2 has been opened and the bedplate 15 has been formed, the portion 24 is housed in a position substantially parallel to the floor wall 7. To complete the antenna 1 on the bedplate 15, the structure 21 is lifted with a rotation about the axis 42 and, at the same time, is turned through approximately 180° about the axis 35 so as to set the arm 56 in the direction opposite to the lid 6 of the bedplate 15. After the portion 57 has been turned over into the extended position, the portion 58, with the feeder 55, is fixed to the portion 57. At the same time, the portions 25 and 26 are fixed to the portion 24 so as to form the parabolic disk 23.

After assembly of the various pieces has been completed, the devices 32 and 40 are adjusted and clamped so that the parabolic disk 23 points towards the co-ordinates of the satellite chosen. To set the antenna 1 back into the closed configuration, a reverse procedure is followed.

From what has been set forth above, it is evident how the passage to the open configuration of the antenna 1 is relatively simple, and hence can be carried out rapidly, even by just one or two persons, and how the antenna 1 can be easily transported in the closed configuration, where it assumes the form of a case, and then be used in emergency situations and/or be conveniently transported on an aeroplane.

Another advantage is represented by the fact that the base 5 and the lid 6 can be assembled in two different arrangements, i.e., so as to form the case 2 or else the bedplate 15, according to the need of setting the antenna 1 in the closed configuration, for transport thereof, or else in the open configuration, for satellite communications. In this way, in fact, the antenna 1 does not call for additional elements to be mounted in order to be brought into the open position.

The modalities with which the various components are coupled enable saving in space and convenient housing in the case 2 of all the accessories of the antenna 1 (feeders, filters, etc.). Said advantage is principally due to the possibility of turning the. parabolic disk 23 about the axis 35 through 180° passing between the open configuration and the closed configuration in so far as the portion 24 is laid "on its back" within the_ case 2. The adjustments of azimuth and elevation are relatively simple to carry out, and the assembly 20 is extremely compact. A further advantage is that it is possible to replace easi.ly the feeder on the arm 56 with feeders operating in different bands according to the satellite used. In addition, the composite material of the parabolic disk 23, of the arm 56, and of the case 2 enables limitation of the weight of the entire antenna 1.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations may be made to the antenna 1 described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the sphere of protection of the present invention, as defined in the annexed claims.

In particular, the case 2 could have different shapes and/or dimensions to comply with standards or needs different from the ones indicated by way of example; and/or the parabolic disk could be dismantleable into portions that differ as regards number and/or shape from the portions 24, 25, 26.