Through-the-lid pit antenna

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10637146-B2
Application number	US-201916354968-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 15, 2019
Priority date	Nov 28, 2017
Publication date	Apr 28, 2020
Grant date	Apr 28, 2020

Abstract

A pit antenna includes an inner tube defining a first inner tube end and a second inner tube end, the first inner tube end disposed opposite from the second inner tube end, the inner tube defining an inner tube bore extending inward from the first inner tube end toward the second inner tube end, the inner tube configured to electromagnetically couple energy from an antenna inserted into the inner tube bore; and a top disc, the top disc connected to the second inner tube end of the inner tube, the top disc configured to radiate energy electromagnetically coupled by the inner tube.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A pit antenna comprising:
an inner tube defining a first inner tube end and a second inner tube end, the first inner tube end disposed opposite from the second inner tube end, the inner tube defining an inner tube bore extending inward from the first inner tube end toward the second inner tube end, the inner tube configured to electromagnetically couple energy from an antenna inserted into the inner tube bore; and
a top disc, the top disc connected to the second inner tube end of the inner tube, the top disc configured to radiate energy electromagnetically coupled by the inner tube.

2. The pit antenna of claim 1 , further comprising:
an outer tube defining an outer tube bore, the inner tube extending at least partially into the outer tube bore; and
a bottom disc attached to the outer tube.

3. The pit antenna of claim 2 , wherein a disc spacer is positioned between top disc and the bottom disc, and wherein the disc spacer comprises a dielectric insulation material.

4. The pit antenna of claim 2 , wherein the outer tube defines external threading, wherein the pit antenna further comprises a nut, and wherein the nut threadedly engages the external threading of the outer tube.

5. The pit antenna of claim 2 , wherein:
the outer tube defines a first outer tube end and a second outer tube end;
the second outer tube end is at least partially enclosed by an outer end cap; and
the bottom disc is attached to the second outer tube end.

6. The pit antenna of claim 2 , wherein the bottom disc is attached to the top disc by at least one standoff.

7. The pit antenna of claim 6 , wherein the inner tube, the top disc, the at least one standoff, the bottom disc, and the outer tube are connected in electrical communication.

8. The pit antenna of claim 1 , wherein the second inner tube end is directly attached to the top disc.

9. The pit antenna of claim 1 , wherein the second inner tube end is attached to the top disc by a connector.

10. The pit antenna of claim 9 , wherein the second inner tube end is at least partially enclosed by an inner end cap.

11. A pit antenna comprising:
a coupling assembly defining a tubular shape, the coupling assembly defining an inner tube bore, the coupling assembly configured to electromagnetically couple energy when an antenna is inserted into the inner tube bore; and
an antenna assembly defining a disc shape, the antenna assembly connected to the coupling assembly, the antenna assembly configured to radiate energy electromagnetically coupled by the coupling assembly.

12. The pit antenna of claim 11 , wherein:
the coupling assembly comprises and inner tube and an outer tube;
the inner tube is inserted at least partially into an outer tube bore of the outer tube;
the inner tube is coaxial to the outer tube; and
the inner tube defines the inner tube bore.

13. The pit antenna of claim 11 , wherein:
the antenna assembly comprises a top disc and a bottom disc; and
a gap is defined between the top disc and the bottom disc.

14. The pit antenna of claim 13 , wherein a disc spacer is positioned within the gap at least partially between the top disc and the bottom disc.

15. The pit antenna of claim 13 , wherein:
the antenna assembly further comprises at least one standoff;
the standoff is positioned at least partially in the gap;
the standoff extends from the top disc to the bottom disc; and
the standoff connects the top disc to the bottom disc in electrical communication.

16. A method of electromagnetically coupling radio frequency energy with a pit antenna, the method comprising:
passively receiving radio-frequency energy transmitted within an inner tube bore of a coupling assembly, the pit antenna comprising the coupling assembly and an antenna assembly, the inner tube bore defined by an inner tube of the coupling assembly; and
passively radiating the radio-frequency energy as radio waves from the antenna assembly of the pit antenna, the antenna assembly electrically connected to the coupling assembly.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the antenna assembly comprises a top disc, wherein the top disc is attached to the inner tube, and wherein the top disc passively radiates at least a portion of the radio-frequency energy as radio waves.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising transmitting the radio-frequency energy from a node antenna, the node antenna inserted into the inner tube bore.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the antenna assembly comprises a top disc, a bottom disc, and at least one standoff, wherein the at least one standoff is positioned between the top disc and the bottom disc, and wherein the inner tube is attached to the top disc.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the coupling assembly further comprises an outer tube defining an outer tube bore, and wherein the inner tube is at least partially inserted into the outer tube bore.

Assignees

• Mueller Int Llc

Inventors

• Webb Spencer L
• Bushey Ronald Todd
• Splitz David Edwin

Classifications

• H01Q1/04

  Adaptation for subterranean or subaqueous use · CPC title

• H01Q9/36

  with top loading · CPC title

• H01Q1/241

  used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM (H01Q1/247, H01Q1/248 take precedence) · CPC title

• H01Q1/002

  Protection against seismic waves, thermal radiation or other disturbances, e.g. nuclear explosion; Arrangements for improving the power handling capability of an antenna · CPC title

• H01Q1/2233 Primary

  used in consumption-meter devices, e.g. electricity, gas or water meters · CPC title