Mechanism for Mounting a Receiving/Transmitting Horn in a Satellite Dish

This invention relates generally to satellite dishes for television and other communication equipment and particularly to a mechanism for mounting a receiving/transmitting horn in such dishes.

Satellite dishes for television and other types of receiving/transmitting dishes are exposed to the environment and as such are subject to exposure to water, snow, wind, sun and other environmental related stresses. These stresses are detrimental to the electronic equipment and it therefore is necessary to protect the electronic components and coaxial cables from the exposure to snow and water and also to physically stabilize the receiving/transmitting horn against the wind to maintain the physical position of the horn within the satellite dish. The present invention possesses these advantages and is also advantageous in that it permits easy installation and automatic alignment of the horn within the dish.

A mechanism for mounting a receiving/transmitting horn in a satellite dish includes a substantially weatherproof casing which supports the horn and in which a low noise block converter (LNB) is arranged to connect coaxial cable connectors to the horn. The casing includes a recessed portion angularly arranged at an angle .alpha. with respect to the axis of the casing. Coaxial cable connectors pass through the recessed portion and an insulative retainer immovably holds the coaxial cable connectors in the recessed portion. A substantially weatherproof feed-arm has internal dimensions selected to receive the recessed portion in a substantially weatherproof manner. Coaxial cables are slideably supported in the feed-arm and are connected to the coaxial cable connectors. A flange affixes the mechanism to the satellite dish.

The FIGURE is a preferred embodiment.

In the FIGURE, a receiving/transmitting horn 11 is affixed to a weatherproof casing 12 which encloses a low noise block converter (LNB). The LNB connects male coaxial cable connectors 15 to the horn 11. Casing 12 includes a recessed portion 14, the external dimensions of which are slightly smaller than the external dimensions of the casing 12. The male coaxial cable connectors 15 extend from the recessed portion 14. The coaxial connectors 15, and thus also the LNB to which they are connected, are held immovable within recessed portion 14 by an insulating retainer 16. This eliminates the possibility of damaging the LNB when the casing 12 is joined with a feed-arm 19. The longitudinal axis 17 of the recessed portion 14 is disposed at an angle .alpha. with respect to the longitudinal axis 18 of the weatherproof casing 12. A support 25 is normal to the casing 12 and fixes horn 11 to the casing.

The feed-arm 19 has internal dimensions which are selected such that the feed-arm receives recessed portion 14 in a substantially weatherproof manner and if necessary seals can be used. The coaxial cables 13 are slideably arranged within the feed-arm 19 but are constrained from transverse movement with respect to the four sides of the feed-arm. The coaxial cables 13 are terminated with female coaxial connectors 21 which thread onto the male connectors 15. Because coaxial cables 13 are slideable within feed-arm 19, recessed portion 14 can be slid into the end of feed-arm 19 without physically stressing any electronic components contained within casing 12.

A flange 24 is permanently fixed to the distal end of feed-arm 19. The flange 24 has the same parabolic configuration and dimensions as the outside surface of the satellite dish 26. The feed-arm 19 passes through an aperture within the dish 26. The longitudinal axis 17a of the side of feed-arm 19 coincides with the longitudinal axis 17 of recessed portion 14 and is offset from the axis 27 of parabolic dish 26. This results in the advantages of permitting the feed-arm 19 to be straight, making it easier to pass coaxial cables 13 through the feed-arm and also making it less expensive to fabricate the feed-arm. The feed-arm 19, casing 12, support 25 and angle .alpha. are dimensioned such that the horn 11 is optimally positioned at the focal point of the parabolic satellite dish 26. The cross sectional configuration of recessed portion 14 and feed-arm 19 preferably is rectangular, as shown. However, if ease of manufacture or cost benefits dictate that a different configuration should be used, the configuration should be chosen to have at least one flat surface to minimize the possibility of the two members moving with respect to one another due to the effects of wind, temperature changes and other environmental effects.

Apertures 20a and 20b are present in the recessed portion 14 and feed-arm 19, respectively. Apertures 20a and 20b are positioned within the respective members such that they are in alignment when the two members 14 and 19 are joined together. A special nut 22, which is congruent to the apertures 20a and 20b, and a screw 23 pass through the apertures 20a and 20b to physically maintain the recessed portion 14 and feed-arm 19 together. The apertures 20a and 20b and nut 22 preferably are configured to have at least one flat side so that nut 22 can not rotate within the apertures.