초록 ▼

An RF control system characterized by the use of remotely located low profile radio frequency antennas which are concealed in conventionally appearing valve boxes or similar housings. The system includes a central control station, including a central RF transmitter, and a plurality of remote station

An RF control system characterized by the use of remotely located low profile radio frequency antennas which are concealed in conventionally appearing valve boxes or similar housings. The system includes a central control station, including a central RF transmitter, and a plurality of remote station, each including an RF receiver and antenna. A preferred remote station includes a valve box or similar housing of the type intended to be at least partially buried in the earth. The housing has a peripheral wall defining an access opening and a removable cover for bridging the opening. A directional discontinuity ring radiator (DDRR) antenna is physically mounted in the valve box housing on the interior side of the cover and is connected to a receiver, preferably also physically mounted on the cover.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [12.] A centrally controlled wireless system for remotely operating a controllable device, said system comprising:a central station including:transmitter means for producing an RF signal;source means for producing command information;encoder means responsive to said command information f

[ I claim:] [12.] A centrally controlled wireless system for remotely operating a controllable device, said system comprising:a central station including:transmitter means for producing an RF signal;source means for producing command information;encoder means responsive to said command information for encoding said RF signal;a vertically polarized central antenna for broadcasting said encoded RF signal; and,at least one remote station including:a housing comprising a structure suitable for being at least partially buried in the earth and including a peripheral wall defining an upper access opening and a removable panel bridging said opening, said panel having interior and exterior surfaces;a vertically polarized remote antenna mounted in said housing for receiving said broadcast RF signal;decoder means mounted in said housing responsive to said received broadcast RF signal for producing decoded command information;a controllable device responsive to said decoded command information;said remote antenna including (1) a conductive ground plane member horizontally oriented in said housing and (2) an elongate conductive member mounted in said housing proximate to said panel interior surface defining a planar ring oriented parallel to and spaced vertically above said ground plane member; and wherein said housing is at least partially buried in the earth with said conductive ground plane member oriented substantially horizontally and positioned substantially in alignment with the surface of the earth proximate thereto.