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More reliable satellite television reception in moisture conditions is provided by recognizing the critical relationship between satellite signal transmissivity and the effects of superhydrophobocity. Instead of trying to use a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating or material to shed water from

More reliable satellite television reception in moisture conditions is provided by recognizing the critical relationship between satellite signal transmissivity and the effects of superhydrophobocity. Instead of trying to use a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating or material to shed water from a satellite antenna, superhydrophobic materials and coatings are strategically utilized to minimize the impact of water on the transmissivity of the satellite signal through transmissive surfaces in the antenna system. In a preferred embodiment, an exterior surface of a feed horn cover is coated with a superhydrophobic material to maintain a more consistent satellite signal reception. In an alternate embodiment, an exterior surface of a dome covering a small dish DBS satellite television antenna system is coated with a superhydrophobic material to minimize the overall satellite signal loss during moisture conditions so as to permit a dome to be effectively used over a small dish DBS satellite television antenna system.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed: 1. A satellite dish apparatus operably connectable to a satellite receiver, the satellite dish apparatus comprising: a satellite antenna dish defining a focal point; a feed horn assembly and a signal converter operably positioned relative to the focal point of the satellite antenna

What is claimed: 1. A satellite dish apparatus operably connectable to a satellite receiver, the satellite dish apparatus comprising: a satellite antenna dish defining a focal point; a feed horn assembly and a signal converter operably positioned relative to the focal point of the satellite antenna dish; and a superhydrophobic coating comprised of a binder solution and a powder dispersed therein, the coating applied directly to a transmissive surface of the feed horn assembly to form only a single layer. 2. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a protective covering that extends over at least a portion of the satellite antenna dish and the feed horn assembly and is generally transparent to satellite signals, wherein the superhydrophobic coating is also applied to at least a transmissive portion of the protective covering. 3. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 2, wherein the protective covering is a dome extending over substantially all of the satellite antenna apparatus. 4. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 3, wherein the dome has an irregular shape. 5. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 4, wherein the irregular shape mimics an outward appearance of a boulder. 6. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 2, wherein the protective covering is a shroud, said shroud supported above the feed horn assembly and extending toward the antenna a distance beyond the transmissive portion of the feed horn assembly. 7. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the superhydrophobic coating applied to at least a reflective portion of the satellite antenna dish. 8. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 1, wherein the superhydrophobic coating is sprayed onto the transmissive surface. 9. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 1, wherein the superhydrophobic coating forms a film layer adhered to the transmissive surface. 10. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 1, wherein the superhydrophobic coating forms a laminate on the transmissive surface. 11. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 1, wherein the superhydrophobic coating is added to the transmissive surface during manufacturing so as to impregnate an external face of the transmissive surface. 12. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 1, wherein the powder is finely divided and includes a plurality of nanoparticles with a hydrophobic surface and a porous structure characterized by a BET surface area of at least 1 m2/g, and wherein said binder solution is characterized by a surface tension of 50 mN/m. 13. The satellite dish apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feed horn assembly includes a feed horn cover at least partially fabricated of a material that has a superhydrophobic surface utilized as a portion of a transmissive surface of the feed horn cover. 14. A direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television antenna system operably connectable to a satellite receiver, the DBS antenna system comprising: a satellite antenna dish defining a focal point, the satellite antenna dish having a diameter of less than about 30" and being adapted to receive DBS satellite signals in the 5-30 GHz range; a feed horn assembly and a signal converter operably positioned relative to the focal point of the satellite antenna dish; and a single superhydrophobic coating comprised of a binder solution and a powder dispersed therein, the coating applied to a transmissive surface of the DBS antenna system to form only a single layer. 15. The DBS antenna system of claim 14, further comprising: a protective covering that extends over at least a portion of the DBS antenna system and is generally transparent to satellite signals; wherein the superhydrophobic coating is also applied to at least a transmissive portion of the protective covering. 16. A method for reliable satellite television reception in moisture conditions through a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television antenna system operably connectable to a satellite receiver, said antenna system including a satellite antenna dish, the satellite antenna dish having a diameter of less than about 30" and being adapted to receive DBS satellite signals in the 5-30 GHz range, the method comprising: directly coating a transmissive surface of the DBS antenna system with only a single non-separable layer of superhydrophobic coating comprised of a binder solution and a powder dispersed therein; aiming the satellite antenna dish at a DBS satellite; and reapplying the coating directly to the transmissive portion of the DBS antenna system upon a loss of reception. 17. The method of claim 16, further including coating a protective covering that extends over at least a portion of the DBS antenna system and is generally transparent to satellite signals. 18. A kit for improving satellite television reception in moisture conditions through a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television antenna system operably connectable to a satellite receiver, said antenna system including a satellite antenna dish, the satellite antenna dish having a diameter of less than about 30" and being adapted to receive DBS satellite signals in the 5-30 GHz range, the kit comprising: a spray applicator, a superhydrophobic coating comprised of a binder solution and a powder dispersed therein contained within the spray applicator; and a set of instructions for applying the superhydrophobic coating directly on a transmissive surface of specific components of the direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television antenna system. 19. A replaceable feed horn cover for a satellite antenna system, said feed horn cover including a single non-separable layer of superhydrophobic coating comprised of a binder solution and a powder dispersed therein applied directly on a transmissive surface thereof to present a superhydrophobic surface for dispersion of moisture from the feed horn cover and structure that enables the feed horn cover to snap onto a feed horn body of the satellite antenna system. 20. The replaceable feed horn cover of claim 19, wherein the powder is finely divided and includes a plurality of nanoparticles with a hydrophobic surface and a porous structure characterized by a BET surface area of at least 1 m2/g. 21. The replaceable feed horn cover of claim 19, wherein the superhydrophobic material is sprayed onto the transmissive surface of the feed horn cover. 22. The replaceable feed horn cover of claim 19, wherein the superhydrophobic material forms a film layer adhered to the transmissive surface of the feed horn cover. 23. The replaceable feed horn cover of claim 19, wherein the superhydrophobic material that is forms a laminate on the transmissive surface of the feed horn cover. 24. The replaceable feed horn cover of claim 19, wherein the superhydrophobic material forms at least a portion of the plastic material from which the transmissive surface of the feed horn cover is formed.