EP0632522B1 - Dielectric lens for an antenna and manufacturing process thereof - Google Patents

Dielectric lens for an antenna and manufacturing process thereof Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0632522B1
EP0632522B1 EP94110099A EP94110099A EP0632522B1 EP 0632522 B1 EP0632522 B1 EP 0632522B1 EP 94110099 A EP94110099 A EP 94110099A EP 94110099 A EP94110099 A EP 94110099A EP 0632522 B1 EP0632522 B1 EP 0632522B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
radome
dielectric lens
antenna
dome
dielectric
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94110099A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0632522A1 (en
Inventor
Keizo C/O Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd Yamamoto
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd filed Critical Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd
Publication of EP0632522A1 publication Critical patent/EP0632522A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0632522B1 publication Critical patent/EP0632522B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/42—Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q15/00—Devices for reflection, refraction, diffraction or polarisation of waves radiated from an antenna, e.g. quasi-optical devices
    • H01Q15/02—Refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens, prism
    • H01Q15/08—Refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens, prism formed of solid dielectric material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a dielectric lens, and more particularly to a dielectric lens used as an element of an antenna for receiving microwave for communication and broadcasting.
  • a dielectric lens used as an element of an antenna for receiving microwave of 5GHz or more is conventionally produced by: mixing a resin, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene or the like, with ceramic powder, which acts as a foaming agent and as a dielectric constant conditioner; and molding the mixture into a dome.
  • a resin for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene or the like
  • ceramic powder which acts as a foaming agent and as a dielectric constant conditioner
  • the dielectric lens is molded to be thick and accordingly to be heavy. For example, if a mixture of polypropylene and ceramic powder is molded into a dome which is about 180mm in diameter and about 76mm in height, the weight will be about 1kg. Thus, a large quantity of resin is necessary, and the cost of the dielectric lens is high.
  • the thickly molded dielectric lens is likely to have a defect such as a sink mark and a swirl mark on the surface (radome layer) and a void inside.
  • the defect can be fairly avoided by adopting injection compression molding.
  • the injection compression molding requires a mold of a complicated structure and expensive facilities. Even in the injection compression molding, it is difficult to completely prevent occurrence of a sink mark, a swirl mark and a void. Further, a product by the injection compression molding has residual stress, which is a cause of deflection.
  • WO 93/10572 relates to a dielectric material for antennas which is composed of individual pieces which appear essentially homogenous to signals whose frequency is such that their wavelength is greater than the dimension of the pieces.
  • the dielectric material comprises some dielectrical pieces which collectively form a dielectic block which itself has the shape of a dielectric antenna to be produced.
  • the pieces may be fixed to each other, for example by glueing, or may just lay near or on each other.
  • a microwave length antenna comprises a radome cover which may also serve as a matching layer to reduce the amount of reflected signal at the lens surface.
  • the radome cover is made of plastic and may be used as a vessel to contain the unbound plastic pieces.
  • WO 89/08932 relates to a solid dielectric lens aerial comprising a lens of dielectric material transparent to radiation.
  • the material for the solid dielectric lens aerial may be silica glass beads or silica flour which is bound together.
  • the lens may comprise a shell formed of two halves and filled with the powder.
  • the radome and the foamy body are molded separately, and the produced lens is less likely to have a sink mark, a swirl mark and/or a void compared with a conventional dielectric lens produced by integral molding. Also, since preexpanded beads are used for the foamy body, only a small quantity of resin is necessary, thereby lessening the weight.
  • the radome is formed by ordinary thinwall injection molding, and the foamy body is formed by ordinary foaming. Therefore, such expensive facilities as to be used for injection compression molding are not required, and the cost for facilities is low.
  • a dielectric lens according to the present invention and a manufacturing process thereof are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • numeral 1 denotes a radome
  • numeral 5 denotes a lid
  • numeral 10 denotes a foamy body.
  • the radome 1 is molded as a dome shell of a specified size.
  • the foamy body 10 has a curved surface which is identical with the inner surface of the radome 1 such that the foamy body 10 will be mounted in the radome 1 with no space in-between.
  • the foamy body 10 is produced by the following process.
  • an aliphatic hydrocarbon for example, hexane, butane, pentane or the like, is impregnated into polymer particles of polystyrene.
  • a dielectric constant conditioner is added, and the polystyrene is preexpanded.
  • polystyrene preexpanded beads are obtained.
  • the preexpanded beads are deposited in a mold and are fusion-molded.
  • the inner surface of the mold is identical with the inner surface of the radome 1 such that the fusion-molded body 10 can be mounted in the radome 1 with no space in-between.
  • the radome 1 and the lid 5 are made thin, out of the same polystyrene used for the foamy body 10 by a conventional method such as injection molding.
  • the foamy body 10 is mounted in the radome 1, and the lid 5 is set at the opening of the radome 1.
  • a dielectric lens is assembled.
  • the radome 1 and the lid 5 are preferably bonded airtight by an adhesive or by ultrasonic welding.
  • the radome 1 is desirably thin for a high antenna gain and is made to be 2mm, and more desirably 1mm or less, in thickness. In point of the antenna gain, it is further preferred that the space between the radome 1 and the foamy body 10 is not more than 0.5mm. If a pigment such as titanium oxide is added to the material of the radome 1, the radome 1 will absorb ultraviolet rays, which helps the foamy body 10 maintain its characteristic and lengthens the life of the lens.
  • the followings are exemplary constituents of the foamy body 10.
  • the dielectric constant conditioner and the foaming agent were added to the resin, and the resin was preexpanded at an expansion ratio of 15. Then, the preexpanded resin was fusion-molded. As a result, a foamy body 10 which has a dielectric constant of 1.5 and has a weight of 250g was produced.
  • the constituents of the materials of the radome 1, the lid 5 and the foamy body 10 are not limited to those described above.
  • the resin polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. can be used.
  • the foaming agent butane, pentane, etc. can be used.
  • the dielectric constant conditioner calcium titanate, barium titanate, etc. can be used.

Description

    [Technical Field]
  • The present invention relates to a dielectric lens, and more particularly to a dielectric lens used as an element of an antenna for receiving microwave for communication and broadcasting.
    • [Background Art]
  • A dielectric lens used as an element of an antenna for receiving microwave of 5GHz or more is conventionally produced by: mixing a resin, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene or the like, with ceramic powder, which acts as a foaming agent and as a dielectric constant conditioner; and molding the mixture into a dome. In the molding, the surface of the dielectric lens is solidified, and a radome layer is formed. The radome layer protects the inner foamy body from weathering and reinforces the foamy body.
  • In the conventional manufacturing process, the dielectric lens is molded to be thick and accordingly to be heavy. For example, if a mixture of polypropylene and ceramic powder is molded into a dome which is about 180mm in diameter and about 76mm in height, the weight will be about 1kg. Thus, a large quantity of resin is necessary, and the cost of the dielectric lens is high.
  • The thickly molded dielectric lens is likely to have a defect such as a sink mark and a swirl mark on the surface (radome layer) and a void inside. The defect can be fairly avoided by adopting injection compression molding. However, the injection compression molding requires a mold of a complicated structure and expensive facilities. Even in the injection compression molding, it is difficult to completely prevent occurrence of a sink mark, a swirl mark and a void. Further, a product by the injection compression molding has residual stress, which is a cause of deflection.
  • WO 93/10572 relates to a dielectric material for antennas which is composed of individual pieces which appear essentially homogenous to signals whose frequency is such that their wavelength is greater than the dimension of the pieces. The dielectric material comprises some dielectrical pieces which collectively form a dielectic block which itself has the shape of a dielectric antenna to be produced. The pieces may be fixed to each other, for example by glueing, or may just lay near or on each other. A microwave length antenna comprises a radome cover which may also serve as a matching layer to reduce the amount of reflected signal at the lens surface. The radome cover is made of plastic and may be used as a vessel to contain the unbound plastic pieces.
  • WO 89/08932 relates to a solid dielectric lens aerial comprising a lens of dielectric material transparent to radiation. The material for the solid dielectric lens aerial may be silica glass beads or silica flour which is bound together. The lens may comprise a shell formed of two halves and filled with the powder.
  • It is the object of the present invention to provide a method of producing a light and inexpensive dielectric lens which does not have a defect such as a sink mark, a swirl mark and a void, and which does not require expensive facilities.
  • This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1.
  • According to the present invention which is defined in claim 1, the radome and the foamy body are molded separately, and the produced lens is less likely to have a sink mark, a swirl mark and/or a void compared with a conventional dielectric lens produced by integral molding. Also, since preexpanded beads are used for the foamy body, only a small quantity of resin is necessary, thereby lessening the weight. The radome is formed by ordinary thinwall injection molding, and the foamy body is formed by ordinary foaming. Therefore, such expensive facilities as to be used for injection compression molding are not required, and the cost for facilities is low.
    • [Brief Description of the Drawings]
  • These and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • Fig. 1 is an explosive perspective view of a dielectric lens which is an embodiment of the present invention; and
  • Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the assembled dielectric lens.
    • [Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention]
  • A dielectric lens according to the present invention and a manufacturing process thereof are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • In Figs. 1 and 2, numeral 1 denotes a radome, numeral 5 denotes a lid, and numeral 10 denotes a foamy body. The radome 1 is molded as a dome shell of a specified size. The foamy body 10 has a curved surface which is identical with the inner surface of the radome 1 such that the foamy body 10 will be mounted in the radome 1 with no space in-between.
  • The foamy body 10 is produced by the following process. In a water disperse system in an autoclave, an aliphatic hydrocarbon, for example, hexane, butane, pentane or the like, is impregnated into polymer particles of polystyrene. Further, a dielectric constant conditioner is added, and the polystyrene is preexpanded. By the preexpansion, polystyrene preexpanded beads are obtained. Next, the preexpanded beads are deposited in a mold and are fusion-molded. The inner surface of the mold is identical with the inner surface of the radome 1 such that the fusion-molded body 10 can be mounted in the radome 1 with no space in-between.
  • The radome 1 and the lid 5 are made thin, out of the same polystyrene used for the foamy body 10 by a conventional method such as injection molding.
  • The foamy body 10 is mounted in the radome 1, and the lid 5 is set at the opening of the radome 1. Thus, a dielectric lens is assembled. The radome 1 and the lid 5 are preferably bonded airtight by an adhesive or by ultrasonic welding. The radome 1 is desirably thin for a high antenna gain and is made to be 2mm, and more desirably 1mm or less, in thickness. In point of the antenna gain, it is further preferred that the space between the radome 1 and the foamy body 10 is not more than 0.5mm. If a pigment such as titanium oxide is added to the material of the radome 1, the radome 1 will absorb ultraviolet rays, which helps the foamy body 10 maintain its characteristic and lengthens the life of the lens.
  • The followings are exemplary constituents of the foamy body 10.
  • resin: polystyrene at a mixing ratio by weight of 100
  • dielectric constant conditioner: calcium titanate at a mixing ratio by weight of 60
  • foaming agent: butane
  • The dielectric constant conditioner and the foaming agent were added to the resin, and the resin was preexpanded at an expansion ratio of 15. Then, the preexpanded resin was fusion-molded. As a result, a foamy body 10 which has a dielectric constant of 1.5 and has a weight of 250g was produced.
  • The constituents of the materials of the radome 1, the lid 5 and the foamy body 10 are not limited to those described above. As the resin, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. can be used. As the foaming agent, butane, pentane, etc. can be used. As the dielectric constant conditioner, calcium titanate, barium titanate, etc. can be used.

Claims (3)

  1. A method for producing a dielectric lens for an antenna, characterized by the following steps:
    molding a radome (1) as a dome shell of a specified size;
    forming pre-expanded beads with a specific dielectric constant;
    fusion-molding the pre-expanded beads into a dome (10) whose curved surface is substantially identical with an inner surface of the radome (1);
    mounting the fusion-molded dome (10) in the radome (1) and setting a lid (5) at an opening of the radome (1).
  2. A dielectric lens for an antenna formed by a method according to claim 1, comprising
    a radome (1) which is a dome shell of a specified size;
    pre-expanded beads shaped into a dome (10) whose curved surface is substantially identical with an inner surface of the radome (1).
  3. The dielectric lens for an antenna as claimed in claim 2, wherein the radome (1) contains an ultra-violet ray absorbing agent.
EP94110099A 1993-06-30 1994-06-29 Dielectric lens for an antenna and manufacturing process thereof Expired - Lifetime EP0632522B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP161006/93 1993-06-30
JP5161006A JPH0722834A (en) 1993-06-30 1993-06-30 Dielectric lens for antenna and its production

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0632522A1 EP0632522A1 (en) 1995-01-04
EP0632522B1 true EP0632522B1 (en) 1999-02-03

Family

ID=15726792

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94110099A Expired - Lifetime EP0632522B1 (en) 1993-06-30 1994-06-29 Dielectric lens for an antenna and manufacturing process thereof

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0632522B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH0722834A (en)
DE (1) DE69416347T2 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7301504B2 (en) 2004-07-14 2007-11-27 Ems Technologies, Inc. Mechanical scanning feed assembly for a spherical lens antenna
CN104149228A (en) * 2014-07-08 2014-11-19 中国电子科技集团公司第二十研究所 Integrated forming die and method for glass fiber reinforced plastic antenna housing

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19741081C1 (en) * 1997-09-18 1999-03-18 Bosch Gmbh Robert Method of making an antenna lens
FR2777117B1 (en) * 1998-04-06 2000-04-28 Alsthom Cge Alcatel MULTI-LAYERED FOCUSING SPHERICAL LENS
JP3650953B2 (en) * 1998-06-29 2005-05-25 株式会社村田製作所 Dielectric lens antenna and radio apparatus using the same
AU5869300A (en) * 1999-06-07 2000-12-28 Spike Broadband Technologies, Inc. Hemispheroidally shaped lens and antenna system employing same
JP3566598B2 (en) * 1999-09-30 2004-09-15 株式会社東芝 Antenna device
FR2804249A1 (en) 2000-01-26 2001-07-27 Thomson Multimedia Sa DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING AND / OR RECEIVING ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES COMPRISING A LENS HAVING A CONFORMED VOLUME OF DIELECTRIC MATERIAL
JP2001279014A (en) * 2000-03-31 2001-10-10 Achilles Corp Dielectric expansion-molded product having improved dimensional stability
JP3521845B2 (en) * 2000-05-12 2004-04-26 日本電気株式会社 Dielectric lens and method of manufacturing the same
CN1759505B (en) * 2003-03-11 2010-05-26 住友电气工业株式会社 Luneberg lens and process for producing the same
JP3599058B1 (en) * 2003-07-31 2004-12-08 住友電気工業株式会社 Luneberg lens and antenna device using the same
DE102005035814A1 (en) * 2005-07-30 2007-02-01 Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. Manufacture of radome for radar system of vehicle using dielectric lens
PL3245242T3 (en) 2015-01-14 2019-04-30 Synthos S A Use of a mineral having perovskite structure in vinyl aromatic polymer foam
MA41344B1 (en) 2015-01-14 2019-01-31 Synthos Sa Combination of silica and graphite and its use to reduce the thermal conductivity of a vinyl aromatic polymer foam
MA41342A (en) 2015-01-14 2017-11-21 Synthos Sa PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF EXPANDABLE AROMATIC VINYL POLYMER GRANULATES WITH REDUCED THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
JP2018502965A (en) 2015-01-14 2018-02-01 シントス エス．アー．Ｓｙｎｔｈｏｓ Ｓ．Ａ． Geopolymer composite, foamable vinyl aromatic polymer granules and foamed vinyl aromatic polymer foam comprising the geopolymer composite

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4550003A (en) * 1983-12-13 1985-10-29 Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vinylidene chloride type resin expandable particles, foam particles, in-mold foam molding by use thereof and process for producing them

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3917773A (en) * 1973-12-26 1975-11-04 Us Navy Method for fabricating a shaped dielectric antenna lens
JPS50116259A (en) * 1974-02-26 1975-09-11
JPS5122355A (en) * 1974-08-19 1976-02-23 Nippon Electric Co Hanshaban oyobisono seizohoho
JPS6052528B2 (en) * 1977-05-02 1985-11-20 株式会社トキメック Lightweight mixed dielectric and its manufacturing method
US4482513A (en) * 1981-03-10 1984-11-13 General Dynamics, Pomona Division Method of molding foam/aluminum flake microwave lenses
US4640280A (en) * 1985-08-12 1987-02-03 Rca Corporation Microwave hyperthermia with dielectric lens focusing
GB8603206D0 (en) * 1986-02-10 1986-03-19 Ca Minister Nat Defence Projectile
JPS63300608A (en) * 1987-05-29 1988-12-07 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Antenna system
GB8804175D0 (en) * 1988-02-23 1988-03-23 Secr Defence Solid dielectric lens aerial
JPH0380604A (en) * 1989-08-23 1991-04-05 Murata Mfg Co Ltd Dielectric lens antenna
JPH03103608U (en) * 1990-02-13 1991-10-28
JP2738143B2 (en) * 1990-10-31 1998-04-08 日本電気株式会社 Satellite receiving antenna
JPH0548318A (en) * 1991-08-20 1993-02-26 Murata Mfg Co Ltd Lens antenna
JPH0548319A (en) * 1991-08-20 1993-02-26 Murata Mfg Co Ltd Lens antenna
EP0623247A1 (en) * 1991-11-19 1994-11-09 THOMSON multimedia Dielectric material for antennas
JP3227910B2 (en) * 1993-06-30 2001-11-12 株式会社村田製作所 Manufacturing method of dielectric lens
JPH0716861A (en) * 1993-06-30 1995-01-20 Murata Mfg Co Ltd Production of dielectric antenna element

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4550003A (en) * 1983-12-13 1985-10-29 Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vinylidene chloride type resin expandable particles, foam particles, in-mold foam molding by use thereof and process for producing them

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7301504B2 (en) 2004-07-14 2007-11-27 Ems Technologies, Inc. Mechanical scanning feed assembly for a spherical lens antenna
CN104149228A (en) * 2014-07-08 2014-11-19 中国电子科技集团公司第二十研究所 Integrated forming die and method for glass fiber reinforced plastic antenna housing

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0722834A (en) 1995-01-24
DE69416347D1 (en) 1999-03-18
EP0632522A1 (en) 1995-01-04
DE69416347T2 (en) 1999-07-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0632522B1 (en) Dielectric lens for an antenna and manufacturing process thereof
US6489928B2 (en) Composite dielectric molded product and lens antenna using the same
US7671820B2 (en) Luneberg dielectric lens and method of producing same
US5154973A (en) Composite material for dielectric lens antennas
EP1794221B1 (en) Expanded polypropylene bead for forming a dielectric material and dielectric lens member formed by the expanded polypropylene beads
EP1398647A2 (en) Millimeter wave radar with side-lobe absorbing radome
US6433936B1 (en) Lens of gradient dielectric constant and methods of production
CN1227834C (en) Equipment for transmitting/receiving radio wave
US7088309B2 (en) Lens antenna
WO1993010572A1 (en) Dielectric material for antennas
US5543814A (en) Dielectric-supported antenna
EP3215578B1 (en) Eco-friendly thermoplastic conformal coating for antenna array systems
EP1603191A1 (en) Luneberg lens and process for producing the same
JPH066128A (en) Dielectric lens antenna and manufacture thereof
KR20010080662A (en) Focusing device comprising a luneberg lens including a homogeneous volume of dielectric material and method for making such a lens
JPH0824246B2 (en) Dielectric lens antenna
JPH05291820A (en) Dielectric lens for antenna
JPH0548318A (en) Lens antenna
GB2221351A (en) Antenna
JP2006121664A (en) Luneberg lens and method for manufacturing the same
JP2004297789A (en) Lunberg lens and its production method
JPH01282904A (en) Dielectric lens for antenna
JPH03147407A (en) Dielectric lens antenna
KR20000060625A (en) Radome structure for mobile DBS receiving antenna
JPH05334934A (en) Manufacture of dielectric

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19950126

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19970210

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

ET Fr: translation filed
REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69416347

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19990318

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20070621

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20070627

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20070608

Year of fee payment: 14

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20080629

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20090228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090101

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080629

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080630