Radome deformation control device under positive and negative alternating load

Abstract

The invention discloses a radome deformation control device under positive and negative alternating loads. The radome deformation control device comprises supporting foam, differential pressure measuring equipment, a differential pressure measuring port, an air pressure pipe, an air extractor, an air extraction port and an air pipe, the supporting foam is located between the antenna housing and the antenna array plane, is made of a low-dielectric-constant material and supports the antenna housing inside, and the gap between the supporting foam and the antenna housing is smaller than the maximum deformation quantity of the antenna housing; the pressure difference measuring port is positioned on the side wall of the antenna housing or the antenna array surface, and the pressure tube is communicated with the pressure difference measuring equipment and the closed space in the antenna housing through the pressure difference measuring port; the pressure difference measuring equipment consists of a plurality of pressure difference sensors, detects the pressure difference inside and outside the antenna housing, generates a pressure difference signal and transmits the pressure difference signal to the air extractor; the air exhaust opening is located in the side wall of the antenna housing or the antenna array surface and is far away from the pressure difference measuring opening, the air pipe is connected with the air exhaust device and the air exhaust opening, and the air exhaust device is installed outside the antenna housing, extracts air in the antenna housing after receiving a signal of the pressure difference measuring device, reduces air pressure in the antenna housing and is automatically closed at other time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of antenna structure technology, specifically relating to an antenna radome deformation control technology. Background Technology

[0002] A radome is a structural and functional integrated component used in radio frequency equipment to protect the antenna system from the influence of the external environment. It should have good electromagnetic wave penetration performance while also being able to withstand severe and complex mechanical loads such as strong winds.

[0003] When designing a radome, on the one hand, in order to obtain good electrical performance, the radome is required to be as thin and uniform as possible to improve transmittance and consistency; on the other hand, the radome is subjected to severe and complex mechanical loads, which requires the radome to have good rigidity and strength. The two are contradictory and restrict the improvement of the radome's performance.

[0004] In strong winds, the radome faces the wind head-on, experiencing positive pressure, while the sideways or rearward sides experience negative pressure suction due to vortex phenomena. Throughout its lifespan, the radome will be subjected to alternating positive and negative wind loads. External loads can cause overall or localized deformation of the radome. This deformation relative to the antenna array affects the electrical performance of the radio frequency equipment.

[0005] As radio frequency equipment develops towards broadband integration, the strong coupling characteristics between the radome and the antenna array become more prominent, and the deformation of the radome relative to the antenna array has a more significant impact on insertion loss.

[0006] Without affecting the radome's wave transmission performance, a technology is needed to control the deformation of the radome under complex alternating positive and negative mechanical loads, so as to ensure that the radio frequency equipment can work normally in harsh environments. Summary of the Invention

[0007] By controlling the air pressure difference between the enclosed space enclosed by the radome and antenna array and the environment, the negative tensile load on the radome is resisted. The positive compressive load on the radome is resisted by the low-dielectric-constant foam placed between the radome and antenna array. Without affecting the radome's wave transmission performance, the deformation of the radome under alternating positive and negative external mechanical loads is effectively controlled, reducing the coupling characteristics between the radome and antenna array and preventing the degradation of the electrical performance of the RF antenna.

[0008] The device includes supporting foam, differential pressure measuring equipment, differential pressure measuring port, air pressure pipe, air extraction device, air extraction port, and air duct.

[0009] The supporting foam is located between the radome and the antenna array. It is made of a low dielectric constant material and supports the radome internally. The gap between the supporting foam and the radome is smaller than the maximum deformation of the radome to prevent the radome from deforming too much inward.

[0010] The differential pressure measurement port is located on the side wall of the radome or antenna array. The pressure pipe passes through the differential pressure measurement port, connecting the differential pressure measurement equipment with the enclosed space inside the radome.

[0011] The differential pressure measuring device consists of several differential pressure sensors, which detect the pressure difference inside and outside the radome, generate a differential pressure signal, and transmit it to the pumping device.

[0012] The air extraction port is located on the side wall of the radome or antenna array, away from the differential pressure measurement port. The air duct connects the air extraction device to the air extraction port. The air extraction device is installed outside the radome. After receiving the signal from the differential pressure measurement device, it extracts the air from the radome to reduce the air pressure inside the radome. It automatically shuts off at other times.

[0013] Furthermore, the supporting foam can be replaced with other solid materials that have wave-transmitting capabilities.

[0014] Furthermore, there are multiple differential pressure measurement ports distributed in different locations. The differential pressure measurement equipment consists of multiple barometers integrated into the antenna array or the air extraction device to collect air pressure at different locations and calculate the pressure difference inside and outside the antenna radome using the average value.

[0015] Furthermore, there are multiple air extraction ports to ensure uniform air pressure inside the antenna radome.

[0016] Furthermore, the air extraction device is installed directly at the air extraction port, without the need for duct connection.

[0017] Furthermore, sealing rings and sealant are used to seal the radome to the antenna array.

[0018] Furthermore, the radome is under constant negative pressure and cannot be completely sealed. Due to the effects of respiration, high-humidity and high-salt air from the outside may enter the negative pressure zone. Therefore, dehumidifiers and salt mist removers should be installed to reduce humidity and salt mist inside the radome.

[0019] The pressure difference between the enclosed space enclosed by the radome and antenna array and the environment is monitored in real time using a pressure difference measuring device. When the pressure difference is less than the set minimum pressure difference threshold, the pumping device works until the set maximum pressure difference threshold is reached, at which point the pumping device shuts down, and the cycle repeats.

[0020] Based on the pressure tolerance requirements of the radome deformation control and the external load conditions of the radome, the negative pressure range that needs to be maintained in the sealed space enclosed by the radome and the antenna array is controlled. The maximum pressure difference threshold is the maximum external load, and the minimum pressure difference threshold is the difference between the maximum external load and the pressure tolerance.

[0021] The closed space enclosed by the radome and the antenna array is maintained under a negative pressure within a certain range to resist the negative tensile load on the radome. Low dielectric constant foam is laid between the radome and the antenna array to resist the positive compressive load on the radome. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a front view of the device.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a view of the back of the device.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a sectional view of the device. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] The air pressure in the enclosed space 10 formed by the radome 8 and the antenna array 9 is lower than the ambient air pressure, creating a negative pressure difference. Wind loads blowing towards the radome 8 create positive pressure, such as... Figure 1 As shown, a negative suction force is formed on the back, such as Figure 2 As shown.

[0027] Support foam 1 is located between the radome 8 and the antenna array 9, such as... Figure 3 As shown, an internal support radome is provided, with the gap between the support foam and the radome being smaller than the maximum deformation of the radome to prevent excessive inward deformation.

[0028] The differential pressure measuring port 3 is located on the side wall of the radome or antenna array. The pressure pipe 4 passes through the differential pressure measuring port and connects the differential pressure measuring device 2 with the enclosed space inside the radome.

[0029] The air extraction port 6 is located on the side wall of the radome or antenna array, away from the differential pressure measuring port 3. The air duct 7 connects the air extraction device to the air extraction port. The air extraction device 5 is installed outside the radome. After receiving the signal from the differential pressure measuring device, it extracts the air from the radome to reduce the air pressure inside the radome. It automatically closes at other times.

[0030] Determine the maximum and minimum pressure difference thresholds. Assuming the deformation of the radome 8 is less than 3mm, the internal and external pressure difference is less than 250Pa, and the maximum suction / pressure generated by the wind blowing on the radome is 1500Pa, this value is the maximum pressure difference threshold. Then the minimum pressure difference threshold is 1500Pa - 250Pa = 1250Pa.

[0031] The differential pressure measuring device 2 collects and calculates the differential pressure between the sealed space 10 enclosed by the radome 8 and the antenna array 9 and the environment, and sends it to the pumping device 5 for judgment. If the differential pressure is less than 1250 Pa, pumping begins until it reaches 1500 Pa and then stops, maintaining the differential pressure between 1250 Pa and 1500 Pa.

[0032] The wind load blows towards the radome 8, exerting pressure on it. This pressure, combined with the negative pressure between the enclosed space 10 formed by the radome 8 and the antenna array 9 and the environment, causes the radome 8 to deform inward. The deformation is no greater than the gap between the radome 8 and the supporting foam 1, and has no impact on the performance of the radome 8.

[0033] The vortex phenomenon on the back side generates a suction force on the radome 8. If it is less than 1250Pa, the radome 8 will still deform inward due to the negative pressure difference between 1250-1500Pa. The deformation is not greater than the gap between the radome 8 and the supporting foam 1.

[0034] If the suction force is greater than 1250Pa, the radome 8 may have two possibilities: positive load. The pressure generated will not exceed 250Pa, and the inward or outward deformation will be less than the allowable deformation of the radome 8, which will have no impact on the performance of the radome 8.

[0035] In most cases, the radome 8 deforms inward, reducing the number of alternating inward and outward deformations of the radome 8.

[0036] The above are embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for controlling the deformation of an antenna radome under alternating positive and negative loads, characterized in that, include: Supporting foam, differential pressure measuring equipment, differential pressure measuring port, air pressure pipe, air extraction device, air extraction port, and air duct; The supporting foam, made of a low dielectric constant material, is located between the radome and the antenna array. It internally supports the radome, and the gap between the supporting foam and the radome is less than the maximum deformation of the radome. The differential pressure measurement port is located on the side wall of the radome or antenna array. An air pressure pipe passes through the differential pressure measurement port, connecting the differential pressure measuring device to the enclosed space inside the radome. The differential pressure measuring device consists of several differential pressure sensors that detect the pressure difference inside and outside the radome, generate a differential pressure signal, and transmit it to the air extraction device. The air extraction port is located on the side wall of the radome or antenna array, away from the differential pressure measurement port. A duct connects the air extraction device to the air extraction port. The air extraction device is installed outside the radome. After receiving the signal from the differential pressure measuring device, it extracts the air from inside the radome, reducing the air pressure inside the radome. It automatically closes at other times.

2. The radome deformation control device under alternating positive and negative loads according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting foam was replaced with other solid materials that have wave-transmitting capabilities.

3. The radome deformation control device under alternating positive and negative loads according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple differential pressure measurement ports distributed in different locations. The differential pressure measurement device consists of multiple barometers integrated into the antenna array or the air extraction device to collect air pressure at different locations and calculate the pressure difference inside and outside the antenna radome using the average value.

4. The radome deformation control device under alternating positive and negative loads according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air extraction port has multiple ports to ensure uniform air pressure inside the antenna radome.

5. The radome deformation control device under alternating positive and negative loads according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air extraction device is installed directly at the air extraction port without the use of air ducts.

6. The radome deformation control device under alternating positive and negative loads according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Sealing rings and sealant are used to seal the radome to the antenna array.

7. The radome deformation control device under alternating positive and negative loads according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Dehumidifiers and salt spray dehumidifiers reduce humidity and salt spray inside the radome.

8. The radome deformation control device under alternating positive and negative loads according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The pressure difference between the enclosed space enclosed by the radome and antenna array and the environment is monitored in real time using a pressure difference measuring device. When the pressure difference is less than the set minimum pressure difference threshold, the pumping device works until the set maximum pressure difference threshold is reached, at which point the pumping device shuts down, and the cycle repeats.

9. The radome deformation control device under alternating positive and negative loads according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Based on the pressure that the radome can withstand and the external load of the radome, the negative pressure range that needs to be maintained in the closed space enclosed by the radome and the antenna array is controlled. The maximum pressure difference threshold is the maximum external load, and the minimum pressure difference threshold is the difference between the maximum external load and the pressure that can withstand.

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