Satellite antenna radome for submarine having high water pressure resistance

Abstract

A satellite antenna radome for a submarine is disclosed. A satellite antenna radome for a submarine, according to one aspect of the present invention, comprises: a dome-shaped cap with an open interior; a cylindrical cap bracket which is mounted to be screw-fixed to the cap and is open at the top and bottom to communicate with the interior of the cap; and a cylindrical body which is made of a molybdenum-added stainless alloy, is mounted to be screw-fixed to the cap bracket, and is open only at the top.

Description

Satellite antenna radome for submarines with high water pressure

[0001] The present invention relates to a satellite antenna radome for a submarine.

[0002] In general, radome is a compound word of radar and dome. Radar is a device that detects aircraft, obstacles, or other objects by emitting and capturing high-frequency directional radio waves in space by fixing or rotating (scanning) an antenna with a parabolic surface.

[0003] These radomes are composed of a cap, cap bracket, and body to protect against external environmental conditions such as wind, rain, salt, moisture, and physical impacts. They are usually made entirely of plastic materials, and much research has been done to increase durability, airtightness, and sealing power.

[0004] Conventional radomes used in satellite antennas have a water pressure of 45 bar. This means they can't withstand a submarine's maximum operating depth of 700 meters, and can easily break if submerged. Increasing the thickness to withstand this pressure reduces radio transmission. In other words, submarine antenna radomes must simultaneously achieve a water pressure that's proportional to their thickness and a radio transmission that's inversely proportional to their thickness.

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-described problems, and provides a satellite antenna radome for a submarine that can withstand a water pressure of 70 bar or more while increasing radio wave transmittance.

[0006] Other objects of the present invention will become more apparent through the preferred embodiments described below.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a satellite antenna radome for a submarine is provided, comprising: a dome-shaped cap having an open interior; a cylindrical cap bracket that is installed to be screw-fastened to the cap, the cap bracket having an upper and lower surface that is open and communicates with the interior of the cap; and a cylindrical body made of a stainless steel alloy to which molybdenum is added, the cylindrical body being installed to be screw-fastened to the cap bracket, the cylindrical body having only an upper surface that is open.

[0008] Here, the cap may be made of FRP material, and the cap bracket may be made of stainless steel alloy.

[0009] Additionally, the cap may be formed thicker than the body.

[0010] Additionally, quartz material is laminated on the outside or inside of the body, and can be laminated to a thickness of 0.01 to 0.1 mm.

[0011] In addition, the above quartz material can be laminated in a band-shaped pattern at regular intervals, and can be laminated both inside and outside, but can be laminated so that they do not overlap with each other at a regular interval, and can be secondarily laminated so that they have a mesh shape only on the outside.

[0012] Here, the quartz material can be three-layered to have a honeycomb shape inside.

[0013]

[0014] Other aspects, features and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the following drawings, claims and detailed description of the invention.

[0015] According to the present invention, a satellite antenna radome for a submarine can be provided that can withstand a water pressure of 70 bar or more while increasing radio wave transmittance.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a general view showing a satellite antenna radome for a submarine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are exemplary views showing the exterior of a radome body in which quartz is laminated in a band shape according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an exemplary drawing showing the exterior of a radome body in which quartz is laminated in a mesh shape according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0020] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0021] Terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, terms such as "first threshold" and "second threshold" described below may be predefined as thresholds that are substantially different or partially identical in value. However, since there is room for confusion when expressed using the same word "threshold," terms such as "first" and "second" will be used together for convenience of distinction.

[0022] The terminology used herein is merely used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0023] In addition, it is to be understood that the components of the embodiments described with reference to each drawing are not limited to the specific embodiments, but may be implemented to be included in other embodiments within the scope in which the technical idea of ​​the present invention is maintained, and that multiple embodiments may be re-implemented as a single integrated embodiment even if a separate description is omitted.

[0024] In addition, when describing with reference to the attached drawings, identical components will be assigned identical or related reference numerals regardless of the drawing reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. When describing the present invention, if a detailed description of a related known technology is judged to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0025]

[0026] FIG. 1 is a general diagram illustrating a satellite antenna radome for a submarine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a satellite antenna radome for a submarine includes a cap (10), a cap bracket (20), and a body (30).

[0028] First, let's briefly explain the satellite antenna system. The satellite antenna system tracks satellites through signal confirmation and stabilization functions, and the antenna control unit transmits navigation and satellite inertial information installed onboard the ship to the satellite antenna. Users can use the modem to receive emergency and rescue requests and broadcasts, as well as for communication such as phone calls and the Internet.

[0029] A satellite antenna system includes a radome, antenna, pedestal control unit (PCU), inertial measurement unit (IMU), multi-RF unit (MRU), and pedestal. The radome can be divided into an upper radome and a lower radome. The upper radome protects the equipment from the elements of the marine environment, and the lower radome protects the equipment from the elements of the marine environment and is fixed to the pedestal and the ship. The antenna, which is mainly a parabolic dish-shaped antenna, is a structure that collects or transmits satellite signals. The PCU (Pedestal Control Unit) is a device that searches and tracks the antenna, the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) determines inertial information, and the MRU (Multi-RF Unit) processes analog and digital satellite reception signals. The pedestal is a mechanical structure that supports the antenna and can move in any desired direction on each axis.

[0030] In other words, a radome is a device that protects the antenna's structure from corrosion or electronic device failure due to seawater, wind, and salt in a marine environment, and is composed of an upper and lower part (cap (10) and body (30)) for antenna mounting and maintenance. The cap (10) needs to be manufactured to optimize the antenna's loss for satellite and transmission.

[0031] The cap (10) is a dome-shaped structure with an open interior, made of FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) material, and has a structure in which an insert is provided on the inner surface. That is, the cap (10) is made of FRP material, and is characterized by excellent radar reflection wave capturing ability and increased effective range. FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) is a material that boasts strong durability and excellent processability, and is lightweight, strong, corrosion-resistant, and has a long lifespan.

[0032] The cap bracket (20) is a cylindrical shape that is open at the top and bottom to communicate with the inside of the cap, has a screw portion corresponding to the insert of the cap (10), and has a structure in which it is installed to be screw-fixed to the cap. According to an example, the cap bracket (20) is preferably made of a metal material (e.g., stainless steel alloy, etc.) to increase durability against seabed water pressure. Meanwhile, the cap bracket corresponding to the cap has a structure in which cap bracket O-rings are further installed with the screw portion in between to ensure airtightness.

[0033] At this time, it is preferable that the screw portion (21) of the cap bracket (20) that is screw-connected to the cap (10) be made of a structure that is sealed with silicone. The inner circumferential surface of the cap bracket (20) has a structure that forms a screw line (not shown) and is screw-connected to the body (30).

[0034] The body (30) is made of a metal material for greater durability and has a cylindrical shape with only the upper surface open, and has an accommodating space inside, and the space has a structure that communicates with the inside of the cap bracket (20) and the cap (10). According to one example, the body (30) is formed of a stainless steel alloy (STS-316) with added molybdenum, and similarly, the cap bracket (20) can also be formed of the same alloy. In addition, according to one example, the cap (10) is made of an FRP material and can be formed thicker than the body (30) to enhance durability.

[0035] The outer surface of the body (30) has a structure in which a screw thread (not shown) is formed and is screw-connected to the screw thread (not shown) of the cap bracket (20). Similarly, it is preferable that body O-rings are additionally installed on the body (30) corresponding to the cap bracket (20) to ensure airtightness.

[0036] These radomes are designed to protect against shock, water resistance, and dust resistance, and are designed to take into account water pressure, water resistance, and sealing in consideration of special operating environments such as submarines. After 3D modeling, a structural analysis tool (ANSYS) is used to verify the maximum stress and maximum displacement, analyze the structural stability rate, and secure a design to avoid earthquakes and resonance by identifying the natural frequency of vibration. It is desirable to manufacture them to minimize the risk of equipment damage through repeated performance improvements until they meet the US military standard specifications.

[0037]

[0038] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are exemplary views showing the exterior of a radome body in which quartz is laminated in a band shape according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing the exterior of a radome body in which quartz is laminated in a mesh shape according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, quartz (200) material is laminated on the outside of the body (30).

[0040] Quartz (200), or quartz glass, is generally used in semiconductors, and is widely used in quartzware that protects and transports semiconductor wafers in various processes such as etching / deposition / ion implantation, as well as in parts such as focus rings and masks. In other words, quartz material is a material with high chemical resistance and corrosion resistance, and can be laminated into a radome body (30) to exhibit high durability (water pressure resistance of 70 bar or more) with a relatively thin thickness.

[0041] Quartz (200) can be laminated with a thickness of 0.1 to 1 mm, or a 45 / -45 pattern laminate, a 0 / 90 pattern laminate, etc. are applied. Of course, it is not limited thereto. In addition, quartz (200) can be laminated on the entire outside of the body (30), and according to another example, quartz (200) can be pattern laminated in the form of bands with a certain interval, as shown in the drawing.

[0042] And, as shown in the drawing, quartz (300) is laminated on the inside as well, but the quartz (200, 300) on the inside and outside are laminated so as not to overlap with each other at a predetermined interval, thereby minimizing the decrease in the radar reflection wave capturing ability. That is, the quartz (200, 300) laminated on the inside and outside do not overlap with each other, and are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval, so that there is a part where the quartz (200, 300) is not laminated, thereby reducing the decrease in the radar reflection wave capturing ability.

[0043] In addition, referring to FIG. 4 according to another example, quartz (400) may be secondarily laminated to have a mesh-like shape only on the outside. To prevent damage by strong external force, quartz (200) is laminated only on the outside in the form of horizontal and vertical bands.

[0044] According to another embodiment of the present invention, quartz may be triple-layered to form a honeycomb shape within the radome. The honeycomb shape is easily resistant to strong external pressure and, unlike horizontal and vertical strip shapes, can disperse stress within the structure, thereby preventing the radome from being damaged internally.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

[0046] 10: Cap

[0047] 20: Cap bracket

[0048] 30: Body

[0049] 200, 300, 400: Quartz

Claims

1. A dome-shaped cap with an open interior; A cylindrical cap bracket installed to be fixed to the cap with a screw, but having an upper and lower opening to communicate with the inside of the cap; and A submarine satellite antenna radome made of a stainless steel alloy with added molybdenum, and having a cylindrical body with only an upper surface open, which is installed to be fixed with the cap bracket by screws.

2. In claim 1, A submarine satellite antenna radome, wherein the cap is made of FRP material and the cap bracket is made of stainless steel alloy.

3. In claim 2, The above cap is formed thicker than the body, and is a satellite antenna radome for submarines.

4. In claim 3, A satellite antenna radome for a submarine, in which quartz material is laminated on the outside or inside of the above body.

5. In claim 4, The above quartz material is laminated to a thickness of 0.01 to 0.1 mm, and is a satellite antenna radome for submarines.

6. In claim 5, The above quartz material is a satellite antenna radome for submarines, laminated in a strip-shaped pattern at regular intervals.

7. In claim 6, A satellite antenna radome for a submarine, wherein the above quartz material is laminated both internally and externally, but is laminated so as not to overlap with each other at a predetermined interval.

8. In claim 7, A satellite antenna radome for a submarine, in which the above quartz material is secondarily laminated to have a mesh shape only on the outside.

9. In claim 8, A satellite antenna radome for a submarine, wherein the above quartz material is triple-layered to have a honeycomb shape on the inside.

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