Deployable Measurement Antenna for Acoustic Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic measurement antennas face challenges in achieving optimal microphone distribution over a wide span, satisfactory reproducibility, and mobility, while maintaining a compact and lightweight design, which affects their frequency and spatial resolution and usability in various environments.
Innovation Solution
A measurement antenna with a simple, compact frame that can be easily transported and quickly deployed, featuring elastically deformable armature rods and connecting members that provide stability and reproducibility, allowing discrimination between front and rear signals, and enabling efficient acoustic imaging over a wide range of frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the antenna span is increased to improve frequency and spatial resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple modular units, each comprising a subset of microphones and supporting structure. These modular units can be independently manufactured, assembled, and configured, allowing the overall antenna span to be increased by adding more modules rather than creating a single complex structure. This segmentation maintains measurement precision while reducing individual component complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hierarchical structure where smaller structural elements are nested within larger framework components. The microphones are mounted on support structures that are themselves nested within the overall antenna framework. This nested arrangement allows for efficient space utilization and reduces the total material required, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity and weight.
2Measurement precision
If the antenna span is increased to improve measurement precision, then frequency and spatial resolution are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure utilizes composite materials that combine lightweight properties with high structural strength. By using materials such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers or aluminum alloys with optimized cross-sections, the patent achieves the required large antenna span for improved frequency and spatial resolution while minimizing the overall weight. The composite materials provide high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates curved and optimized structural geometries in the antenna support framework. By using arches, domes, or other curved forms rather than straight rigid beams, the structure achieves greater span with less material. The curved geometries efficiently distribute mechanical loads, allowing for reduced material quantity and weight while maintaining the large span necessary for high measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If the antenna is designed for easy transportability by reducing span, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna incorporates deployable and collapsible structural mechanisms that allow it to dynamically change its span. During transport, the antenna can be collapsed into a compact configuration for easy mobility. Upon deployment at the measurement site, the structure expands to its full operational span, restoring the frequency and spatial resolution capabilities. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between transportability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is segmented into multiple collapsible modules that can be independently folded or reconfigured. This segmentation allows the overall structure to be compacted for transport while maintaining the capability to achieve full measurement precision when deployed. Each module can be independently managed, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly without compromising the final measurement capability.
4Measurement precision
If microphone density is increased to improve spatial resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal mounting structures and standardized interfaces for microphone installation. Each microphone position utilizes the same support mechanism, mounting bracket, and connection interface, regardless of its specific location in the array. This universality allows for high microphone density and spatial resolution while reducing the complexity of individual components and simplifying assembly procedures. The standardized design enables easy replacement and reconfiguration of microphones.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables high-frequency and spatial resolution, reliable measurements, and improved mobility, making it suitable for large-scale noise assessments and environmental applications while maintaining a compact and lightweight structure.
Implementation Method 1
elastically deformable armature rods
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Measurement antenna (1) comprising: - an armature (2) having a hub (3) having a central axis (A), and a plurality of armature rods (6) arranged around the central axis (A), the armature (2) having a folded state in which the armature rods (6) are brought closer to the central axis (A), and a deployed state in which the armature rods (6) are moved away from the central axis (A) in such a way that the armature (2) has overall an axial concavity about the central axis (A) and each of the armature rods (6) has a transverse curvature perpendicular to the central axis (A), - a measurement sensor array (9) having at least two measurement sensors (9) mounted on each of the armature rods (6) at a distance from each other.