Dielectric Lens Device with Segmented Radome
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal reflecting plates and Luneberg lenses face issues with wide angle characteristics, electromagnetic wave loss, and mechanical strength when used in the millimeter wave and light wave bands, particularly due to dispersion and shielding effects, leading to limitations in omnidirectional reflection and reception.
Innovation Solution
A device using a dielectric lens and shell with a maintenance mechanism, where the dielectric lens is transparent to electromagnetic waves and the shell has a hollow interior with a radius equal to the focal length, providing omnidirectional reflection and reception capabilities without the need for a power supply, and is designed to withstand mechanical stress and environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Luneberg lens is used as an antenna with a radome for protection, then the lens is protected from environmental damage, but electromagnetic waves experience shielding, absorption, and dispersion by the radome frame members causing increased loss
Solution Approach 1:
The radome is divided into two distinct parts: a spherical shell portion that provides electromagnetic wave transparency and protection, and a separate support structure that holds the Luneberg lens. This segmentation allows the spherical shell to be optimized for electromagnetic wave transmission while the support structure provides mechanical stability without interfering with wave propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical shell acts as an intermediary between the Luneberg lens and the external environment. It provides the necessary protection while maintaining electromagnetic wave transparency, effectively mediating between the need for physical protection and the need for electromagnetic wave transmission without loss.
2Loss of energy
If surface protection material is formed thinly to suppress electromagnetic wave loss, then wave loss is reduced, but mechanical strength becomes weak
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function and structural support function are separated into different components: the thin spherical shell provides electromagnetic wave protection and transparency, while the separate support structure provides mechanical strength. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the antenna structure have different thickness and material properties optimized for their specific functions. The spherical shell is thin for electromagnetic wave transparency, while the support structure has appropriate thickness and strength for mechanical support, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction.
3Loss of energy
If Teflon is used as radome material for millimeter wave band, then dielectric loss is minimized, but the radome becomes very heavy due to high weight density
Solution Approach 1:
The radome uses a composite structure combining a spherical shell made of low-density, low-loss material (such as polyethylene or acrylic resin) with a separate support structure. This composite approach achieves the desired low dielectric loss without the high weight penalty of solid Teflon, as the spherical shell can be made thinner and lighter while maintaining electromagnetic wave transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The radome structure is segmented into a thin spherical shell for electromagnetic wave transmission and a separate support structure for mechanical strength. This allows the use of lighter materials for the spherical shell that would not be suitable if the entire structure needed to provide both protection and support.
4Reliability
If metal reflecting plates are used for light wave band, then reflection is achieved, but high angle accuracy and surface smoothness are required increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical reflecting plate system with a dielectric lens system that uses refraction instead of reflection. The Luneberg lens focuses electromagnetic waves through its graded index structure, eliminating the need for precise mechanical angles and surface smoothness required by metal reflecting plates, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining optical performance.
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 a lightweight, durable, and efficient electromagnetic wave reflecting and receiving device with omnidirectional coverage across both millimeter and light wave bands, minimizing wave loss and mechanical damage, and can be used in various applications including communication and broadcast.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric lens transparent to electromagnetic waves... spherical dielectric lens 2... focal length of this dielectric lens
Implementation Method 2
a dielectric shell transparent to electromagnetic waves... the dielectric shell may be located by the maintenance mechanism along the focal length of the dielectric lens
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dielectric lens useable in both the radio wave band and the light wave band, and a device using this dielectric lens. The device comprises a dielectric lens formed of a transparent dielectric member small in dielectric loss and having an omnidirectional feature with regard to an electromagnetic wave, a transparent dielectric shell that is hollow inside and having the radius that is equal to the focal distance of the dielectric lens, and a holding mechanism for positioning and holding the dielectric shell and the dielectric lens so as to locate the dielectric shell at a position along the focal distance with the dielectric lens included at the inner center of this dielectric shell. The device is provided, at the focal point of the dielectric lens, with a reflector for reflecting an electromagnetic wave or a generator for generating an electromagnetic wave.