Flexible Low Impedance Power Bus for Radar Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wires and cables used to couple power sources with antennas in radar arrays suffer from inefficient power transfer due to high impedance and inductance, leading to poor performance characteristics, especially at higher operational frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A power bus system utilizing multiple parallel conductive sheets with low impedance and inductance, arranged in pairs with insulating layers and flexible cover layers, to efficiently transfer power from a power source to an antenna, minimizing impedance and maximizing current capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional wires and cables are used to couple power source with antenna, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the power transfer efficiency is poor due to high impedance and inductance
Solution Approach 1:
The power bus is segmented into multiple parallel conductive sheets instead of using a single wire or cable. Each conductive sheet acts as an independent conductor, and their parallel arrangement reduces overall impedance and inductance while improving power transfer efficiency to the antenna.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional wire/cable conductors to two-dimensional conductive sheets. This dimensional change increases the effective conductive area, reduces impedance, and improves power transfer efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity through layered arrangement.
2Reliability
If conventional wires and cables are used, then the device complexity is low, but the performance characteristics deteriorate at higher operational frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple conductive sheets are used in parallel to segment the current path, reducing inductance and impedance effects that become problematic at higher frequencies. This segmentation maintains signal integrity and performance characteristics across a broader frequency range.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the conductor from thin wires to broader conductive sheets, altering the electrical characteristics (lower impedance, lower inductance) to maintain reliable performance at higher operational frequencies while managing structural complexity through controlled layering.
3Productivity
If multiple parallel conductive sheets are used, then the power transfer efficiency improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple conductive sheets are merged into a single integrated power bus structure with standardized insulation and support layers. This combining approach maintains the electrical benefits of multiple parallel conductors while simplifying manufacturing through unified construction processes and assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The power bus employs composite construction with conductive sheets, insulating layers, and support structures integrated together. This composite approach enables efficient power transfer through multiple conductors while managing manufacturing complexity through standardized material combinations and assembly procedures.
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 power bus system enables efficient power transfer with minimal impedance and inductance, allowing for high-fidelity power signal transmission at medium to high pulse repetition frequencies, thereby enhancing the performance characteristics of radar arrays.
Implementation Method 1
a first conductive sheet and a second conductive sheet... The first conductive sheet may be configured to conduct a first current in a first direction. The second conductive sheet may be configured to provide a return path for the first current in a second direction
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for implementing power buses. Apparatus may include a first plurality of connectors, a second plurality of connectors, and a first plurality of conductive sheets configured to electrically couple the first plurality of connectors with the second plurality of connectors. The first plurality of conductive sheets may include a first conductive sheet and a second conductive sheet. The first conductive sheet may conduct a first current in a first direction. The second conductive sheet may provide a return path for the first current in a second direction. The apparatus may also include a second plurality of conductive sheets. The second plurality of conductive sheets may include a third conductive sheet and a fourth conductive sheet. The third conductive sheet may conduct a second current in the first direction. The fourth conductive sheet may provide a return path for the second current in the second direction.