Flexible Radome Curved by Deforming Element for Wind Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid radomes, despite their advantages, face challenges such as high weight, size, and manufacturing complexity, especially as their dimensions increase, and they require specific thickness determination based on frequency bands, leading to increased costs and assembly complexities.
Innovation Solution
A radio communication antenna with a flexible radome that is curved by a deforming element, such as a rod or spring, to create a non-planar protective surface, reducing wind resistance and eliminating the need for tensioning mechanisms, while maintaining compatibility across different wavelength bands and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid radome is used, then the resistance to external elements (rain, wind, snow) is improved, but the weight and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible radome made of thin film material that can be folded or stacked for compact storage and transport. This flexible shell provides the necessary protection against external elements while maintaining low weight and small packaged size, directly resolving the contradiction between protection and weight/size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a deforming element that curves the protective surface of the flexible radome into a non-planar shape. This curvature provides aerodynamic advantages and wind resistance similar to rigid radomes while maintaining the lightweight and flexible characteristics of the material.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid radome is used, then the resistance to external elements is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible radome made of thin film material is inherently easier to manufacture than rigid radomes. The material can be produced in large sheets and then cut and shaped as needed, eliminating complex molding and assembly processes required for rigid structures, thus reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The curvature of the flexible radome is achieved through a simple deforming element rather than complex rigid structuring. This allows the radome to gain aerodynamic benefits without requiring complex manufacturing processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving performance.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If an inclined flexible radome is used, then the disturbance from reflected waves is reduced, but the assembly complexity increases due to orientation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the asymmetric inclined configuration of the flexible radome to reduce disturbances from reflected waves. The deforming element is positioned to create the specific inclination angle needed for electromagnetic performance while the flexible nature of the material simplifies the assembly process compared to rigid inclined structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexibility of the radome material allows it to be easily positioned and secured in the required inclined orientation during assembly. The material can be bent and shaped to achieve the correct angle without requiring complex alignment procedures or specialized assembly equipment, thus reducing assembly complexity despite the asymmetric configuration.
4Area of stationary object
If the size of a rigid radome is increased, then the protection coverage is improved, but the weight and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible radome material allows for large protection coverage areas without proportionally increasing weight. The thin film can be extended over large surfaces while remaining lightweight, and can be folded or stacked when not in use, providing large coverage when needed without the permanent weight penalty of rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved configuration of the flexible radome provides aerodynamic benefits and structural efficiency that allow for larger coverage areas with reduced material usage compared to flat rigid structures. The curvature distributes stresses efficiently and provides wind resistance without requiring heavy reinforcement.
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 flexible radome offers reduced size, lower production costs, and simplified assembly, while providing wind resistance benefits similar to rigid radomes, and can be easily stored and implemented across various frequency bands without the need for complex tensioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
the protective surface is curved by the mechanical action of a deforming element of the antenna coming into contact with this protective surface
Implementation Method 2
The radome 18 is composed of a flexible material, for example canvas
Data Source
Figure 1a~4
AI summary
The antenna (20) has a reflector (22) arranged at an opening of a cylindrical lateral screen (27), and a radome (28) formed by flexible material covering another opening of the screen so as to have a protective surface opposite to the reflector. The protective surface is curved by the mechanical action of deforming elements of the antenna, where the protective surface is curved symmetrically with respect to a symmetric axis of the antenna. An independent claim is also included for a method of assembling a radio communication antenna.