Millimeter Wave Scanning Imaging System With Constant Polarization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing millimeter wave scanning systems face challenges in achieving continuous high-resolution scanning with low distortion, while being cost-efficient and maintenance-free, and maintaining constant polarization during rotation.
Innovation Solution
A millimeter wave scanning system using a conveyor belt to transport objects, with rotating disk-shaped bodies supporting antennas that maintain constant polarization through H11 mode waveguides and rotary joints, allowing for high-speed scanning with reduced rotating mass and signal attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotating antenna system is used for continuous scanning, then scanning continuity and speed are improved, but maintaining constant polarization during rotation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into multiple feed antennas arranged around the rotation axis, each serving specific angular sectors. This segmentation allows the polarization state to be optimized for different scan positions, maintaining constant polarization throughout the scanning range while enabling continuous high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the rotating antenna assembly have specialized characteristics - feed antennas are positioned and oriented to provide optimal polarization in their respective scan zones. This local optimization ensures that polarization remains constant relative to the scanned object throughout the entire scanning range.
2Reliability
If traditional rotary joints and waveguide systems are used to transfer millimeter wave signals, then signal transmission is achieved, but signal attenuation increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The millimeter wave signal transmission path is extracted from the rotating components and routed through stationary waveguide systems. This separation eliminates the need for traditional rotary joints in the millimeter wave path, significantly reducing signal attenuation while maintaining reliable signal transmission between the rotating antennas and stationary receivers.
Solution Approach 2:
Stationary waveguides serve as intermediaries to transfer millimeter wave signals between the rotating antenna assembly and the stationary receiver systems. This intermediary approach allows signal transmission without direct mechanical coupling during rotation, reducing attenuation and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Strength
If heavy rotating components are used to support antennas and waveguide systems, then structural stability is maintained, but rotational inertia increases reducing scanning speed
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy waveguide and signal transmission components are extracted from the rotating assembly and placed in stationary positions. This reduction in rotating mass significantly decreases rotational inertia, enabling higher rotational speeds and faster scanning while the remaining structural components are optimized for minimal weight while maintaining necessary stability.
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 system achieves continuous, high-resolution scanning with low distortion and constant polarization, enhancing scan quality and efficiency while minimizing maintenance and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first stationary circular waveguide (34) for transferring the electromagnetic waves in an H11 mode from the transmitter system to the first rotary joint (33), and a first rotating circular waveguide (32) for transferring the electromagnetic waves from the first rotary joint (33) to the first antenna (31)
Implementation Method 2
a first rotary joint (33) for coupling the electromagnetic waves in an H11 mode from the first stationary circular waveguide (34) into the first rotating circular waveguide (32)
Implementation Method 3
a first antenna (31) for emitting and/or receiving of the electromagnetic waves
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A millimeter wave scanning imaging system, for scanning objects, comprises a transport means for transporting the objects in a first direction, a millimeter wave measurement system and a scanning system. The millimeter wave measurement system comprises a transmitter coupled to a first antenna and a receiver coupled to a second antenna, which are arranged distant to each other and form a gap through which the objects can be transported. The scanning system generates a synchronous arc-shaped movement of the first antenna and the second antenna. The signal from the transmitter is converted from H10 mode into H11 mode and coupled via a rotary joint in H11 mode to the first antenna, thus maintaining the orientation or polarization of the signal constant with respect to the transport means over rotation.