Modular Drone Radar with Rotational Joints and Passive Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tactical drones' onboard radars are bulky, heavy, and fragile, leading to damage during rough landings and high maintenance costs due to their fixed cylindrical structure and reliance on bulky cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular airborne radar design with a cylindrical first structure and a spherical second structure providing rotational freedom, featuring a porthole radome, fins for heat dissipation, and a removable electronic module, optimizing aerodynamics and reducing weight and production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed cylindrical radar structure with radome is used, then the radar is protected from damage, but the radar becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system is divided into separate functional modules: the antenna assembly mounted on the drone body, and the electronic components housed in a separate protective box. This segmentation eliminates the need for a bulky radome while protecting individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic components are extracted from the traditional radome structure and placed in a separate protective box, allowing the antenna to be mounted directly on the drone without requiring a heavy enclosing radome structure.
2Temperature
If cooling fans and extensive cooling means are added to the radome, then heat dissipation is improved, but the radar becomes more complex and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The protective box serves dual functions: it protects electronic components and provides passive heat dissipation through its design, eliminating the need for active cooling fans and complex cooling systems. The structure itself performs the cooling function.
3Reliability
If a wired structure with rotating seals is used to connect the antenna, then electrical connection is maintained, but the system becomes more complex and fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical wired connection with rotating seals is replaced by wireless communication between the antenna and electronic components, eliminating the complex and fragile rotating seal mechanism while maintaining functional connectivity.
4Reliability
If the radar components are positioned inside the drone or radome, then protection is provided, but access for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system is segmented into modular components with the electronic box designed as a separate, accessible unit. This allows maintenance personnel to easily access and service components without disassembling the entire radar system or entering the drone interior.
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 design enhances robustness, reduces weight and fuel consumption, increases flight range, and lowers maintenance and production costs by allowing easier access and replacement of components.
Implementation Method 1
The outer skin of the second structure may comprise fins in mechanical contact with the power transmitter
Implementation Method 2
The outer skin of the second structure may comprise fins in mechanical contact with the power transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an airborne radar notably for a drone. In at least one embodiment, the airborne radar has a first structure and a second structure. The first structure is mechanically attached to an aircraft carrying the radar. The first structure has a degree of rotational freedom relative to the aircraft on a first axis. The second structure is attached to the first structure. The second structure has a degree of rotational freedom relative to the first structure on a second axis converging with the first axis. An antenna is attached to the second structure and configured to receive and send electromagnetic waves. An electronic module configured to process the electromagnetic waves sent or received by the antenna is attached to the second structure.