Non-axisymmetric Radome Design for Projectile Sensor Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ceramic radomes used in projectiles are prone to erosion and damage from rain and particulates, leading to potential blindness and premature warhead ignition, and conventional radomes with additional structural elements increase complexity, weight, and leak risks.
Innovation Solution
A non-axisymmetric radome design with a strengthening member and offset sensor configuration reduces interference between sensors and enhances resistance to bending moments, using a single seal and materials like RF-transparent composites for thermal protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a symmetric ceramic radome with additional structural elements is used, then thermal protection and structural strength are improved, but device complexity, weight, and leak risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a non-axisymmetric radome design where the housing is intentionally made asymmetric to accommodate multiple sensors in an off-axis configuration. This asymmetric structure eliminates the need for additional structural elements like doublers and fasteners that would be required in a symmetric design, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining structural integrity through optimized asymmetric geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into the radome housing itself. The housing serves as both the structural container and the thermal protective element, eliminating the need for separate structural elements such as doublers, fasteners, and structural cutouts. This integration reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining strength through the optimized housing design.
2Strength
If a symmetric ceramic radome with additional structural elements is used, then thermal protection and structural strength are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-axisymmetric housing design allows for optimized weight distribution that concentrates material where structurally necessary, eliminating unnecessary weight from symmetric structural elements. The asymmetric geometry enables lighter construction while maintaining strength through strategic material placement and optimized form factors.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the structural and thermal protective functions into a single integrated housing, the patent eliminates the weight of separate structural elements like doublers and fasteners. The housing itself is designed to provide both structural strength and thermal protection, reducing total weight while maintaining protective capabilities.
3Strength
If a symmetric ceramic radome with additional structural elements is used, then thermal protection and structural strength are improved, but leak risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates sealing requirements into a single seal location at the interface between the non-axisymmetric housing and the projectile body. This eliminates the need for multiple gaskets and seals required by conventional radomes with structural cutouts and fasteners, thereby reducing leak risk while maintaining structural integrity through the integrated housing design.
4Ease of operation
If sensors are positioned in a conventional configuration, then ease of installation is maintained, but sensor interference and operational reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions multiple sensors in an off-axis, non-symmetric configuration within the housing. This asymmetric sensor placement ensures that sensors operate in distinct spatial zones, eliminating mutual interference and improving operational reliability. The non-axisymmetric housing geometry is specifically designed to accommodate this sensor configuration while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for non-axisymmetric radome according to various aspects of the present invention include a non-symmetric housing for a forward portion of a projectile. Multiple sensors may be positioned in an off-axis configuration within the non-symmetric housing reducing the possibility of one sensor interfering with the operation of another sensor. The non-symmetric housing may also be configured with a strengthening member suitably adapted to provide additional resistance to bending moments caused by external loading along a surface of the non-symmetric housing.