Offset Reflector Pedestal for HPM Beam Steering Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-power microwave (HPM) weapons systems face challenges with large, complex reflectors that are difficult to transport and deploy, require lengthy setup times, and lack flexibility in operating at multiple frequencies, while also suffering from inefficient beam aiming and significant spillover radiation.
Innovation Solution
A reflector subsystem with an elevation and azimuth reflector system, coupled to a rotatable support structure, allows for simultaneous rotation and stowability, minimizing stowed height and enabling rapid deployment, while maintaining beam steering accuracy and flexibility across multiple frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large, complex reflectors are used to achieve high-power microwave beam focusing, then beam aiming accuracy is improved, but transportability and deployment difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple independent reflector segments (e.g., primary reflector, secondary reflector, tertiary reflector) that can be separately transported and assembled. Each segment is designed to be manageable in size for transport while maintaining the overall large aperture needed for beam accuracy when assembled in the deployed configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector segments are designed to nest within each other or within the transport container when in the stowed position. The smaller reflectors can be positioned inside or alongside larger reflector structures, minimizing the overall transport footprint while allowing full deployment of all segments at the operational site.
2Measurement precision
If large, complex reflectors are used to achieve high-power microwave beam focusing, then beam aiming accuracy is improved, but setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector segments are pre-assembled into modular units at the manufacturing site before transport. Alignment features, mounting interfaces, and structural connections are pre-configured so that field assembly requires only simple connection operations rather than complex fabrication or alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system incorporates deployable and retractable support structures that enable rapid transition from the stowed to deployed configuration. Mechanical deployment mechanisms allow the reflector segments to be quickly extended and positioned into their operational arrangements without manual assembly of each component.
3Device complexity
If traditional antenna designs are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but spillover radiation increases and antenna efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector surfaces are designed with non-uniform, optimized curvature and shape characteristics in different regions. The primary reflector, secondary reflector, and tertiary reflector each have specifically tailored surface geometries that control the microwave beam path to minimize spillover while maintaining overall structural feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system employs multiple curved and shaped reflectors (spherical, parabolic, or ellipsoidal segments) instead of simple flat or cylindrical structures. These curved surfaces are strategically positioned and shaped to focus the microwave energy precisely onto the target while containing the radiation pattern and reducing spillover loss.
4Device complexity
If fixed-frequency antenna designs are used, then design simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to multiple frequencies is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped reflector antenna system is designed with geometric configurations and surface shapes that are effective across a broad frequency range. The multiple curved reflectors create a radiation pattern control mechanism that adapts to different wavelengths, allowing the same physical structure to efficiently operate at multiple microwave frequencies without requiring frequency-specific redesign.
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 solution enhances transportability, reduces setup time, and improves antenna efficiency by minimizing spillover radiation, allowing for rapid and accurate beam aiming across a hemispherical sky dome.
Implementation Method 1
the reflector subsystem is configured to receive an input beam and to reflect the input beam to produce an output beam towards at least one target
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna system comprises a reflector subsystem, a rotatable support structure and a support member. The reflector subsystem receives an input beam and reflects the input beam to produce an output beam steered in elevation by an elevation reflector and in azimuth by an azimuth reflector, towards a target. The rotatable support structure is operably coupled to the azimuth reflector and to the elevation reflector and is configured to rotate them simultaneously. The support member comprises a lengthwise portion coupled to the rotatable support structure and an offset portion coupled to the elevation reflector, the offset portion configured to offset the elevation reflector from the lengthwise portion. The offset portion is configured to enable clearance of the elevation reflector during beam steering of the output beam to extreme ends of a range of motion of the elevation reflector.