Radome Composite Structure for Low Transmission Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radomes face challenges in reducing radio wave transmission loss while maintaining structural strength, particularly due to the high dielectric constant of glass fibers and the complexity of producing sandwich structure panels with angled portions, which leads to increased reflection and plastic deformation.
Innovation Solution
Integrating an olefin woven material and a glass cloth with a matrix resin, where the glass cloth is positioned on the inner side to enhance structural strength and reduce dielectric constant, and using a simplified production method involving lamination and resin injection to form a laminate radome structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If glass fiber is used as reinforced fiber to achieve required rigidity, then structural strength is improved, but dielectric constant increases resulting in increased transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining foam core material (low dielectric constant) with skin layers containing reinforced fiber. This composite approach allows the foam core to provide low dielectric constant for reduced transmission loss, while the skin layers provide the necessary structural strength and rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies reinforced fiber only in the skin layers where structural strength is needed, while the core uses foam material with low dielectric constant. This local differentiation optimizes both transmission loss and structural strength by placing materials with specific properties where they are most effective.
2Loss of energy
If organic fiber with low dielectric constant is used to reduce dielectric constant, then transmission loss is improved, but adhesion force with matrix resin decreases resulting in plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines foam core material (providing low dielectric constant) with skin layers containing reinforced fiber (providing structural strength). This composite structure allows each material to contribute its advantageous properties without suffering the disadvantages of using either material alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent differentiates material composition between core and skin regions. The core uses foam material optimized for low dielectric constant, while the skin layers use reinforced fiber composite optimized for structural strength and adhesion resistance.
3Loss of energy
If sandwich structure panels are used to reduce dielectric constant while maintaining structural strength, then transmission loss is improved, but production process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the core and skin layers into a unified radome structure where the foam core is directly bonded to skin layers containing reinforced fiber. This merging approach simplifies production by eliminating the need for separate assembly of multiple components while maintaining the sandwich structure's benefits.
4Shape
If sandwich structure panels are used to form radome with curved surface, then radome shape is achieved, but workability decreases due to coarse density and increased transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the core and skin layers into an integrated structure that can be formed as a unified piece with curved surfaces. This integration avoids the workability problems of assembling multiple separate components while maintaining the desired radome shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the density and composition parameters of the foam core and skin layers to maintain fine density even when forming curved surfaces, preventing the coarse density and singular points that would increase transmission loss.
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 achieves excellent radio wave transmission loss and structural strength with improved workability, reducing plastic deformation and reflection, while simplifying the production process.
Implementation Method 1
the glass cloth and the matrix resin easily form a hydrogen bond to thereby increase the structural strength
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a radome which has excellent transmission loss of radio waves and structural strength, which can be easily produced, and which has favorable workability, and a method of producing the same. The radome includes an olefin woven material and a glass cloth, in which the olefin woven material and the glass cloth are impregnated with a matrix resin to be integrated with each other, and the glass cloth is disposed closer to an inner side of the radome than the olefin woven material. As the olefin woven material, a woven material formed of an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber can be used. As the matrix resin, an epoxy resin, a vinyl ester resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, or a silicone resin can be used.