Radome Internal Cooling Fluid Channel Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radome cooling systems, such as passive and modified-passive heat removal systems, are insufficient in dissipating heat from high-powered antennas, leading to potential damage from excessive heat, increased infrared signature, and delamination.
Innovation Solution
An internal cooling system is introduced within the radome, utilizing a fluid channel network that circulates a fluid through inlet and outlet ports to conduct heat away from the radome's inner layers, enhancing heat dissipation by matching the dielectric constants of the fluid and radome materials to maintain electromagnetic wave transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If passive and modified-passive heat removal systems are used, then the radome structure is simple, but the heat dissipation capacity is insufficient (up to 30 Watts/inch²)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulic cooling by circulating fluid through channels embedded within the radome structure. The fluid absorbs heat from the antenna and radome interior, transporting thermal energy to external heat exchangers. This hydraulic approach enables heat dissipation capacity to exceed 50 Watts/inch², resolving the contradiction between simple structure and sufficient cooling capability.
2Volume of moving object
If the radome is placed close to the antenna to reduce size, then the overall system size is reduced, but the radome is exposed to excessive heat from high-powered antenna operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds cooling channels within the radome's internal structure, nesting the thermal management system inside the radome walls. This allows the radome to be positioned close to the antenna for compact system size while the internal channels provide sufficient cooling capacity to manage the thermal load from high-powered antenna operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling fluid as an intermediary substance that absorbs heat from the antenna and radome interior. This fluid mediator enables effective heat removal even when the radome is positioned close to the high-powered antenna, resolving the contradiction between compact size and thermal management.
3Reliability
If conventional cooling systems are used, then the system is simpler to implement, but heat damage to inner radome layers and delamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements cooling channels at specific locations within the radome structure, particularly near the antenna interface where heat generation is most intense. This localized cooling approach provides targeted thermal protection to vulnerable inner layers, preventing heat damage and delamination while maintaining overall structural integrity.
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 internal cooling system increases heat dissipation capacity by up to 20-30 Watts/inch², effectively reducing the risk of heat damage to the radome's inner layers and maintaining antenna performance.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a fluid channel network that circulates a fluid through inlet and outlet ports to conduct heat away from the radome's inner layers
Implementation Method 2
matching the dielectric constants of the fluid and radome materials to maintain electromagnetic wave transmission efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a radome includes two dielectric layers (22) separated by an internal layer (24). The internal layer is configured with an internal cooling system including a fluid channel (26) that receives a fluid through an inlet port (28), conducts heat from the radome to the fluid, and exhausts the heated fluid through an outlet port (30).