Rotating Aircraft Radar Antenna for Wider Forward and Side Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft radar systems face limitations in efficiently directing and projecting radar waves both forward and sideways due to fixed antenna orientations, which restricts their field of view and performance.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft radar assembly featuring a hexagonal radar antenna with a support structure and array of radar elements, housed within an electrically transparent radome, and coupled to a rotary actuator allowing 360° rotation, enabling electronic beam steering and varying the proportion of transmitted energy between forward and sideways directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed antenna orientation is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the field of view and radar performance are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the radar antenna to rotate 360 degrees about its longitudinal axis, transforming a fixed structure into a dynamic one. This rotation capability allows the antenna to scan different directions and adjust beam projection, thereby expanding the field of view without requiring multiple separate antenna systems. The rotary actuator mechanism provides the necessary motion while maintaining system integration within the radome.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna is rotated to expand field of view, then adaptability is improved, but the stability of the antenna composition is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radar antenna with the radome structure, integrating the rotating antenna system within the protective radome enclosure. This combination allows the antenna to rotate and adjust beam direction while the radome provides structural stability and environmental protection. The merging of these components enables adaptability without compromising the overall structural integrity of the assembly.
3Productivity
If fixed antenna orientation is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but radar coverage and range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary actuator mechanism enables the antenna to dynamically adjust its orientation and rotate 360 degrees, allowing a single antenna to provide comprehensive radar coverage that would otherwise require multiple fixed antennas. This dynamic capability increases productivity in terms of coverage area while maintaining relative manufacturing simplicity through the use of a standardized antenna design that is simply mounted on a rotating platform.
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
Enhances the forward and sideways radar performance by allowing adjustable beam direction, increasing the effective range and power output, and minimizing shadowing of antenna elements, resulting in improved radar coverage and range.
Implementation Method 1
Radomes are constructed of material that minimally attenuates electromagnetic signals transmitted or received by the enclosed radar antenna
Implementation Method 2
The radar antenna and rotary actuator are configured to allow the rotary actuator to rotate the radar antenna within the radome about a longitudinal axis of the radome through 360° and to a fixed angular position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An aircraft radar assembly (200) comprising: a radome (202); a radar antenna (100) housed within the radome (202), the radar antenna (100) having a surface for transmitting and/or receiving radar waves; and rotation means (204) configured to rotate the radar antenna (100) within the radome (202) about an axis of rotation (206); wherein the surface is oblique to the axis of rotation (206).