Unitary Radome Antenna Array Wind Load Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radomes are prone to deflection under high wind loads due to their lightweight design, leading to signal loss in antenna assemblies, as they struggle to balance size, weight, and cost while maintaining signal integrity.
Innovation Solution
A radome with an integrated antenna array and shell forms a unitary structure, enhancing stiffness and reducing deflection by using a radome material that conforms to the antenna array, optionally incorporating heat sinks for thermal management, and providing a compact, robust design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the radome is made lightweight to reduce size and weight, then the radome becomes more susceptible to deflection under high wind loads, but making it heavier increases cost and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the antenna array directly into the radome shell to form a unitary structure. The antenna array elements are embedded within the radome shell itself, combining two previously separate components into one integrated structure. This integration allows the radome to maintain lightweight construction while the unified structure provides improved structural integrity and wind load resistance without requiring additional support components.
Solution Approach 2:
The radome shell is constructed using composite materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. The shell incorporates reinforcing structures and rigidifying elements that enhance stiffness and wind load resistance while maintaining lightweight properties. The composite construction allows the radome to resist deflection under high wind loads without becoming overly heavy or expensive.
2Length of stationary object
If the radome is made thinner to reduce weight, then signal transmission is improved, but the radome becomes more susceptible to deflection under wind loads
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the antenna array into the radome shell, the patent eliminates the need for a separate thick mounting structure. The antenna elements are embedded directly within the shell walls, allowing the radome to maintain thin profile for weight reduction and signal transmission while the integrated structure provides the necessary structural strength to resist wind loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The radome shell incorporates localized reinforcing features and rigidifying structures at critical areas where wind loads are most severe. These local reinforcements provide enhanced strength and deflection resistance only where needed, allowing the overall radome to remain thin and lightweight while maintaining adequate wind load resistance throughout.
3Strength
If the radome is made larger to accommodate separate antenna array, then structural integrity is improved, but size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna array and radome shell into a single integrated unitary structure. The antenna elements are embedded within the radome shell walls, eliminating the need for a separate antenna mounting structure. This integration achieves structural integrity through the unified design without increasing the overall size or volume of the radome assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array elements are nested within the radome shell structure itself. The radiating elements are positioned within the shell walls, utilizing the shell's internal space for antenna mounting. This nesting approach achieves structural integrity and antenna functionality without requiring additional external space, keeping the overall radome volume compact.
Data Source
AI summary
A radome having an integrated antenna array and an antenna assembly having the same are described herein. A method for fabricating a radome having an integrated antenna array is also described herein. In one example, a radome is provided that includes a radome shell and an antenna array. The antenna array has a radiating surface and a backside surface. The radome shell is affixed to the antenna array forming an independent unitary structure separable from other components of an antenna assembly.