Advanced radome designs with tailorable reinforcement and methods of manufacturing the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10128566-B2
Application number	US-201715446691-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 1, 2017
Priority date	Apr 20, 2016
Publication date	Nov 13, 2018
Grant date	Nov 13, 2018

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods are provided including radome designs with tailorable through thickness reinforcement (TTR) or transverse members that increase mechanical durability of the reinforced radomes against an applied forces while providing desired radar transmissive performance matched to a particular environment. Embodiments provided allow for greater mechanical durability while maintaining sensitive RF performance across the entire structure. TTR in the embodiments include composite rods, fibers, fiber bundles, tows, or a combination of these options. The TTR can be placed through the core or both the skins and the core, and the TTR can be continuous threads of materials.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A reinforced radome comprising:
a core comprising a radar transparent material which is transparent to one or more predetermined electromagnetic signals that are passed through the radome;
an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the core is disposed between and coupled with the inner layer and the outer layer such that the surface of the core is in contact with the interior surfaces of the inner layer and the outer layer at a first and second mating surface, respectively; and
a plurality of transverse members (TM) comprising a material which is transparent to the one or more predetermined electromagnetic signals that are passed through the radome, wherein each TM has an axis connecting a first and second end of the TM that are each coupled with the inner and outer layer, respectively;
wherein the radome is adapted to couple with a fuselage section of an aircraft such that edges of the radome form a wall, the wall defining an aperture to a cavity within the radome, the edges further define a first plane and shape corresponding to a boundary between the radome and a radome mounting section of the fuselage;
wherein the plurality of TMs is disposed within the core such that the first and second end of each TM couples with the first and second mating surfaces, respectively;
wherein the axis of each TM is perpendicular to a tangential plane located at the point of contact between that TM and the first mating surface.

2. The reinforced radome of claim 1 , the plurality of TMs further comprising elongated rigid support structures.

3. The reinforced radome of claim 1 , the plurality of TMs further comprising flexible support threads.

4. A reinforced radome comprising:
a core comprising a radar transparent material which is transparent to one or more predetermined electromagnetic signals that are passed through the radome;
an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the core is disposed between and coupled with the inner layer and the outer layer such that the surface of the core is in contact with the interior surfaces of the inner layer and the outer layer at a first and second mating surface, respectively; and
a plurality of transverse members (TM) comprising a material which is transparent to the one or more predetermined electromagnetic signals that are passed through the radome, wherein each TM has an axis connecting a first and second end of the TM that are each coupled with the inner and outer layer, respectively;
wherein the radome is adapted to couple with a fuselage section of an aircraft such that edges of the radome form a wall, the wall defining an aperture to a cavity within the radome, the edges further define a first plane and shape corresponding to a boundary between the radome and a radome mounting section of the fuselage;
wherein the plurality of TMs is disposed within the core such that the first and second end of each TM couples with the first and second mating surfaces, respectively;
wherein the axis of each TM is perpendicular to the first plane.

5. The reinforced radome of claim 4 , the plurality of TMs further comprising elongated rigid support structures.

6. The reinforced radome of claim 4 , the plurality of TMs further comprising flexible support threads.

7. A reinforced radome comprising:
a core comprising a radar transparent material which is transparent to one or more predetermined electromagnetic signals that are passed through the radome;
an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the core is disposed between and coupled with the inner layer and the outer layer such that the surface of the core is in contact with the interior surfaces of the inner layer and the outer layer at a first and second mating surface, respectively; and
a first and second plurality of transverse members (TM) comprising a material which is transparent to the one or more predetermined electromagnetic signals that are passed through the radome, wherein each TM has an axis connecting a first and second end of the TM that are each coupled with the inner and outer layer, respectively;
wherein the radome is adapted to couple with a fuselage section of an aircraft such that edges of the radome form a wall, the wall defining an aperture to a cavity within the radome, the edges further define a first plane and shape corresponding to a boundary between the radome and a radome mounting section of the fuselage;
wherein the first and second pluralities of TMs are disposed within the core such that the first and second end of each TM couples with the first and second mating surfaces, respectively, such that each TM of the first plurality of TMs is relationally paired or oriented with respect to one TM of the second plurality of TMs, wherein a middle point of each paired TM of the first plurality of TMs is approximately adjacent to a middle point of a corresponding paired TM of the second plurality of TMs such that each TM pair is disposed in an crossing or X shape;
wherein the axis of each TM of the first plurality of TMs forms a first angle between the TM and the first mating surface, wherein the first angle is less than 90 degrees with respect to a first reference edge of the radome;
wherein the axis of each TM of the second plurality of TMs forms a second angle between the TM and the first mating surface, wherein the second angle is equal to 180 degrees minus the first angle with respect to the first reference edge.

8. The reinforced radome of claim 7 , the first and second pluralities of TMs further comprising elongated rigid support structures.

9. The reinforced radome of claim 7 , the first and second pluralities of TMs further comprising flexible support threads.

10. A reinforced radome comprising:
a core comprising a radar transparent material which is transparent to one or more predetermined electromagnetic signals that are passed through the radome;
an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the core is disposed between and coupled with the inner layer and the outer layer such that the surface of the core is in contact with the interior surfaces of the inner layer and the outer layer at a first and second mating surface, respectively; and
a first, second, and third plurality of transverse members (TM) comprising a material which is transparent to the one or more predetermined electromagnetic signals that are passed through the radome, wherein each TM has an axis connecting a first and second end of the TM that are each coupled with the inner and outer layer, respectively, wherein the first plurality of TMs is oriented in a first direction, the second plurality of TMs is oriented in a second direction, and the third plurality of TMs is oriented in a third direction;
wherein the radome is adapted to couple with a fuselage section of an aircraft such that edges of the radome form a wall, the wall defining an aperture to a cavity within the radome, the edges further define a first plane and shape corresponding to a boundary between the radome and a radome mounting section of the fuselage;
wherein the first, second, and third pluralities of TMs are disposed within the core such that the first and second end of each TM couples with the first and second mating surfaces, respectively, at a plurality of first and second junction points such that one TM of the first, second, and third pluralities couples to each first junction and to each second junction.

11. The reinforced radome of claim 10 , the first, second, and third pluralities of TMs further comprising elongated rigid support structures.

12. The reinforced radome of claim 10 , the first, second, and third pluralities of TMs further comprising flexible support threads.

Assignees

• Us Navy

Inventors

• Seghi Steven M

Classifications

• G01S7/02

  of systems according to group G01S13/00 · CPC title

• G01S2007/027

  Physics · mapped topic

• H01Q1/282 Primary

  Modifying the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle, e.g. projecting type aerials · CPC title

• H01Q1/427

  Flexible radomes · CPC title

• G01S7/027 Primary

  Constructional details of housings, e.g. form, type, material or ruggedness · CPC title