EP3345245A1 - High performance plastic radome - Google Patents
High performance plastic radomeInfo
- Publication number
- EP3345245A1 EP3345245A1 EP16798017.6A EP16798017A EP3345245A1 EP 3345245 A1 EP3345245 A1 EP 3345245A1 EP 16798017 A EP16798017 A EP 16798017A EP 3345245 A1 EP3345245 A1 EP 3345245A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ldpe
- layer
- layers
- foam
- radome
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 title description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 title description 4
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 195
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 69
- 239000012790 adhesive layer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- 230000005670 electromagnetic radiation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000004820 Pressure-sensitive adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000001175 rotational moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010146 3D printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001684 low density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010106 rotational casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002834 transmittance Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
- B32B27/32—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B1/00—Layered products having a non-planar shape
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
- B32B27/06—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
- B32B27/065—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of foam
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
- B32B27/06—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
- B32B27/08—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of synthetic resin
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B37/00—Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding
- B32B37/14—Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the properties of the layers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/18—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by features of a layer of foamed material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
- B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
- B32B7/12—Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
- H01Q1/42—Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
- H01Q1/422—Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome comprising two or more layers of dielectric material
- H01Q1/424—Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome comprising two or more layers of dielectric material comprising a layer of expanded material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
- B32B2250/03—3 layers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
- B32B2250/05—5 or more layers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
- B32B2250/24—All layers being polymeric
- B32B2250/242—All polymers belonging to those covered by group B32B27/32
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
- B32B2250/40—Symmetrical or sandwich layers, e.g. ABA, ABCBA, ABCCBA
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2255/00—Coating on the layer surface
- B32B2255/10—Coating on the layer surface on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer
- B32B2255/102—Coating on the layer surface on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer synthetic resin or rubber layer being a foamed layer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2266/00—Composition of foam
- B32B2266/02—Organic
- B32B2266/0214—Materials belonging to B32B27/00
- B32B2266/025—Polyolefin
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2266/00—Composition of foam
- B32B2266/08—Closed cell foam
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/20—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular electrical or magnetic properties, e.g. piezoelectric
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- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/20—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular electrical or magnetic properties, e.g. piezoelectric
- B32B2307/204—Di-electric
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/40—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular optical properties
- B32B2307/402—Coloured
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/50—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular mechanical properties
- B32B2307/558—Impact strength, toughness
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/70—Other properties
- B32B2307/714—Inert, i.e. inert to chemical degradation, corrosion
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/70—Other properties
- B32B2307/718—Weight, e.g. weight per square meter
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B32B2307/72—Density
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/70—Other properties
- B32B2307/724—Permeability to gases, adsorption
- B32B2307/7242—Non-permeable
- B32B2307/7246—Water vapor barrier
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
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- B32B2307/732—Dimensional properties
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- B32B2571/00—Protective equipment
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2605/00—Vehicles
- B32B2605/18—Aircraft
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a high performance plastic radome and, more specifically, to a high performance plastic radome with layers of low density polymer LDPE and LDPE foam.
- a large number of radar systems require a radome to provide environmental protection to the electronic apertures.
- Such radomes are sometimes designed and optimized to have high performance characteristics in that they provide for minimum radio frequency (RF) loss, are ruggedized for environmental protection and are relatively light weight with little regard to low cost.
- RF radio frequency
- These radomes can be designed for commercial and/or military applications and can be optimized for different frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- radomes sometimes need to be resistant to and sealed against moisture, chemicals, gases and dust, plus be able to withstand wide temperature ranges and have a required color. It is often needed that designers sacrifice low cost to meet all these other requirements.
- High performance radomes require careful selection and understanding of material properties that directly affect radome and antenna performance.
- the combination of high performance requirements and a requirement for low cost create a problem where a solution is not intuitively obvious.
- conventional A-sandwich and C-sandwich radome constructions are common ways to have low RF loss, low weight and high strength but are not considered low cost designs.
- An A-sandwich radome has two high dielectric skins (sheets) and a low dielectric core, whereas a C-sandwich radome has three high dielectric skins and two low dielectric cores.
- a conventional A-sandwich or C-sandwich radome construction utilizes specialty materials, requires a cure cycle, and is usually an autoclave operation. They are typically designed with multiple types of materials and uncommon thicknesses of materials, using a radome facility with an autoclave and highly trained personnel for assembly.
- a radome includes a first layer of low density polymer (LDPE) through which electromagnetic radiation is transmittable, a second layer of LDPE foam through which the electromagnetic radiation, having passed through the first layer, is transmittable, a third layer of LDPE through which the electromagnetic radiation, having passed through the first and second layers, is transmittable and adhesive layers respectively interposed between the first and second layers and between the second and third layers.
- LDPE low density polymer
- a radome includes a first layer of low density polymer (LDPE) foam through which electromagnetic radiation is transmittable, a second layer of LDPE through which the electromagnetic radiation, having passed through the first layer, is transmittable, a third layer of LDPE through which the electromagnetic radiation, having passed through the first and second layers, is transmittable, a fourth layer of LDPE foam through which the LDPE foam.
- LDPE low density polymer
- electromagnetic radiation having passed through the first, second and third layers
- a fifth layer of LDPE through which the electromagnetic radiation, having passed through the first, second, third and fourth layers, is transmittable and adhesive layers respectively interleaved between the first, second, third, fourth and fifth layers.
- a method of forming a radome includes roto molding two or more layers of low density polymer (LDPE), rotomolding one or more layers of LDPE foam and adhering the two or more layers of LDPE and the one or more layers of LDPE foam.
- LDPE low density polymer
- FIG. 1 A is a side schematic illustration of a radome in accordance with embodiments
- FIG. IB is an enlarged side schematic illustration of a portion of a radome in accordance with embodiments.
- FIG. 2 is a side schematic illustration of a radome in accordance with further embodiments
- FIG. 3 is a side schematic illustration of a radome in accordance with further embodiments
- FIG. 4 is a side schematic illustration of a radome in accordance with further alternative embodiments.
- FIG. 5 is a side schematic illustration of a radome in accordance with further alternative embodiments.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a planar radome and housing in accordance with embodiments.
- FIG. 7 is a top down view of a complex-shaped radome in accordance with embodiments.
- a radome that includes low cost materials and requires low cost processes to construct A-sandwich configurations, C- sandwich configurations and modified versions of both to achieve high performance at very low cost.
- the achievable high performance includes low RF loss, ruggedizaton for environmental protection and low weight.
- the low cost materials include polyolefins, polyethylene and polypropylene with off-the-shelf color and thicknesses.
- the low cost processes employ pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) between higher dielectric sheets and lower dielectric foam. Complex shapes are addressed by rotomolding. The assembly of the radomes does not require a cure cycle or an autoclave and does not require highly trained personnel.
- a radome 10 is provided with an A-sandwich configuration.
- the radome 10 includes a first layer 11 of low density polymer (LDPE) through which electromagnetic radiation is transmittable, a second layer 12 of LDPE foam through which the electromagnetic radiation, having passed through the first layer, is transmittable, a third layer 13 of LDPE through which the electromagnetic radiation, having passed through the first and second layers, is transmittable and adhesive layers 14.
- the adhesive layers 14 are respectively interposed between the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 and between the second layer 12 and the third layer 13.
- the LDPE and the LDPE foam may include at least one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyolefin.
- the adhesive used may include pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA).
- PSA pressure sensitive adhesive
- the LDPE foam of the second layer 12 may be provided as a closed cell (i.e., moisture and corrosion resistant) foam 120 of substantially uniform or varying cell sizes.
- the proximal cells of the closed cell foam 120 are open and include tangential corners 122.
- pressure applied to one or more of the first, second and third layers 11, 12 and 13 about the adhesive layers 14 causes a portion of the PSA to partially flow into the open proximal cells about the tangential corners 122. Once cured, this portion of the PSA increases an adherence of the first and second layers 1 1 and 12 and of the second and third layers 12 and 13.
- respective thicknesses and colors of the first and third layers 11 and 13 may be off-the-shelf quantities and thus are relatively inexpensive.
- the second layer 12 may be thicker, have a lower dielectric constant owing in part to the air in the cells and have a lower loss tangent than the first, third and adhesive layers 11, 13 and 14.
- the first and third layers 11 and 13 may be about 0.020" thick, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 2.3 and have loss tangents, tan5, of about 0.0005
- the second layer 12 may be about 0.525" thick, have a dielectric constant, ⁇ , of about 1.15 and have a loss tangent, tan5, of less than about 0.0001
- the adhesive layers 14 may be about 0.005" thick, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 3.0 and have loss tangents, tan5, of about 0.017.
- the radome 10 of FIG. 1 A may have a total thickness of about 0.575", a max RF loss characteristic of about 0.15 dB for 0°-60° scan and a weight of about 0.52 lb/ft 2 .
- the radome 10 may be provided with a first C- sandwich configuration in which the first, third and adhesive layers 11, 13 and 14 are provided generally as described above.
- the second layer 12 may include a primary LDPE foam layer 15, which is proximate to the first layer 11, a secondary LDPE foam layer 16, which is proximate to the third layer 13, a mid-layer LDPE layer 17, which is interposed between the primary and secondary LDPE foam layers 15 and 16 and additional adhesive layers 18.
- the additional adhesive layers 18 are respectively interposed between the primary LDPE foam layer 15 and the mid-layer LDPE layer 17, and between the mid-layer LDPE layer 17 and the secondary LDPE foam layer 16.
- the LDPE and the LDPE foam may include at least one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyolefin, the adhesive used may include pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) and the primary and secondary
- LDPE foam layers 15 and 16 may be provided as closed cell (i.e., moisture and corrosion resistant) foams of substantially uniform or varying cell sizes.
- the proximal cells of the closed cell foams are open and include tangential corners.
- respective thicknesses and colors of the first and third layers 11 and 13 may be off-the-shelf quantities and thus are relatively inexpensive.
- the second layer 12 may be thicker, have an effectively lower dielectric constant owing in part to the air in the cells and have an effectively lower loss tangent than the first, third and adhesive layers 1 1, 13 and 14.
- the first and third layers 11 and 13 may be about 0.023" thick, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 2.3 and have loss tangents, tan5, of about 0.0005
- the primary and second LDPE foam layers 15 and 16 may be about 0.385" thick, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 1.05 and have loss tangents, tan5, of less than about 0.0001
- the mid- layer LDPE layer 17 may be about 0.040" thick, have a dielectric constant, ⁇ , of about 2.3 and have a loss tangent, tan5, of about 0.0005
- the additional adhesive layers 18 may be about 0.005" thick, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 3.0 and have loss tangents, tan5, of about 0.017.
- the radome 10 of FIG. 2 may have a total thickness of about 0.850", a max RF loss characteristic of about 0.10 dB for 0°-60° scan and a weight of about 0.88 lb
- the radome 10 may be provided with a second C- sandwich configuration in which the first, third and adhesive layers 11, 13 and 14 are provided generally as described above.
- the second layer 12 may include a primary LDPE foam layer 15, which is proximate to the first layer 11, a secondary LDPE foam layer 16, which is proximate to the third layer 13, and primary and second mid- layer LDPE layers 19 and 20.
- the primary mid-layer LDPE layer 19 is interposed between the primary and secondary LDPE foam layers 15 and 16 and is proximate to the primary LDPE foam layer 15.
- the secondary mid-layer LDPE layer 20 is interposed between the primary and secondary LDPE foam layers 15 and 16 and is proximate to the secondary LDPE foam layer 16.
- the radome 10 of FIG. 3 further includes additional adhesive layers 21. As shown in FIG. 3, these additional adhesive layers 21 are respectively interposed between the primary LDPE foam layer 15 and the primary mid-layer LDPE layer 19, between the primary and secondary mid-layer LDPE layers 19 and 20 and between the secondary mid-layer LDPE layer 20 and the secondary LDPE foam layer 16. [0025] In accordance with embodiments for the radome of FIG. 3, respective thicknesses and colors of the first and third layers 11 and 13 may be off-the-shelf quantities and thus are relatively inexpensive.
- the second layer 12 may be thicker, have an effectively lower dielectric constant owing in part to the air in the cells and have an effectively lower loss tangent than the first, third and adhesive layers 1 1, 13 and 14.
- the first and third layers 11 and 13 may be about 0.023" thick, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 2.3 and have loss tangents, tan5, of about 0.0005
- the primary and second LDPE foam layers 15 and 16 may be about 0.385" thick, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 1.05 and have loss tangents, tan5, of less than about 0.0001
- the primary mid-layer LDPE layer 19 may be about 0.023" thick, have a dielectric constant, ⁇ , of about 2.3 and have a loss tangent, tan5, of about 0.0005
- the secondary mid-layer LDPE layer 20 may be about 0.023" thick, have a dielectric constant, ⁇ , of about 2.3 and have a loss tangent, tan5, of
- a radome 10 is provided with multi-layer (ML) configurations.
- the radome 10 includes a first layer 22 of LDPE foam through which electromagnetic radiation is transmittable, a second layer 23 of LDPE through which the electromagnetic radiation, having passed through the first layer 22, is transmittable, a third layer 24 of LDPE through which the electromagnetic radiation, having passed through the first and second layers 22 and 23, is transmittable, a fourth layer 25 of LDPE foam through which the electromagnetic radiation, having passed through the first, second and third layers
- the radome 10 of FIGS. 4 and 5 may include adhesive layers 27 that are respectively interleaved between the first, second, third, fourth and fifth layers 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26.
- the LDPE and the LDPE foam may include at least one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyolefin.
- the adhesive used may include pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). While the LDPE foam described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 may be provided as 10% LDPE foam, the LDPE foam of FIG. 5 may be provided as black LDPE foam.
- PSA pressure sensitive adhesive
- respective thicknesses and colors of the first-fifth layers 22-26 may be off-the-shelf quantities and thus are relatively inexpensive.
- the first and fourth layers 22 and 25 may be thicker, have a lower dielectric constant owing in part to the air in the cells and have a lower loss tangent than the second, third, fifth and adhesive layers 23, 24, 26 and 27.
- the first and fourth layers 22 and 25 may be about 0.415" and 0.315" thick, respectively, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 1.05 and have loss tangents, tan5, of less than about 0.0001
- the second and third layers 23 and 24 may be about 0.023" thick, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 2.3 and have loss tangents, tan5, of less about 0.0005
- the fifth layer 26 may be about 0.060" thick, have a dielectric constant, ⁇ , of about 2.3 and have a loss tangent, tan5, of about 0.0005
- the adhesive layers 27 may be about 0.003" thick, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 3.0 and have loss tangents, tan5, of
- respective thicknesses and colors of the first-fifth layers 22-26 may be off-the-shelf quantities and thus are relatively inexpensive.
- the first and fourth layers 22 and 25 may be thicker, have a lower dielectric constant owing in part to the air in the cells and have a lower loss tangent than the second, third, fifth and adhesive layers 23, 24, 26 and 27.
- the first and fourth layers 22 and 25 may be about 0.410" and 0.310" thick, respectively, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 1.066 and have loss tangents, tan5, of less than about 0.001
- the second and third layers 23 and 24 may be about 0.023" thick, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 2.3 and have loss tangents, tan5, of less about 0.0005
- the fifth layer 26 may be about 0.060" thick, have a dielectric constant, ⁇ , of about 2.3 and have a loss tangent, tan5, of about 0.0005
- the adhesive layers 27 may be about 0.003" thick, have dielectric constants, ⁇ , of about 3.0 and have loss tangents, tan5, of about 0.017.
- the radome 10 of FIG. 5 may have a total thickness of about 0.838", a max RF loss characteristic of about 0.25 dB for 0°-60° scan and a weight of about 0.95 lb/
- the LPDE on the exteriors of the radomes 10 act as skins for providing the radomes 10 with ruggedness and toughness even while being possibly deformable and compliant.
- the LDPE in the interiors of the radomes 10 also provide the radomes 10 with increased ruggedness and toughness without sacrificing deformability and compliance.
- the LDPE foam may be provided as compliant or deformable layer(s).
- the radomes in general are formed as rigid or semi-rigid structures, the radomes 10 described above may be characteristically deformable and compliant in at least some layers thereof. As such, impacts with foreign debris in particular can be absorbed and/or deflected. Thus, where foreign debris impacts might be catastrophic to a conventional radome, such incidents may not even lead to damage to the radomes 10 described above.
- the radomes 10 described above may be provided as planar radomes 100 (see FIG. 6) or as curved or complex-shaped radomes 101 (see FIG. 7).
- the planar radomes 100 may be housed in a housing 102 that is formed to define an aperture 103 through which electromagnetic radiation or any other signals are transmittable.
- the corresponding planar radome 100 is configured to extend entirely across the aperture 103 such that the electromagnetic radiation/other signals pass through the planar radome 103 during the transmittance.
- the curved or complex-shaped radomes 101 may be configured for use in, for example, a nose cone of a missile or aircraft.
- the curved or complex-shaped radomes 101 may include an aerodynamic nose cone section 104, sidewalls 105 extending aft from the nose cone section 104 and one or more surface features 106 for housing or accommodating structural elements, sensors, etc.
- the nose cone section 104 may be more apt to experience foreign debris impacts than the sidewalls 105 and the sidewalls 105 may need to be more transparent to electromagnetic radiation/ signals.
- the curved or complex-shaped radomes 101 can be designed such that the nose cone section 104 is more rugged than the sidewalls 105 and such that the sidewalls 105 are more transparent and less prone to signal loss than the nose cone section 104.
- any one of the LDPE or LDPE foam layers described above may be provided with varied intra-layer characteristics.
- the LDPE foam of the second layer 12 may be provided with varying cell sizes in the nose cone section 104 and the sidewalls 105. More particularly, the cell sizes in the nose cone section 104 may be relatively small as compared to the cell sizes in the sidewalls 105 to provide the nose cone section 104 with increased ruggedness while maintaining low loss characteristics of the sidewalls 105.
- LDPE and LDPE foam described above may be formed by way of rotational molding and/or other similar methods, such as injection molding, rotational casting, casting, machining and three-dimensional printing.
- rotational molding and/or other similar methods such as injection molding, rotational casting, casting, machining and three-dimensional printing.
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Abstract
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Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/US2016/041251 WO2018052392A1 (en) | 2016-09-14 | 2016-09-14 | High performance plastic radome |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3345245A1 true EP3345245A1 (en) | 2018-07-11 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP16798017.6A Withdrawn EP3345245A1 (en) | 2016-09-14 | 2016-09-14 | High performance plastic radome |
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EP (1) | EP3345245A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018052392A1 (en) |
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CN112701465B (en) * | 2020-12-04 | 2023-03-21 | 京信通信技术(广州)有限公司 | Antenna and antenna housing thereof |
CN114784497B (en) * | 2022-04-29 | 2023-05-16 | 中国舰船研究设计中心 | High-power-resistant three-dimensional frequency-selective radome structure |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3002190A (en) * | 1955-04-15 | 1961-09-26 | Zenith Plastics Company | Multiple sandwich broad band radome |
US4783666A (en) * | 1987-05-21 | 1988-11-08 | General Electric Company | Protective shield for an antenna array |
JP2014531800A (en) * | 2011-09-12 | 2014-11-27 | ディーエスエム アイピー アセッツ ビー.ブイ. | Composite radome wall |
-
2016
- 2016-09-14 WO PCT/US2016/041251 patent/WO2018052392A1/en active Application Filing
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