EP3900107B1 - Naval platform mast - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a naval platform mast.

More particularly, the invention relates to a mast whose upper end comprises at least one antenna.

Such a mature is described for example in the documents EP1505688 Or EP 2 262 056 .

We know that the masts of naval platforms such as surface ships become complex assemblies into which more and more components and equipment are integrated due to the different on-board functionalities.

Thus, a relatively recent need to integrate new systems into such masts is linked to the boarding and use on board of certain platforms, of drones and in particular of aerial drones such as rotary wing drones or others.

The boarding and use of this type of drone on board such a platform requires in particular the installation in the mast of a so-called primary link antenna.

This antenna makes it possible, for example, on the one hand to guide the drone and on the other hand to exchange information with it.

Different solutions have already been proposed in the state of the art to integrate this type of equipment.

But these solutions for the most part present a certain number of disadvantages in terms of maintaining the performance of the equipment, its capacity for evolution and its mechanical and environmental resistance.

The aim of the invention is therefore to resolve these problems.

To this end, the invention relates to a naval platform mast whose upper end comprises at least one rotating antenna. The rotating antenna is a primary link antenna for an on-board drone and is placed alone in a radome whose base is fixed on the rest of the mast and whose top has a flattened top portion (6) for fixing a pole supporting at least one fixed antenna.

• le radôme est réalisé en matériau composite ;
• le radôme et l'antenne sont associés à une platine de fixation sur la mâture ;
• l'antenne fixe est un équipement de guerre électronique radioélectrique ou radar d'un système de combat de la plateforme.

According to other characteristics of the mast according to the invention, taken alone or in combination:

• the radome is made of composite material;
• the radome and the antenna are associated with a mounting plate on the mast;
• the fixed antenna is a radio or radar electronic warfare equipment of a combat system of the platform.

• [Fig 1] La figure 1 représente une vue en perspective illustrant un exemple de réalisation d'une mâture d'une plateforme navale ;
• [Fig 2] [Fig 3] Les figures 2 et 3 représentent respectivement des vues en perspective et de côté d'un radôme entrant dans la constitution d'une mâture de plateforme selon l'invention ; et
• [Fig 4] La figure 4 illustre un exemple de réalisation d'une mâture comportant un tel radôme.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• [ Figure 1 ] There figure 1 represents a perspective view illustrating an example of the construction of a mast of a naval platform;
• [ Figure 2 ] [ Figure 3 ] THE figure 2 And 3 represent respectively perspective and side views of a radome forming part of the constitution of a platform mast according to the invention; And
• [ Figure 4 ] There Figure 4 illustrates an example of making a mast comprising such a radome.

We have in fact illustrated in these figures and in particular on the figure 1 , a mast of a naval platform.

On this figure 1 , the mast is designated by the general reference 1 and it has at least one antenna at its upper end.

The mast extends along a substantially vertical axis.

Of course other organs and equipment can be installed in this mast.

In fact and as illustrated on the figure 2 , 3 And 4 , this antenna is designated by the general reference 2 and can for example consist of an antenna for guiding and exchanging information with a drone, for example on board the platform.

This type of antenna is also called a primary link antenna for on-board drone.

This antenna 2 is then placed on a cradle designated by the general reference 3, for moving it, itself carried by a plate 4 for fixing this assembly to the upper end of the mast.

This antenna therefore rotates around at least one vertical axis, substantially parallel to the axis of the mast.

A radome designated by the general reference 5 is placed around this antenna 2.

This radome covers this single antenna 2, which has the advantage of allowing the integration of this structure into an already existing mast, for example during an upgrade of the naval platform.

It is then not necessary to find a pre-existing space to place the antenna 2 in this mast.

This radome 5 is adapted to the frequency band of the antenna and it can for example be monolithic and made of composite material.

This radome is also fixed on the fixing plate 4.

As illustrated in these figures, the radome 5 therefore has at its base means of fixing to the fixing plate 4 and at its top a flattened portion designated by the general reference 6.

The fixing of these different organs is ensured for example by screwing or the like.

As illustrated in the Figure 4 , the flattened portion 6 of the top of the radome makes it possible to fix on this radome, a pole designated by the general reference 7, for supporting at least one fixed antenna.

This fixed antenna is designated by the general reference 8 on this Figure 4 and can for example be formed by radio or radar electronic warfare equipment of a combat system of the platform.

The pole acts as a spacer, allowing the fixed antenna to be arranged at a distance that minimizes interference with the rotating antenna.

We can then see that such a structure in which the members are stacked has a certain number of advantages compared to those of the state of the art by minimizing the space used.

In particular, this structure allows the integration of a rotating antenna on a mast for an existing naval platform, in particular during an upgrade of this platform.

Indeed, this structure can be placed at the upper end of the existing mast and carry a rotating antenna and at least one other fixed antenna.

Furthermore, this structure also makes it possible to optimize the horizon coverage by the antennas to the extent that they no longer interfere with each other by being stacked one on top of the other.

In particular, when integrating a primary link antenna for an on-board drone during an upgrade of the naval platform, the antenna benefits from optimal performance, without degrading the performance of the other equipment on the mast.

Such a structure also makes it possible to reduce electromagnetic interference between these antennas.

Of course other arrangements can be considered.

Claims (4)

1. A mast (1) for a naval platform, the upper end of which comprises at least one rotating antenna (2), the rotating antenna (2) being a primary connection antenna for an on-board drone placed alone in a radome (5), the base of which is fixed to the rest of the mast (1) and the top of which has a flattened top portion (6) for fixing a mast (7) supporting at least one fixed antenna (8).
2. A mast as claimed in claim 1, the radome (5) of which is made of a composite material.
3. A mast according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the radome (5) and the rotating antenna (2) are associated with a plate (4) for fixing to the mast.
4. A mast according to any one of the preceding claims, the fixed antenna (8) of which is radio or radar electronic warfare equipment of a platform combat system.

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