COOLING SYSTEM FOR PANEL ARRAY ANTENNA
First Claim
1. A panel array antenna, comprising:
- a panel assembly having a top layer through which the antenna radiates or receives a signal; and
a fluid flow path through the panel assembly,wherein a first portion of the fluid flow path is disposed below the top layer such that a fluid passing through the first portion of the fluid flow path is in heat transfer proximity to the top layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to panel array antennas, and more particularly to a cooling system for an antenna such as a jet stream conformal panel array antenna. In one embodiment, a panel array antenna for an aircraft includes a closed-loop fluid flow path that passes through the panel array assembly and dissipates heat to the jet stream outside the aircraft. A fluid such as pressurized air passes through this closed-loop path, flowing through strategically-placed openings in the layers of the panel array assembly and flowing over and around the hot electrical components in the panel assembly. The air is heated by these electrical components, and the heated air then flows through the flow path under the top sheet, dissipating the heat to the jet stream outside. In one embodiment, a panel array antenna includes a panel assembly having a top layer through which the antenna radiates or receives a signal, and a fluid flow path through the panel assembly. A first portion of the fluid flow path is disposed below the top layer such that a fluid passing through the first portion of the fluid flow path is in heat transfer proximity to the top layer.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A panel array antenna, comprising:
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a panel assembly having a top layer through which the antenna radiates or receives a signal; and a fluid flow path through the panel assembly, wherein a first portion of the fluid flow path is disposed below the top layer such that a fluid passing through the first portion of the fluid flow path is in heat transfer proximity to the top layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A panel array antenna, comprising:
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a top layer; a radiating layer comprising one or more channels below the top layer; an intermediate layer comprising one or more screens below the radiating layer; an electronics layer comprising one or more openings and one or more electronic devices below the intermediate layer; a fluid flow path passing through the channels, the screens, and the openings; and one or more fans that circulate a fluid through the fluid flow path. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification