Load mitigation system for a multi-dimensional transducer array
First Claim
1. An aerodynamic structure for supporting a plurality of transducers arranged in a three-dimensional array while mitigating aerodynamic impact and structural load on a host structure comprising:
- a three-dimensional aerodynamically streamlined housing for supporting a plurality of transducers arranged in a three-dimensional array, said housing having a nose portion, a body portion and a tail portion shaped to effectively contain said three-dimensional array;
at least one rigidly attached stabilizer fin mounted to the tail portion of the housing for inhibiting dynamic aeroelastic instability; and
an adjustable ballast weight positioned within the nose portion of the housing for inhibiting dynamic aeroelastic instability; and
means for rotatably mounting in a torsionally unrestrained manner the aerodynamically streamlined housing to the host structure comprising a pivot means having a first end mounted to the housing at the body portion and a second end mounted to the host structure.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A streamlined housing for supporting a multi-dimensional electromagnetic transducer array is attached to an aircraft fuselage via a pivot support. The streamlined housing is supported by the pivot support in a torsionally unrestrained manner allowing a plane containing the longitudinal axis and pivot axis of the housing to remain substantially parallel to the plane of an incident airstream. Static aeroelastic stability is provided by mounting to the aft portion of the streamlined housing one or more rigidly attached stabilizer fins. Dynamic aeroelastic stability is provided by incorporating within the streamlined housing an adjustable ballast weight.
26 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. An aerodynamic structure for supporting a plurality of transducers arranged in a three-dimensional array while mitigating aerodynamic impact and structural load on a host structure comprising:
a three-dimensional aerodynamically streamlined housing for supporting a plurality of transducers arranged in a three-dimensional array, said housing having a nose portion, a body portion and a tail portion shaped to effectively contain said three-dimensional array; at least one rigidly attached stabilizer fin mounted to the tail portion of the housing for inhibiting dynamic aeroelastic instability; and an adjustable ballast weight positioned within the nose portion of the housing for inhibiting dynamic aeroelastic instability; and means for rotatably mounting in a torsionally unrestrained manner the aerodynamically streamlined housing to the host structure comprising a pivot means having a first end mounted to the housing at the body portion and a second end mounted to the host structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
6. An aerodynamic load mitigation system for supporting a plurality of transducers arranged in a three-dimensional array on a host structure comprising:
-
a housing for supporting a plurality of transducers arranged in a three-dimensional array, said housing having a nose portion, a body portion, and a tail portion shaped to effectively contain said three-dimensional array; a pivot mechanism having a first end attached to the host structure and rotatably attached at a second end to the body portion of the housing to mount the housing in a torsionally unrestrained manner, said pivot mechanism having a pivotal axis located between the opposed longitudinal ends of the housing; means for mitigating the aerodynamic impact and structural load on the host structure; and a plurality of transducers arranged in a three-dimensional array mounted to and supported by said housing. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An aerodynamic structure for supporting a plurality of transducers arranged in a three-dimensional array while mitigating aerodynamic effects on a host aircraft comprising:
-
a three-dimensional housing for supporting the plurality of transducers arranged in a three-dimensional array, said housing having a nose portion, a body portion and a tail portion shaped to effectively contain said three-dimensional array; means attached to the tail portion of the housing for providing static aeroelastic stability comprising one or more stabilizer fins attached to the housing; means mounted within the nose portion of the housing for suppressing self-excited aeroelastic instability through cross-coupling to provide dynamic aeroelastic stability comprising an adjustable ballast weight; and a pivot mechanism for rotatably mounting the housing in a torsionally unrestrained manner to the host aircraft having a first end mounted to the housing at the body portion and a second end mounted to the host aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
Specification