Comformal phased array antenna and method for repair
First Claim
1. A phased array antenna comprising:
- a planar antenna subassembly comprising an array of radio frequency (RF) modules disposed in a reference plane; and
a contoured waveguide subassembly comprising a contoured aperture honeycomb structure defining a plurality of passages extending between opposed first and second surfaces, said contoured aperture honeycomb structure disposed with respect to said planar antenna subassembly such that each RF module is in communication with a respective passage of said contoured aperture honeycomb structure, said contoured aperture honeycomb structure also disposed with respect to said planar antenna subassembly such that the second surface of said contoured aperture honeycomb structure faces away from said planar antenna subassembly and is contoured such that at least portions of the second surface are at an oblique angle with respect to the reference plane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A conformal phased array antenna and associated method of repairing the antenna are provided. The antenna has individual subassemblies or line replaceable units such that the antenna can be repaired without completely removing the entire antenna. The antenna generally includes a planar antenna subassembly including an array of RF modules disposed in a reference plane. The antenna also typically has a contoured waveguide subassembly including a contoured aperture honeycomb structure. The contoured aperture honeycomb structure defines a number of passages that are in communication with respective RF modules. The exterior surface of the contoured aperture honeycomb structure that faces away from the planar antenna subassembly is contoured such that at least portions of this surface are at an oblique angle with respect to the reference plane. This contoured surface may advantageously be shaped to match the contour of the surface of the structure to which the antenna is mounted.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A phased array antenna comprising:
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a planar antenna subassembly comprising an array of radio frequency (RF) modules disposed in a reference plane; and
a contoured waveguide subassembly comprising a contoured aperture honeycomb structure defining a plurality of passages extending between opposed first and second surfaces, said contoured aperture honeycomb structure disposed with respect to said planar antenna subassembly such that each RF module is in communication with a respective passage of said contoured aperture honeycomb structure, said contoured aperture honeycomb structure also disposed with respect to said planar antenna subassembly such that the second surface of said contoured aperture honeycomb structure faces away from said planar antenna subassembly and is contoured such that at least portions of the second surface are at an oblique angle with respect to the reference plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A phased array antenna comprising:
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an array of radio frequency (RF) modules;
a planar aperture honeycomb structure defining a plurality of passages in communication with respective RF modules; and
a contoured aperture honeycomb structure defining a plurality of passages extending between opposed first and second surfaces, said contoured aperture honeycomb structure disposed with respect to said planar aperture honeycomb structure such that respective passages of said contoured and planar aperture honeycomb structures are aligned, said contoured aperture honeycomb structure also disposed with respect to said planar aperture honeycomb structure such that the first surface of said contoured aperture honeycomb structure faces said planar aperture honeycomb structure and the second surface faces away from said planar aperture honeycomb structure, wherein the second surface of said contoured aperture honeycomb structure is contoured such that at least portions of the second surface are at an oblique angle with respect to a surface of said planar aperture honeycomb structure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of repairing a conformal phased array antenna comprised of a planar antenna subassembly including an array of radio frequency (RF) modules disposed in a reference plane and a contoured waveguide subassembly including an aperture honeycomb structure having a surface that faces away from the planar antenna subassembly that is contoured such that at least portions of the second surface are at an oblique angle with respect to the reference plane, and wherein the method comprises:
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removing one of the subassemblies selected from the group consisting of the planar antenna subassembly and the contoured waveguide subassembly while the other subassembly remains installed; and
thereafter installing a subassembly of the same type as the removed subassembly, wherein installing the subassembly comprises aligning the subassembly being installed with the other subassembly that has remained installed to permit communication therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An assembly comprising:
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a structure having a contoured surface; and
a conformal phased array antenna comprising;
a planar antenna subassembly comprising an array of radio frequency (RF) modules disposed in a reference plane; and
a contoured waveguide subassembly comprising a contoured aperture honeycomb structure defining a plurality of passages extending between opposed first and second surfaces, said contoured aperture honeycomb structure disposed with respect to said planar antenna subassembly such that each RF module is in communication with a respective passage of said contoured aperture honeycomb structure, said contoured aperture honeycomb structure also disposed with respect to said planar antenna subassembly such that the second surface of said contoured aperture honeycomb structure faces away from said planar antenna subassembly and is contoured such that at least portions of the second surface are at an oblique angle with respect to the reference plane and further such that the contoured second surface conforms with at least portions of the contoured surface of said structure proximate said conformal phased array antenna. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification