Modular architecture for scalable phased array radars

• US 9,116,222 B1
• Filed: 07/03/2014
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Ellsworth, Joseph R., Martinez, Michael P., McCordic, Craig H., Paquette, Jeffrey, Cheyne, Scott R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barker, Matthew M
• Application Number:
  US14/323,142
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 342/175, 343/704, 343/872
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/0254 Active array antenna
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/02 of systems according to group G01S13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/027 Constructional details of housings, e.g. form, type, material or ruggedness
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/02 Arrangements for de-icing; Arrangements for drying-out ; Arrangements for cooling; Arrangements for preventing corrosion
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20636 within sub-racks for removing heat from electronic boards

Abstract

In one aspect, a radar array assembly includes two or more vertical stiffeners each having bores with threads and a first radar module. The first radar module includes radar transmit and receive (T/R) modules and a chassis having channels configured to receive a coolant. The chassis includes shelves having ribs. The ribs have channels configured to receive the coolant and the ribs form slots to receive circuit cards disposed in parallel. The circuit cards include the T/R modules. The chassis also includes set screws attached to opposing sides of the chassis. The set screws have bores to accept fasteners to engage the threads on a corresponding one of the two or more vertical stiffeners. The first radar module is configured to operate as a stand-alone radar array.

Claims

1. A radar radiator panel, comprising:

a radome;

cyanate ester quartz (CEQ) coupled to the radome; and

a stacked assembly coupled to the CEQ, the stacked assembly comprising a thermal conductive layer configured to facilitate a transfer of heat to the radome,

wherein the stacked assembly further comprises;

an epoxy;

a multi-layer RF circuit card; and

foam between the multi-layer circuit card and the thermal conductive layer.

2. The radiator panel of claim 1, wherein the thermal conductive layer comprises at least one of aluminum or copper.

3. The radiator panel of claim 1, wherein the thermal conductive layer is about 60 mils.

4. A radar radiator panel, comprising:

a radome;

cyanate ester quartz (CEQ) coupled to the radome; and

a plurality of stacked assemblies coupled to the CEQ, each stacked assembly comprising a thermal conductive layer configured to facilitate a transfer of heat to the radome,

wherein each stacked assembly further comprises;

an epoxy;

a multi-layer RF circuit card; and

foam between the multi-layer circuit card and the thermal conductive layer.

5. The radiator panel of claim 4, wherein the thermal conductive layer comprises at least one of aluminum or copper.

6. The radiator panel of claim 4, wherein the thermal conductive layer is about 60 mils.

7. The radiator panel of claim 4, further comprising a housing comprising a plurality of cavities,

wherein each of the stacked assemblies fills a respective one cavity of the plurality of cavities.