Conformal firing of ceramic radomes
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsKevin W. Kirby, Anthony T. Jankiewicz, James M. Lyon, Joseph W. Barber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A procedure is provided for bringing an incompletely densified cast radome to a desired final or near final shape through the use of one or more conformal tools during a high temperature firing operation. A conformal firing tool is defined in this case as a mandrel or mold made from a high temperature material, such as a graphite composite, that represents the desired shape of the finished radome. The process consists of firing the cast radome body over a mandrel, or inside a mold, or in combination with the two, such that the tools impart a desired dimensionality to the cast part as it densities and flows at high temperature.
Claims23
A method of forming a radome for a missile or the like to a final or near final form during a firing operation comprising:
- providing an as-cast radome;
- placing said radome adjacent at least one conformal firing tool such that a surface of said radome thereof is adjacent a final shape imparting surface of said at least one conformal firing tool;
- and
- controlling a temperature of said radome such that said radome densities and flows to a point at which said surface conforms to said final shape imparting surface of said at least one conformal firing tool.
A method of forming a radome for a missile or the like comprising:
- providing an as-cast radome having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- placing said radome in a mold such that an exterior surface of said radome is adjacent a final shape imparting surface of said mold;
- and
- controlling a temperature of said radome such that said radome densifies and flows to a point at which said exterior surface conforms to said final shape imparting surface of said mold.
A method of forming a radome for a missile or the like comprising:
- providing an as-cast radome having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- placing a mandrel adjacent said interior surface of said radome such that a final shape imparting surface of said mandrel is adjacent said interior surface;
- and
- controlling a temperature of said radome such that said radome densities and flows to a point at which said interior surface conforms to said final shape imparting surface of said mandrel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.