Rolling radar array
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorByron W. Tietjen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A radar antenna system comprises a wheel, cone or frustum having an axis. The wheel, cone or frustum has a circumferential portion adapted to engage at least one path disposed on a platform for revolving the radar array about the platform. A radar array is mounted on the wheel, cone or frustum, with the axis normal to a face of the radar array. The wheel, cone or frustum rotates about the platform as the radar array revolves around the platform during operation.
Claims51
A radar antenna system, comprising:
- a radar array mounted on a first wheel, the first wheel having a circumferential portion adapted to engage at least one path disposed on a platform for revolving the radar array about the platform;
- and
- an axle coupled to the first wheel, wherein the wheel rotates about the axle as the radar array revolves around the platform during operation.
A rotating radar antenna array comprising:
- a platform having a plurality of tracks thereon;
- an array mounted on a first wheel having a first size, said first wheel having a circumferential portion adapted to engage a first one of said tracks disposed on said platform for revolving the array about the platform;
- a second wheel of having a second size adapted to engage another of said tracks;
- an axle coupled between the first wheel and the second wheel, and
- a drive mechanism for causing the array and axle to revolve as it traverses the first one of said tracks.
A radar antenna system, comprising:
- a wheel, cone or frustum having an axis, the wheel, cone or frustum having a circumferential portion adapted to engage at least one path disposed on a platform for revolving the radar array about the platform;
- and
- a radar array mounted on the wheel, cone or frustum, with the axis normal to a face of the radar array,
- wherein the wheel, cone or frustum rotates about the axis as the radar array revolves around the platform during operation.
A method for operating a radar system comprising the steps of:
- revolving a radar array around a platform, the radar array having a front face;
- and
- rotating the radar array about an axis normal to the front face as the radar array revolves.
A method for operating a radar system comprising the steps of:
- revolving a wheel, cone or frustum housing a radar array around a platform, the radar array having a front face;
- and
- rotating the wheel, cone or frustum about an axis normal to the front face, so the wheel, cone or frustum rotates as the wheel, cone or frustum revolves.
An azimuth drive for a radar array, comprising:
- a rotatable ring portion rotatably mounted to a platform;
- a motor that drives the rotatable ring portion to rotate;
- and
- at least one bracket portion coupled to the rotatable ring portion, the bracket portion pushing in a tangential direction against an array assembly that includes the radar array, causing the radar array to rotate about an axis normal to the radar array and revolve about the platform.
A radar antenna system, comprising:
- an array assembly including a radar array;
- a rotatable ring portion rotatably mounted to a platform;
- a motor that drives the rotatable ring portion to rotate;
- and
- at least one bracket portion coupled to the rotatable ring portion, the bracket portion pushing in a tangential direction against the array assembly, causing the radar array to rotate about an axis normal to the radar array and revolve about the platform.
A method for controlling an azimuth position of a radar array, comprising the steps of:
- (a) driving a rotatable ring portion to rotate with respect to a platform;
- (b) pushing against an array assembly that includes the radar array in a tangential direction using at least one bracket portion coupled to the rotatable ring portion;
- and
- (c) causing the radar array to rotate about an axis normal to the radar array and revolve about the platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.