Ceramic broadband radome
AssigneeHughes Aircraft Company
InventorHyman Leggett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A ceramic broadband radome is provided, comprising alternating layers of silicon nitride and fused silica, including a layer of silicon nitride at both outer and inner surfaces of the radome wall and at least one additional layer of silicon nitride within the wall. Elevated temperature processing is used to form an in situ prestressed condition. Resistance to stresses induced by thermal differentials, rain erosion, particle impact, aerodynamic loads and crack propagation is improved over other monolithic and sandwich ceramic radomes, while high transmission efficiency is maintained over a wide band of radar frequencies.
Claims10
A process for fabricating a ceramic broadband radome which includes:
- (a) forming a first layer comprising fused silica which has been compounded for permeability and minimum shrinkage and fired at a particular temperature;
- (b) forming on one surface of said first layer a second layer comprising permeable silicon nitride deposited at substantially the same temperature used to form said first layer;
- (c) forming on said second layer a third layer comprising permeable fused silica fired at substantially said temperature;
- (d) forming on said third layer, a fourth layer comprising dense silicion nitride deposited at substantially said temperature;
- and
- (e) forming on the exposed surface of said first layer a fifth layer comprising dense silicon nitride deposited at substantially said temperature.
A ceramic broadband radome adapted to effectively transmit high frequency energy and having the ability to withstand stresses induced by thermal differentials comprising a rigid contoured object including a wall having a generally convex outer surface and a generally concave inner surface, said wall comprising alternating layers of silicon nitride and fused silica, including a layer comprising silicon nitride at both outer and inner surfaces and at least one additional layer comprising silicon nitride within said wall, formed in a prestressed condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.