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US 9,865,918 B2Granted
Sliding radome with support structure
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorThomas J. Harleman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A radome includes a shell defining an internal volume. A track is coupled to the shell, and the track allows the shell to move axially between an open position and a closed position. A support structure is coupled to the shell, and the support structure moves from a collapsed position to an expanded position.
Claims18
A radome, comprising:
- a shell defining an internal volume;
- a track coupled to the shell, wherein the track allows the shell to move axially between an open position and a closed position, wherein a distance between the shell and a ground remains substantially constant when the shell moves between the closed position and the open position;
- and
- a support structure coupled to the shell, wherein the support structure moves from a collapsed position to an expanded position.
1 more element
A radome, comprising:
- a shell defining an internal volume;
- a track coupled to the shell, wherein the track coupled to the shell is configured to slidingly engage a corresponding track coupled to a body, and wherein the track coupled to the shell is configured to move axially with respect to the track coupled to the body, thereby allowing the shell to move axially with respect to the body between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a support structure coupled to the shell, wherein the support structure is configured to move from a collapsed position to an expanded position, and wherein the support structure is coupled to the track coupled to the shell such that the support structure is configured to move axially with respect to the shell.
1 more element
A method for accessing a radar system that is coupled to a bottom side of a body of an aircraft, comprising:
- moving a shell axially toward an aft of the body from a closed position to an open position, wherein the shell covers the radar system when in the closed position, wherein the shell allows access to the radar system when in the open position, and wherein a distance between the shell and a ground remains constant when the shell moves between the closed position and the open position;
- moving a support structure that is coupled to the shell from a collapsed position to an expanded position;
- and
- coupling the support structure to the body when the support structure is in the expanded position.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.