Patent · US Expired

Mounting structure for multi-element phased array antenna

US5278574A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
6References
59Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 29, 1991
Grant dateJan 11, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 29, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01Q21/0087
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A low cost, light weight, high performance phase shifter mounting structure which allows high density packaging of phase control modules for phased array antennas. The mounting structure is a bimetallic sandwich design in the shape of an I-beam having a top flange for mating to radiating elements, a bottom flange for mating to a feed network, and a center web for mounting phase control modules. The I-beam is formed from a single piece of laminated stock comprising an outer layer of aluminum and a core layer of titanium forming an anisotropic thermal expansion composite material. The titanium center web matches the coefficient of thermal expansion of the typical ferrite, MIC, or MMIC phase shifter and driver circuits. The aluminum flange material allows easy machining of microwave transitions at each end of the I-beam and matches the expansion of typical radiating element structure and feed networks. The structure provides improved reliability when the subarray is subjected to repeated and widely ranging thermal cycling.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.