US3154887A

US3154887A - Random pattern radome structure

Info

Publication number: US3154887A
Application number: US857347A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence J Schmidt
Original assignee: Goodyear Aerospace Corp
Current assignee: Goodyear Aerospace Corp
Priority date: 1959-12-04
Filing date: 1959-12-04
Publication date: 1964-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1981-11-03

Description

Nov. 3, 1964 c. J. SCHMIDT 3,154,837

RANDOM PATTERN RADOME STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 4, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 By CLARENCE J. SCHMIDT WMM ATTORNEY RANDOM PATTERN RADOME STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CLARENCE J. SCHMIDT ATTORNEY c. J. SCHMIDT 3,154,887

United States Patent 3,154,$87 RANDOM PATTERN RADUME STRUCTURE @iarence .I. fichmidt, Cuyahoga Falis, Ohio, assignor to Goodyear Aerospace Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed. Dec. 4, 195?, Ser. No. 857,347 Claims. (Cl. 50-52) This invention relates to substantially spherical enclosures and is particularly useful in housing radar apparatus and similar equipment.

It has been proposed heretofore to enclose radar or other scanning equipment or apparatus adapted to have arcuate sweep movement in a plurality of planes Within substantially spherical enclosures. However, it has been found that where such enclosures are employed for sending and receiving signals and include a lattice-work frame or grid of metal having parallel or continuous reaches or elements of metal such a frame or grid causes absorption, refraction, deflection or distortion of the signals sent and received. Where such structures are to be of large size, a metal framework is almost essential.

The present invention aims to overcome the foregoing and other difficulties by providing a metal frame structure in which the structural segments are neither parallel nor continuous in direction.

It is an object of the invention to provide a metal framework comprising a minimum number of sizes and shapes of m tallic structural segments so assembled as to provide a substantially spherical structure in which the segments are neither parallel nor continuous in direction.

Another object is to provide such a structure in which the structural segments may be assembled in a number of similar construction subassemblies or basic frames of interchangeable nature.

Still another object is to provide such a structure in which the structural segments are arranged in triangular assembly to enclose triangular spaces of a minimum number of sizes and shapes which may be covered by panels of a minimum number of sizes and shapes.

A still further object is to provide a structure of preformed blocks united in edge to edge arrangement by independent metallic fastening means, the blocks being of non-metallic material.

Other objects are to provide a strong self-supporting structure, to provide for ease of assembly, and to provide simplicity of structure.

These and other objects will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan View of a spherical enclosure having its surface divided into sixty congruous spherical isosceles triangles.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the same intersected by a horizontal base plane.

FIG. 3 is a face view showing in dot and dash lines one of the isosceles triangles of FIGS. 1 and 2 and superimposed thereon a diagrammatic representation of an assembly of structural segments providing a repetitive surface pattern.

FIGURE 4 shows five basic frames arranged to fit together as defined by five spherical isosceles triangles which define a spherical pentagon; and

FIGURE 5 illustrates how three basic frames are joined at their corners to cover the corners defined by the spherical isosceles triangles.

Referring to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, these show a spherical surface 1 having its surface evenly divided into congruous isosceles triangles. Division of the surface is accomplished by dividing the surface into twelve congruous spherical pentagons Whose corners are designates by the letter I. These points may be determined by constructing within the sphere a pentagonal dodecahedron having all its corners in the spherical surface and connecting the points common to the spere and the dodecahedron by great circle arcs. By then establishing a point 0 equidistant from the corners I of each spherical pentagon and at the writer of such pentagon and connecting the point .0 with each corner I by great circle arcs the pentagon will be divided to provide five congruous spherical isosceles triangles each having its apex 'at the center. Q and its base at a side 1-1 of the spherical pentagon. It will also be noted that there are siX of such isosceles triangles grouped about each point I and that the angles of the triangles adjacent point I are, all equal. To locate beams along the construction lines O-I would interfere with radar transmission and reception and to promiscuousiy assemble beams without a definite plan might overcome that difliculty but would not result in a structure accomplishing elimination of interference by use of a minimum number of sizes of frame members.

It has been found, however, that the dodecahedral arrangement of the reference points 0 and I is an ideal one from which to locate an assembly of frame members or structural segments which may be handled as a subassembly or a basic frame and which will have a non-continuous and non-parallel arrangement of frame members or structural segments. The non-continuous and non-parallel arrangement may be accomplished by connecting points 0 and positions near points I by a series of consecutive arcs arranged in different directions and should such series be extended from point 0 in five directions equally spaced apart and each series being angularly positioned equally with respect to the locating lines 0-1 the basic frames constructed between these lines will be alike and interchangeable. Five such interchangeable basic frames will completely fill the space about each point O but the radially outer ends of these subassemblies must also be made t intenlit about points I. Referring to FIG. 3, it will be apparent that points A and A may be laid out equidistant from O with point A oitset laterally in the same direction the same distance from line OI as A is from line 0-1. Point B and B may be chosen equidistant from point 0 and on lines 0-1 and O-d respectively. Points C and C may be spaced equidistant from point 0 and equally spaced in the same direction from lines O-I and 0-1. Similarly D and D are equidistant from point 0 and equally spaced in the same direction from lines OJ and 0-1. By construction meandering line OABC-D must fit line OA'-B'-D' of a similar basic frame adjacent thereto and having point 0 in common.

Now a point E may be established so that distance E-I equals distance D'I and the point E being the same distance below line L1 as the point D is above that line. Then points F and G are established at equal distance below and above line I-I' and the point P being the same distance from point I as G is from point I. Then by drawing connecting arcs DE, E-F, F-G, and 6-D the remaining boundary of the basic frame will be such that it will interfit a similar basic frame located in the adjacent isosceles triangle having the base 1-1 in common and its apex at the next reference point 0. The basic frame may be subdivided into triangles as shown in FIG. 3 preferably in such a manner as to require the least number of lengths of lines.

In order to continue subdivision such that no continuous lines will extend about the spherical surface, an arc 0-0 may be drawn bisecting the angle I-O-I. A point H may be selected on line (3-0 at a greater distance from point 0 than points B, B and arcs BH, B'H, AH and G-H may be drawn. A point I is established such that are 1-6 is parallel to are 1-1 and are F-] is parallel to are 0-O'. Then arcs C-i, 3-], H] and E] are drawn. This divide the basic frame into triangular di- 3 visions, in which the divisions are such that a minimum number of arcuate frame member lengths or structural segments would be required for its construction.

In other words each respective basic frame is defined by two legs and a base line outlining one of five similar imaginary spherical isosceles triangles which five triangles with the apices of their legs joined at a common point define one of twelve similar imaginary spherical pentagons which pentagons together define an imaginary spherical dodecahedron of the size desired for the enclosure.

As assembly of such basic frames will completely cover the spherical surface except for a small triangular area about points I-I'. Each basic frame comprises a framework of bars corresponding in position and length to the solid lines of FIG. 3 superimposed over each or" the triangular areas of the sphere to provide a complete nonparallel spherical framework of which no element are continuous in direction when assembled with similar basic frames, as shown in FIGURE 5, with the remaining spaces about points I, I being enclosed in the assembly by frame members of adjacent subassemblies. The details, per se, of the framework, whether flanged, welded, bolted, etc, form no part of the present invention and need not be described in detail to the man skilled in the art.

Where it is desired to avoid use of frame members or structural segments, triangular modules of material such as fiber reinforced plastic may be constructed corresponding in shape and size to the triangular subdivisions of a basic frame and these may be bolted or otherwise secured to each other in edge to edge relation to provide the basic frames. The details of such assembly form no part, per se, of the present invention, are old in the art, and are shown, for example, in F168. and 19 of US. Patent No. 2,918,992. The basic frames so formed may be secured to each other in edge to edge relation to make a complete enclosure except for the triangular space about points i and I. Separate modules having the shape of the areas containing points land I may be formed and united to the basic frames to close these openings.

While a complete spherical enclosure has been described, where the enclosure is to be used as a room it will usually be to an advantage to provide an enclosure having greater fioor space and less height. For this purpose that part of the sphere above a desired intersecting horizontal plane P may be constructed as shown in FIG. 2 and the basic frames of the lower course would be trimmed at the plane P or so constructed as not to extend below it.

While a certain representative embodiment and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a substantially spherically shaped enclosure the combination of a plurality of basic frames rigidly connected and defining an enclosure assembly,

each respective basic frame defined by two legs and a base line outlining one of five similar imaginary spherical isosceles triangles which five triangles with the apices of their legs joined at a common point together define one of twelve similar imaginary spherical pentagons which pentagons together define an imaginary spherical dodecahedron of the size desired for said enclosure,

each respective basic frame of said enclosure assembly comprising a plurality of structural segments representing consecutive arcs with the terminals of the segments defined by points on the surface of said imaginary spherical dodecahedron and with each segment lying in a different plane,

a first group of said structural segments defining one side of said respective basic frame by being joined in end to end relation originating from the apex of the legs of said one imaginary spherical isosceles triangle and directed substantially along one leg with each segment crossing said one leg at an angle,

a second group of said structural segments defining the other side of said respective basic frame by being joined in end to end relationship and defining exactly the same relationship to the other leg of said one spherical isosceles triangle as said first group of said structural segments defines with said one leg,

a third group of said structural segments defining substantially one half the base to said respective basic frame by being joined in end to end relationship and connecting the end of said first group of structural segments defining said one side of said respective basic frame at the point of bisection of the base line to said one imaginary spherical isosceles triangle,

a fourth group of said structural segments defining substantially the other half of said base of said respective basic frame by being joined in end to end relationship and defining the opposite relationship to said other half of said base line of said one imaginary spherical isosceles triangle as said third group of said structural segments defines with said one half of said base line, and

mean connecting said plurality of said basic frames rigidly together along common edges to complete said enclosure assembly with each of said respective basic frames disposed with one of said sides and bases being along each leg and each base line respectively of each of said isosceles triangles of at least one of said spherical pentagons to provide said onclosure assembly substantially spherically shaped.

2. A substantially spherically shaped enclosure according to claim 1 where electronic transparent material means are secured to said basic frames which encloses said enclosure assembly.

3. A substantially spherically shaped enclosure according to claim 1 wherein said segments connecting the third and fourth groups of structural segments to the point of bisection of the base line to said one imaginary spherical isosceles triangle are a single arc segment common to these two segment groups.

4. In a substantially spherically shaped enclosure the combination of a plurality of basic frames rigidly connected and defining an enclosure assembly,

each respective basic frame of said enclosure assembly comprising a plurality of structural segments representing consecutive arcs with the terminals of the segments defined by points on the surface of said imaginary spherical dodecahedron,

a first group of said structural segments connected together end to end defining one side of said respective basic frame by originating from the apex of the legs of said one imaginary spherical isosceles triangle and extending generally along one leg thereof, so that each segment of said one group makes an oblique angle to the segments connected to its ends and further so that each segment intersects said one leg,

at second group of structural segments having the same relationship to said other leg of said one imaginary spherical isosceles triangle as said first group of structural segments has to said one a third group of said structural segments defining substantially one half the base to said respective basic frame by connecting said segments in end to end relationship originating from the end of said first group of segments and terminating at the point of bisection of the base line to said one imaginary spherical isosceles triangle so that the segments of said third group make oblique angles to each other,

a fourth group of structural segments defining substantially the other half of the base to said respective basic frame and having the opposite relationship to said second group of segments and the other half of said base line as said third group of segments has to said first group of segments, and

means connecting said plurality of said basic frames together along common edges to complete the enclosure assembly with each of said respective basic frames disposed With one of said sides and bases being along each leg and each base line respectively of each of said isosceles triangles of at least one of said References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,976,188 10/34 Nozawa 5O52 2,918,992 12/59 Gelsavage 52 X 2,978,704 4/61 Cohen et a1. 50--52 FOREIGN PATENTS 60,419 12/42 Denmark.

OTHER REFERENCES Pp. 245, 247 and 249, April 1958, Architectural Record.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner. WILLIAM I. MUSHAKE, EARL J. WlTMER,

Examiners.

Claims

1. IN A SUBSTANTIALLY SPHERICALLY SHAPED ENCLOSURE THE COMBINATION OF A PLURALITY OF BASIC FRAMES RIGIDLY CONNECTED AND DEFINING AN ENCLOSURE ASSEMBLY, EACH RESPECTIVE BASIC FRAME DEFINED BY TWO LEGS AND A BASE LINE OUTLINING ONE OF FIVE SIMILAR IMAGINARY SPHERICAL ISOSCELES TRIANGLES WHICH FIVE TRIANGLES WITH THE APICES OF THEIR LEGS JOINED AT A COMMON POINT TOGETHER DEFINE ONE OF TWELVE SIMILAR IMAGINARY SPHERICAL PENTAGONS WHICH PENTAGONS TOGETHER DEFINE AN IMAGINARY SPHERICAL DODECAHEDRON OF THE SIZE DESIRED FOR SAID ENCLOSURE, EACH RESPECTIVE BASIC FRAME OF SAID ENCLOSURE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF STRUCTURAL SEGMENTS REPRESENTING CONSECUTIVE ARCS WITH THE TERMINALS OF THE SEGMENTS DEFINED BY POINTS ON THE SURFACE OF SAID IMAGINARY SPHERICAL DODECAHEDRON AND WITH EACH SEGMENT LYING IN A DIFFERENT PLANE, A FIRST GROUP OF SAID STRUCTURAL SEGMENTS DEFINING ONE SIDE OF SAID RESPECTIVE BASIC FRAME BY BEING JOINED IN END TO END RELATION ORIGINATING FROM THE APEX OF THE LEGS OF SAID ONE IMAGINARY SPHERICAL ISOSCELES TRIANGLE AND DIRECTED SUBSTANTIALLY ALONG ONE LEG WITH EACH SEGMENT CROSSING SAID ONE LEG AT AN ANGLE, A SECOND GROUP OF SAID STRUCTURAL SEGMENTS DEFINING THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID RESPECTIVE BASIC FRAME BY BEING JOINED IN END TO END RELATIONSHIP AND DEFINING EXACTLY THE SAME RELATIONSHIP TO THE OTHER LEG OF SAID ONE SPHERICAL ISOSCELES TRIANGLE AS SAID FIRST GROUP OF SAID STRUCTURAL SEGMENTS DEFINES WITH SAID ONE LEG, A THIRD GROUP OF SAID STRUCTURAL SEGMENTS DEFINING SUBSTANTIALLY ONE HALF THE BASE TO SAID RESPECTIVE BASIC FRAME BY BEING JOINED IN END TO END RELATIONSHIP AND CONNECTING THE ENDOF SAID FIRST GROUP OF STRUCTURAL SEGMENTS DEFINING SAID ONE SIDE OF SIDE RESPECTIVE BASIC FRAME AT THE POINT OF BISECTION OF THE BASE LINE TO SAID ONE IMAGINARY SPHERICAL ISOSCELES TRIANGLE, A FOURTH GROUP OF SAID STRUCTURAL SEGMENTS DEFINING SUBSTANTIALLY THE OTHER HALF OF SAID BASE OF SAID RESPECTIVE BASIC FRAME BY BEING JOINED IN END TO END RELATIONSHIP AND DEFINING THE OPPOSITE RELATIONSHIP TO SAID OTHER HALF OF SAID BASE LINE OF SAID ONE IMAGINARY SPHERICAL ISOSCELES TRIANGLE AS SAID THIRD GROUP OF SAID STRUCTURAL SEGMENTS DEFINES WITH SAID ONE HALF OF SAID BASE LINE, AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID PLURALITY OF SAID BASIC FRAMES RIGIDLY TOGETHER ALONG COMMON EDGES TO COMPLETE SAID ENCLOSURE ASSEMBLY WITH EACH OF SAID RESPECTIVE BASIC FRAMES DISPOSED WITH ONE OF SAID SIDES AND BASES BEING ALONG EACH LEG AND EACH BASE LINE RESPECTIVELY OF EACH OF SAID ISOSCELES TRIANGLES OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SPHERICAL PENTAGONS TO PROVIDE SAID ENCLOSURE ASSEMBLY SUBSTANTIALLY SPHERICALLY SHAPED.