Foldable radome

摘要

In one embodiment, a foldable radome sub-assembly for an antenna reflector dish has flexible material connected to a plurality of rigid rim segments. Connection elements (e.g., inserts) are configured to interconnect two adjacent rim segments, such that, with the connection elements applied, the radome sub-assembly is configured as a radome connectable to the antenna reflector dish, and, without the connection elements applied, the radome sub-assembly is foldable between adjacent rim segments. The foldable radome sub-assembly can be folded up for efficient storage and shipping, yet is easy to configure in the field into a rigid radome for attachment to an antenna reflector dish.

主权项

1. A foldable radome for an antenna reflector dish, the foldable radome comprising:
a radome sub-assembly comprising:
a plurality of rigid rim segments; andflexible material connected to the rim segments; and a plurality of connection elements, each configured to interconnect two adjacent rim segments, such that:
with the connection elements applied, the radome sub-assembly is configured as a radome connectable to the antenna reflector dish; andwithout the connection elements applied, the radome sub-assembly is foldable between adjacent rim segments, wherein each connection element is configured such that a diameter of the radome sub-assembly increases as each connection element engages the two adjacent rim segments to remove slack in the flexible material, and wherein one or both of the connection elements and the rim segments have angled surfaces configured to engage corresponding surfaces to increase the diameter of the radome sub-assembly.