ANTENNA ASSEMBLY, VERTICAL TAIL, HORIZONTAL TAIL, WING, AIRCRAFT, AND METHOD

Abstract

An elongate antenna assembly (1) for an aircraft including a structural section (3) and an antenna element (5), wherein the structural section (3) includes an elongate leading edge section (7) extending in a longitudinal direction (13) of the antenna assembly, a first lateral section (9), and a second lateral section (11), wherein the leading edge section (7) is curved such that the leading edge section (7) comprises a convex outer surface (15) extending in the longitudinal direction (13) of the antenna assembly (1) on a convex side (19) of the antenna assembly.

Claims

1. An elongate antenna assembly for an aircraft, comprising: a structural section and an antenna element, wherein the structural section comprises an elongate leading edge section extending in a longitudinal direction of the antenna assembly, a first lateral section, and a second lateral section, wherein the leading edge section is curved such that the leading edge section comprises a convex outer surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the antenna assembly on a convex side of the antenna assembly, wherein the first lateral section extends away from the leading edge section on a first side of the leading edge section in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the antenna assembly, wherein the second lateral section extends away from the leading edge section on a second side of the leading edge section opposite the first side of the leading edge section in a second direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the antenna assembly, wherein an elongate first recess is formed in the leading edge section on the convex side of the antenna assembly, wherein the first recess extends in the longitudinal direction of the antenna assembly, wherein an elongate first section of the antenna element extends in the longitudinal direction of the antenna assembly and is arranged in the first recess, such that an outer surface of the elongate first section of the antenna element and the convex outer surface of the leading edge section form a first surface of the antenna assembly on the convex side of the antenna assembly.

2. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first recess is formed in the leading edge section on the convex side of the antenna assembly such that at least a section of the leading edge section is arranged between the elongate first section of the antenna element and a concave side of the antenna assembly opposite the convex side of the antenna assembly.

3. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the antenna element comprises an inner section, which is arranged on a concave side of the antenna assembly opposite the convex side of the antenna assembly, wherein the elongate first section of the antenna element and the inner section of the antenna element are electrically connected to each other via a first connecting element, and wherein the first connecting element is arranged in a first opening formed in the structural section.

4. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein an elongate second recess is formed in the first lateral section wherein the second recess extends in the longitudinal direction of the antenna assembly, wherein an elongate second section of the antenna element extends in the longitudinal direction of the antenna assembly and is arranged in the second recess, such that an outer surface of the elongate second section of the antenna element and an outer surface of the first lateral section form a second surface of the antenna assembly.

5. The antenna assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first section of the antenna element and the second section of the antenna element are electrically connected to each other via a second connecting element of the antenna element.

6. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the length of the antenna element from a first end of the antenna element to a second end of the antenna element is five meters.

7. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, one of the preceding claims, wherein the a cross sectional area of the antenna element along the length of the antenna element from a first end of the antenna element to a second end of the antenna element is at least twenty square millimeter.

8. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one terminal electrically connected to the antenna element to provide an electrical connection between the antenna element and an external unit.

9. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a second opening formed in the structural section, wherein the second opening extends from an outer surface of the antenna assembly to an inner surface of the antenna assembly, wherein a third connecting element is arranged in the second opening, wherein the third connecting element is electrically connected to the antenna element.

10. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the structural section comprises a first skin, a second skin, and a core, wherein the first skin is attached to the core on a first side of the core and the second skin is attached to the core on a second side of the core opposite the first side of the core, wherein at least a section of the first skin forms at least a section of the convex outer surface of the leading edge section.

11. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the structural section comprises a glass fiber reinforced polymer structure.

12. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the structural section comprises a carbon fiber reinforced polymer structure.

13. A vertical tail for an aircraft comprising the antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first section of the antenna element forms a section of a leading edge of the vertical tail.

14. A horizontal tail for an aircraft comprising the antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first section of the antenna element forms a section of a leading edge of the horizontal tail.

15. A wing for an aircraft comprising the antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first section of the antenna element forms a section of a leading edge of the wing.

16. An aircraft comprising the vertical tail according to claim 13.

17. A method for manufacturing the antenna assembly according to claim 1, comprising providing a preform and the antenna element, positioning the preform and the antenna element relative to each other such that the first section of the antenna element is arranged in a first recess of the preform, and heating the preform and the antenna element from a first temperature to a second temperature above a curing temperature of the preform to form the antenna assembly from the preform and the antenna element.

Description

[0037] Further features, advantages and application possibilities of the present invention may be derived from the following description of exemplary embodiments and/or the figures. Thereby, all described and/or visually depicted features for themselves and/or in any combination may form an advantageous subject matter and/or features of the present invention independent of their combination in the individual claims or their dependencies. Furthermore, in the figures, same reference signs may indicate same or similar objects.

[0038] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of an elongate antenna assembly with a first embodiment of a structural section and a first embodiment of an antenna element.

[0039] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a section of a first embodiment of a vertical tail for an aircraft comprising the first embodiment of the elongate antenna assembly shown in FIG. 1.

[0040] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the elongate antenna assembly with a second embodiment of the structural section and a second embodiment of the antenna element and a front spar of a vertical tail for an aircraft.

[0041] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a cross section of a third embodiment of the elongate antenna assembly with a third embodiment of the structural section and a third embodiment of the antenna element.

[0042] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of an elongate antenna assembly 1 with a structural section 3 and an antenna element 5. The structural section 3 comprises an elongate leading edge section 7, a first lateral section 9, and a second lateral section 11. The structural section 3 comprises a carbon fiber reinforced polymer structure. Additionally or alternatively, the structural section 3 can also comprise a glass fiber reinforced polymer structure.

[0043] The leading edge section 7 extends in a longitudinal direction 13 of the antenna assembly 1. The leading edge section 7 is curved such that the leading edge section 7 comprises a convex outer surface 15 and a concave inner surface 17. The convex outer surface 15 extends in the longitudinal direction 13 of the antenna assembly 1 on a convex side 19 of the antenna assembly. The concave inner surface 17 extends in the longitudinal direction 13 of the antenna assembly 1 on a concave side 21 of the antenna assembly 1 opposite the convex side 19 of the antenna assembly.

[0044] The leading edge section 7 comprises a first side 23 and a second side 25 opposite the first side 23. The first lateral section 9 extends away from the leading edge section 7 on the first side 23 of the leading edge section 7 in a first direction 39 transverse to the longitudinal direction 13 of the antenna assembly. The second lateral section 11 extends away from the leading edge section 7 on the second side 25 of the leading edge section 7 in a second direction 41 transverse to the longitudinal direction 13 of the antenna assembly.

[0045] The antenna element 5 comprises a first section 27, a second section 29, a third section 31, and a fourth section 33. The first section 27 and the second section 29 are both elongate and extend both in the longitudinal direction 13. The first section 27 is electrically connected to the second section 29 via the fourth section 33, which can also be referred to as second connecting element of the antenna element 5. The first section 27 is electrically connected to the third section 31. The length of the antenna element 5 from a first end 35 of the antenna element 5 to a second end 37 of the antenna element 5 is 5 meters. Further, the cross sectional area of the antenna element 5 along the length of the antenna element 5 from the first end 35 of the antenna element 5 to the second end 37 of the antenna element 5 is at least 20 square millimeters. The cross sectional area of the antenna element 5 in the first section 27 and in the second section 29 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 13. Further, the cross sectional area of the antenna element 5 in the third section 31 and in the fourth section 33 is arranged perpendicular to a first direction 39 transverse to the longitudinal direction 13. In addition to the first direction 39, a second direction 41 is shown in FIG. 1. The second direction 41 is oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction 13. The antenna assembly 1 comprises a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is electrically connected to the first end 35 of the antenna element 5 and the second terminal is connected to the second end 37 of the antenna element 5 for an electrical connection between the antenna element 5 and an external unit.

[0046] A first recess is formed in the leading edge section 7, wherein the first section 27 of the antenna element 5 is arranged in the first recess. The first recess is formed in the leading edge section 7 on the convex side 19 of the antenna assembly 1 such that at least a section of the leading edge section 7 is arranged between the elongate first section 27 of the antenna element 5 and the concave side 21 of the antenna assembly. The first recess cannot be seen in FIG. 1, since the first recess is completely covered by the first section 27 of the antenna element 5.

[0047] Additionally, a second recess is formed in the first lateral section 9, wherein the second section 29 of the antenna element 5 is arranged in the second recess. The second recess is formed in the first lateral section 9 on the convex side 19 of the antenna assembly 1 such that at least a section of the first lateral section 9 is arranged between the second section 29 of the antenna element 5 and the concave side 21 of the antenna assembly. The second recess cannot be seen in FIG. 1, since the second recess is completely covered by the second section 29 of the antenna element 5.

[0048] The first recess and the second recess are both elongate and extend both in the longitudinal direction 13 of the antenna assembly. Similarly, the first section 27 of the antenna element 5 and the second section 29 of the antenna element 5 are both elongate and extend both in the longitudinal direction 13 of the antenna assembly. The first recess, the second recess, the first section 27 of the antenna element 5, and the second section 29 of the antenna element 5 are all arranged on the convex side 19 of the antenna assembly.

[0049] The first section 27 of the antenna element 5 is arranged in the first recess and the second section 29 of the antenna element 5 is arranged in the second recess. An outer surface 43 of the first section 27 of the antenna element 5 and the convex outer surface 15 of the leading edge section 7 form a first surface of the antenna assembly 1 on the convex side 19 of the antenna assembly. Similarly, an outer surface 44 of the second section 29 of the antenna element 5 and an outer surface 46 of the first lateral section 9 form a second surface of the antenna assembly 1 on the convex side 19 of the antenna assembly. The first surface and the second surface form a section of a total outer surface of the antenna assembly.

[0050] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a section of a first embodiment of a vertical tail 45 for an aircraft comprising the first embodiment of the elongate antenna assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1. The antenna assembly 1 is mounted to a front spar 47 of the vertical tail 45. The first section 27 of the antenna element 5 forms a section of a leading edge of the vertical tail 45. Similar to FIG. 2, a horizontal tail for an aircraft can comprise the first embodiment of the elongate antenna assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the first section 27 of the antenna element 5 forms a section of a leading edge of the horizontal tail. Further, a wing for an aircraft can comprise the first embodiment of the elongate antenna assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the first section 27 of the antenna element 5 forms a section of a leading edge of the wing. Each of the vertical tail 45, the horizontal tail, and the wing can be mounted to an aircraft, such that the aircraft comprises the vertical tail 45 and/or the horizontal tail and/or the wing according.

[0051] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the elongate antenna assembly 1 with a second embodiment of the structural section 3 and a second embodiment of the antenna element 5 and a front spar 47 of a vertical tail for an aircraft. The antenna element 5 comprises the first section 27. A first recess is formed in the leading edge section 7 of the structural section 3, wherein the first section 27 of the antenna element 5 is arranged in the first recess. The first recess is formed in the leading edge section 7 on the convex side 19 of the antenna assembly 1 such that at least a section of the leading edge section 7 is arranged between the elongate first section 27 of the antenna element 5 and the concave side 21 of the antenna assembly. The first recess cannot be seen in FIG. 3, since the first recess is completely covered by the first section 27 of the antenna element 5. The first recess is elongate and extends in the longitudinal direction 13 of the antenna assembly. Similarly, the first section 27 of the antenna element 5 is elongate and extends in the longitudinal direction 13 of the antenna assembly. The first recess and the first section 27 of the antenna element 5 are both arranged on the convex side 19 of the antenna assembly. The first section 27 of the antenna element 5 is arranged in the first recess, such that an outer surface 43 of the first section 27 of the antenna element 5 and the convex outer surface 15 of the leading edge section 7 form a first surface of the antenna assembly 1 on the convex side 19 of the antenna assembly. The first surface forms a section of the total outer surface of the antenna assembly.

[0052] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a cross section of a third embodiment of the elongate antenna assembly 1 with a third embodiment of the structural section 3 and a third embodiment of the antenna element 5. FIG. 4 illustrates the third embodiment of the elongate antenna assembly 1 and FIG. 3 illustrates the second embodiment of the elongate antenna assembly 1. The line A-A in FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of the second embodiment. The cross section illustrated in FIG. 4 of the third embodiment is similar to the cross section of the second embodiment as illustrated by the line A-A in FIG. 3.

[0053] The antenna element 5 in FIG. 4 comprises an inner section 49. The inner section 49 is arranged on the concave side 21 of the antenna assembly. The concave side 21 of the antenna assembly 1 is arranged opposite the convex side 19 of the antenna assembly. The elongate first section 27 of the antenna element 5 and the inner section 49 of the antenna element 5 are electrically connected to each other via a first connecting element 51. The first connecting element 51 is arranged in a first opening 53 formed in the structural section.

[0054] Further, the antenna assembly 1 shown in FIG. 4 comprises a second opening 55 formed in the structural section, wherein the second opening 55 extends from an outer surface 57 of the antenna assembly 1 to an inner surface 59 of the antenna assembly 1, wherein a third connecting element 61 is arranged in the second opening 55. The third connecting element 61 is electrically connected to the antenna element 5.

[0055] The structural section 3 in FIG. 4 comprises a first skin 63, a second skin 65, and a core 67. The first skin 63 is attached to the core 67 on a first side of the core 67 and the second skin 65 is attached to the core 67 on a second side of the core 67 opposite the first side of the core 67. At least a section of the first skin 63 forms at least a section of the convex outer surface 15 of the leading edge section 7.

[0056] Each of the antenna assemblies 1 described above can be manufactured by a method, which comprises providing a preform and the antenna element 5. The method further comprises positioning the preform and the antenna element 5 relative to each other such that the antenna element 5 is arranged in a recess of the preform. The method further comprises heating the preform and the antenna element 5 from a first temperature to a second temperature above a curing temperature of the preform to form the antenna assembly from the preform and the antenna element 5.

[0057] It is additionally pointed out that “comprising” does not rule out other elements, and “a” or “an” does not rule out a multiplicity. It is also pointed out that features that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be disclosed as in combination with other features of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as restrictive.