Radome with Reduced Wind Load
A radome with reduced wind load is described. An example apparatus includes a radome configured to house an antenna. The radome includes a main body that extends lengthwise from a first end to a second end. The radome also includes an end cap disposed at the first end of the main body. The end cap includes a textured outer surface and corners that are rounded with respect to a vertical plane of the radome.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a radome configured to house an antenna, the radome comprising:
a main body that extends lengthwise from a first end to a second end; and
an end cap disposed at the first end of the main body, wherein the end cap comprises corners that are rounded with respect to a vertical plane of the radome, and wherein the end cap comprises a textured outer surface.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the corners are rounded to have a radius of at least 10 mm.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the corners comprise:
first corners along a long edge of the end cap and having a first radius; and
second corners along a short edge of the end cap and having a second radius;
wherein the first radius is smaller than the second radius.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first radius is 10 mm or greater, and the second radius is 20 mm or greater.
5 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first radius is approximately equal to half the length of the short edge.
6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the second radius is approximately equal to half the length of the long edge.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a shape of the end cap is a half dome.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the textured outer surface comprises a plurality of dimples.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the textured outer surface comprises a non-uniform pattern.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the textured outer surface comprises a film adhered to an outer surface of the end cap.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the textured outer surface is formed by pressing a pattern into an outer surface of the end cap.
12 . A radome with reduced wind load comprising:
a main body having a vertical length and a cross section comprising a width and a depth; and
a pair of end caps disposed at opposite ends of the vertical length of the main body to cover openings at a top and bottom end of the main body;
wherein at least one of the pair of end caps comprises a textured outer surface and corners that are rounded with respect to a vertical plane of the radome to have a radius of at least 10 mm.
13 . The radome of claim 12 , wherein the corners comprise:
first corners along the width of the end cap and having a first radius; and
second corners along the depth of the end cap and having a second radius; wherein the first radius is smaller than the second radius.
14 . The radome of claim 13 , wherein the first radius is approximately equal to half the depth and the second radius is approximately equal to half the width.
15 . The radome of claim 12 , wherein the main body and the pair of end caps comprise a dimpling pattern disposed on a majority of the outer surface of the main body and the pair of end caps.