The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 19, 2008
Filed:
Feb. 24, 2006
Victor G. Williams, Washington Township, OH (US);
Andrew B. Macfarland, Beavercreek, OH (US);
Ethan C. Saladin, Centerville, OH (US);
Jay C. Marcum, Beavercreek, OH (US);
Victor G. Williams, Washington Township, OH (US);
Andrew B. MacFarland, Beavercreek, OH (US);
Ethan C. Saladin, Centerville, OH (US);
Jay C. Marcum, Beavercreek, OH (US);
Alliant Techsystems Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A three-dimensional FSS fabrication system is described. FSS elements are pre-mapped in two-dimensional form and constructed on a flat FSS panel that is then formed into a desired three-dimensional shape. The 2-D flat surface of the designed FSS is mapped into a desired three-dimensional curvature so that when formed from 2-D into the 3-D shape, the FSS elements are moved into a desired position and/or orientation. In one embodiment, the mapping from 2-D to 3-D is performed using the elastic properties of a desired substrate material. In one embodiment, one or more flat FSS panels are constructed on a formable or thermo-formable substrate. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a thermoplastic. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a thermoplastic material with fiber reinforcement. The FSS elements can be created by printing, deposition, photo-etching, etc. The flat FSS layers are thermoformed or chemically formed over a tool having the desired shape. In one embodiment, the FSS layers are formed to the shape of the tool by using vacuum techniques. In one embodiment, the FSS layers are formed to the shape of the tool by supporting the FSS layer between male and female tools.