Inventors:
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
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc. - Minneapolis MN
International Classification:
H01Q 15/02
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.