Method for Radome and Reflector Dish Interconnection

Abstract

An interconnection retaining a periphery of a radome upon a periphery of a reflector dish has a plurality of curved channel portions, each of the channel portions provided with an open periphery slot and an open retention slot. The periphery slot is dimensioned to receive the periphery of the radome and the periphery of the reflector dish. The channel portions are arranged end-to-end adjacent to one another, encircling the periphery of the radome and the periphery of the reflector dish seated within the periphery slot. A gap may be provided between one or more of the channel portions are arranged end-to-end adjacent to one another. A link member is seated within the retention slot at an end of each adjacent channel portion. The retention slot at the end of each of the adjacent channel portions is crimped upon the link member. The link member may be, for example, a portion of threaded rod or a molded portion of polymer material.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An interconnection retaining a periphery of a radome upon a periphery of a reflector dish, comprising:
 a plurality of curved channel portions, each of the channel portions provided with an open periphery slot and an open retention slot;   the periphery slot dimensioned to receive the periphery of the radome and the periphery of the reflector dish;   the channel portions arranged end-to-end adjacent to one another, encircling the periphery of the radome and the periphery of the reflector dish seated within the periphery slot;   a link member seated within the retention slot at an end of each adjacent channel portion; and   the retention slot at the end of each of the adjacent channel portions crimped upon the link member.   
     
     
         2 . The interconnection of  claim 1 , wherein the retention slot is oriented normal to the periphery slot. 
     
     
         3 . The interconnection of  claim 1 , wherein the retention slot is provided on a back side of the interconnection. 
     
     
         4 . The interconnection of  claim 1 , wherein the link member is provided with at least one retention trough. 
     
     
         5 . The interconnection of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one retention trough is formed as a helical thread along an outer diameter of the link member. 
     
     
         6 . The interconnection of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one retention trough is formed as a depression formed in an outer diameter of the link member. 
     
     
         7 . The interconnection of  claim 1 , wherein the link member is a portion of threaded metal rod. 
     
     
         8 . The interconnection of  claim 1 , wherein the channel portions arranged end-to-end adjacent to one another have a gap there between. 
     
     
         9 . The interconnection of  claim 1 , wherein the link member further includes a gap cover extending along a portion of an outer diameter of the adjacent channel portions, covering a gap between the adjacent channel portions. 
     
     
         10 . The interconnection of  claim 9 , wherein the gap cover also covers a front side of the interconnection. 
     
     
         11 . The interconnection of  claim 9  wherein the gap cover has a seat shoulder; the ends of the adjacent channel portions abutting the seat shoulder. 
     
     
         12 . The interconnection of  claim 9 , wherein the gap cover has a weep hole through the seat shoulder.