FREQUENCY (RF) ABSORPTION AND ATTENUATION

BACKGROUND

[0001] Present-day, textile article trends in clothing, upholstery, and textile design lack, or simply not prioritize, the absorption or attenuation of electromagnetic energy, also referenced to Radio Frequency (RF) signals. As technology continues to progress and more and more electronic devices become increasingly common in all industries, the focus on the absorption and attenuation of RF signals is becoming more important.

[0002] Passive absorbers have long been used to absorb and attenuate RF signals, particularly inside test chambers such as an anechoic chamber. Generally, the principal objective of these absorbers is to coat reflective surfaces so any incident RF signals that strike the absorber is largely absorbed and attenuated, rather than being reflected. The absorbers create an environment having no reflective boundaries so radar systems and antennas can be tested as if you are testing in an open field. However, these absorbers are typically coatings on fixed surfaces, such as the walls on an anechoic chamber. Further, similar coatings are less effective on surfaces that tend to be flexible and adopt varying shapes and contours through their normal course of use, such as what would be expended for textile articles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items or features.

[0004] FIGS. 1A and IB illustrate an example textile article that incorporates iron oxide particles within a resin substrate that is cured to form the textile article. FIG. 1 A illustrates a plan view of the textile article. FIG. IB illustrates a cross-section view through Section A- A of FIG. 1A.

[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components of the resin substrate as viewed through Section A-A of FIG. 1A.

[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of components of the wet laminate as viewed through Section A-A of FIG. 1 A.

[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a fabrication process of a textile article (i.e. laminate) that incorporated iron oxide particles that absorb and attenuate RF signals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] This disclosure describes techniques that improve the radar absorbing and attenuating capability of a textile article. Radar systems operate by sending out pulses of electromagnet energy, which are reflected back from an object to a radar controller. Radar controllers may detect the presence of an object based on its reflected electromagnetic energy, namely the object’s radar signature. By reducing an object’s radar signature, radar controllers are less likely to detect the object.

[0009] Reducing a textile article’s radar signature can be performed by reducing electromagnetic energy reflection and providing sufficient attenuation of electromagnetic energy once it has interacted with a textile article. This disclosure describes techniques that improve a textile article’s radar signature via the inclusion of iron oxide particles within a resin substrate that act to absorb (i.e. attenuate) electromagnetic energy. The geometry of individual iron oxide particles is further described to minimize electromagnetic energy reflection. For example, flake-shaped iron oxide particles have a greater relative surface area relative to spherical iron oxide particles. In turn, the use of flake-shaped iron oxide particles may lead to a greater degree of electromagnetic energy reflection relative to spherical iron oxide particles. In that regard, while the presence of iron oxide particles may influence the attenuation of electromagnetic energy, the shape of the iron oxide particles further influences the electromagnetic energy reflection, the corollary of which, in combination, is a reduced electromagnetic energy signature.

[0010] More specifically, this disclosure is directed towards techniques for fabricating a textile article that is configured to absorb and attenuate electromagnet energy, also termed radio frequency (RF) signals throughout this disclosure, within a range of 0 GHz to 10 GHz.

[0011] The fabrication process of a textile article from a laminate formed by curing a reinforced fiber matrix and a resin substrate. The resin substrate may include iron oxide particles, such as iron oxide, Fe304, that are capable of absorbing and attenuating RF signals within the desired RF signal range, namely 0 GHz - 3 GHz, 3 GHz, - 8 GHz, and greater than or equal to 10 GHz. The iron oxide particles may include Fe304Fe, FesC Ni, or Fe304, and/or so forth. Each iron oxide particles are selected based on the RF signal range that the textile article is intended to absorb. In other words, a change in iron oxide particle composition and proportion by volume may impact the RF signals absorbed by the textile article. For example, a soft ferrite, such as FesCEFe may be capable of absorbing low radio frequency signals that are less than 3 GHz. Moreover, an iron oxide, such as FesCENi, may be capable of absorbing radio frequency signals within a range of 3 to 8 GHz, and a soft ferrite, such as Fe304, may be capable of absorbing high radio frequency signals that are greater than or equal to 10 GHz. [0012] Moreover, this disclosure describes techniques for introducing iron oxide particles into a wet laminate such that the shape and profile of the wet laminate can be manipulated prior to cure. The fabrication process is intended to allow the iron oxide particles to coalesce with an elastic polymer solution to form a resin substrate that retains the radar absorbing properties. In doing so, the iron oxide particles may be uniformly distributed on a reinforced fiber matrix (i.e. mesh matrix) when the resin substrate is combined with the reinforced fiber matrix.

[0013] The fabrication process may involve generating a wet laminate by saturating a reinforced fiber matrix within the resin substrate. The reinforced fiber matrix may comprise of a bamboo fiber matrix. Alternatively, the reinforced fiber matrix may comprise any type of fabric, including but not limited to, cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, and/or so forth. The selection of the reinforced fiber matrix may be influenced by the density of the reinforced fiber matrix (i.e. fiber volume ratio) and the desired flexibility and stretch of the intended textile article. For example, an increase in the density of a reinforced fiber matrix may result in an improvement in the resin substrate penetration.

[0014] Additionally, the fabrication process may include a resin substrate that is formed by combining the iron oxide particles with an elastic polymer solution. The elastic polymer solution may include a latex elastic polymer solution, that encapsulates the iron oxide particles and cures at room temperature. Alternatively, the elastic polymer solution may comprise any type of natural rubber, acrylic, or silicone-based elastic polymer solution that can properly bond with the iron oxide particles. The selection of the elastic polymer solution is based at least in part on the integrity of the bond between the elastic polymer solution and the iron oxide particles and the cure time in a predetermined ambient environment. The integrity of the bond between the elastic polymer solution and the iron oxide particles may facilitate a uniform distribution of the iron oxide particles within the elastic polymer solution and ensure that the iron oxide particles are not ejected from the elastic polymer solution when combined with a reinforced fiber matrix or during the curing process.

[0015] Further, the cure time associated with the curing process may be impacted, and/or manipulated, by the ambient environment. For example, the ambient environment in which the curing process occurs may provide an operator of the fabrication process with a predetermined amount of time to overlay the resin substrate (i.e. which includes the combination of the iron oxide particles and the elastic polymer solution) on to the reinforced fiber matrix. Doing so may ensure a uniform distribution of the iron oxide particles over the wet laminate. In some examples, an operator may perform one or more radar-absorbing tests on the wet laminate, prior to or during the curing process. These tests may ensure that the wet laminate has a uniform distribution of iron oxide particles. In this way, the resulting textile fabric may have uniform RF signal absorbing properties across all sections of the textile fabric. In one example, the cure time for a resin substrate (i.e. a latex elastic polymer solution) may be 30 minutes to one hour, depending on environmental conditions. Any cure time is possible. Other factors that may impact the cure time include the relative proportion of fiber reinforcement matrix to the resin substrate. Additionally, the cure time of a resin substrate may be impacted by the ambient room temperature climate. For example, a resin substrate (i.e. which includes the combination of the iron oxide particles and the elastic polymer solution) that cures at room temperature in a moist (i.e. humid) environment may have a different cure time to a same resin substrate the cures at room temperature in a dry (i.e. less humid) environment.

[0016] Moreover, the fabrication process may include combining a predetermined ratio of iron oxide particles with the resin substrate. The predetermined ratio may be influenced by the desired durability of the textile article, the desired flexibility, and more importantly, the RF signal range that the textile article is intended to absorb. [0017] In one example, a textile article that is intended to absorb RF signals within a range of 3 to 8 GHz may comprise of a 1 : 16 ratio by volume of Fe304Ni to the elastic polymer solution. However, any variation of the 1 : 16 ratio is possible. The predetermined volume ratio may also impact the viscosity of the resulting resin substrate (i.e. FesCriNi + elastic polymer solution). For example, if the proportion of Fe304Ni increases within the resin substrate (i.e. the ratio by volume of FesCriNi to elastic polymer solution increases - 1 : 18) then the viscosity of the resin substrate may increase (i.e. a higher viscosity means that the resin substrate exhibits more resistance to gradual deformation by shear stress or tensile stress and flows less freely - reduced flow rate). In this example, the resin substrate may be more difficult to uniformly distribute onto a reinforced fiber matrix.

[0018] In another example, a textile article that is intended to absorb RF signals that are greater than or equal to 10 GHz may comprise a predetermined ratio by volume of Fe304 to the elastic polymer solution equivalent to 1 : 16. While increasing the proportion of Fe304 relative to the elastic polymer solution may be 1 : 16 may improve radar absorption properties, it is noteworthy that by increasing the proportion of Fe304, within the resin substrate, similar to FesCriNi, the resin substrate may be more difficult to uniformly distributed over a reinforced fiber matrix.

[0019] In order to counteract the effect of a reduced flow rate of a resin substrate (i.e. high viscosity), the fabrication process further describes the selective inclusion of a thinning fluid or cure retarder. The thinning fluid or cure retarder may include distilled water, ammonia, acetone, or paint thinner. In these examples, the proportion of the thinning fluid that is added to the resin substrate is functionally based on the desired viscosity and adhesive properties of the resin substrate to the reinforced fiber matrix. Further, the curing retarder may increase the duration of the curing process, providing an operator with sufficient time to uniformly distribute the resin substrate over a reinforced fiber matrix. [0020] In yet another example, a textile article that is intended to absorb RF signals that are less than 3 GHz may comprise a predetermined ratio by volume of Fe304Fe to the elastic polymer solution of 1 : 16. For the sake brevity, the effects of changing the predetermined ratio by volume of Fe304Fe to the elastic polymer solution is substantially similar to the effects described for the predetermined ratio by volume of Fe304 to the elastic polymer solution that is intended for the absorption of RF signals that are greater than or equal to 10 GHz. Therefore, the impact increasing the predetermined ratio by volume beyond 1: 16, such as 1 : 18, can be mitigated, to some extent, by including a thinning fluid or cure retarder.

[0021] Moreover, this disclosure further describes a textile fabric that is intended to absorb RF signals across an entire range, namely less than 3 GHz through to RF signals that are greater than 10 GHz. In this example, the fabrication process is configured to include a combination of iron oxide particles, namely, Fe304Fe, FesCriNi, and Fe304, within the elastic polymer solution at a predetermined ratio by volume of 1 : 1 : 1 : 3. The predetermined ratio by volume of 1: 1 : 1 : 3, is provided for example purposes, and variations of this predetermined ratio by volume are possible. In the illustrated example of a resin substrate based on a predetermined ratio by volume of 1 : 1 : 1 : 3, an equal portion of each iron oxide particle is added to a 3 - part portion of the elastic polymer solution. Since the relative portion of the iron oxide particles is substantially similar to the 3-part elastic polymer solution, the viscosity of the resin substrate (i.e. iron oxide particles and elastic polymer solution) may be difficult to uniformly distributed over a reinforced fiber matrix. In these instances, a thinning fluid or cure retarder may be added, at room temperature, and prior to the curing process, and prior to combining the resin substrate with the reinforced fiber matrix. As discussed earlier, the thinning fluid may reduce the viscosity of the resin substrate (i.e. a lower viscosity means that the resin substrate exhibits less resistance to gradual deformation by shear stress or tensile stress and flow more freely - increased flow rate). Further, the curing retarder may provide the operator with sufficient time to uniformly distribute the resin substrate over the reinforced fiber matrix.

[0022] The term“laminate,” as used herein, describes the post-cure material (i.e. a textile article that is formed by combining the reinforced fiber matrix and the resin substrate. The term“wet laminate” as used herein, describes a fabrication state, prior to cure, whereby a reinforced fiber matrix is saturated (i.e. wet) with a resin substrate, and the resin substrate remains in a liquid state. The wet laminate may further undergo a curing process, by which the fiber reinforce matrix and resin substrate bind together to form a rigid, laminate (i.e. a textile article).

[0023] Further, the term“techniques,” as used herein, may refer to system(s), method(s), computer-readable instruction(s), module(s), algorithms, hardware logic, and/or operation(s) as permitted by the context described above and through the document.

[0024] FIG. 1A and IB illustrate a textile article 102 (i.e. laminate) that incorporates iron oxide particles within a resin substrate that is cured to form the textile article 102. FIG. 1 A illustrates a plan view of the textile article 102. More specifically, the textile article 102 may incorporate iron oxide particle(s) 104(1)-104(N). While FIG. 1A illustrates for regions of iron oxide particle(s) 104(1)-104(N), any number of regions is possible. In a preferred embodiment, the iron oxide particles cover the entire surface area of the textile article. Further, it is noteworthy that the textile article 102 may be interchangeably referred to as “laminate” in a post-cured state, and“wet laminate” in a pre-cured state.

[0025] FIG. IB illustrates a cross-section view through Section A-A of FIG. 1A. FIG. IB illustrates a cross-sectional view of the textile article 102 through one region of iron oxide particle(s) 104(1)-104(N). The cross-sectional view of the textile article 102 illustrates the reinforced fiber matrix 106 and the resin substrate 108 that incorporates the iron oxide particle(s) 104(1)-104(N). [0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components of the resin substrate as viewed through Section A-A of FIG. 1A. More specifically, iron oxide particle(s) 104(1)-104(N) are mixed with an elastic polymer solution 202 to form the resin substrate 108. The iron oxide particle(s) 104(1)-104(N) may comprise one or more types of iron oxide particles, such as Fe304Fe, Fe304Ni, and Fe304. The selection of the iron oxide particles is based at least in part on the intended RF signal range that requires absorption and attenuation. In various examples, the iron oxide particles may be spherical so as to reduce RF signal reflection from the textile article.

[0027] Further, the elastic polymer solution 202 may include a latex elastic polymer solution, that encapsulates the iron oxide particles and cures at room temperature. Alternatively, the elastic polymer solution may comprise any type of natural rubber, acrylic, or silicone-based elastic polymer solution that can properly bond with the iron oxide particles. The selection of the elastic polymer solution is based at least in part on the integrity of the bond between the elastic polymer solution and the iron oxide particles and the cure time in a predetermined ambient environment.

[0028] An additional thinning fluid or a cure retarder may be added to the combination of the iron oxide particle(s) 104(1)-104(N) and elastic polymer solution for the purpose of adjusting the viscosity of the resin substrate 108 and/or the adhesive properties of the resin substrate 108 relative to the reinforced fiber matrix. By way of example, a thinning fluid or cure retarder may include distilled water, ammonia, acetone, or paint thinner.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of components of the wet laminate as viewed through Section A-A of FIG. 1A. More specifically, the resin substrate 108 is combined with the reinforced fiber matrix 106 to form the wet laminate 302.

[0030] The reinforced fiber matrix 106 may correspond to a bamboo fiber matrix. Alternatively, the reinforced fiber matrix may comprise any type of fabric, including but not limited to, cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, and/or so forth. The selection of the reinforced fiber matrix may be influenced by the density of the reinforced fiber matrix (i.e. fiber volume ratio) and the desired flexibility and stretch of the intended textile article. For example, an increase in the density of a reinforced fiber matrix may result in an improvement in the resin substrate penetration.

[0031] Once formed, the wet laminate 302 is cured at room temperature for a predetermined cure time. The predetermined cure time may be influenced by the ambient environment in which the curing process occurs. The cure time may also be influenced by the proportion of iron oxide parti cle(s) 104(1)-104(N) within the resin substrate 108 and relative proportion of the resin substrate 108 to the reinforced fiber matrix 106.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a fabrication process of a textile article (i.e. laminate) that incorporated iron oxide particles that absorb and attenuate RF signals.

[0033] At 402, the generate a resin substrate by combining iron oxide particle(s) with an elastic polymer solution. The selection of the iron oxide particle(s) is based at least in part on the RF signals that the textile article is intended to absorb and attenuate. For example, a soft ferrite, such as FesCfiFe may be capable of absorbing low radio frequency signals that are less than 3 GHz. Moreover, an iron oxide, such as FesCfiNi, may be capable of absorbing radio frequency signals within a range of 3 to 8 GHz, and a soft ferrite, such as Fe304, may be capable of absorbing high radio frequency signals that are greater than or equal to 10 GHz.

[0034] Additionally, the proportion of iron oxide particle(s) to an elastic polymer solution is also governed by the target range of RF signals. In one example, a textile article that is intended to absorb RF signals within a range of 3 to 8 GHz may comprise of a 1 : 16 ratio by volume of FesCfiNi to the elastic polymer solution. In another example, a textile article that is intended to absorb RF signals that are greater than or equal to 10 GHz may comprise a predetermined ratio by volume of Fe304 to the elastic polymer solution equivalent to 1 : 16. In yet another example, a textile article that is intended to absorb RF signals that are less than 3 GHz may comprise a predetermined ratio by volume of Fe304Fe to the elastic polymer solution of 1 : 16.

[0035] At 404, fabricate a wet laminate by saturating a reinforced fiber matrix within the resin substrate. The reinforced fiber matrix may comprise a bamboo fiber matrix. Alternatively, the reinforced fiber matrix may comprise any type of fabric, including but not limited to, cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, and/or so forth. The selection of the reinforced fiber matrix may be influenced by the density of the reinforced fiber matrix (i.e. fiber volume ratio) and the desired flexibility and stretch of the intended textile article. For example, an increase in the density of a reinforced fiber matrix may result in an improvement in the resin substrate penetration.

[0036] At 406, cure the wet laminate at room temperature for a predetermined cure time. In various examples, the predetermined cure time may be influenced by the ambient environment. For example, a curing process at room temperature in a moist (i.e. humid) environment may have a different cure time to the same curing process that occurs in a dry (i.e. relatively less humid) environment.

[0037] Additionally, the cure time may be manipulated by the addition of a thinning fluid or cure retarder. This may occur if the curing time is less than the time required by an operator to uniformly distribute the resin substrate of the reinforced fiber matrix.

CONCLUSION

[0038] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to features and methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described herein. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.