Phasing line holders

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11289785-B2
Application number	US-202016924394-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 9, 2020
Priority date	Jul 31, 2019
Publication date	Mar 29, 2022
Grant date	Mar 29, 2022

Abstract

Systems and methods for phasing line holders are described herein. In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a groove in a conductive body. Additionally, the apparatus includes a phasing line for electrically coupling a plurality of components, the phasing line extending through the groove. Further, the apparatus includes a holder inserted into the groove, the holder maintaining the phasing line at a specific position in relation to a plurality of groove surfaces, wherein a plurality of holder surfaces apply sufficient pressure to the plurality of groove surfaces to secure the holder within the groove.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a groove in a conductive body;
a phasing line for electrically coupling a plurality of components, the phasing line extending through the groove; and
a holder inserted into the groove, the holder maintaining the phasing line at a specific position in relation to a plurality of groove surfaces, wherein a plurality of holder surfaces apply sufficient pressure to the plurality of groove surfaces to secure the holder within the groove.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an insertion object, wherein the insertion object is inserted into a slot in the holder, the insertion object pushing opposite holder side surfaces in the plurality of holder surfaces against surfaces in the plurality of groove surfaces.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the insertion object comprises:
a specialized tip that slides into the slot in the holder and displaces the holder; and
a forcing mechanism that pushes the specialized tip into the holder and maintains the specialized tip within the slot.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the holder includes:
a holder base that supports the phasing line at the specific position; and
a securing mechanism that physically couples to the holder base and is movably rotated to apply the sufficient pressure to the plurality of groove surfaces.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein pressure applied by the securing mechanism to the holder base increases the pressure applied by a plurality of holder base surfaces against contacting groove surfaces in the plurality of groove surfaces.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein a top surface of the securing mechanism applies pressure to bottom surfaces on a plurality of protrusions in the groove when the securing mechanism is in a locked position, and the securing mechanism fits between the grooves when the securing mechanism is in an unlocked position.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein edges of the securing mechanism extend into a plurality of side grooves formed in side surfaces of the groove when the securing mechanism is in a locked position.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the holder includes at least one pivot section, where the pivot section facilitates bending of the holder about the pivot section.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the holder is made from a plastic material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the phasing line pushes the plurality of holder surfaces against the plurality of groove surfaces.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the holder comprises a plurality of protrusions that extend into a plurality of side grooves in the groove, wherein pressure applied by the phasing line to the holder increases the pressure applied by the plurality of protrusions to the surfaces of the plurality of side grooves.

12. A method comprising:
inserting a holder and phasing line into a groove formed in a conductive body, wherein the holder maintains the phasing line at a specific position in relation to a plurality of groove surfaces;
securing the position of the holder with respect to the groove through application of sufficient pressure by a plurality of holder surfaces against the plurality of groove surfaces; and
mounting a cover to the conductive body to enclose the groove.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein securing the position of the holder comprises:
inserting an insertion object into a slot in the holder, wherein a portion of the insertion object pushes against the holder causing opposite holder side surfaces in the plurality of holder surfaces to push against proximate groove surfaces in the plurality of groove surfaces; and
securing the insertion object within the slot.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein inserting the holder and the phasing line into the groove comprises inserting a holder base and the phasing line into the groove.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein securing the position of the holder with respect to the groove comprises:
inserting a securing mechanism into a portion of the holder base, the securing mechanism in an unlocked position;
rotating the securing mechanism into a locked position, wherein surfaces of the securing mechanism apply pressure against the plurality of groove surfaces.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein a top surface of the securing mechanism applies pressure to bottom surfaces on a plurality of protrusions in the groove when the securing mechanism is in the locked position, and the securing mechanism fits between the grooves when the securing mechanism is in the unlocked position.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein edges of the securing mechanism extend into a plurality of side grooves formed in side surfaces of the groove when the securing mechanism is in the locked position.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein inserting the holder and the phasing line into the groove secures the position of the holder with respect to the groove, wherein the holder comprises a plurality of protrusions that extend into a plurality of side grooves in the groove, wherein pressure applied by the phasing line to the holder increases the pressure applied by the plurality of protrusions to the surfaces of the plurality of side grooves.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the holder comprises at least one pivot section, where the pivot section facilitates bending of the holder about a pivot point.

20. A system comprising:
a conductive body having at least one groove formed therein;
one or more phasing lines extending through the at least one groove at a specific position in relation to a plurality of surfaces of the at least one groove;
one or more holders located in the at least one groove, wherein the one or more holders keep the one or more phasing lines at the specific position, wherein a plurality of holder surfaces apply sufficient pressure to the plurality of groove surfaces to secure the one or more holders within the groove; and
a cover mounted to the conductive body, wherein the cover encloses the one or more phasing lines and the one or more holders within the at least one groove.

Assignees

• Commscope Technologies Llc

Inventors

• Potocná Katarina
• Ondrácek Frantisek
• Strachon Libor
• Thér Tomás

Classifications

• H01P3/02 Primary

  with two longitudinal conductors · CPC title

• H01P11/001

  Manufacturing waveguides or transmission lines of the waveguide type · CPC title

• H03H9/0566

  for duplexers · CPC title

• H03H9/02653

  Grooves or arrays buried in the substrate · CPC title