RF waveguide cable assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12087989-B2
Application number	US-202017611422-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 14, 2020
Priority date	May 14, 2019
Publication date	Sep 10, 2024
Grant date	Sep 10, 2024

Abstract

Radio frequency (RF) waveguides and related interconnect members are disclosed. The interconnect members can have a smaller footprint than WR15 flanges. Further, the interconnect members can be configured to mate with complementary interconnects without undergoing substantial relative rotation.

First claim

We claim:

1. A waveguide interconnect member configured to releasably secure a dielectric waveguide to a complementary waveguide interconnect, the waveguide interconnect member comprising:
a gaseous waveguide wall that defines an inner gaseous waveguide surface and an outer gaseous waveguide surface that is opposite the inner gaseous waveguide surface, wherein the inner gaseous waveguide surface defines an internal waveguide channel that contains a gas; and
a flexible extruded inner dielectric that extends into the gaseous waveguide wall and tapers to a tapered end in the gaseous waveguide wall,
wherein the gaseous waveguide wall has a transition profile from a first cross-sectional area of the dielectric waveguide to a second cross-sectional area of the complementary waveguide interconnect that is greater than the first cross-sectional area.

2. The waveguide interconnect member of claim 1 , wherein the transition profile has no sharp edges and no stepped transitions.

3. The waveguide interconnect member of claim 1 , wherein the internal waveguide channel contains a dielectric material.

4. The waveguide interconnect member of claim 3 , wherein the dielectric material comprises a gas.

5. The waveguide interconnect member of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide wall is metallic.

6. The waveguide interconnect member of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide wall comprises an electrically conductive lossy material.

7. The waveguide interconnect member of claim 1 , comprising an inner waveguide interconnect and an outer waveguide interconnect.

8. The waveguide interconnect member of claim 7 , wherein the inner waveguide interconnect defines the gaseous waveguide wall, and the outer waveguide interconnect is rotatable with respect to the inner waveguide interconnect.

9. The waveguide interconnect member of claim 8 , wherein the outer waveguide interconnect is threaded so as to threadedly attach to the complementary interconnect member.

10. The waveguide interconnect member of claim 8 , wherein the outer waveguide interconnect is internally threaded.

11. An assembly comprising a flange having external threads, wherein the outer waveguide interconnect of claim 7 is internally threaded so as to thread onto the external threads of the flange.

12. The waveguide interconnect member of claim 1 , wherein the transition profile overlaps with the tapered end.

13. An electrical communication system comprising:
the dielectric waveguide of claim 1 configured to propagate RF electrical signals, the dielectric waveguide including the inner dielectric; and
an attachment member that is attached to the dielectric waveguide, the attachment member having an antenna that is attached to the inner dielectric.

14. The electrical communication system of claim 13 , wherein the dielectric waveguide extends along a central axis, and the antenna is oriented perpendicular to the central axis.

15. The electrical communication system of claim 13 , wherein the dielectric waveguide is flexible.

16. An electrical communication system comprising:
the dielectric waveguide of claim 1 configured to propagate RF electrical signals, the waveguide including the inner dielectric, a waveguide shield that surrounds the inner dielectric, and a dielectric jacket that surrounds the waveguide shield;
an attachment member that is in electrical communication with the dielectric waveguide, such that electrical signals travel between the flexible waveguide and the attachment member; and
an electrical connector mounted to the attachment member, the electrical connector comprising a connector housing, and an electrically conductive antenna configured to be placed in electrical communication with the dielectric waveguide.

Assignees

• Samtec Inc

Inventors

• Epitaux Marc
• Chuganey Shashi
• Garrison Kelly
• Hall Iii Thomas Albert
• Diegel Cindy Lee
• Moss James Alexander
• Noyola Francisco
• Sasaki Yasuo
• Mcmorrow Scott

Classifications

• H01P1/042

  Hollow waveguide joints · CPC title

• H01P3/16 Primary

  Dielectric waveguides, i.e. without a longitudinal conductor · CPC title

• H01R24/00

  Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure (contact members H01R13/02; securing contact members in or to a base or case or insulating of contact members H01R13/40; bases or cases H01R13/46; means for supporting coupling part when not engaged H01R13/60; means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement H01R13/62; means for preventing, inhibiting or avoiding incorrect coupling H01R13/64) · CPC title

• H01P5/087 Primary

  Transitions to a dielectric waveguide · CPC title