Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanism for mounting radio heads in close proximity to an antenna on a cell tower. In the examples disclosed, the mounting configurations enable easy access to each of the radios so that they can be serviced individually without interfering with the functioning of the other radio in its communications with the antenna.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Luneberg lens that is formed of a plurality of wedge sections that can be easily assembled into a sphere. The wedge sections can be formed of an injection molded plastic, which can dramatically reduce the cost of manufacturing the lens. Different configurations of wedge sections are disclosed.

Abstract: A compression connector comprises a connector body comprising an inner surface and a threaded clamp at least partially positioned within the connector body and configured to slide relative to the connector body. A contact cone is positioned within the connector body and comprises an outer surface configured to engage with the inner surface of the connector body. An insulator is positioned proximate the contact cone and defines an aperture. An inner conductor comprises a contact component comprising an inner conductor basket and a cylindrical portion extending from the conductor basket, and an interface component defining an opening configured to engage with the cylindrical portion of the contact component. The contact component, the interface component, and the insulator are held together such that they form a rigid three-piece assembly when the threaded clamp couples an end of a cable.

Abstract: An RF compression connector includes a simplified clamp mechanism having a common clamp base, and a plurality of segments disposed on the common clamp base wherein the segments include alternating first and second retention members disposed along the circumference of the clamp, wherein each of the first retention members has an outwardly projecting shoulder to engage a connector body and each of the second retention members includes an inwardly projecting shoulder to engage an outer jacket of a coaxial cable connector. The first and second retention members of the clamp mechanism inhibit separation of the connector body relative to the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A transparent broadband antenna has two conductive leaves that are configured to be axially symmetric about two orthogonal axes. The transparent broadband antenna is designed as having two back-to-back Vivaldi radiators and four identically curved outer corners. The back-to-back Vivaldi radiators provide high performance from 617 MHz through 7 GHz while preventing return waves that may cause impedance mismatch. The antenna further comprises a feed structure that enables direct coupling from an RF cable to the two conductive leads, obviating the need for a matching circuit and subsequent bandwidth limitations.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for an RF cluster connector enables multiple RF connections within a cluster connector to be engaged and disengaged in such a way that prevents damage to the conductors. It also eases the process of engaging and disengaging through the use of two lever arms that may be easily used by a technician in challenging locations (such as at the top of a cell tower) and in densely arranged RF ports (such as for a multi-user or massive MIMO antenna).

Abstract: A compression connector comprises a connector body comprising an inner surface and a threaded clamp at least partially positioned within the connector body and configured to slide relative to the connector body. A contact cone is positioned within the connector body and comprises an outer surface configured to engage with the inner surface of the connector body. An insulator is positioned proximate the contact cone and defines an aperture. An inner conductor comprises a contact component comprising an inner conductor basket and a cylindrical portion extending from the conductor basket, and an interface component defining an opening configured to engage with the cylindrical portion of the contact component. The contact component, the interface component, and the insulator are held together such that they form a rigid three-piece assembly when the threaded clamp couples an end of a cable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Luneberg lens that is formed of a plurality of wedge sections that can be easily assembled into a sphere. The wedge sections can be formed of an injection molded plastic, which can dramatically reduce the cost of manufacturing the lens. Different configurations of wedge sections are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanism for mounting radio heads in close proximity to an antenna on a cell tower. In the examples disclosed, the mounting configurations enable easy access to each of the radios so that they can be serviced individually without interfering with the functioning of the other radio in its communications with the antenna.

Abstract: A cluster connector and cluster port for simultaneously engaging multiple RF connectors with a corresponding plurality of RF ports, wherein the cluster port may be coupled to an RF antenna or radio. The cluster port has a plurality of receiving interfaces wherein each of the receiving interfaces has an axial biasing element that enables simultaneous connection with a plurality of coupling interfaces, wherein each of the coupling interfaces is coupled to the end of an RF cable. The cluster connector of the disclosure also enables selective removal, replacement of one RF cable, and the corresponding coupling interface, without impacting other cables/coupling interfaces.

Abstract: A cluster connector and cluster port for simultaneously engaging multiple RF connectors with a corresponding plurality of RF ports, wherein the cluster port may be coupled to an RF antenna or radio. The cluster port has a plurality of receiving interfaces wherein each of the receiving interfaces has an axial biasing element that enables simultaneous connection with a plurality of coupling interfaces, wherein each of the coupling interfaces is coupled to the end of an RF cable. The cluster connector of the disclosure also enables selective removal, replacement of one RF cable, and the corresponding coupling interface, without impacting other cables/coupling interfaces.

Abstract: An integrated valve for a hydraulic tensioner includes a pressure relief valve with an integrated band, which is preferably made of metal, placed around the outside of a pressure relief valve body. A hydraulic tensioner includes a housing with a bore and a hollow piston slidably received within the bore. A piston spring biases the piston in a direction toward a power transmission device. The tensioner also includes an integrated check valve in a body of the housing. The integrated check valve includes a pressure relief valve mechanism and a band check valve mechanism surrounding a circumference of the pressure relief valve mechanism. The pressure relief valve mechanism permits transfer of pressurized fluid from a piston chamber formed by the hollow piston to the source of pressurized fluid and the check valve mechanism permits transfer of pressurized fluid from the source of pressurized fluid to the piston chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner can include a valve retainer and valve member within a housing including a cavity, passageway, and boss. The passageway provides fluid communication with the cavity through an end face of the cavity. The boss is disposed about the passageway and extends axially outward from the end face. The valve retainer can include a first plate. The first plate can be fixedly coupled to the housing. The valve member can include a second plate that can be axially between the first plate and the boss. The second plate can extend in a radial direction beyond an outermost edge of the boss. The second plate can move axially between a closed position wherein the second plate is in sealing contact with the boss and an open position wherein the second plate is axially spaced apart from the boss. The valve spring biases the second plate toward the closed position.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner for an internal combustion engine for tensioning a span of a chain or a belt has a piston with an internal reservoir connected to a high pressure chamber through a check valve assembly. The check valve assembly has a disk seat received within the hollow bore of the body of the piston having at least one passage connecting the internal reservoir to the hydraulic pressure chamber; a check valve retainer coupled to the disk seat; a check valve disk received between the disk seat and the check valve retainer moveable between a first position and a second position, and a check valve spring received between the check valve disk and the check valve retainer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the field of hydraulic tensioners. A hydraulic tensioner of this invention includes a tensioner body having a bore in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid through an inlet, a hollow piston slidably received within the bore and having an outer diameter, a hydraulic pressure chamber defined by the hollow piston and the bore of the tensioner body, a piston spring received within the hydraulic pressure chamber for biasing the piston away from the inlet, and a metallic band surrounding the outer diameter of the piston. The metallic band forms a seal between an outer surface of the piston and the tensioner body when pressure builds in the hydraulic pressure chamber, wherein metallic bands or seals are placed over a hydraulic tensioner piston in order to seal the high pressure chamber and prevent or reduce leakage through the clearance between the piston and the tensioner body.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner includes a valve seat, first valve member, retainer, and second valve member. The seat includes a first aperture disposed about an axis and a second aperture radially outward thereof. The first member includes a first plate having a third aperture aligned with the first aperture. The first plate extends radially outward of the second aperture. The first plate is axially movable between a closed position wherein it inhibits flow through the second aperture, and an open position wherein it permits flow through the second aperture. The retainer includes a second plate fixed relative to the seat. The second member includes a third plate between the second plate and valve seat. The third plate is axially movable between a closed position wherein it inhibits flow through the first aperture while permitting flow through the second aperture, and an open position wherein it permits flow through the first aperture.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner can include a valve retainer and valve member within a housing including a cavity, passageway, and boss. The passageway provides fluid communication with the cavity through an end face of the cavity. The boss is disposed about the passageway and extends axially outward from the end face. The valve retainer can include a first plate. The first plate can be fixedly coupled to the housing. The valve member can include a second plate that can be axially between the first plate and the boss. The second plate can extend in a radial direction beyond an outermost edge of the boss. The second plate can move axially between a closed position wherein the second plate is in sealing contact with the boss and an open position wherein the second plate is axially spaced apart from the boss. The valve spring biases the second plate toward the closed position.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner for an internal combustion engine for tensioning a span of a chain or a belt has a piston with an internal reservoir connected to a high pressure chamber through a check valve assembly. The check valve assembly has a disk seat received within the hollow bore of the body of the piston having at least one passage connecting the internal reservoir to the hydraulic pressure chamber; a check valve retainer coupled to the disk seat; a check valve disk received between the disk seat and the check valve retainer moveable between a first position and a second position, and a check valve spring received between the check valve disk and the check valve retainer.