Having Mechanically Movable Delay Control Means Patents (Class 333/159)
  • Patent number: 11724831
    Abstract: An electromagnetic propulsion system for the movement of spacecraft by means of ejection of the perturbed dark matter. In the present invention, to perturb and accelerate the dark matter, the electromagnetic energy generated by microwave generators is supplied to a number of position-adjustable electromagnetic vibrators that form a phased antenna array inside the waveguide. Since the dark matter permeates the Universe and its reserves are unlimited, it can be used as a working medium in the constant acceleration propulsion system for as long as the electric power supply lasts. Since the electromagnetic propulsion system has infinite reserves of the working medium, the specific impulse is also infinite. The speed of the dark matter jet approaches the speed of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Bado
  • Patent number: 11483041
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a high frequency component isolation for wireless and radar systems. The disclosure herein includes a radar system that has an array of radiating elements and a phase control module coupled to the array of radiating elements. The phase control module is configured to isolate one or more transmission signal paths through the phase control module from at least one conductor electrically coupled to one or more active circuits in the phase control module, the at least one conductor proximate to the one or more transmission signal paths. The phase control module is configured to adjust a reactance in a transmission signal propagating through the isolated one or more transmission signal paths to one or more radiating elements of the array of radiating elements. Other examples disclosed herein include beamforming system with high frequency component isolation and a method of beamforming with high frequency component isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: METAWAVE Corporation
    Inventor: Raul Inocencio Alidio
  • Patent number: 11101558
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus comprising a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the substrate comprising a conductive signal line, a first conductive ground plane member and a second conductive ground plane member disposed in a first plane on the first surface of the substrate such that the conductive signal line is configured to convey a signal having a phase. The apparatus comprises a third conductive ground plane member disposed in a second plane, different from the first plane and means for causing relative movement between the third conductive ground plane member and the conductive signal line to cause a change in the phase of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS OY
    Inventor: Juha Hallivuori
  • Patent number: 10937633
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microwave transmission apparatus. The microwave transmission apparatus includes a waveguide, configured to transmit microwaves emitted from a microwave source to a load; and an impedance matching structure, disposed in the waveguide the waveguide. The waveguide includes a microstrip interdigital capacitor. The impedance before the input end of the impedance matching structure is matched with the impedance after the input end of the impedance matching structure by adjusting an equivalent capacitance formed by the microstrip interdigital capacitor and/or a position of the microstrip interdigital capacitor along the extending direction of the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: BEIJING NAURA MICROELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chunming Liu
  • Patent number: 10503043
    Abstract: Provided are a beam steering device and a system including the same. The beam steering device includes a conversion layer having a refractive index which is variable via electrical control and a plurality of nanoantenna pattern layers stacked on the conversion layer. The refractive index of the conversion layer is electrically changed by a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sunil Kim, Changgyun Shin, Jungwoo Kim, Duhyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9917476
    Abstract: An adaptive near field electromagnetic coupler for coupling electromagnetic power to a plane metallic trace (inlay) independently of the inlay geometry and/or orientation without external control algorithms. This is achieved by employing a microstructure of phase altering elements suitable for creating a constant phase field distribution along a top surface of the coupler structure. This is advantageously applicable to printing devices having a function of encoding RFID layers printed on a medium. In view of the provided flexibility, the coupler arrangement can be employed in a variety of printers of different mechanical design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SATO HOLDINGS KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mats Hedberg, Markus Frank
  • Patent number: 9882325
    Abstract: A cable tray assembly includes a first shell that defines a hollow interior and a second shell that defines a hollow interior, wherein one of the shells is partially inserted into the other shell so that the two hollow interiors are in communication. The shells each include a face that is opposite the face on the other shell and the faces support a plurality of connectors. An adjustment system helps control the distance between the two faces so that the cable tray can connect two row of connectors that are a distance apart where the distance is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Tommy Lawrence, Javier Resendez, Takayuki Arai
  • Patent number: 9559397
    Abstract: A circular dielectric polarizer can have a cylindrical shape and include a dielectric slab, a dielectric core, and at least one air cutouts portions of the dielectric core. The dielectric slab can include a first dielectric material and have a thickness centered about an axis of the cylindrical shape. The dielectric core can include a second dielectric material. Portions of the dielectric core can be located on different sides of the dielectric slab. The dielectric core and the dielectric slab can form the cylindrical shape. The dielectric constant of the first dielectric material can be higher than a dielectric constant of the second dielectric material. Parameters of the circular dielectric polarizer, the dielectric slab, the dielectric core, and the at least one air cutout are selected to obtain approximately a 90 degree difference in phase in a signal passing through the circular dielectric polarizer at a target frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alec Adams, Bruce L. Blaser
  • Patent number: 9252498
    Abstract: A feeding system for feeding power using slow wave structure is disclosed. The feeding system includes a first substrate, a first pattern disposed on the first substrate, being a conductor, a second substrate separated from the first substrate, and a second pattern configured to locate on the second substrate, being a conductor. Here, the first pattern and the second pattern are connected electrically, and at least one of the first pattern and the second pattern has a slow wave structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seung-Cheol Lee
  • Patent number: 9112250
    Abstract: A continuously manually or remotely adjustable microwave attenuator and linear phase shifter is made using a two section slabline structure in which a “U” formed center conductor forms a line—stretcher to adjust the transmission phase and slivers of ferromagnetic material are inserted into the magnetic field of the slabline, or thin layers of dielectric material are inserted into the electric field serving either way to reducing the amplitude of the transmission factor, or increase the attenuation. The unit is manually or remotely controlled, in which case its transmission behavior can be calibrated on a VNA and used in test software for automated differential load pull operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 9099763
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-frequency transmission line including a conductive tape (6) associated with a shielding surface (4) that is placed under the line structure and is divided into parallel microstrips in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of the line, said microstrips being movable relative to the conductive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Universite Joseph Fourier
    Inventors: Philippe Ferrari, Gustavo Pamplona Rehder, Philippe Benech
  • Patent number: 8598967
    Abstract: A tunable delay line for radiofrequency or microwave frequency applications consists of at least one ridge waveguide in which the ridge is movable in the waveguide body so as to vary the width of an air gap defined between the longitudinal end surface of the ridge and a confronting member of the waveguide. The ridge is moved by an actuator external to the waveguide body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Pirelli & C. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Giuseppe Grassano, Fabrizio Gatti, Luciano Accatino, Giorgio Bertin, Alfredo Ruscitto, Paolo Semenzato
  • Patent number: 8076997
    Abstract: A tunable delay line for radiofrequency applications includes a waveguide and a dielectric perturbing member that is displaceable relative to the waveguide for varying the delay imparted by the line. The waveguide is a ridge waveguide and the perturbing member is arranged parallel to a longitudinal end surface of the ridge and is movable in the ridge plane, toward and away from the ridge end surface, or in a direction transversal to the ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignees: Telecom Italia S.p.A., Pirelli & C. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Bertin, Marco Braglia, Bruno Piovano
  • Publication number: 20110001579
    Abstract: A tunable delay line for radiofrequency or microwave frequency applications consists of at least one ridge waveguide in which the ridge is movable in the waveguide body so as to vary the width of an air gap defined between the longitudinal end surface of the ridge and a confronting member of the waveguide. The ridge is moved by an actuator external to the waveguide body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Giuseppe Grassano, Fabrizio Gatti, Luciano Accatino, Giorgio Bertin, Alfredo Ruscitto, Paolo Semenzato
  • Patent number: 7728701
    Abstract: An actively tunable waveguide-based iris filter having a first part including a first portion of a deformable iris filter cavity having an inlet and an outlet; a second part operatively coupled with the first part and including a second portion of the deformable iris filter cavity having a deformable membrane operatively coupled with the first portion of a deformable iris filter cavity; the first portion and the second portion together forming the deformable iris filter cavity of the tunable waveguide-based iris filter; and means for moving the deformable membrane, whereby movement of the deformable membrane changes the geometry of the deformable iris filter cavity for causing a change in the frequency of a signal being filtered by the filter. The tunable filter is fabricated using a MEMS-based process including a plastic micro embossing process and a gold electroplating process. Prototype filters were fabricated and measured with bandwidth of 4.05 GHz centered at 94.79 GHz with a minimum insertion loss of 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Liwei Lin, Firas Sammoura
  • Patent number: 7639197
    Abstract: A dual-band stacked electromagnetic band gap (EBG) electronically scanned array (ESA) has a first aperture with a waveguide element spacing of less than ?/2 and a length to provide about 360° of upper frequency phase shift. A second aperture is stacked on the first aperture and has an element spacing of less than ?/2 at a lower frequency and a length such that when summed with the first aperture length about 360° of lower-frequency phase shift is provided. The second aperture comprises metal slats perpendicular to EBG slats to form an equivalent waveguide element with a broadwall dimension to support a TE10 mode at the upper frequency. The second aperture may also comprise metal slats and alternating frequency selective surface (FSS) slats with perpendicular EBG slats lengthening the broadwall at the upper frequency. The EBG slats provide lower-frequency phase shifting in both embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Herting
  • Publication number: 20090224848
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electromagnetic transmission line arrangement with a phase shifter, comprising at least one conductive branch line (51a,51b) extending from a junction point (51c) to an associated output port, for the propagation of electromagnetic signals in a frequency band along said branch line. The phase shifter includes at least one dielectric body (52,53,54) which is mounted so as to be movable sideways in a IC transverse direction into a delaying position at least partly covering said branch line (51a,51b). The longitudinal distribution of its dielectric material (?) is adapted to cause, when being moved transversally into said delay position, a controlled phase shift but also to secure, by way of said selected longitudinal distribution of its dielectric material in conjunction with said at least one branch line, an input impedance matching of said transmission line arrangement. The transmission line arrangement can be used in the feeding network to a microwave antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Bjorn Lindmark
  • Patent number: 7224246
    Abstract: An antenna system comprises an antenna assembly having an angle of electrical tilt and a plurality of antenna elements each arranged to receive signals through a respective transmission line. Each transmission line is shortened or lengthened by moving a coupling link along two transmission line parts which the link couples: this adjusts signal phase supplied to each antenna element individually, and controls the angle of electrical tilt of the antenna assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Quintel Technology Limited
    Inventor: Louis David Thomas
  • Patent number: 7157989
    Abstract: An inline phase shifter including a waveguide having a waveguide path and one of a micro-electromechanical device and a piezoelectric device positioned sufficiently adjacent to the waveguide for changing physical dimensions of the waveguide path upon actuation of the one device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Seong-Hwoon Kim, Michael E. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 7026889
    Abstract: A device for feeding signals between a common line and two or more ports. The device including a branched network of feedlines coupling the common line with the ports. The feedlines have transformer portions of varying width for reducing reflection of signals passing through the network. A dielectric member is mounted adjacent to the network and can be moved to synchronously adjust the phase relationship between the common line and one or more of the ports. The dielectric member also has transformer portions for reducing reflection of signals passing through the network. At least one of the junctions of the network does not overlap with the dielectric member, or overlaps a region of reduced permittivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventor: Victor Aleksandrovich Sledkov
  • Patent number: 6922169
    Abstract: A power coupler including a differential phase shifter for differentially adjusting the relative phase between signals on a pair of signal lines; and a hybrid coupler which is coupled to the pair of signal lines. The power coupler may be employed in an antenna including first and second signal lines; a differential phase shifter for differentially adjusting the relative phase between signals on the first and second signal lines; a first set of one or more radiating elements; a second set of one or more radiating elements; and a hybrid coupler having a first port coupled to the first signal line, a second port coupled to the second signal line, a third port coupled to the first set of radiating elements, and a fourth port coupled to the second set of radiating elements. Elevation beam width is adjustable independently of azimuthal beam width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Narian Moh'd Kheir Moh'd Izzat, Martin Lee Zimmerman, Kevin Eldon Linehan
  • Publication number: 20030169127
    Abstract: An inline phase shifter including a waveguide having a waveguide path and one of a micro-electromechanical device and a piezoelectric device positioned sufficiently adjacent to the waveguide for changing physical dimensions of the waveguide path upon actuation of the one device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Seong-Hwoon Kim, Michael E. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 6452713
    Abstract: A device for tuning the propagation of electromagnetic energy. The device includes a first and a second periodic dielectric structure. One of the periodic dielectric structures is movable with respect to the other periodic dielectric structure to modify a composite propagating wave characteristic of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Agere Systems Guardian Corp.
    Inventor: Christopher A. White
  • Publication number: 20020084869
    Abstract: A device for tuning the propagation of electromagnetic energy. The device includes a first and a second periodic dielectric structure. One of the periodic dielectric structures is movable with respect to the other periodic dielectric structure to modify a composite propagating wave characteristic of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Christopher A. White
  • Patent number: 6392507
    Abstract: A signal-processing apparatus is capable of stably operating without regard to outside circumstances and miniaturizing. The signal-processing apparatus for shifting phase of a signal inputted thereto and attenuating the signal includes an input connector for inputting a signal; an output connector for outputting the signal; a rotation body to be rotated by the rotational force provided from the rotational force supplying means; a plurality of rotatable members respectively having a groove in peripheral portion, the rotatable members being coupled to peripheral portion of the rotation body so that the grooves communicate with each other; and a signal transmitting member for transmitting the inputted signal to the output connector, the signal transmitting member being located in the grooves and its both ends being respectively connected to the input and output connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: KMW Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Duk-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 6320481
    Abstract: The present invention provides a switched-line phase shifter (300) for creating a differential phase shift between switched transmission paths (302, 304). A switched-line phase shifter (300) incorporates Schiffman sections (306, 308) of lengths which are non-integer multiples of quarter-wavelength. The lengths of the Schiffman sections (306, 308) are chosen such that no isolation points, which result from frequencies at which the effective electrical length of one of the transmission paths (302, 304) is an integer multiple of &lgr;/2, occur over the operating frequency range of the phase shifter (300). The present invention also provides a space-efficient implementation of a switched-line phase shifter (600) which utilizes switches (640, 642, 644) between Schiffman subsections (610, 630) to alternately combine and isolate the Schiffman subsections (610, 630) thereby alternately creating effective Schiffman sections of greater and lesser length respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Arvind K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 6281766
    Abstract: Waveguide phase shifter (200, FIG. 2 and 300, FIG. 3) uses piezoelectric ceramics to implement a voltage variable actuator (270, 370) for moving at least one dielectric vane (255, 355) relative to a reference surface (206, 306) in a waveguide cavity (285, 385). In this manner, the phase shift in waveguide phase shifters (200, 300) is controlled. In one embodiment, actuator (270) comprises first piezoelectric wafer (210), second piezoelectric wafer (220), first metallic layer (230), second metallic layer (240), third metallic layer (250), mating surface (272) and spacer (265). Actuator (270) uses a stack of piezoelectric materials to establish a lever arm mechanism to establish vertical movement (294) and move dielectric vane (255). Actuator (370) uses a stack of piezoelectric materials to establish vertical movement (394) and move dielectric vane (355). Waveguide phase shifters (200, 300) are used in phased array antenna (400) operating at microwave frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh Robert Malone, Deborah Sue Dendy, Dean Lawrence Cook, James R. Phillips, Richard S. Kommrusch
  • Patent number: 6204811
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator control circuit includes a first conductor attached to the free end of a piezoelectric device and a second conductor rigidly fixed at a position spaced from the piezoelectric device such that a variable capacitor is created between the first and second conductors. The variable capacitor is then used in a capacitive voltage divider to generate a drive signal which moves the piezoelectric device. Thus, the movement of the piezoelectric device can be precisely controlled. The control circuit allows for precise control of an array of such piezoelectric actuators and is particularly applicable to the use of actuators for controlling a mmWave phase array antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6133887
    Abstract: An antenna device and a transmitting and receiving unit using the device which are capable of simultaneously polarizing each direction of a plurality of beams are provided without increasing the size of the whole device. For example, when the detection is achieved by forming a plurality of beams such as a radar of monopulse type, the angle measurement range is easily extended. A movable part is provided with a plurality of primary radiators and movable part side transmission lines (dielectric strips of NRD guide) to be coupled therewith, and a fixed part side is provided with dielectric lenses to form each focal plane at the position of primary radiators, and fixed part side transmission lines (dielectric strips of NRD guide) to be respectively coupled with the movable part side transmission lines. A plurality of beams are simultaneously tilted by displacing the movable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Tanizaki, Yoshinori Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6016122
    Abstract: A phased array antenna (1000) is formed using a number of independently controllable piezoelectric phase shifters (1300) which results in a low cost phased array antenna that is functional at microwave and/or millimeter wave frequencies. In addition, the independently controllable piezoelectric phase shifters (1300) have sufficient phase range to allow a single antenna to be steered over a wide angle field of view. Piezoelectric phase shifters (1300) comprise at least one-voltage variable capacitor (1310, 1320, FIG. 2). Typically, the piezoelectric material used in the voltage variable capacitors is selected from a group consisting of lead-titanate (PbTiO.sub.3), lead-zirconate (PbZrO.sub.3), barium-titanate (BaTiO.sub.3), and lead-zirconate-titanate (PbZr.sub.x Ti.sub.1-x O.sub.3), where x varies from zero to one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh Robert Malone, Deborah Sue Dendy, Dean Lawrence Cook, James R. Phillips, Richard S. Kommrusch
  • Patent number: 5905462
    Abstract: A phased-array antenna having either a corporate or series feed network advantageously includes a phase-shifter array comprised of mechanical phase shifters for beam steering. In some embodiments, the phase-shifter array includes a plurality of phase-shifting slabs each of which includes a phase-shifting member advantageously comprised of a dielectric material. When placed in electromagnetic fields generated by signals propagating through different regions of a transmission line, the phase-shifting members affect the phase of such signals. In some embodiments, the plurality of phase-shifting slabs are mechanically linked by a rigid linkage that is driven by a single driving mechanism. In those embodiments, the phase-shifting slabs and incorporated phase-shifting members in the phase-shifter array are moved in unison, relative to the transmission line, causing a shift in the relative phases of a multiplicity of signals, thereby steering the antenna beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Georg Hampel, Gary M. Hojell
  • Patent number: 5877660
    Abstract: Input is applied to a two-partition circuit that substantially equally distributes input power into two partitions having a phase difference of 90.degree., and the thus-distributed output is applied to a first driver that generates circularly polarized wave. The two outputs of the second driver, in which the circularly polarized waves generated from the first driver are coupled, are combined in a combining circuit. The end portion of the opening of the sealed case incorporating the first driver fits together with the end portion of the opening of the sealed case incorporating the second driver such that the two sealed cases together with the first and second drivers may rotate relative to each other around their cylindrical axis. The phase difference between the input of the two-partition circuit and the output of the combining circuit changes according to the relative angle of rotation around the cylindrical axis between first and second drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignees: Nihon Dengyo Kosaku Co., Ltd., NTT Mobile Communications Network Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshio Ebine, Masahiro Karikomi, Tohru Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5825172
    Abstract: A rotating transmission line for use in spectrum up-scaling or down-scaling of signals. The rotating medium is characterized by different velocity gradients, whereby when a signal propagates in such medium, the signal undergoes a Doppler effect as it propagates through the moving medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Gopalkrishna G. Nadkarni
  • Patent number: 5576668
    Abstract: A system (12) operative with at least one electromagnetic wave to produce a circularly polarized wave includes a plurality of polarizer sections (56) disposed along a direction of propagation of one electromagnetic wave. The polarizer sections have opposed rows of phase shifting elements, in the form of rods (76), which are adjusted to provide a match to the orthogonal components of the wave. Penetration and spacing of phase shifting elements within each of the polarizing sections attains a match to the two orthogonal components of the wave and a differential phase shift between the two orthogonal components slightly in excess of a desired 90 degree orthogonal phase relationship. Upon a differential counter rotation between a first and a second of the polarizer sections, the total phase shift introduced by the polarizer sections is reduced to 90 degrees without significant shift in the match of the two orthogonal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Robert T. Clark, Alan R. Keith
  • Patent number: 5543765
    Abstract: Disclosed are electronic elements with variable electrical characteristics, each element including at least one microcavity in which there shifts, with a limited clearance or range of play, at least one moving element made of an insulator material that is at least partially covered with electrically conductive material, and that works together with at least one microwave circuit of the substrate, and means creating an electrical field to shift the moving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Thomson - C S F
    Inventor: Gerard Cachier
  • Patent number: 5504466
    Abstract: A microwave phase shifter comprises superposed conductor and dielectric plates, and a conductor strip carried by the dielectric plate. It comprises means, such as a piezoelectric biplate, for moving one of the plates in relation to the other thereby modifying the thickness of an air gap between the plates and consequently, modifying the phase constant of the phase shifter. The phase shifter can comprise at least one microstrip type impedance transformer in order to match to a microwave transmission line. When radiating elements are linked along the conductor strip, the phase shifter forms a lobe scanning network antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales
    Inventors: Bernard J. Chan-Son-Lint, Christian Pouit
  • Patent number: 5473294
    Abstract: A novel planar variable power divider, using waveguide technology, includes two hybrids and two variable phase shifters. The variable power divider includes a variable phase shifter based on a 3 dB hybrid circuit terminated by two sliding non-contacting moveable short circuits. The differential phase spreading of the phase shifter has been reduced to less than one-sixth of typical transmission line dispersion by the compensating short terminations. As a consequence, electrical performance achievable over a 16% bandwidth is significantly improved with respect to heretofore-known variable power dividers. The variable power divider also provides for planar integration, wideband performance, medium-high power handling capabilities and low loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Alenia Spazio S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Mizzoni, Rodolfo Ravanelli
  • Patent number: 5449412
    Abstract: A block of dielectric material having a long axis and a short axis and having low losses at a selected microwave frequency and a dielectric constant selected to produce a desired degree of phase modulation is mounted on a rotatable shaft in an orientation perpendicular to the long and short axes and arranged inside a waveguide feeding a CVD reactor containing a plasma species. The block is spun by a rotational force applied to the shaft at an angular acceleration such that the two axes of the block successively intersect the axis of the waveguide within the decay period of the plasma species. The frequency of phase modulation can be varied by changing the angular acceleration of the shaft, and the amplitude of the phase modulation can be varied by changing the ratio of block length to thickness and/or by selecting a material with higher dielectric constant. The incident microwave power may be modulated as a function of angular position of the spin shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Crystallume
    Inventor: John M. Pinneo
  • Patent number: 5410283
    Abstract: A phase shifter for shifting the phase angle of microwaves traveling in a waveguide of a microwave circuit. The phase shifter includes a dielectric plate which has first and second parallel surfaces, a distal edge, a proximate edge, a leading edge, and a trailing edge where each of the edges defines the outer bounds of the first and second parallel surfaces. The dielectric plate is shaped like a parallelogram lacking any right angles and is made of a microwave low loss dielectric material such as polystyrene or polytetrafluoroethylene. The height of the dielectric plate is less than one half the height of the waveguide side wall and the length is less than one guide wavelength long. The phase shifter fine tunes a resonating microwave circuit and provides approximately three-quarters of an inch adjustment of microwave circuit length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur M. Gooray, Kenneth C. Peter
  • Patent number: 5376905
    Abstract: A power divider (20) includes two orthomode tee to cylindrical waveguide adapters (26, 34) coupled by a phase shift unit (48) having a slow-wave structure (68) located in a sidewall (82) of a waveguide section (50) at a position located 45 degrees between planes of rectangular ports of the adapters. The slow-wave structure includes a set of vanes (54) which are movable by means of a motor (58) to adjust their penetration through the sidewall of the waveguide section. Adjustment of the penetration provides for selection of an amount of differential phase lag introduced between components of electromagnetic waves propagating through the waveguide section between the two adapters. Pins (96) are formed integrally with the vanes by a notching of edge regions of the vanes. The pins introduce a relatively small amount of phase shift as compared to that introduced by the vanes. However, the phase dispersion of the pins counteracts a phase dispersion of the vanes for increased bandwidth of the power divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Rolf Kich
  • Patent number: 5230740
    Abstract: A block of dielectric material having a long axis and a short axis and having low losses at a selected microwave frequency and a dielectric constant selected to produce a desired degree of phase modulation is mounted on a rotatable shaft in an orientation perpendicular to the long and short axes and arranged inside a waveguide feeding a CVD reactor containing a plasma species The block is spun by a rotational force applied to the shaft at an angular acceleration such that the two axes of the block successively intersect the axis of the waveguide within the decay period of the plasma species. The frequency of phase modulation can be varied by changing the angular acceleration of the shaft, and the amplitude of the phase modulation can be varied by changing the ratio of block length to thickness and/or by selecting a material with higher dielectric constant. The incident microwave power may be modulated as a function of angular position of the spin shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Crystallume
    Inventor: John M. Pinneo
  • Patent number: 4845422
    Abstract: The invention relates to a type of proximity sensor. In one form, two sinusoidal signals travel along two transmission lines near an object. When the distance between one or both of the lines and the object changes, the speed of travel of one or both of the signals changes. There is a correlation between the speed change and the distance, thus allowing one to infer distance from speed change. One way to measure the speed change is to measure the phase relationship between the two signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward K. Damon
  • Patent number: 4812789
    Abstract: A wideband balanced diplexer splits an incoming wideband microwave frequency signal into separate upper and lower frequency outputs and possesses a sharp band cut-off to increase effective bandwidth. The diplexer includes a pair of waveguide assemblies for separating the upper frequency band from the incoming signal. Each waveguide assembly includes a tuneable, ridged waveguide phase shifter for shifting the phase of the lower frequency band, a reference waveguide for inserting a delay onto the upper frequency signal in order to compensate for the effects of the phase shifter in the other waveguide assembly, and a high pass filter. The high pass filter includes a ridged waveguide having tapered ends of a shape comprising an exponential function raised to a cosine squared power to increase the bandwidth of the upper frequencies and to provide a sharper frequency cut-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Kuan M. Lee
  • Patent number: 4768001
    Abstract: A microwave phase shifter comprise a dielectric waveguide having a flat side and a moving conductor plane member substantially parallel to the waveguide side. Piezoelectric means are provided to move the plane member with respect to the waveguide side between a portion relatively remote from the waveguide side and an other position substantially in contact with the waveguide side. The piezoelectric means consists preferably of a stack of piezoelectric members supplied by a variable d.c. power source. Owing to the piezoelectric means for moving the conductor plane member, a variable phase shift is continuously adjusted. Such a phase shifter can be as an antenna network when the dielectric waveguide contains groups of radiator perturbations, such as conductor strips, respectively controlled by one or several piezoelectric means carrying conductor plates facing waveguide portions including the perturbations groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales (ONERA)
    Inventors: Bernard Chan-Son-Lint, Pierre Borderies, Christian J. Pouit
  • Patent number: 4755778
    Abstract: An electromagnetic signaling apparatus, particularly in which components thereof have relative adjustment therebetween. A combination lead screw and associated support nut moves one of the components, such as may appear in a phase shifter. The lead screw has thread reliefs to provide disengagement at predetermined limits of rotation so as to prevent jamming and thread stripping. Spring means are employed for re-engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Sage Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry F. Chapell
  • Patent number: 4731593
    Abstract: An arrangement for the equalization of attenuation and time delay in a microwave filter utilizing waveguide technology. An equalizer composed of a multi-circuit cavity resonator is coupled via a first coupling aperture to a waveguide which is connected to the filter. The resonator includes at least two individual waveguide sections coupled to each other via a second coupling aperture. The coupling apertures are dimensioned so that the resonator is critically coupled with respect to time delay characteristics. The resonator includes a power-absorbing tuning device for tuning all of the waveguide sections to substantially the same quality factor. The second coupling aperture presents a stepped cross section defining a first area and a second area having a larger cross section than the first area. The resonator further includes at least two screws arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the resonator and protruding laterally into the second area of the second coupling aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: ANT Nachrichtentechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Gortz
  • Patent number: 4721959
    Abstract: A monopulse comparator is formed by milling grooves in opposed surfaces of aluminum circular blocks. The milled grooves define a number of waveguides, ports and hybrid junctions. A, B, C and D ports are coupled by respective waveguides to respective side branches in first and second hybrid rings. The series branches of these hybrid rings are coupled by respective waveguides to parallel and series branches respectively of a third ring hybrid ring. One side branch of this hybrid ring is coupled to an azimuth differential port by one of the waveguides. The other side branch is coupled to a termination by a waveguide. The parallel branches of the first and second hybrid rings are coupled by respective waveguides to respective side branches of a fourth hybrid ring. The parallel branch of this hybrid ring is coupled by a waveguide to the elevation differential port. The series branch of this hybrid ring is coupled by a waveguide to the sum port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Alpha Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry D. Syrigos
  • Patent number: 4677400
    Abstract: A variable line extender for wave guide comprising an elongated electrically conductive housing member and an electrically conductive slide member, the slide member having a convex shaped rounded end and a U-shaped recess extending transversely continuously from one end of the slide longitudinally along one side thereof, around the rounded end, and then along the other side back to the first end, with said housing having a pair of wave guide shaped ports in register with the U-shaped recess of the slide member. Means are provided for adjusting the relative longitudinal position of the slide with respect to the housing so as to vary the length of the path between the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Griffith, T. Norman Hardy, Edley V. McKnight, Vladimir K. Vavra
  • Patent number: 4642590
    Abstract: Multipliers for high frequencies having an input and an output. The input is connected via a terminating impedance to the input of a short-circuited transmission line having a length .lambda./4, where .lambda. is the wavelength of the desired output frequency. The input of the short-circuited transmission line is connected to a point of constant potential via a first impedance and also to the output via a second impedance which is much higher than the terminating impedance. The output is connected to the input of an open-ended transmission line having a length .lambda./2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Johannes H. Buijs
  • Patent number: 4613836
    Abstract: A microwave phase shifting device utilizing the rotation lateral to a longitudinal axis across a square or circular waveguide by a slab of dielectric material to provide a differential phase shift between a linear to circular polarization in a high frequency microwave signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Gary E. Evans