Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to connecting waveguides that transmit electromagnetic energy and more specifically to a system that connects a first piece of flanged waveguide to a second piece of flanged waveguide using a clamping apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Waveguides provide paths for transmitting electromagnetic energy between devices or locations. A waveguide may comprise a hollow tube of metal that guides the electromagnetic energy along a path, for example. Waveguides may also comprise other materials or have other forms according to the wavelength or frequency of the electromagnetic energy. Often, signals modulated on the electromagnetic energy convey information or data along the path of the waveguide. 
     In many circumstances or applications, two sections or pieces of waveguide are coupled or connected to one another using conventional technologies that exhibit shortcomings. In one such conventional connector technology, a first and a second section of waveguide each has a flange at its adjoining end face. That is, a first and a second flange face one another to provide a contact surface between the two waveguides sections. Screws, typically a set of four screws, passing through the adjoining flanges hold the flanges together. The first flange generally comprises four unthreaded holes drilled there through, wherein the holes run perpendicular to the plane of the first flange and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first waveguide. The second flange has four aligned holes that are threaded to accept the screws. That is, the second flange has four tapped holes that are located according to the four unthreaded holes of the first flange. The screws are seated in the untapped holes, passing through the first flange, and are fastened into the threads of the second flange. Thus, the screws run through the first flange and engage the threads of the second flange to hold the flanges, and therefore the waveguides, together. In other words, screws that hold the flanges together are conventionally disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the waveguides and perpendicular to the plane of the flanges. 
     One problem with this conventional connector technology is that the locations of the screws in the flanges generally fixes the relative rotational positions of the waveguides. That is, the technology does not readily accommodate rotating one waveguide section with respect to the other waveguide section during assembly. Another shortcoming of this conventional technology is that the orientation of the screws typically restricts access for loosening and tightening the screws. When the waveguides are components of a compact system, such as a communication satellite with cramped working area, an assembler may struggle to properly orient a tool, such as wrench or a screwdriver, to turn the screws. 
     To address these representative deficiencies in the art, what is needed is an improved capability for mating, connecting, or coupling waveguide sections. Another need exists for a waveguide connector technology that facilitates rotating one waveguide relative to the other waveguide during assembly. A further need exists for a waveguide connector that couples one waveguide to another waveguide using threaded fasteners that are oriented to provide accessibility to assembly personnel and their tools. A capability addressing one or more of these needs would provide a more reliable, flexible, efficient, or compact connection between waveguide sections. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention supports connecting, coupling, mating, or joining two sections or pieces of waveguide to one another. Each waveguide piece can carry, guide, transmit, or convey signals or electromagnetic (“EM”) energy. The energy can comprise microwave energy, millimeter-wave energy, radio waves, radio frequency (“RF”) energy, electromagnetic radiation, infrared radiation, visible radiation, light, cellular signals, extremely low frequency (“ELF”) signals, super low frequency (“SLF”) signals, ultra low frequency (“ULF”) signals, very low frequency (“VLF”) signals, low frequency (“LF”) signals; medium frequency (“MF”) signals, high frequency (“HF”) signals, very high frequency (“VHF”) signals, super high frequency (“SHF”) signals, ultra high frequency (“UHF”) signals, etc. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, two pieces of waveguide can connect to one another so that electromagnetic energy or signals can transmit between the waveguide pieces. Each waveguide piece can comprise a flange, a protruding rim, a disk, a washer-shaped structure, or some other salient feature at one end. That is, each waveguide piece can have a flange associated with an end face of that waveguide piece. When the two waveguide pieces are connected together, the two flanges can face one another, contact with one another, butt together, abut, or be adjoining. A clamping apparatus or a holding member can fasten the flanges together or otherwise hold them in relative alignment with one another, thus facilitating the transmission of electromagnetic energy there between. The clamping apparatus can comprise two members or pieces of material, each having a groove, recess, channel, or slot that receives the adjoining flanges. The clamping members can be disposed at two locations around the periphery of the adjoining flanges. The clamping members can be situated on opposing lateral sides of the adjoining flanges, for example. In this configuration, the outer edges of the flanges can be disposed in grooves of the two clamping members. That is, the groove of the first clamping member can embrace a first circumferential portion of the adjoining flanges, and the groove of the second clamping member can embrace a second circumferential portion of the adjoining flanges. A mechanism can move the two clamping members towards one another, thus decreasing the separation between each member. The mechanism can comprise one or more screws, fasteners, attaching devices, or locomoting systems, for example. Moving the clamping members together, for example via tightening the screws, can force the flanges deeper into the grooves. In response to the flanges moving deeper into the grooves, the sides of the grooves can apply force to the flanges to compress the flanges together. That is, when the rims of the flanges move deeper into the grooves, the sides of the grooves can press the flanges together, thereby holding the waveguides pieces together to form the waveguide connection. 
     The discussion of connecting waveguides presented in this summary is for illustrative purposes only. Various aspects of the present invention may be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and by reference to the drawings and the claims that follow. Moreover, other aspects, systems, methods, features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such aspects, systems, methods, features, advantages, and objects are to be included within this description, are to be within the scope of the present invention, and are to be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional illustration of an exemplary system for connecting waveguides in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of exemplary assembly and alignment forces associated with a waveguide connector system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for connecting two waveguides to one another in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for connecting a first and a second waveguide to a third and a fourth waveguide in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the above drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, reference numerals designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements throughout the several views. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention supports connecting, fastening, joining, or coupling one waveguide to another waveguide. A waveguide connecting system can be readily assembled and/or adjusted in compact devices, such as satellites, that provide little interstitial space to accommodate assembly tools. The connection system can be compact and/or lightweight and can provide manufacturability advantages. 
     A system for connecting waveguides will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , which show representative embodiments of the present invention.  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict cross-sectional views of a waveguide connector and further show a distribution of assembly forces.  FIGS. 3 and 4  depict overhead views of waveguide connector clamping devices. 
     The invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those having ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, all “examples” or “exemplary embodiments” given herein are intended to be non-limiting, and among others supported by representations of the present invention. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , these figures illustrate a system  100  for connecting waveguides  115 ,  120  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the system  100  for connecting waveguides  115 ,  120  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  illustrates assembly and alignment forces  210 ,  220  associated with the waveguide connector system  100  of  FIG. 1  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  illustrates an apparatus  175  for connecting two waveguides  115 ,  120  to one another according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 3  illustrates an overhead view of the clamping apparatus  175  that  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate in a cross-sectional format. 
     The connector system  100  joins, connects, couples, attaches, or otherwise links one section of waveguide  115  to another section of waveguide  120 . The waveguides  115 ,  120  can be hollow tubes or conduits that carry or convey electromagnetic energy, for example transmitting radio frequency signals in a communication system. In one exemplary embodiment, the waveguides  115 ,  120  support the propagation of electromagnetic energy in the range of 43.5 to 44.5 gigahertz. In one exemplary embodiment, the waveguides  115 ,  120  can carry electromagnetic signals that have a wavelength of approximately 0.265 inches or 6.73 millimeters. 
     The waveguides  115 ,  120  can comprise an opening  155  ( FIG. 1 ) that is cylindrical, square, or circular and that guides the electromagnetic energy, for example. The waveguides  115 ,  120  can have a composition based on metal or a conductive material, for example. Alternatively, the waveguides can comprise a dielectric material. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the waveguide  115  has a flange, rim, washer-shaped protrusion, or some other salient feature  130  that faces a corresponding flange, rim, washer-shaped protrusion, or some other salient feature  125  of the waveguide  120 . That is, the waveguide  115  has a flange  130  on one end that adjoins or butts to the flange  125  of the waveguide  120 . In this manner, the two adjoining flanges  125 ,  130  provide surfaces for mating and aligning the waveguides  115 ,  120 , one to the other. 
     The flanges  125 ,  130  typically exhibit symmetry about the longitudinal axis  250  ( FIG. 2 ) of the respective waveguides  120 ,  115  to which each is attached. For example, each flange  125 ,  130  can have the form of a disk or a washer that is centered about the waveguides  120 ,  115 . Alternatively, the flanges  125 ,  130  can be square, rectangular, oval, or some other form. 
     Each flange  130 ,  125  is typically fabricated on a lathe or a metal turning machine and is then attached to the respective waveguide tubing  115 ,  125  via a brazing, welding, pressing, or gluing operation. Alternatively, the tubing  115 ,  120  and its associated flange  130 ,  125  can be formed as a unitary or seamless structure, for example in a mold or via swaging an end of a malleable piece of stock tubing. 
     In  FIG. 1  of the illustrated embodiment, the flange  125  has a recess  165  or a receptacle that receives a portion  160  of the flange  130 . That is, the flange  125  comprises a female portion  165  that mates with a male portion  160  of the adjoining flange  130 . The mated flanges  125 ,  130  can comprise a shoulder, a recess, an indentation, a depression, a countersunk region, or a hollowed-out area, for example. In other words, the flange  130  can seat in or with the flange  125 . 
     The seating capability facilitates assembling the system  100  in a cramped environment of a communication system or a satellite, for example. Moreover, the male and female features  160 ,  165  provide lateral alignment without unnecessarily constraining rotation  185  of the waveguide/flange  125 ,  130  with respect to the waveguide/flange  120 ,  125 . Thus, a technician that is assembling the satellite can readily rotate  185  ( FIG. 2 ) the waveguide  120  relative to the waveguide  115  until a desired rotational position is achieved. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the waveguide  120  has an optional reed  180  or a flat strip of metal disposed therein that influences the waveguide&#39;s transmission properties according to its relative rotational position. Applying a rotating motion  185  to the waveguide  120  rotates the reed  180  relative to the waveguide  115  as shown in  FIG. 2 , thereby producing an adjustable change in the electromagnetic energy transmitting there through. For example, the reed  180  can impact polarization, amplitude, or phase. 
     In one exemplary embodiment a pin (not explicitly shown in the figures) sets or fixes the rotational positions of the waveguide flanges  125 ,  130 , thereby preventing relative rotation  185 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the clamping system  175  comprises a first member  105  that is disposed on one lateral side of the adjoining flanges  125 ,  130  and a second member  110  that is disposed on an opposite lateral side of the adjoining flanges  125 ,  130 . The clamping system  175  can be viewed a device or machine that joins, grips, supports, or compresses the flanges  125 ,  130 . The clamping members  105 ,  110  can be pieces or components of metal or other materials formed with common fabricating techniques such as machining or molding. 
     The clamping member  105  embraces a first circumferential portion  145  of the adjoining flanges  125 ,  130 . The clamping member  110  embraces a second circumferential portion  140  of the adjoining flanges  125 ,  130 . More specifically, the clamping member  105  has a groove  170  into which a portion  145  of the adjoining flanges  125 ,  130  is disposed. Meanwhile, the clamping member  110  has a groove  172  into which another portion  140  of the adjoining flanges  125 ,  130  is disposed. The grooves  170 ,  172  can each be or comprise a slot, a recess, an indentation, a channel, a notch, a concave contour, or an inwardly curved surface. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the fasteners  310  mechanically link the two clamping members  105 ,  110  together. As exemplarily illustrated, the fasteners  310  can be bolts, screws, or similar threaded devices. Each of the fasteners  310  has a thread axis  350  that is essentially or approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  250  ( FIG. 2 ) of the coupled waveguides  115 ,  120 . Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the angle  375  between the thread axis  350  and the longitudinal axis  250  ( FIG. 2 ) can be obtuse. The fasteners  310  typically pass through a hole in the clamping member  105  and thread into a threaded hole in the clamping member  110 . As a consequence of the fastener orientation, a technician can readily access the heads  315  of the fasteners  310  with a tool, such as a screwdriver, a socket wrench, a spanner, or an open-ended box wrench, to turn the fasteners  310 . 
     Tightening the fasteners  310  applies lateral force  210  ( FIG. 2 ) that moves the clamping member  105  towards the clamping member  110 . In other words, when the technician turns the fasteners  310  clockwise (assuming right-hand threads), the clamping members  105 ,  110  move together. When the clamping members  105 ,  110  move together, the circumferential area  145  of the adjoining flanges  125 ,  130  moves deeper into the groove  170  of the clamping member  105 . Likewise, tightening the screws  310  pushes (or pulls) the circumferential area  140  of the adjoining flanges  125 ,  130  into the groove  172  of the clamping member  110 . 
     As the rims of the flanges  125 ,  130  move into the grooves  170 ,  172 , the groove sidewalls  150  contact and press against the sides of the adjoining flanges  125 ,  130 . Thus, the sidewalls  150  or the concave contours of the grooves  170 ,  172  apply compressive force  220  to the flanges  125 ,  130  to move them together into fixed positions. 
     In other words, tightening the fasteners  310  produces lateral motion and force  210 . The flanges  125 ,  130  receive at least some portion of the lateral force  210 . Contact between the groove sidewalls  150  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and the flanges  125 ,  130  translates the lateral motion and compressive force  210  into longitudinal motion and force  220 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The longitudinal motion and force  220  presses the flanges  125 ,  130  together thereby connecting the flange  130  and its associated waveguide  115  to the flange  125  and its associated waveguide  120 . Thus, tightening the fasteners  310  couples the waveguides  115 ,  120  together so that electromagnetic energy can flow efficiently between the waveguides  115 ,  120 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , this figure illustrates an apparatus  400  for connecting a first and a second waveguide to a third and a fourth waveguide according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. That is, the figure illustrates a clamping system  400  that couples a first plurality of waveguides to a second plurality of waveguide via two clamping members  405 ,  410  that function similar to the clamping members  105 ,  110  discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . Where as the clamping members  105 ,  110  embrace a pair of adjoining flanges  125 ,  130 , the clamping members  405 ,  410  embrace multiple pairs of adjoining flanges (not explicitly depicted in  FIG. 4 ). 
     The clamping system  400  comprises a repeating connection unit  425 , with each unit  425  coupling one waveguide to another waveguide. The number of repeating connection units  425  determines the number of flanged waveguides that the system  400  can connect together. In this manner, the system  400  can be extended to handle arrays of flanged waveguides, with an arbitrary number of waveguides in each array. 
     The clamping member  405  is typically a unitary or seamless component, for example machined from a single piece of metal or plastic stock. Likewise, the clamping member  410  is typically fabricated from one piece of stock. Fasteners  310  join the first clamping member  405  to the second clamping member  410 . The clamping members  405 ,  410  have grooves (not explicated depicted in  FIG. 4 ) into which waveguide flanges are disposed. Tightening the fasteners  310  moves the clamping members  405 ,  410  together. As discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , moving the clamping members  405 ,  410  together presses the rims of the waveguide flanges into the grooves, thereby forcing the flanges together and connecting a first waveguide array to a second waveguide array. 
     In summary, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can couple a first conduit for carrying electromagnetic energy to a second conduit for carrying electromagnetic energy in a manner that promotes efficient energy transfer and that facilitates waveguide assembly and adjustment. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that an embodiment of the present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to any specifically discussed application and that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the exemplary embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments of the present invention will suggest themselves to practitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the claims that follow.

Technology Category: 5