A vehicle having a communication system is disclosed. The system includes two electrical couplings, coupled by way of a rotary joint having a bearing waveguide. Each electrical coupling includes an interface waveguide configured to couple to external signals. Each electrical coupling also includes a waveguide section configured to propagate electromagnetic signals between the interface waveguide and the bearing waveguide of the rotary joint. Additionally, the rotary joint is configured to allow one electrical coupling to rotate with respect to the other electrical coupling. An axis of rotation of the rotary joint is defined by a center of a portion of the waveguides. Yet further, the rotary joint allows electromagnetic energy to propagate between the waveguides of the electrical couplings.

A tunable microwave system includes at least two elements, each element being chosen from a propagating guide, an evanescent guide, a resonator, and at least one coupling device arranged between the two elements and configured to couple the two elements to each other, the coupling device having a holder having an aperture and having at least one elongate element the shape of which is elongate in a polarization direction contained in a plane of the aperture, the elongate element being securely fastened to the perimeter of the aperture at at least one end, the coupling device being configured to be rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the aperture so as to modify a value of the polarization direction and so that the coupling between the two elements is dependent on the value of the polarization direction.

A transition arrangement for interconnection of waveguide structures or waveguide flanges for forming a waveguide twist, wherein a waveguide twist section arrangement including a number of waveguide twist sections is arranged between the waveguide structures or waveguide flanges for rotating the polarization of waves or signals twisted or forming an angle with an adjacent waveguide flange and/or another adjacent waveguide twist section with respective waveguide openings. The or each twist section on at least one side includes a surface of a conductive material with a periodic or quasi-periodic structure formed by a number of protruding elements allowing waves to pass across a gap between a surface around a waveguide opening to another waveguide opening in a desired direction or waveguide paths, at least in an intended frequency band of operation, and to stop propagation of waves in the gap in other directions.

A vehicle having a communication system is disclosed. The system includes two electrical couplings, coupled by way of a rotary joint having a bearing waveguide. Each electrical coupling includes an interface waveguide configured to couple to external signals. Each electrical coupling also includes a waveguide section configured to propagate electromagnetic signals between the interface waveguide and the bearing waveguide of the rotary joint. Additionally, the rotary joint is configured to allow one electrical coupling to rotate with respect to the other electrical coupling. An axis of rotation of the rotary joint is defined by a center of a portion of the waveguides. Yet further, the rotary joint allows electromagnetic energy to propagate between the waveguides of the electrical couplings.

A vehicle having a communication system is disclosed. The system includes two electrical couplings, coupled by way of a rotary joint. Each electrical coupling includes an interface waveguide configured to couple to external signals. Each electrical coupling also includes a waveguide section configured to propagate electromagnetic signals between the interface waveguide and the rotary joint. Additionally, the rotary joint is configured to allow one electrical coupling to rotate with respect to the other electrical coupling. An axis of rotation of the rotary joint is defined by a center of a portion of the waveguides. Yet further, the rotary joint allows electromagnetic energy to propagate between the waveguides of the electrical couplings.

An electronic device may include a first set of antennas, a second set of antennas, and a slip ring disposed between the first set of antennas and the second set of antennas. The slip ring may include a waveguide that provides a pathway for signals transmitted between the first set of and the second set of antennas. A diameter and a length of the waveguide may enable efficient transmission of the signals between the sets of antennas by reducing signal attenuation. Additionally, gaps between the sets of antennas and the slip ring may be sized to reduce radiation emitted from the electronic device. The gaps between the sets of antennas and the slip ring may enable wireless data transfer between the sets of antennas.

A rotary joint includes a shaft having a first end, a second end, and a cavity. The rotary joint includes a first waveguide section having a first proximal end and a first distal end. The first proximal end of the first waveguide section is positioned within the cavity and secured to the inner surface of the shaft. The rotary joint includes a second waveguide section that includes a second proximal end and a second distal end. The second proximal end of the second waveguide section is positioned within the cavity of the shaft and unsecured to the inner surface of the shaft to form a radial gap between an outer surface of the second proximal end and a laterally adjacent portion of the inner surface of the shaft. The shaft and the first waveguide section are configured to rotate about the rotational axis and relative to the second waveguide section.

A vehicle having a communication system is disclosed. The system includes two electrical couplings, coupled by way of a rotary joint. Each electrical coupling includes an interface waveguide configured to couple to external signals. Each electrical coupling also includes a waveguide section configured to propagate electromagnetic signals between the interface waveguide and the rotary joint. Additionally, the rotary joint is configured to allow one electrical coupling to rotate with respect to the other electrical coupling. An axis of rotation of the rotary joint is defined by a center of a portion of the waveguides. Yet further, the rotary joint allows electromagnetic energy to propagate between the waveguides of the electrical couplings.

A rotary coupling includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide that is coaxial with the first waveguide and supported for rotation relative to the first waveguide, and a collar. The collar is connected to one of the first and second waveguides and extends circumferentially about an end of the other of the first and second waveguides to reduce attenuation of electromagnetic radiation conveyed between the first waveguide and the second waveguide.

Systems, devices, and methods for a microwave energy applicator. The applicator may define an internal channel having one or more longitudinal ridges inside the channel configured to focus energy. The ridges may be moveable. A reflector may be located near an exit of the applicator. In some embodiments, the applicator may define a channel having a decrease in cross-sectional area with a dielectric filler therein, acting to transition from a lower to a higher permittivity material. The various embodiments of the applicator may be attached to a waveguide, which may be an articulable robotic arm having rotatable waveguide segments attached with a microwave generator. The applicator may alter an energy level of microwaves travelling therethrough, for example, to concentrate the energy for application at a rock face in a mine site.