WAVEGUIDE DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THIS DEVICE

Abstract

Waveguide device for guiding a radio frequency signal at a given frequency f, the device including: a core manufactured by additive manufacturing and including side walls with inner and outer surfaces, the inner surfaces delimiting a waveguide channel, wherein a cross-section of the channel has two straight sides joined together by two half-portions, at least one of the two half-portions being rounded or formed of at least two straight segments, the cross-section having a maximum length (a) and a maximum width (b), the ratio between the maximum length (a)/maximum width (b) being between 2.05 and 3.5, preferably between 2.05 and 2.4.

Claims

1. Waveguide device for guiding a radio frequency signal at a given frequency f, the device comprising: a core manufactured by additive manufacturing and comprising side walls with inner and outer surfaces, the inner surfaces delimiting a waveguide channel, wherein a cross-section of the channel has two straight sides joined together by two half-portions, at least one of the two half-portions being rounded or formed of at least two straight segments said cross-section having a maximum length and a maximum width, the ratio between the maximum length and the maximum width being between 2.05 and 3.5.

2. The device of claim 1, said cross-section of the channel being oval cross-section.

3. The device of claim 1, the two half portions being rounded.

4. The device of claim 3, said rounded half portions forming semicircles.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the channel is provided with at least one ridge.

6. The device of claim 1, the inner surface of the channel being provided with two ridges on said long straight sides, the two ridges facing each other.

7. The device of claim 2, said cross-section of the channel progressively evolving from the middle of the device from said oval cross-section to a rectangular cross-section at one end of the device.

8. The device of claim 1, being twisted by progressive rotation of said cross-section along at least a portion of the device.

9. The device of claim 8, being twisted by progressive rotation of said cross-section about the longitudinal axis of the device.

10. The device of claim 6, being twisted by progressive rotation of said cross-section simultaneously about the longitudinal axis and at least one other axis of the device.

11. The device of claim 1, being curved by rotation of said cross-section progressively along at least a portion of the device about the transverse axis of the device parallel to a said straight side.

12. The device of claim 1, being curved by rotation of said cross-section progressively along at least a portion of the device about the transverse axis of the device perpendicular to a said straight side.

13. The device of claim 1, comprising a conductive layer covering said core, said conductive layer being formed of a metal.

14. A method of manufacturing a waveguide device of claim 1, comprising a step of additive manufacturing of said core, wherein said additive manufacturing is obtained by adding successive layers parallel to each other, said layers being non-parallel to said straight sides.

15. The method of claim 14, said layers being oblique to said straight sides.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the angle between said layers and said straight sides is greater than 20°.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the angle between said layers and said straight sides is greater than 40°.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the ratio between the maximum length and the maximum width being between 2.05 and 2.4.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0054] Examples of embodiments of the invention are shown in the description illustrated by the appended Figures in which:

[0055] FIG. 1 illustrates a waveguide portion according to the prior art.

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates a waveguide portion of oval cross-section according to an embodiment.

[0057] FIG. 3 illustrates a waveguide portion of oval cross-section with a longitudinal ridge according to an embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates a waveguide portion of oval cross-section with two longitudinal ridges according to an embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 5 illustrates a waveguide portion of oval cross-section whose ends progressively evolve to a rectangular cross-section.

[0060] FIG. 6 illustrates a waveguide portion of oval cross-section twisted about an axis according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates a waveguide portion of oval cross-section twisted about two axes according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0062] FIG. 8 illustrates a waveguide portion of twisted and curved oval cross-section according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0063] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the direction of printing of the core of a waveguide portion according to different embodiments of the invention.

[0064] FIG. 10 illustrates a waveguide portion whose midsection is twisted.

[0065] FIG. 11 is a measurement diagram comparing the linear attenuation of a conventional waveguide of rectangular cross-section and with a length-to-width ratio equal to 2, with that of an oval cross-section waveguide according to the invention and a length-to-width ratio equal to 2.

[0066] FIG. 12 schematically illustrates the 3D printing of a waveguide with a rectangular cross-section, the printing being performed in a lying position with printing planes oblique to some sides of the cross-section, resulting in problematic cantilevered sections.

[0067] FIG. 13 schematically illustrates the 3D printing of a waveguide with a rectangular cross-section, the printing being performed in a near vertical position but with printing planes oblique to some sides of the cross-section, resulting in problematic cantilevered sections.

[0068] FIG. 14 schematically illustrates the 3D printing of a rectangular cross-section waveguide according to the invention, the printing being performed with printing planes oblique to some sides of the cross-section, resulting in problematic cantilevered sections.

[0069] FIG. 15 illustrates a waveguide cross-section comprising two rectilinear sides connected to each other by two half-portions each formed of at least two straight line segments according to an embodiment.

[0070] FIG. 16 illustrates a waveguide cross-section having two rectilinear sides connected together by one arcuate half-portion and another half-portion formed of at least two straight segments, according to an embodiment.

[0071] FIG. 17 illustrates a waveguide cross-section having two straight sides connected together by a half-portion formed of at least two straight segments and another straight half-portion according to an embodiment.

EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0072] The waveguide 1 of the various described or claimed embodiments, for example that of FIG. 2, comprises a core 3, for example a core made of metal (aluminum, titanium or steel), or of polymer, epoxy, ceramic, or organic material.

[0073] The core 3 is manufactured by additive manufacturing, preferably by stereolithography, selective laser melting or selective laser sintering (SLS) in order to reduce surface roughness. The core material can be non-conductive or conductive. The wall thickness of the core is for example between 0.5 and 3 mm, preferably between 0.8 and 1.5 mm.

[0074] The shape of the core may be determined by a computer file stored in a computer data medium.

[0075] The core can also be made up of several parts formed by 3D printing and assembled together before plating, for example by gluing or thermal fusion or mechanical assembly.

[0076] This core 3 defines an internal channel 2 for guiding waves. The core 3 therefore has an inner surface 7 and an outer surface 8, the inner surface 7 covering the walls of the oval cross-section opening 2.

[0077] The inner surface 7 of the core 3 is preferably covered with a conductive metal layer 4, e.g. copper, silver, gold, nickel etc., plated by electroless plating. The thickness of this layer is for example between 1 and 20 micrometers, for example between 4 and 10 micrometers. The coating may also be an assembly of layers and comprise, for example, a smoothing layer directly on the core, one or more bonding layers, etc.

[0078] The thickness of the conductive coating 4 must be sufficient for the surface to be electrically conductive at the chosen radio frequency. This is typically achieved with a conductive layer whose thickness is greater than the skin depth 6.

[0079] The outer surface 8 of the channel is preferably also covered with a metallic layer that notably enables to stiffen the device, and to give it the required strength.

[0080] The waveguide channel may include a septum not shown to act as a polarizer to separate the two orthogonal polarities of a signal. The height of the septum may be variable, for example with stair steps.

[0081] In any embodiment, the waveguide channel may additionally be ridged, as discussed below.

[0082] At least one end of the waveguide may include a flange or flanges not shown to connect it to another waveguide device or equipment.

[0083] The waveguide is, for example, intended for use in a satellite to connect communications equipment, such as a radio frequency transmitter or receiver, to an antenna or antenna array. One end of the waveguide may be shaped as an antenna.

[0084] The shape and proportions of the cross-section of this channel is determined according to the frequency of the electromagnetic signal to be transmitted and according to the attenuations of different transmission modes.

[0085] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the cross-section of the channel 2 through the waveguide is oval and has two parallel straight portions and two rounded short sides. The maximum length a of the channel in the x direction is equal to a and the maximum width of the channel in the y direction, i.e., between the straight sides, is equal to b.

[0086] The ratio of the maximum length a of the channel to its maximum width b in a conventional waveguide with a rectangular cross-section is typically 2. This value has been determined empirically to be the value that produces the lowest attenuation per linear meter.

[0087] According to the invention, it has been determined by tests and simulations that in the case of a waveguide channel having the oval shape as described, the ratio between the maximum length a of the channel and its maximum width b is greater than 2, preferably between 2.05 and 2.4, for example between 2.1 and 2.3, preferably 2.2.

[0088] FIG. 11 shows the signal attenuation per linear meter as a function of frequency for a rectangular waveguide channel with an a/b ratio of 2 (upper curve) and with a waveguide channel as described and an a/b ratio of 2.2. As can be seen from these measurement results, the losses caused by transmission in an oval waveguide channel as described are therefore lower than the signal losses in a conventional waveguide channel, provided that the ratio of maximum length a to maximum width b is changed to, for example, 2.2.

[0089] As an example, in an embodiment, the waveguide device is suitable for transmitting signals in a frequency range between 26.5 and 40 GHz. The dimension b may be 3.556 mm, and the dimension a may be 7.823 mm. The radius of curvature r of the curved ends is therefore b/2=1.778 mm.

[0090] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the waveguide cross-section has two straight sides joined together by two half-portions formed by N line segments, where N is greater than or equal to 2. In this example, each half-portion is formed by 2 straight segments. Half portions formed by 3, 4 5 or 6 straight segments, for example, can also be made. The length of the segments is preferably equal and the angles between segments equal, in order to best approximate the semicircle shape.

[0091] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the waveguide cross-section comprises two straight sides connected to each other by an arcuate half-portion and another half-portion formed, as in the example above, of N straight line segments.

[0092] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the waveguide cross-section comprises two straight sides connected to each other by a straight half portion and another half portion formed, as in the example above, of N straight segments.

[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner surface 7 of the channel may be provided with a ridge 20 on one of the long sides, in order to control the transmission modes. The height of this ridge may be variable. The ridge 20 may be straight, as shown, or twisted. The inner surface may also have a septum not shown.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 4, the inner surface 7 of the channel may be provided with multiple ridges 20, such as two ridges facing each other on opposite long sides, to control transmission modes. Waveguides with three ridges at 120° from each other, or four ridges at 90° from each other, can also be made.

[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional shape of the channel 2 can change gradually from, for example, an oval shape as described above in the middle of the waveguide, to a rectangular shape at one or both ends 11,12 of the waveguide 1. The transition can be made over a small portion of the length of the device, for example, a portion less than 10 mm, for example, a 5 mm portion. This change in shape allows for a device with an oval cross-section along most of its length, with the advantages described above, but which can be connected directly to waveguides or equipment with a rectangular cross-sectional waveguide channel. The transition may also include a change in the ratio of the maximum length a to the maximum width b of the channel 2, so as to change, for example, from a ratio of between 2.05 and 2.4 for the intermediate oval portion to a ratio of 2 at the end(s).

[0096] In an embodiment not shown, the cross-section of the channel 2 retains its shape or type of shape along its entire length, however, the proportions between the length a and width b of the channel are gradually changed.

[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the waveguide 1 may be twisted. For this purpose, the cross-section of the channel 2 undergoes a progressive rotation along the longitudinal direction of the guide, for example, a rotation about the longitudinal axis z. In FIG. 6, the rotation between the two ends of the waveguide is 90° so that the longest length a of the channel 2 that is in a horizontal plane at one end of the waveguide is in a vertical plane at the other end.

[0098] Progressive rotation of the waveguide cross-section about the x-axis and/or the y-axis may also be achieved.

[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the waveguide 1 may also be twisted by progressive rotation of the cross-section simultaneously about the longitudinal (z) axis and at least one other axis of the device, in this case the y axis.

[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the waveguide 1 can also be curved and thus change its longitudinal direction, through progressive rotation of said cross section about the transverse axis (x) of the device. This rotation can occur over a limited portion of the length of the waveguide, which thus comprises as in the example successively a straight portion, a curved portion and a second straight portion. The waveguide device may be curved about the longitudinal z axis of the channel.

[0101] FIG. 10 illustrates a waveguide device with an oval cross-section, having two straight end portions and a central portion 10 twisted through 90° so that one end of the device is rotated, for example through 90°, relative to the opposite end.

[0102] As mentioned, the core 3 of the device is made by 3D printing, for example by stereolithography or by deposition or hardening of successive layers. As illustrated schematically in FIG. 14 showing a waveguide being printed, printing waveguide devices with complex shapes, for example curved, twisted devices, having bifurcations or changes in the cross-section of the guide channel, may imply that on at least some cross-sections the printing layers are not parallel to the printing plate, i.e., horizontal. The vaulted shape of the short sides of the channel 2, however, makes it possible to limit the length of the cantilevered portions, and thus to reduce the risk and/or the amplitude of the collapse of these portions before being hardened. This vaulted shape is also inherently stronger and more rigid than a lintel shape as in a rectangular cross-section waveguide, so that the channel geometry is better preserved before and after hardening of the printing layers. It can also be seen in this figure that the rectilinear shape of the long sides makes it easier to print the layers that make up the long sides, especially if the printing is done with the long sides rectilinear and extending vertically or substantially vertically.

[0103] The rectilinear surfaces of the waveguide device are preferably oriented vertically, or at least at an angle greater than 20°, preferably greater than 40°, to avoid the risk of deformation of these surfaces.

[0104] The term “oval-shaped” in this description and in the claims does not exclude substantially oval shapes as defined above, but including one or more ridges or septums, or one or more holes. Nor does the term “straight” exclude the presence of a ridge, septum or hole.

REFERENCE NUMBERS USED ON FIGURES

[0105] 1 Waveguide device [0106] 2 Channel (waveguide opening) [0107] 20 Ridge [0108] 3 3D printed core [0109] 4 Internal metal coating [0110] 5 External metal coating [0111] 6 Printing platform [0112] 7 Inner surface [0113] 8 Outer surface [0114] 10 Intermediate portion of a waveguide device [0115] 11 End portion 1 [0116] 12 End portion 2 [0117] a Longest length of the channel [0118] b Width of the channel, in a direction perpendicular to a [0119] x,y x,y Orthogonal axes in the plane of the channel cross section [0120] z Longitudinal axis of the channel [0121] z1 Axis perpendicular to the deposition layers during 3D printing of the core [0122] α Angle between a surface of the device and the printing platform.