SPLIT WAVEGUIDE FILTER

Abstract

A split waveguide filter is described. The split waveguide filter includes a first waveguide section having a first outer surface and a first inner surface and a second waveguide section having a second outer surface and a second inner surface. When the first waveguide section and the second waveguide section are mated together, the first inner surface and the second inner surface form a waveguide aperture. The split waveguide filter also includes a first collar clamp for securing a first portion of the mated first waveguide section and second waveguide section together; and a second collar clamp for securing a second portion of the mated first waveguide section and second waveguide section together.

Claims

1. A split waveguide filter comprising: a first waveguide section having a first outer surface and a first inner surface; a second waveguide section having a second outer surface and a second inner surface; wherein when said first waveguide section and said second waveguide section are mated together, the first inner surface and the second inner surface form a waveguide aperture; a first collar clamp for securing a first portion of the mated first waveguide section and second waveguide section together; and a second collar clamp for securing a second portion of the mated first waveguide section and second waveguide section together.

2. The split waveguide filter of claim 1, wherein the first waveguide section and the second waveguide section are threaded on the first outer surface and the second outer surface, and further comprising: a first threaded flanged nut threaded onto the mated first waveguide section and second waveguide section next to the first collar clamp; and a second threaded flanged nut threaded onto the mated first waveguide section and second waveguide section next to the second collar clamp.

3. The split waveguide filter of claim 2, further comprising: a first washer on the mated first waveguide section and second waveguide section next to the first threaded flanged nut; and a second washer on the mated first waveguide section and second waveguide section next to the second flanged nut.

4. The split waveguide filter of claim 3, further comprising: a first conductive gasket on the mated first waveguide section and second waveguide section next to the first washer; and a second conductive gasket on the mated first waveguide section and second waveguide section next to the second washer.

5. The split waveguide filter of claim 4, wherein the first conductive gasket and the second conductive gasket are formed of a mesh made of monel.

6. The split waveguide filter of claim 1, wherein the waveguide aperture is dimensioned to attenuate electromagnetic interference below a predetermined cutoff frequency.

7. A split waveguide filter kit comprising: a first waveguide section having a first outer surface and a first inner surface; a second waveguide section having a second outer surface and a second inner surface which can be mated with said first waveguide section to form a waveguide aperture; a first collar clamp; and a second collar clamp.

8. The split waveguide filter kit of claim 6, wherein the first waveguide section and the second waveguide section are threaded on the first outer surface and the second outer surface, and further comprising: a first threaded flanged nut; and a second threaded flanged nut.

9. The split waveguide filter kit of claim 8, further comprising: a first washer; and a second washer.

10. The split waveguide filter kit of claim 9, further comprising: a first conductive gasket; and a second conductive gasket.

11. The split waveguide filter kit of claim 10, wherein the first conductive gasket and the second conductive gasket are formed of a mesh made of monel.

12. The split waveguide filter kit of claim 7, wherein the waveguide aperture is dimensioned to attenuate electromagnetic interference below a predetermined cutoff frequency.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, explain these embodiments. In the drawings:

[0013] FIG. 1 depicts an enclosure having a waveguide filter which shields a fiber optic cable passing through the enclosure;

[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a conventional waveguide filter adapted with a plug to allow fiber optic connectors to be passed through the waveguide filter;

[0015] FIG. 3A shows a split waveguide with the two waveguide sections separated around a fiber optic cable according to an embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 3B shows a split waveguide with the two waveguide sections mated around a fiber optic cable according to an embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric exploded view of a connecting mechanism for a split waveguide according to an embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric exploded view of a connecting mechanism for a split waveguide with a second connecting mechanism on another end according to an embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 6 depicts a fully assembled split waveguide according to an embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 7 shows an end view of the split waveguide of FIG. 6; and

[0021] FIG. 8 shows a side view of the split waveguide of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the following description, for purposes of explanation and non-limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular dimensions, elements entities, techniques, protocols, etc. in order to provide an understanding of the described technology. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that other embodiments may be practiced apart from the specific details disclosed below. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods, devices, techniques, etc. are omitted so as not to obscure the description with unnecessary detail. Individual function blocks are shown in the figures.

[0023] As described in the Background section, there are problems associated with existing waveguide filters, e.g., providing a waveguide filter that has a suitably small aperture diameter while also easily accommodating fiber optic bundles having connectors which exceed that diameter. According to embodiments described herein the waveguide filter is split into two (or more) parts such that the waveguide filter can be put together around a section of the fiber optic cable which has a diameter which is less than the aperture diameter and, therefore, there is no need to try to feed (or later install) the larger connectors through the aperture. An example can be seen in FIG. 3A, wherein the waveguide filter has two sections 30 and 32 which can be placed around a thinner portion 34 of the fiber optic cable without, e.g., needing to try to feed the larger connectors 36 and 38 through the aperture 39. FIG. 3B shows the embodiment of FIG. 3A with the two waveguide sections 30 and 32 pushed together around the fiber optic cable.

[0024] In order to obtain the desired EMI attenuation which the split waveguide of FIG. 3B can provide, Applicant has determined that it is important for the two waveguide sections 30 and 32 to be tightly coupled together to thereby minimize the size of the space or gap 40 (see, e.g., FIG. 4) between the two sections 30 and 32 when they are placed around a fiber optic cable 42 in order to maximize the shielding characteristics of the split waveguide. FIG. 4 shows one coupling mechanism in an exploded, isometric view. In practice, and as shown in later figures, two such coupling mechanisms will be used to secure the waveguide sections 30 and 32 together, i.e., one coupling mechanism on each side of the enclosure plate.

[0025] Therein, a conductive (e.g., monel) gasket 44 is placed over the two waveguide sections 30 and 32 and is slid up against the enclosure plate (not shown in FIG. 4) to ensure good conductivity between the waveguide and the enclosure plate. In one embodiment, the monel gasket 44 can be fabricated as a conductive mesh which compresses much like a fabric. The conductive gasket is followed by a washer 46 and then a threaded flanged nut 48, 49. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the outside surface of both waveguide sections 30 and 32 can be threaded such that the threaded flanged nut 48 can be rotated onto the two waveguide sections 30 and 32, pressing the washer 46 and the gasket 44 tightly up against one side of the enclosure plate. The threaded flanged nut 48, 49 and washer 46 provide even compression of the gasket 44 and also prevent the gasket 44 from becoming caught in the threads of the nut 48. The threaded flanged nut 48, 49 is followed by a two-section collar clamp 50, 52 which provides easy to install clamping pressure to the two waveguide sections 30 and 32 to minimize the gap 40 therebetween.

[0026] As mentioned above, FIG. 4 illustrates one coupling mechanism 44-52 in an exploded view. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment wherein two coupling mechanisms 44-52 are used to tightly couple the waveguide sections 30 and 32. FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 with both coupling mechanisms completely installed on the waveguide sections 30 and 32. FIGS. 7 and 8 depict an end view and a side view of the split waveguide embodiment of FIG. 6, respectively.

[0027] Although the embodiments described herein depict a circular waveguide, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the waveguide and/or waveguide aperture can have other cross-sectional shapes, e.g., square or rectangular. Moreover, while the embodiments described herein depict the waveguide as being used to shield fiber optic cable, the waveguide filters described herein can be used to shield other types of elements.

[0028] When an element is referred to as being “connected”, “coupled”, “responsive”, or variants thereof to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly coupled”, “directly responsive”, or variants thereof to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0029] As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “comprises”, “include”, “including”, “includes”, “have”, “has”, “having”, or variants thereof are open-ended, and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, the common abbreviation “e.g.”, which derives from the Latin phrase “exempli gratia,” may be used to introduce or specify a general example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such item. The common abbreviation “i.e.”, which derives from the Latin phrase “id est,” may be used to specify a particular item from a more general recitation.

[0030] Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of various exemplary combinations and subcombinations of embodiments and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

[0031] Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present solution. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present solution.