Quick connect waveguide coupler using pertubations rotatably movable through slots between a locked position and an unlocked position

Abstract

A quick connect coupler assembly for connecting a first waveguide portion to a second waveguide portion is provided. The coupler assembly includes: a first coupler component affixed to the first waveguide portion and a second coupler component affixed to the second waveguide portion. The first coupler component has a plurality of perturbations, while the second coupler component has a plurality of slots and a radially disposed guide or channel. The perturbations align with and pass through the slots into the guide or channel such that the perturbations rotatably move about the guide or channel in a radial direction from an unlocked to a locked position.

Claims

1. A quick connect coupler assembly for connecting a first waveguide portion to a second waveguide portion, the coupler assembly comprising: a first coupler component configured to be affixed to the first waveguide portion, the first coupler component comprising a plurality of perturbations; and a second coupler component configured to be affixed to the second waveguide portion, the second coupler component comprising a plurality of slots and a radially disposed guide or channel, wherein the plurality of perturbations align with and pass through the plurality of slots into the guide or channel, such that the plurality of perturbations rotatably move about the guide or channel in a radial direction between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the first and second coupler components provide a connection that is a rotatable in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first and second waveguide portions, and wherein the connection provides a rotatable offset of an orientation selected from the group consisting of 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees.

2. A quick connect coupler assembly for connecting a first waveguide portion to a second waveguide portion, the coupler assembly comprising: a first coupler component configured to be affixed to the first waveguide portion, the first coupler component comprising a plurality of perturbations; and a second coupler component configured to be affixed to the second waveguide portion, the second coupler component comprising a plurality of slots and a radially disposed guide or channel, wherein the plurality of perturbations align with and pass through the plurality of slots into the guide or channel, such that the plurality of perturbations rotatably move about the guide or channel in a radial direction between an unlocked position and a locked position, and wherein the first and second coupler components have a conical shape.

3. A quick connect coupler assembly for connecting a first waveguide portion to a second waveguide portion, the coupler assembly comprising: a first coupler component configured to be affixed to the first waveguide portion, the first coupler component comprising a plurality of perturbations; and a second coupler component configured to be affixed to the second waveguide portion, the second coupler component comprising a plurality of slots and a radially disposed guide or channel, wherein the plurality of perturbations align with and pass through the plurality of slots into the guide or channel, such that the plurality of perturbations rotatably move about the guide or channel in a radial direction between an unlocked position and a locked position, and wherein the first and second coupler components are at least partially formed of an elastomeric material.

4. A quick connect coupler assembly for connecting a first waveguide portion to a second waveguide portion, the coupler assembly comprising: a first coupler component configured to be affixed to the first waveguide portion, the first coupler component comprising a plurality of perturbations; and a second coupler component configured to be affixed to the second waveguide portion, the second coupler component comprising a plurality of slots and a radially disposed guide or channel, wherein the plurality of perturbations align with and pass through the plurality of slots into the guide or channel, such that the plurality of perturbations rotatably move about the guide or channel in a radial direction between an unlocked position and a locked position, and wherein, when in the locked position, the first and second coupler components provide a connection that is sealed against environmental impact.

5. The assembly according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4, and 1, wherein the second coupler component is affixed to the second waveguide portion, and wherein the second waveguide portion is an antenna.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein antenna is a horn-shaped antenna or a parabolic reflector-shaped antenna.

7. The assembly according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4, and 1, wherein, when in the locked position, the first and second coupler components provide a connection having a low-loss electromagnetic coupling between the first and second waveguide portions.

8. The assembly according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4, and 1, wherein, when in the locked position, the first and second coupler components provide a connection that is in line with a longitudinal axis of the first and second waveguide portions.

9. The assembly according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4, and 1, wherein the first coupler component is affixed to the first waveguide portion, and wherein the first waveguide portion is a wireless device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of the quick connect coupler assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure having a male to female connection between a wireless device and a horn-shaped antenna;

(2) FIG. 2 is a left front perspective view of the quick connect coupler assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure having a female to male connection between a wireless device and a horn-shaped antenna;

(3) FIG. 3 is a left front perspective view of the quick connect coupler assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure having a threaded connection between a wireless device and a horn-shaped antenna;

(4) FIG. 4 is a left front perspective view of the quick connect coupler assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure having a male to female connection between the wireless device and a parabolic reflector-shaped antenna;

(5) FIG. 5 is a left front perspective view of the quick connect coupler assembly according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure having a female to male connection between the wireless device and a parabolic reflector-shaped antenna; and

(6) FIG. 6 is a left front perspective view of the quick connect coupler assembly according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure having a threaded connection between a wireless device and a parabolic reflector-shaped antenna.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) The present disclosure is best described by referring to the figures, where FIG. 1 depicts locking coupler components (1a, 1b), wherein male coupler component 1a include a pair of perturbations 3 which, when aligned with slots 5 disposed about coupler component 1b, are rotatably moved about guide 7, thereby securely locking coupler components 1a and 1b together. That is, waveguide portion 9 (e.g., wireless device) and waveguide portion 11 (e.g., horn-shaped antenna) are connected via locking coupler components (1a, 1b), thereby providing for (a) a low-loss electromagnetic coupling between waveguide portions (9, 11); (b) accurate and aligned mechanical connection in line with the longitudinal axis of waveguide portions (9, 11); (c) accurate rotatable alignment in plane perpendicular to longitudinal axis of portions (9, 11) with optional 90/180/270 accurate rotatable offset when required; (d) ease of operation (e.g., allowing for the use of a single hand to connect, without the need for any tools), connection and disconnection can be mated quickly; (e) optionally, a connection which is sealed against environmental impacts (e.g., rain/snow/humidity, etc.).

(8) FIG. 2 is a left front perspective view of the quick connect coupler assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure having a female locking coupler component 20a to male locking coupler component 20b between wireless device 9 and horn-shaped antenna 11. This embodiment shown in FIG. 2 utilizes clips 22 disposed about locking coupler component 20b which lock in place about associated recesses 24 disposed about locking coupler component 20a.

(9) According to yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 3, locking coupler components 30a and 30b are locked together by tightening (rotating) of thread-containing locking coupler components 30a and 30b to secure wireless device 9 and horn-shaped antenna 11. Optionally, the first coupler component can include either a threaded female/male portion, as long as the second coupler component includes the opposite threaded female/male portion.

(10) FIGS. 4-6 are similar to FIGS. 1-3, respectively, except that instead of waveguide portion 11 being a horn-shaped antenna 11 as in FIGS. 1-3, a parabolic reflector-shaped antenna 40 is connected to waveguide portion 9 in FIGS. 4-6.

(11) In the embodiment of FIG. 4, male coupler component 1a includes a pair of perturbations 3 which, when aligned with slots 5 disposed about coupler component 1b, are rotatably moved about guide 7, thereby securely locking coupler components 1a and 1b together.

(12) In the embodiment of FIG. 5, female locking coupler component 20a and male locking coupler component 20b are shown between wireless device 9 and parabolic reflector-shaped antenna 40 and includes clips 22 disposed about locking coupler component 20b which lock in place about associated recesses 24 disposed about locking coupler component 20a.

(13) In the embodiment of FIG. 6, locking coupler components 30a and 30b are locked together by tightening (rotating) of thread-containing locking coupler components 30a and 30b to secure wireless device 9 and parabolic reflector-shaped antenna 40.

(14) To provide alignment in-line with a longitudinal axis, locking coupler components in FIGS. 1-6 preferably are of a conical shape, although any shape that provides for in-line alignment along the longitudinal axis is acceptable.

(15) To provide compensation for possible variation of dimensions (e.g., thermal expansion, aging, etc.) and to keep locking force stable, locking coupler components can contain elastic members which are pre-deformed when locked and deformation force created by such a deformation then maintain controlled locking force even when dimensions of parts change slightly. That is, the first and second coupler components are at least partially formed of an elastomeric material.

(16) While the present disclosure has shown and described several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is to be clearly understood that the same may be susceptible to numerous changes apparent to one skilled in the art. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the details shown and described but is intended to include all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims.