High-frequency generator assembly having plug connection integrated in combiner

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-frequency (HF), in particular microwave generator assembly (500) comprising a combiner (400), wherein the combiner (400) has: one, in particular a plurality of HF sockets (120); the invention relates to a high-frequency (HF) socket (120) for transmitting an HF signal, in particular a high-power signal, in particular a high-power microwave signal, and one, in particular a plurality of HF generators (410a, 410b... 410n), preferably for each HF socket (120), each HF generator (410a, 410b... 410n) having a plug (110) matching the HF socket (120) at the MW output thereof, the high-frequency (HF) socket (120) being suitable for transmitting an HF signal, in particular a high-power signal, in particular a high-power microwave signal, the socket (120) has a. An opening (132) having an opening cross-section (132a), which is designed to receive a mating plug (110), b. An external contact (121), which is suitable for connection to a ground connection, c. An internal contact (123), which is suitable for connection to an HF power signal, in particular a microwave signal, d. The socket (120) has an opening narrowing device (130), which is designed to narrow the opening cross-section (132a), according to the invention, the opening narrowing device is designed in such a way that, when the plug is removed, the opening (132) of the socket assumes an opening narrowing state (132b) in which the cross-section of the opening (132) is reduced, in particular closed, relative to the opening cross-section (132a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a high-frequency generator assembly, which comprises a combiner, wherein the combiner has one or more plug connections for transmitting high-power signals, in particular microwave signals. Background Art

[0002] Microwave signals are used for heating, plasma generation, communication technology, radar technology, particle accelerators (e.g. for research) or medical technology. For these applications, a microwave generator is usually required to generate the microwave signals or, in the case of other high-power signals, a corresponding generator.

[0003] In order to generate microwaves, a solid-state high-power generator, a so-called Solid-State-Power-Generator (SSPG), can be used. The microwave input signal of the SSPG can be enhanced by a solid-state high-power amplifier, i.e., a Solid-State-Power-Amplifier (SSPA). Therefore, the SSPA is part of the SSPG. In order to generate high power, multiple SSPGs can be combined. For this purpose, a combiner is used. A combiner is a hardware component, especially a passive hardware component, which is designed to combine multiple input signals into an enhanced output signal. Here, the SSPG or SSPA is connected to the combiner to transfer the signal from one component to another. In such a system consisting of multiple SSPG modules or SSPA modules and a combiner, it may occur that the module must be replaced due to a fault or for maintenance purposes.

[0004] When replacing such a module, it is advantageous that there is a plug connector between the module and the combiner, through which the output signal of the module can be electrically connected to the combiner. When replacing the module, the plug connector of the module can be disconnected from the plug connector of the combiner. The module can then be removed from the system, in which the module is, for example, screwed to the housing. Then, a fully functional module can be placed in the corresponding position. This results in a period of time during which no component is connected via another sub-plug at the corresponding sub-plug of the connector of the combiner. During this period, the sub-plug (Teilstecker) of the combiner, which may be a socket (Buchse), is open and exposed to the surrounding environment. As a result, radiation may be emitted from the socket, and matter and / or radiation may also enter the socket from the surrounding environment.

[0005] If a module replacement is to be carried out during continuous operation, the system should be configured accordingly. If the system is designed so that components (such as modules) can be plugged in and out during continuous operation, this is called hot-swap functionality. For this purpose, the plug connector can be designed so that when connecting a plug connector with multiple conductors, these conductors are not connected to the corresponding counterparts at the same time for system reasons. This can be achieved by staggering the conductors in the direction of movement when one sub-plug is inserted into another sub-plug. Such a plug connector can be designed, for example, so that when plugging in, the ground connection is first connected and then the wire is connected to the power signal, or vice versa, when unplugging, the wire is first disconnected from the power signal and then the wire is disconnected from the ground connection. This helps with safety, for example.

[0006] It has been found that during the operation of such a system, electromagnetic radiation may be emitted from an open sub-plug connector, for example, from an open socket of a combiner. Although the connector is designed as an input for receiving a signal, electromagnetic radiation may be emitted here, especially when an HF signal is connected to the other input of the combiner. The shorter the wavelength of such radiation, the greater the radiation amount. Especially in the microwave range (300MHz or higher, especially 1GHz or higher), the wavelength is usually short enough that the open sub-plug can work like a dipole antenna. When the size of the plug becomes larger, this negative characteristic will be aggravated, for example, because larger wires are usually required to keep the electrical losses low. The emitted electromagnetic radiation may be harmful to the human body, especially in the case of high power, for example, on high-power devices. In addition, the radiation may interfere with or damage other equipment. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing a high-frequency generator assembly which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages, the high-frequency generator assembly comprising a combiner having one, in particular a plurality of HF sockets for transmitting high-power signals, in particular microwave signals, in particular microwave high-power signals.

[0008] This object is achieved by an HF generator assembly according to claim 1 .

[0009] On the one hand, a high-frequency (HF), in particular microwave generator assembly comprises a combiner, wherein the combiner has:

[0010] one, in particular a plurality of HF sockets; and

[0011] One, in particular a plurality of HF generators, preferably one HF generator for each HF socket, wherein

[0012] Each HF generator has a plug at its MW output that matches the HF socket, where

[0013] The high frequency (HF) socket is suitable for transmitting HF signals, especially high power signals, especially high power microwave signals, and has:

[0014] a. An opening having the longest opening distance and opening cross section, which is designed to receive a matching plug,

[0015] b. an external contact which is suitable and in particular designed for connection to a ground connection,

[0016] c. an integrated contact which is suitable and in particular designed for connection to an HF power signal, in particular a microwave signal,

[0017] d. wherein the socket has an opening narrowing device, the opening narrowing device is designed to narrow the opening so that when the plug is removed, the opening of the socket adopts an opening narrowing state, in which i. the narrowed longest opening distance of the opening is reduced compared to the longest opening distance, and / or

[0018] ii. the reduced opening cross section of the opening is smaller than the opening cross section,

[0019] iii. Especially when the opening is closed,

[0020] e. wherein the opening constriction device has an electrically conductive barrier which is connected to the external contact and is designed to block electromagnetic radiation of the HF signal which may be emitted from the internal contact from escaping from the opening in the opening-reduced state.

[0021] An opening narrowing device refers to a device, especially a mechanical device, which is suitable for switching the cross-section and / or the longest distance of the opening from a first state with an initial opening cross-section and / or an initial longest opening distance to a second state with a narrowed opening cross-section and / or a reduced longest opening distance.

[0022] "Longest opening distance" refers to the longest distance that can or may be measured with the plug inserted. "Longest opening distance after reduction" refers to the longest distance that can be measured with the plug removed. "Opening cross section" refers to the cross section that can or may be measured with the plug inserted. "Reduced opening cross section" refers to the cross section that can be measured with the plug removed. In the following, based on Figure 6 The examples and related descriptions in the documentation clarify these terms.

[0023] In some cases, it may be sufficient to maintain the opening cross section and only reduce the maximum opening distance. This is the case, for example, when the maximum opening distance is in the range of one quarter of the wavelength λ of the emitted HF signal or a multiple thereof. In such a case, for example, a slit-shaped opening with this length may cause significant radiation. When reducing the maximum opening distance, the radiation is significantly reduced even if the opening cross section remains the same or even becomes slightly larger.

[0024] HF signals are signals of 1 MHz or higher. HF sockets can be designed in particular for frequencies from 100 MHz. Microwave signals are signals of 300 MHz or higher, in particular 1 GHz or higher. High-power signals are signals of 1 kW or higher, in particular 5 kW or higher.

[0025] On the one hand, the HF socket is characterized in that the internal contacts and the external contacts are designed so that when the plug is pulled out or inserted, the following posture exists, that is, in this posture, the electrical connection between the internal contacts and the corresponding contacts of the plug is disconnected, while at the same time the electrical connection between the external contacts and the corresponding contacts of the plug exists.

[0026] On the one hand, the inner contact is arranged to the rear relative to the outer contact. This can be understood as: the inner contact is shorter than the outer contact, so that the electric field is clearly kept in the socket and preferably propagates there. The opening constriction device then also blocks the electric field from radiating out of the socket.

[0027] On the one hand, the HF socket is designed so that the barrier is in electrical contact with the built-in contact in the reduced opening state. Thus, any electrical signal present can be short-circuited to ground at this contact point. For the arrangement of the socket on the combiner, which will be described below, the distance from the star point of the combiner can be set according to the wavelength λ of the HF signal so that the combiner recognizes the branch as an open circuit in the star point.

[0028] On the one hand, the HF socket is designed such that the barrier has no electrical contact with the built-in contacts in the reduced opening state. This is an alternative to the above aspect and can be advantageous in certain configurations of the combiner.

[0029] On the one hand, the HF socket is characterized in that the barrier has an area with an electromagnetic radiation absorbing material. The material can be designed to preferably absorb rather than reflect electromagnetic waves and to match the wave impedance of air and in particular have an impedance of about 300Ω to 400Ω.

[0030] On the one hand, the HF socket is characterized in that the barrier is designed to block electromagnetic radiation entering through the opening in the reduced opening state. This allows the barrier to fulfill a further advantageous purpose and contribute to the reliability of the system.

[0031] On the one hand, the HF socket is characterized in that the opening narrowing device has an elastically deformable, in particular flexible, component to narrow the maximum opening distance. It can also be, for example, a steel spring, in particular a helical spring assembly. Thus, when the plug is removed, the opening narrowing device can automatically be placed in the opening narrowing state.

[0032] On the one hand, the HF socket is characterized in that the barrier has a cover which is designed in particular to be held in the reduced opening state by means of an elastically deformable, in particular resilient, component. This simplifies handling.

[0033] On the one hand, HF sockets are characterized in that the internal contacts are made of a burn-resistant material. This is advantageous when the plug connector is disconnected while current is flowing and the inductive component is connected to the plug or socket. Disconnection of the contacts usually leads to flashover. These flashovers can contaminate the contacts. This can lead to undesirable contact problems. Such contamination can be reduced when the built-in contacts are constructed of burn-resistant materials.

[0034] On the one hand, the HF socket is characterized in that it has exactly one inner conductor and in particular also exactly one outer conductor and in particular a coaxial plug connection. In particular in such a design of the socket, such an opening constriction can be preferably used to reduce radiation.

[0035] On the one hand, the HF socket is configured for mounting on a housing wall, in particular on a combiner housing wall. This simplifies handling.

[0036] On the one hand, a plug connection is provided which has an HF socket and a plug, the plug matching the contacts of the HF socket via its contacts.

[0037] On the one hand, the plug connection is characterized in that the HF socket and the plug can be disconnected and / or connected during continuous operation without affecting the operation of the connected components, in particular the plug connection supports hot plugging.

[0038] As mentioned above, a combiner is provided, which has one, in particular a plurality of, the above-mentioned HF sockets. A combiner is an HF power combiner, in particular a microwave power combiner, which is configured to combine a plurality of input power signals into a single output power signal.

[0039] Furthermore, the combiner can be designed in particular for HF signals with a frequency of 1 MHz or more, in particular for frequencies from 100 MHz, particularly preferably for frequencies in the microwave range of 300 MHz or more, in particular 1 GHz or more. Furthermore, the combiner can be designed in particular for high-power signals of 1 kW or more, in particular 5 kW or more, at its input.

[0040] The combiner can be designed so that a plurality of HF generators each having the above-mentioned plugs are arranged adjacently, especially closely, on the combiner in a manner matching the HF sockets, and during operation, the plurality of HF generators can be inserted and removed in a preferred direction in particular. Here, thanks to the narrowing of the opening, the HF sockets can be arranged relatively close to each other, which is advantageous for today's truly small-sized HF generators if the HF sockets are to be placed close to each other. When the connector for the input signal and the power supply of the HF generator is arranged on the same end face as the plug for connecting the combiner, insertion and removal during operation will of course be particularly smooth. Here, the above-mentioned socket on the combiner is particularly advantageous because interference emitted from the combiner when the plug of the HF generator is pulled out will not be fed back to the input signal and the power supply.

[0041] Each HF generator can have one or more amplifier modules.

[0042] The amplifier modules can each have a water cooling system.

[0043] The amplifier modules may each have a circulator.

[0044] A plurality of amplifier modules in an HF generator can combine their respectively outputtable powers by means of a special combiner, in particular a 90° hybrid coupler, in order to be able to conduct them to the output of the HF generator.

[0045] HF, in particular microwave generator components can be configured for operation on a particle accelerator (Linear Particle Accelerator). Here, an HF generator that can be replaced during operation is particularly advantageous, because such a particle accelerator can only be started up under great expenditure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is used to explain the present invention in more detail. The individual features of these embodiments can also improve the above-mentioned method or device according to the present invention independently of other features of the corresponding embodiments.

[0047] In the attached picture:

[0048] Figure 1 A sectional view showing the plug connector in the unplugged state;

[0049] Figure 2 A sectional view showing another plug connector in the unplugged state;

[0050] Figure 3a Shown in partially inserted state Figure 1 or Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the plug connector shown;

[0051] Figure 3b Shown in fully inserted state Figure 1 , Figure 2 or Figure 3a A cross-sectional view of the plug connector shown;

[0052] Figure 4 A sectional view showing an alternative plug connection in the unplugged state;

[0053] Figure 5 Shown in partially inserted state Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the plug connector shown;

[0054] Figure 6 A front view showing the socket in an unplugged state; and

[0055] Figure 7 A plurality of HF generators and a combiner with corresponding plug connections are shown.

[0056] In all exemplary embodiments, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Figure 1 The sectional view shows an embodiment of a plug connector 100. It has a first sub-plug in the form of a plug 110. In addition, a second sub-plug in the form of a socket 120 is shown, which matches the first sub-plug in the form of the plug 110.

[0058] The socket 120 is designed as a high frequency (HF) socket and is suitable for transmitting signals, especially high power signals, especially high power microwave signals. Here, the socket 120 is designed as a coaxial socket, which has exactly one inner conductor 123 and is designed as a tubular outer conductor 121.

[0059] The outer conductor 121 can be electrically connected to the ground conductor, in particular already connected thereto. The outer conductor can be electrically and mechanically connected to a housing wall 141 of the coupler 400 .

[0060] The inner conductor of the socket 123 can be electrically connected to an HF signal, in particular a high power signal, in particular a high power microwave signal. The inner conductor 123 can have an electrical connection extending into the combiner 400 to transmit an HF signal, in particular a high power signal, in particular a high power microwave signal.

[0061] The inner conductor 123 and the outer conductor 121 are electrically isolated by the isolator 122. The outer diameter of the inner conductor 123, the inner diameter of the outer conductor 121 and the electrical characteristics of the isolator can be designed so that the socket 120 has a predefined wave impedance, such as 50Ω. This can be designed in particular so that the electrical reflection of electromagnetic waves injected into and out of the socket 120 is reduced.

[0062] The socket 120 has an opening 132 into which the plug 110 can be inserted. The opening 132 has a maximum opening distance 132a. Figure 1 The opening 132 has an opening cross section 132q, which is Figure 1 It is represented by an elliptical dotted line.

[0063] Here, the plug 110 also has an outer conductor 111 and an inner conductor 113 as well as an insulator, which electrically isolates the outer conductor 111 from the inner conductor 113. Figure 1 As shown, the plug 110 can be mounted on a housing wall of an HF generator (eg, SSPG) so that an HF signal can be transmitted from the SSPG to the inner conductor.

[0064] The socket 120 has an opening narrowing device 130. The opening narrowing device 130 has a barrier 133, which is movably supported in a joint 134. Other fastening devices that allow movement are also conceivable. Here, the barrier 133 is configured to be placed in a position by one or more spring elements 135, in which the opening cross section 132a of the socket is reduced to a reduced opening cross section 132c when the plug 110 is not inserted into the socket. The direction of movement of the barrier 133 is shown here by arrow 131. Figure 1 , the plug 110 is not introduced, and therefore the socket 120 is in an opening reduction state 132b, in which the reduced cross-section 132r of the opening 132 is reduced compared to the opening cross-section 132q, and the reduced longest opening distance 132c of the opening 132 is reduced compared to the longest opening distance 132a.

[0065] In this case, the barrier 133 is in particular electrically conductive and connected to the external contact 121 and is configured to block electromagnetic radiation of the HF signal that may be emitted from the internal contact 123 from escaping from the opening in the reduced opening state.

[0066] This obviously does not mean a slight narrowing of the opening cross section, as may already be known from the prior art, for example by means of a locking device, a contact spring or other elastic contact device inside the outer conductor of the plug. What is meant here is a clearly deliberate narrowing, which is designed and configured for intercepting electromagnetic radiation. To this end, in the opening reduction state 132b, for example, the longest opening distance can be designed to be less than λ / 10, where λ is the wavelength of the HF signal. In the case of a circular opening, for example, the "longest opening distance" refers to the diameter. However, other openings are also conceivable, such as elliptical, square or slit-shaped openings. Another conceivable opening narrowing device 130 may be an aperture, as is known from cameras and Figure 6 For all these openings, the longest opening distance can be geometrically determined both in the opening reduction state 132b and in the fully open state.

[0067] When the plug 110 is pulled out, the opening narrowing device 130 can be automatically adjusted to the opening narrowing state 132b, so that no additional operation (handgriff) is required.

[0068] A mechanical aid may be provided so that the opening narrowing device 130 is completely adjusted from the opening narrowing state 132b to the open state due to the introduction of the plug. Thus, the plug can be introduced without additional operation.

[0069] exist Figure 2 Another embodiment of a plug connector 100 is shown in FIG. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the plug 110 is not introduced, and therefore the socket 120 is also in the opening reduction state 132b. In this case, the opening narrowing device 130 is designed so that the opening 132 is completely closed in this state.

[0070] exist Figure 3a In the Figure 1 or Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a plug connector is shown, wherein the plug 110 is partially, but not yet completely, introduced into the socket 120. The opening narrowing device 130 is automatically placed in the open state by the plug. To this end, the barrier 133 is moved to the open state by axially pushing the first sub-plug 110 into the second sub-plug 120. The barrier 133 (which can be conductive) electrically connects the outer conductor 121 of the socket 120 to the outer conductor 111 of the plug 110. Here, the inner conductor 123 of the socket 120 is still not in contact with the inner conductor 113 of the plug 110. This has the advantage that the two devices connected to the plug connector (i.e., for example, a combiner connected to the socket 120 and a generator connected to the plug 110) can be placed at a common potential, for example a common ground potential, and then the HF signals are electrically connected to each other. This is particularly advantageous in systems that support hot plugging.

[0071] exist Figure 3b It is shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 or Figure 3a 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the plug connector, wherein the plug 110 is now fully inserted into the socket 120. Figure 3a The difference is that now the two built-in contacts, i.e. the inner conductor 123 of the socket 120 and the inner conductor 113 of the plug 110, are electrically connected to each other so that the HF signal can flow from the generator into the combiner. Here, the opening constriction 130 is completely open. The opening constriction also ensures good electrical contact of the outer conductors 121, 111 of the plug connector 100 by means of an elastic design or a spring contact.

[0072] Figure 4 Another embodiment of a plug-in connection is shown. Here, the opening narrowing device is designed in the form of an elastic component by means of a barrier 133. By selecting the geometry, the component can be radially compressed under axial forces. As a result, the opening is released under axial force to allow the insertion of another sub-plug, and when the plug connection is not established, the opening is narrowed or closed by the opening narrowing device consisting only of the barrier 133. Figure 5 In the inserted state shown, the barrier 133 is located outside the area required by the first sub-plug 110 so that the first sub-plug can be moved to the second sub-plug 120 to achieve connection.

[0073] Figure 6 The front view of the socket in the unplugged state is shown. The barrier is designed in the form of a diaphragm as is known from cameras (fotoapparat). Figure 6 As shown, the reduced longest opening distance 132c and the longest opening distance 132a can be geometrically determined, and the reduced opening cross section 132r and the opening cross section 132q can also be geometrically determined.

[0074] Figure 7 A plurality of HF generators 410a, 410b ... 410n, each with an amplifier module, and a combiner 400 with corresponding plug connectors 100a, 100b ... 100n are schematically summarized and shown separately in a stereogram. Preferably, the generators 410a, 410b ... 410n are constructed identically accordingly. The generators 410a, 410b ... 410n can be plugged in and out individually in the presence of voltage and current. Here, the generators 410a, 410b ... 410n are preferably designed as solid-state high-power microwave generators (SSPG, solid-state power microwave generator).

[0075] 410n can be arranged close to one another, in particular directly adjacent to one another, with their outputs being directly connected to a combiner via the above-mentioned plug connections 100a, 100b, 100n in each case without connecting a bypass component in between in a hot-plug-enabled manner.

[0076] For example, a similar arrangement with multiple HF generators (PAU) and a combiner (SCU) is shown in US 9,492,567 B1 "Combined RF / microwave amplifiers within individual power supplies". It can be seen from the description and in particular from FIG. 3 of the document that the plug connector (connector 3021) does not have an opening constriction device, as described here. Figure 6 The combiner (SCU) is shown in FIG. 1 and described in the description. Here, too, no opening constriction is provided at the high-power plug connectors 601 to 610. In some cases, due to the increased radiation when the HF generator is replaced during operation, Figure 6 The high-power plug connectors 601 to 610 in the circuit have to be arranged farther apart from each other than the dimensions of the combiner housing allow. This may be Figure 6 The reason for the use of arm-shaped, star-shaped cantilevered arms in the plug connector is that such an arrangement obviously leads to an increase in the production workload. With such a star-shaped arrangement, it is also impossible to arrange multiple HF generators (PAU) close to each other and connect their output ends directly to the combiner via plug connectors without connecting winding components in between. These winding components will inevitably lead to further increase in production costs. The present invention can also overcome such problems.

Claims

1. A high-frequency generator assembly, in particular a microwave generator assembly (500), comprising a combiner (400), wherein the combiner (400) has: One, in particular a plurality of HF sockets (120); and One, in particular a plurality of HF generators (410a, 410b . . . 410n), preferably one HF generator for each HF socket (120), wherein Each HF generator (410a, 410b ... 410n) has a plug (110) at its MW output end that matches the HF socket (120), wherein The high frequency (HF) socket (120) is suitable for transmitting HF signals, especially high power signals, especially high power microwave signals, and has: a. an opening (132) having a longest opening distance (132a) and an opening cross section (132q), the opening being designed to receive a matching plug (110), b. an external contact (121) which is suitable and in particular designed for connection to a ground connection, c. an internal contact (123) which is suitable and in particular designed for connection to an HF power signal, in particular a microwave signal, d. It is characterized by: The socket (120) has an opening narrowing device (130) which is designed to narrow the opening so that when the plug (110) is removed, the opening (132) of the socket (120) adopts an opening narrowing state (132b) in which the opening is narrowed. i. the reduced maximum opening distance (132c) of the opening (132) is reduced compared to the maximum opening distance (132a), and / or ii. the reduced opening cross section (132r) of the opening (132) is smaller than the opening cross section (132q), iii. In particular, the opening (132) is closed, e. wherein the opening narrowing device (130) has a conductive barrier (133), which is connected to the external contact portion (121) and is designed to: in the opening narrowed state, block the electromagnetic radiation of the HF signal that may be emitted from the internal contact portion (123) from emitting from the opening (132).

2. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The built-in contact portion (123) and the external contact portion (113) of the socket (120) are designed so that when the plug (110) is pulled out or inserted, the following posture exists, that is, in the posture, the electrical connection between the built-in contact portion (123) and the corresponding contact portion (113) of the plug (110) is disconnected, while the electrical connection between the external contact portion (121) and the corresponding contact portion (111) of the plug (110) exists.

3. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The opening narrowing device (130) of the socket (120) has an elastically deformable, in particular elastic, component (135) to narrow the longest opening distance (132a).

4. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The barrier (133) of the opening narrowing device (130) has a cover which is designed in particular to be held in the opening narrowing state (132b) by means of an elastically deformable, in particular resilient, component (135).

5. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The built-in contact portion (123) of the socket (120) is constructed of a burn-resistant material.

6. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The socket (120) is configured to be mounted on a housing wall (141), in particular a combiner housing wall.

7. A high-frequency generator assembly, in particular a microwave generator assembly (500) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an HF socket (120) and a plug (110), the plug matching via its contacts (111, 113) with contacts (121, 123) of the HF socket (120).

8. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The HF socket (120) and the plug (110) can be disconnected and / or connected during continuous operation without affecting the operation of the connected components, in particular the plug connector (100) supports hot plugging.

9. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The combiner (400) is configured to combine a plurality of input power signals into a single output power signal having a frequency of 1 MHz or higher, in particular for frequencies starting at 100 MHz, particularly preferably for frequencies of 300 MHz or higher, in particular 1 GHz or higher.

10. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The combiner (400) is designed for high power signals of 1 kW or more, in particular 5 kW or more, at its input.

11. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The combiner (400) is designed so that a plurality of HF generators (410a, 410b, ... 410n) each having the above-mentioned plug can be arranged adjacent to the combiner (400) in a manner matching the HF socket, and during operation, the plurality of HF generators can be plugged in and out, in particular can be plugged in and out in a preferred direction.

12. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Each HF generator (410a, 410b . . . 410n) has one or more amplifier modules.

13. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to claim 12, wherein: Each amplifier module has a circulator.

14. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to any one of the preceding claims 12 or 13, characterized in that Each amplifier module has its own water cooling system.

15. The high-frequency generator assembly, in particular the microwave generator assembly (500) according to any one of the preceding claims 12 to 14, characterized in that The high frequency generator assembly is configured for operation on a particle accelerator.

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