Loop Gap Resonator Housing for Uniform Microwave Field Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Miniature atomic sensors face performance degradation due to small spatial gradients in microwave fields, which can destabilize loop gap resonators (LGRs) and introduce perturbations to electromagnetic resonance modes, affecting accuracy in critical sensing applications.

Innovation Solution

A housing design for LGRs is introduced, featuring mounting brackets that protrude into an interior cavity, creating a separation region to isolate the LGR from the housing, with specific widths of the brackets and separation region optimized to maintain a uniform phase and amplitude of electromagnetic fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the LGR is coupled in an external housing designed to insulate the LGR, then the isolation of electromagnetic resonance modes is improved, but the housing introduces perturbations to the resonance modes and destabilizes the LGR

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveisolation of electromagnetic resonance modesVSAvoidstability of LGR
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces mounting brackets as intermediary elements between the housing and the loop gap resonator. These brackets create a controlled separation region that electrically isolates the LGR from the housing while maintaining mechanical support. The brackets act as a mediator that prevents direct coupling between the housing and LGR, thereby eliminating the harmful perturbations while preserving the insulating function of the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the coupling structure by introducing discrete mounting brackets at specific locations around the LGR perimeter. This segmentation allows the housing to be electrically isolated from the LGR at most points, while providing localized mechanical support only where needed. The segmented approach creates controlled separation regions that prevent unwanted electromagnetic coupling while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the LGR is fixed in the housing, then the position stability is improved, but the coupling between housing and LGR introduces spatial gradients in microwave fields

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stability of LGRVSAvoiduniformity of electromagnetic field
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting brackets serve as intermediary elements that provide mechanical fixation while maintaining electromagnetic isolation. By positioning the brackets at specific locations and dimensions, the design achieves stable LGR positioning without creating harmful spatial gradients in the microwave field. The brackets mediate between the need for mechanical stability and the need for field uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating separation regions of specific widths at predetermined locations around the LGR. The separation region width is carefully controlled to be sufficient to prevent unwanted coupling with the housing, yet minimal enough to maintain field uniformity. This localized approach to isolation ensures that the electromagnetic field remains substantially uniform while the LGR position remains stable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the separation region width is increased to isolate the LGR from the housing, then the electromagnetic field uniformity is improved, but the housing size and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of electromagnetic fieldVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the separation region uniformly around the entire LGR, the patent segments the isolation function into discrete mounting brackets positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows the LGR to be isolated from the housing only where necessary for mechanical support, while maintaining minimal separation distances in other areas. The segmented approach achieves field uniformity without unnecessarily increasing housing size or complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The housing configuration effectively suppresses unwanted electromagnetic modes, ensuring a uniform electromagnetic field within the LGR, enhancing the accuracy and stability of atomic sensing measurements.

Implementation Method 1

the LGR is configured to support an electromagnetic field in the inner cavity... excite a desired electromagnetic mode at a resonance frequency in the inner cavity of the LGR

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The LGR is fixed by the at least one mounting bracket so that there exists a separation region between an outer edge of the LGR and an inner edge of the housing... effectively suppresses unwanted electromagnetic modes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic isolation:

Data Source

PatentEP4617796A1Mode engineered loop gap resonator enclosure for atomic sensing
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP4617796A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4617796A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4617796A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A housing for coupling to a loop gap resonator (LGR) includes an interior cavity in which the LGR is disposed therein. The LGR is attached to the housing by at least one mounting bracket, which fixes the LGR in the interior cavity. Additionally, the interior cavity includes a separation region between the cavity walls and the LGR. The widths of each mounting bracket and the width of the separation region is determined in order to support a uniform electromagnetic field inside the LGR.