Metal-Diamond Waveguide Housing With Precision Insert Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RF waveguide housings made from materials like copper molybdenum, copper tungsten, aluminum, and iron-nickel alloys have limited thermal conductivity, necessitating precise machining to match RF waveguide dimensions, which is inefficient and thermally inadequate for modern devices.

Innovation Solution

A metal-diamond composite-based RF waveguide housing with precisely machined inserts made from materials like CuMo, CuW, Al, or Kovar, coupled with a metal-diamond base providing high thermal conductivity, and ceramic feedthroughs to ensure hermetic sealing and RF energy transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional materials (copper molybdenum, copper tungsten, aluminum, iron-nickel alloys) are used for RF waveguide housing, then manufacturing is easier, but thermal conductivity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidthermal conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a metal-diamond composite material for the RF waveguide housing. This composite combines the high thermal conductivity of diamond with the mechanical properties and manufacturability of metal matrices, achieving superior thermal performance while maintaining ease of manufacturing through established composite fabrication techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional materials are used for RF waveguide housing, then material availability is better, but thermal conductivity is insufficient for modern devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial availabilityVSAvoidthermal conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The metal-diamond composite housing provides the high thermal conductivity required for modern devices while maintaining adaptability through various manufacturing approaches. The composite can be fabricated using techniques such as sintering, infiltration, or powder metallurgy, allowing flexibility in production while meeting advanced thermal requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If precise machining is performed on traditional materials to match RF waveguide dimensions, then dimensional accuracy is achieved, but manufacturing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The metal-diamond composite housing can be manufactured with precise dimensions through advanced composite fabrication techniques, reducing or eliminating the need for extensive post-manufacturing machining. This approach maintains dimensional accuracy while significantly improving manufacturing efficiency compared to traditional materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution provides improved thermal conductivity and precise mating with RF waveguides while maintaining hermetic sealing and RF energy transmission, addressing the inefficiencies of previous materials.

Implementation Method 1

a metal-diamond base with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The metal-diamond base includes an opening through a thickness of the metal-diamond base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

ceramic feedthroughs to ensure hermetic sealing and RF energy transparency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Waveguide

Implementation Method 3

The insert defines an interior volume within the opening of the metal-diamond base and a shape of the insert at the first side of the opening is configured to match an end of an RF waveguide coupled to the RF waveguide housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical coupling: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP4356476B1Metal-diamond composite-based radio frequency waveguide housing
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 RAYTHEON CO
  • EP4356476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4356476B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4356476B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A radio frequency (RF) waveguide housing includes a metal-diamond base with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The metal-diamond base includes an opening through a thickness of the metal-diamond base, and the opening includes a first side on a side of the first surface of the metal-diamond base and a second side on a side of the second surface of the metal-diamond base. The RF waveguide housing also includes an insert to be inserted in the opening and affixed to the metal-diamond base. The insert defines an interior volume within the opening of the metal-diamond base and a shape of the insert at the first side of the opening is configured to match an end of an RF waveguide coupled to the RF waveguide housing.