Tunable Waveguide Resonator With Movable Conductor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tunable waveguide resonators face challenges in achieving high Q-factor and wide spurious-free band while maintaining a compact design, often resulting in high insertion loss due to mechanical tuning mechanisms that increase current flow and reduce tuning range.
Innovation Solution
A tunable waveguide resonator with a rectangular waveguide part and electrically conducting inner walls, featuring a tuning element comprising an electrically conducting body and a movable holding rod that allows precise positioning within the waveguide part, enabling high Q-factor and wide spurious-free band operation, with iris openings and an electrically controllable motor for adaptable tuning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sliding contacts are used to move cavity walls for tuning, then mechanical adjustability is achieved, but insertion loss increases and Q-factor decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sliding contacts entirely from the cavity structure. Instead of moving cavity walls through contacts, the invention uses a separate tuning element (conductor-loaded cavity) that can be inserted or removed from the main cavity. This extraction of the problematic sliding contact mechanism eliminates the source of energy loss while preserving tuning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonator system is divided into two separate parts: the main cavity and the tunable conductor-loaded cavity. These segments can be independently positioned, with the tuning cavity being inserted or removed to achieve frequency adjustment. This segmentation avoids the need for mechanical contacts between moving and stationary parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cavity length is adjusted by displacing two parts with contact, then tuning range is achieved, but current flow through contact increases loss when moving from center frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the tuning function from the main cavity structure and places it in a separate conductor-loaded cavity. This separate tuning cavity is connected to the main cavity only through electromagnetic coupling, eliminating any physical contact paths for current flow during tuning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor-loaded cavity acts as an intermediary element between the input and output, providing the tuning function without requiring direct mechanical or electrical contact with the main cavity walls. The coupling between cavities is achieved through electromagnetic fields rather than physical contacts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complete side of cavity is moved for tuning, then frequency adjustment is achieved, but insertion loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving a complete cavity side, the invention segments the tuning function into a separate conductor-loaded cavity that can be independently positioned. This allows frequency adjustment through changing the volume and position of the tuning cavity rather than moving large cavity walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor-loaded cavity is designed to be dynamically insertable or removable from the main cavity. This dynamic configuration allows the system to switch between different resonant frequencies by simply adding or removing the tuning element, avoiding the need for continuous mechanical movement of cavity walls.
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 a compact tunable waveguide resonator with high Q-factor and wide spurious-free band, allowing for efficient frequency tuning with minimal power leakage and reduced size, while avoiding the need for ohmic contacts and maintaining a high Q-factor through conductor loading.
Implementation Method 1
a tuning element (6) that is positioned between the waveguide ports (4, 5)... an electrically conducting body (7) and a holding rod (8a, 8b)... allowing adjustment of the resonator frequency
Implementation Method 2
the holding rod (8a, 8b) is movable from the outside of the resonator (1) such that the electrically conducting body (7) can be moved between a plurality of positions within the waveguide part (2) by means of the holding rod (8a, 8b)
Implementation Method 3
The waveguide ports (4, 5) are according to some aspects constituted by iris openings
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a tunable waveguide resonator comprising a rectangular waveguide part having electrically conducting inner walls, a first waveguide port and a second waveguide port. The resonator comprises at least one tuning element positioned between the waveguide ports, where each tuning element comprises an electrically conducting body and a holding rod. The holding rod is attached to the electrically conducting body and is movable from the outside of the resonator such that the electrically conducting body can be moved between a plurality of positions within the waveguide part by means of the holding rod.