Heat Insulating Waveguides with Air Gap and Reflector

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radio frequency transmission lines, such as waveguides and coaxial lines, face challenges in achieving both heat insulation and low insertion loss due to the use of metal components, which lead to thermal control issues and increased electrical resistance.

Innovation Solution

A heat insulating transmission line design featuring a first and second waveguide with an air gap and a reflector, where the reflector is positioned to control radiation power and is longer than the air gap, with specific distance constraints relative to the mean frequency wavelength, to minimize heat transfer and insertion loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If metal waveguides are used for radio frequency transmission, then electrical resistance is low and signal loss is minimal, but heat conductivity is high causing thermal control difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion lossVSAvoidthermal control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide is divided into two separate waveguides with an air gap between them, breaking the continuous metal path. This segmentation maintains low insertion loss within each waveguide while the air gap provides thermal insulation to improve thermal control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An air gap is introduced as an intermediary between the two waveguides. This air gap acts as a thermal barrier to reduce heat transfer while allowing electromagnetic field coupling to maintain signal transmission with minimal insertion loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If air gap is introduced between waveguides for heat insulation, then thermal conductivity is reduced, but radiation power from the air gap increases heat transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat insulationVSAvoidradiation power

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector converts the harmful radiation from the air gap into a beneficial effect by reflecting it back. The radiation that would otherwise increase heat transfer is now redirected to improve coupling between waveguides or dissipated in a controlled manner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

A reflector is added to change the radiation parameters by reflecting electromagnetic waves. This modifies the radiation pattern and reduces the net heat transfer from the air gap while maintaining the thermal insulation benefit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If reflector is added to control radiation power, then heat insulation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat insulationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector serves multiple functions: it controls radiation power from the air gap, improves heat insulation, and can enhance coupling between waveguides. This multi-functionality justifies the added component by providing several benefits simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration achieves excellent heat insulation and low insertion loss while maintaining a simple structure, effectively reducing radiation power and heat transfer, thus addressing the thermal control and electrical resistance issues in existing transmission lines.

Implementation Method 1

The second aperture end faces the first aperture end through an air gap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The reflector is provided outside the air gap, and controls radiation power from the air gap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8570120B2Heat insulating waveguides separated by an air gap and including two planar reflectors for controlling radiation power from the air gap

Publication Date: 2013.10.29 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

A heat insulating transmission line includes a first waveguide with a first aperture end, a second waveguide with a second aperture end, and a reflector. The second waveguide is arranged coaxially with the first waveguide. The second aperture end faces the first aperture end through an air gap. The reflector is provided outside the air gap, and controls radiation power from the air gap. In addition, the reflector is substantially parallel to a portion of a virtual plane connecting an inner wall of the first aperture end of the first waveguide and an inner wall of the second aperture end of the second waveguide. When a mean frequency of a signal transmitting through the heat insulating transmission line is expressed as λ, a distance between the virtual surface and the reflector is not less than N×λ/2−0.05λ and not more than N×λ/2+0.2λ (N is a positive integer).