Waveguide-Patch Coupling Pocket for Intrinsically Safe Microwave Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave transmission arrangements that use a patch and a ground plane for coupling to a hollow waveguide struggle to achieve efficient microwave energy transfer while meeting intrinsic safety standards, particularly in environments subject to EX-restrictions, due to insufficient distance between the patch and the waveguide.
Innovation Solution
The configuration of a conductive pocket between the microwave circuit board and the hollow waveguide increases the distance between the patch and the waveguide, allowing for efficient microwave energy transfer while maintaining intrinsic safety, and facilitates cost-efficient mass-production by allowing for increased tolerances in board and waveguide positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a quarter-wave back-short is used for waveguide transition, then microwave coupling efficiency is improved, but integration with lower-frequency circuit boards becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the quarter-wave back-short element from the waveguide transition structure and replaces it with a simplified patch antenna coupled directly to the waveguide. This extraction of the problematic component resolves the integration difficulty while maintaining coupling efficiency through the alternative patch-waveguide interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transition mechanism from relying on quarter-wave impedance transformation to using direct patch-waveguide coupling with optimized geometric parameters. By changing the fundamental approach and optimizing patch dimensions, position, and waveguide aperture size, the system achieves efficient coupling without the integration complexity of a back-short structure.
2Reliability
If the distance between the patch and the hollow waveguide is increased to meet intrinsic safety standards, then intrinsic safety compliance is improved, but microwave energy transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ground plane as an intermediary element between the patch antenna and the hollow waveguide. This ground plane serves as a mediator that enables intrinsic safety compliance by providing electrical isolation and maintaining safe distances, while simultaneously serving as a reflector to improve microwave energy transfer efficiency to the waveguide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the ground plane to create a three-dimensional electromagnetic field distribution that improves coupling efficiency. By introducing this additional dimensional element, the system achieves both safety spacing and effective energy transfer through the ground plane's dual function as both a safety barrier and an electromagnetic mediator.
3Reliability
If the distance between the patch and the hollow waveguide is increased for intrinsic safety, then intrinsic safety compliance is improved, but positioning tolerance requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the ground plane structure as a pre-designed element that establishes the minimum safety distance and provides mechanical reference surfaces. By preliminarily defining the spatial relationship through the ground plane geometry, the system sets clear positioning guidelines that simplify manufacturing tolerances while ensuring intrinsic safety compliance is met from the outset.
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 ensures compliance with intrinsic safety standards and maintains effective microwave energy transmission, as demonstrated by simulation results aligning with the theory of half-wavelength chokes, where the conductive pocket acts as a virtual shorting wall, ensuring efficient signal propagation.
Implementation Method 1
a patch for radiating or receiving microwave signals in a predefined wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
the conductive pocket acts as a virtual shorting wall, ensuring efficient signal propagation
Implementation Method 3
an electrically conductive hollow waveguide configured to guide microwave signals in a predefined wavelength range, in a predefined propagation mode along a signal propagation path
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A microwave transmission arrangement, comprising an electrically conductive hollow waveguide having a first waveguide portion, a second waveguide portion between the first waveguide portion and a first end of the hollow waveguide, and a conductive transition surface of the hollow waveguide forming a transition between the first waveguide portion and the second waveguide portion; and a microwave circuit board including a dielectric carrier, and a first conductor pattern on a first side of the dielectric carrier, the first conductor pattern including a patch for radiating or receiving microwave signals in the predefined wavelength range, and a first ground plane surrounding the patch, wherein the first ground plane of the microwave circuit board is in conductive contact with the first end of the hollow waveguide, and extends into the second waveguide portion cross-section area to define at least one conductive pocket together with the second waveguide portion and the transition surface of the hollow waveguide.