CA1264241A - Flexible waveguides - Google Patents
Flexible waveguidesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1264241A CA1264241A CA000472472A CA472472A CA1264241A CA 1264241 A CA1264241 A CA 1264241A CA 000472472 A CA000472472 A CA 000472472A CA 472472 A CA472472 A CA 472472A CA 1264241 A CA1264241 A CA 1264241A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- waveguide
- corrugations
- flexible
- angle
- longitudinal direction
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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- Waveguides (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Flexible Waveguides A flexible waveguide has corrugated seamless walls the corrugations of which are inclined to the transverse planes of the waveguide, that is, planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide, at an angle of substantially 45°. The inclined corrugations, which may be annular or helical, permit both flexing and twisting of the waveguide.
Flexible Waveguides A flexible waveguide has corrugated seamless walls the corrugations of which are inclined to the transverse planes of the waveguide, that is, planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide, at an angle of substantially 45°. The inclined corrugations, which may be annular or helical, permit both flexing and twisting of the waveguide.
Description
~4'~
Flexible Waveguides This invention relates to flexible waveguides.
A known construction of` flexible waveguide has walls which have a corrugated or bellows-like conformation, the corrugations lying in planes transverse the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. The corrugations may be formed by winding a conductive metal strip such as brass and sealing adjacent windings together by solder. Such a waveguide is flexible by virtue of the flexibility of the strip forming the individual corrugations, but is not in general capable of being twisted. In order to sustain an angular deformation or twist about its longitudinal axis a corrugated waveguide has to be formed with interlocking corrugations which Gverlap, for example, around a wire core which is wrapped around the waveguide; sliding movement of the individual corrugations or "turns" relativ~ to the wire core permits a degree of twist in the waveguide.
The present invention seeks to provide, in a simple construction, a corrugated waveguide which is capable of sustaining both bending and twisting movements.
According to the invention there is provided a flexible waveguide having corrugated walls the corrugations of which are inclined to the transverse planes of the waveguide, that is, planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide at an angle Or substantially 45. Such a corrugation angle has been found in practice to permit combined bending ~0 and twisting of the waveguide.
1~64~,41 ( - 2 -Upon f`lexlng of the waveguide according to the inventior, the waveguide can exhibit both bending and twisting def`orrnation. Such deformation can be useful for certain interfacing applications.
In some cases the degree of twist imparted to a length of the flexible waveguide will be a resùlt of a bending of the waveguide and will depend on the exact angle of the inclined corrugations, the length of the waveguide and the degree of ~ending imparted thereto. In other cases, bending and twisting deformations of the waveguide will be independent of each other.
The corrugations in the waveguide may be rectangular in cross sectional profile. Alternatively the corrugations may have a substantially sinusoidal cross sectional profile, applicable more particularly to the larger sizes of waveguide.
The waveguide according to the invention is preferably seamless. The corrugations may be obtained by, for example, an hydraulic cold-forming process or an electro-forming process.
The seamless flexible waveguide according to preferred embodiments of the invention, in contrast with previously known twistable waveguides, does not have any discontinuity between adjacent corrugations, for permitting relative sliding movement between these corrugations. Since the corrugations are formed in a single piece of sheet metal without discontinuity the degree of radio frequency leakage exhibited by the flexible 126a,241 waveguide according to the invention is potentially less than that exhibited by flexible waveguides of the traditional construction referred to previously.
The term 'seamless' used in the present speci~ication refers to the absence of any seam or discontinuity between adjacent corrugations: the presence of one or more longitudinally extending seams is not precluded. For example, the waveguide may be fabricated from sheet metal formed into a tubular section by joining along one or more longitudinally extending seams. Such seams may for example be made by welding or brazing. Such seams do not affect the electrical continuity of the waveguide, which is accordingly still characterised as 'seamless'.
When the waveguide is fabricated from sheet metal which is formed and seamed longitudinally the corrugations may be made in the sheet metal before the tubular section is formed.
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying purely diagrammatic drawings, in which:
~264;~41 Figures 1 to 4 are respective plan views of sections of flexible waveguide according to four different embodiments of the invention, Figure 5 is a perspective view of part of the flexible waveguide illustrated in Figure 3, with annular corrugations, illustrating its flexing and twisting characteristics, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of the flexible waveguide illustrated in Figure 3 with multi-start helical corrugations, showing its flexing and twisting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figures 1 to 4 illustrate sections of flexible waveguide 1 the walls of which are continuous, that is/ seamless, and is formed with corrugations 2 which are inclined at an angle ~ of substantially 45 to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide 1. In other words, the corrugations 2 are inclined at 45 to the transverse planes in which the corrugations of a conventional flexible waveguide would normally lie.
The corrugations 2 in the waveguide are preferably of helical or spiral configuration, as illustrated dia-grammatically in Figures 1 and 2 respectively, with a pitch angle a of 45. Alternatively, the corrugations
Flexible Waveguides This invention relates to flexible waveguides.
A known construction of` flexible waveguide has walls which have a corrugated or bellows-like conformation, the corrugations lying in planes transverse the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. The corrugations may be formed by winding a conductive metal strip such as brass and sealing adjacent windings together by solder. Such a waveguide is flexible by virtue of the flexibility of the strip forming the individual corrugations, but is not in general capable of being twisted. In order to sustain an angular deformation or twist about its longitudinal axis a corrugated waveguide has to be formed with interlocking corrugations which Gverlap, for example, around a wire core which is wrapped around the waveguide; sliding movement of the individual corrugations or "turns" relativ~ to the wire core permits a degree of twist in the waveguide.
The present invention seeks to provide, in a simple construction, a corrugated waveguide which is capable of sustaining both bending and twisting movements.
According to the invention there is provided a flexible waveguide having corrugated walls the corrugations of which are inclined to the transverse planes of the waveguide, that is, planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide at an angle Or substantially 45. Such a corrugation angle has been found in practice to permit combined bending ~0 and twisting of the waveguide.
1~64~,41 ( - 2 -Upon f`lexlng of the waveguide according to the inventior, the waveguide can exhibit both bending and twisting def`orrnation. Such deformation can be useful for certain interfacing applications.
In some cases the degree of twist imparted to a length of the flexible waveguide will be a resùlt of a bending of the waveguide and will depend on the exact angle of the inclined corrugations, the length of the waveguide and the degree of ~ending imparted thereto. In other cases, bending and twisting deformations of the waveguide will be independent of each other.
The corrugations in the waveguide may be rectangular in cross sectional profile. Alternatively the corrugations may have a substantially sinusoidal cross sectional profile, applicable more particularly to the larger sizes of waveguide.
The waveguide according to the invention is preferably seamless. The corrugations may be obtained by, for example, an hydraulic cold-forming process or an electro-forming process.
The seamless flexible waveguide according to preferred embodiments of the invention, in contrast with previously known twistable waveguides, does not have any discontinuity between adjacent corrugations, for permitting relative sliding movement between these corrugations. Since the corrugations are formed in a single piece of sheet metal without discontinuity the degree of radio frequency leakage exhibited by the flexible 126a,241 waveguide according to the invention is potentially less than that exhibited by flexible waveguides of the traditional construction referred to previously.
The term 'seamless' used in the present speci~ication refers to the absence of any seam or discontinuity between adjacent corrugations: the presence of one or more longitudinally extending seams is not precluded. For example, the waveguide may be fabricated from sheet metal formed into a tubular section by joining along one or more longitudinally extending seams. Such seams may for example be made by welding or brazing. Such seams do not affect the electrical continuity of the waveguide, which is accordingly still characterised as 'seamless'.
When the waveguide is fabricated from sheet metal which is formed and seamed longitudinally the corrugations may be made in the sheet metal before the tubular section is formed.
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying purely diagrammatic drawings, in which:
~264;~41 Figures 1 to 4 are respective plan views of sections of flexible waveguide according to four different embodiments of the invention, Figure 5 is a perspective view of part of the flexible waveguide illustrated in Figure 3, with annular corrugations, illustrating its flexing and twisting characteristics, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of the flexible waveguide illustrated in Figure 3 with multi-start helical corrugations, showing its flexing and twisting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figures 1 to 4 illustrate sections of flexible waveguide 1 the walls of which are continuous, that is/ seamless, and is formed with corrugations 2 which are inclined at an angle ~ of substantially 45 to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide 1. In other words, the corrugations 2 are inclined at 45 to the transverse planes in which the corrugations of a conventional flexible waveguide would normally lie.
The corrugations 2 in the waveguide are preferably of helical or spiral configuration, as illustrated dia-grammatically in Figures 1 and 2 respectively, with a pitch angle a of 45. Alternatively, the corrugations
2 may be fully annular, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Where the corrugations 2 are of helical form, the requisite corrugation pitch is achieved by conforming the corrugations to a multi-start helical configuration.
lZ~4;~4~
The individual corrugations, whether of spiral or annular form, may have a rectangular profile, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. Such corrugations are particularly applicable to the smaller sizes oi waveguide down to millimetric sizes and are readily formed by electroforming techniques, that is, by electrolytic deposition of the waveguide upon a former or arbor, which is subsequently dissolved.
The corrugations 2 of the waveguide may alternatively have a generally curved cross sectional profile, for example the sinusoidal profile illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 2 and 4. Corrugations of this profile are readily formed by hydraulic deformation of an initially smooth wall waveguide to conform to a profile determined by an external die or mould, the waveguide walls being deformed by the application of an internal hydraulic pressure.
Corrugations of this profile are suitable for waveguides of larger sizes up to 26 GHz.
It will be understood that in practice the electro-forming process may also be used for the production of waveguides of the kind illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, and the hydraulic forming method may be used for waveguides of the kind illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.
The inclined corrugations 2 of the flexible waveguide according to the invention permit flexing and twisting deformation of a section of waveguide, as illustrated schematically in Figure 5 and Figure 6.
A
~4~'4~L
The inclined corrugations al:low normal flexing of the waveguide perpendicular to its m~jor face, as indicated in broken outline in Figure 5 and Figure 6, and also a twisting deformation of the waveguide, as shown in full outline. The waveguide shown in Figure 5 has annular corrugations of rectangular profile inclined to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide, whereas the waveguide shown in Figure 6 has multi-start helical corrugations of rectangular profile.
In the illustrated embodiment, the flexing of the sections of waveguide 1 and 11 is indicated by the arrow F and is accompanied by a ~wisting deformation indicated by the arrow T. It will be seen that as a result of the bending and twisting of the wave-guide the opposite ends of the flexed section of waveguide, as well as lying in different planes as a result of the bending of the waveguide, are also angularly displaced relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.
The degree of twisting may be predetermined, for a given length of waveguide, by the degree of bending imparted to the waveguide, or may be completely independent of the flexing of the waveguide.
The invention has been described in its particular application to flexible waveguides of rectangular cross section; it will be understood, however, that the invention is also applicable to flexible waveguides of circular and other cross-sectional profiles~
~,
lZ~4;~4~
The individual corrugations, whether of spiral or annular form, may have a rectangular profile, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. Such corrugations are particularly applicable to the smaller sizes oi waveguide down to millimetric sizes and are readily formed by electroforming techniques, that is, by electrolytic deposition of the waveguide upon a former or arbor, which is subsequently dissolved.
The corrugations 2 of the waveguide may alternatively have a generally curved cross sectional profile, for example the sinusoidal profile illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 2 and 4. Corrugations of this profile are readily formed by hydraulic deformation of an initially smooth wall waveguide to conform to a profile determined by an external die or mould, the waveguide walls being deformed by the application of an internal hydraulic pressure.
Corrugations of this profile are suitable for waveguides of larger sizes up to 26 GHz.
It will be understood that in practice the electro-forming process may also be used for the production of waveguides of the kind illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, and the hydraulic forming method may be used for waveguides of the kind illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.
The inclined corrugations 2 of the flexible waveguide according to the invention permit flexing and twisting deformation of a section of waveguide, as illustrated schematically in Figure 5 and Figure 6.
A
~4~'4~L
The inclined corrugations al:low normal flexing of the waveguide perpendicular to its m~jor face, as indicated in broken outline in Figure 5 and Figure 6, and also a twisting deformation of the waveguide, as shown in full outline. The waveguide shown in Figure 5 has annular corrugations of rectangular profile inclined to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide, whereas the waveguide shown in Figure 6 has multi-start helical corrugations of rectangular profile.
In the illustrated embodiment, the flexing of the sections of waveguide 1 and 11 is indicated by the arrow F and is accompanied by a ~wisting deformation indicated by the arrow T. It will be seen that as a result of the bending and twisting of the wave-guide the opposite ends of the flexed section of waveguide, as well as lying in different planes as a result of the bending of the waveguide, are also angularly displaced relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.
The degree of twisting may be predetermined, for a given length of waveguide, by the degree of bending imparted to the waveguide, or may be completely independent of the flexing of the waveguide.
The invention has been described in its particular application to flexible waveguides of rectangular cross section; it will be understood, however, that the invention is also applicable to flexible waveguides of circular and other cross-sectional profiles~
~,
Claims (9)
1. A waveguide capable of being bent and twisted through substantial angles, and formed of discontinuity-free metal tubing with continuous corrugations of the wall of the waveguide extending all around the waveguide at an angle of subtantially 45° to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide.
2. A flexible waveguide according to claim 1, characterised in that the corrugations have a rectangular transverse profile.
3. A flexible waveguide according to claim 1, characterised in that the corrugations have a substantially sinusoidal transverse profile.
4. A waveguide according to claim 1 having substantially circular cross-section wherein the corrugations are continuous multi-start interwound helical corrugations at an angle of substantially 45° to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide.
A waveguide according to claim 1 having substantially rectangular cross-section wherein the corrugations are continuous multi-start interwound helical corrugations at an angle of substantially 45° to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide.
6. A waveguide according to claim 1 having substantially rectangular cross-section wherein the corrugations are obligue continuous annular corrugations in which the individual corrugations on each wall of the waveguide are at an angle of substantially 45° to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide.
7. A waveguide capable of being bent and twisted through substantial angles and consisting of seamless metal tubing with continuous multi-start interwound helical corrugations at an angle of substantially 45° to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide.
8. A flexible waveguide according to claim 7, characterised in that the corrugations have a rectangular transverse profile.
9. A flexible waveguide according to claim 7, characterised in that the corrugations have a substantially sinusoidal transverse profile.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000472472A CA1264241A (en) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-01-21 | Flexible waveguides |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000472472A CA1264241A (en) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-01-21 | Flexible waveguides |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1264241A true CA1264241A (en) | 1990-01-09 |
Family
ID=4129622
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000472472A Expired - Fee Related CA1264241A (en) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-01-21 | Flexible waveguides |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1264241A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019243766A1 (en) * | 2018-06-21 | 2019-12-26 | Airbus Defence And Space Limited | Flexible waveguide |
-
1985
- 1985-01-21 CA CA000472472A patent/CA1264241A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019243766A1 (en) * | 2018-06-21 | 2019-12-26 | Airbus Defence And Space Limited | Flexible waveguide |
| US11705612B2 (en) | 2018-06-21 | 2023-07-18 | Airbus Defence And Space Limited | Flexible waveguide |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |