EP0349842B1 - Polarisation-selective waveguide-junction - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a waveguide polarization switch according to the preamble of claim 1.

A waveguide polarization switch for separating orthogonally linearly polarized electromagnetic waves has become known, for example, from DE-OS 26 51 935. It consists of an input-side waveguide section of square cross section, in which preferably H ₁₀ and H₀₁ waves are to be guided, which are linearly and orthogonally polarized with respect to one another with respect to their field strength vectors. In order to be able to separate the two polarizations, there are two opposing walls of the waveguide section recessed rectangular coupling window, each of which branches off a waveguide arm. Both branching arms are then combined again by interposing manifolds in a common broadband branch.

A somewhat more compact waveguide polarization switch is also known from DE-33 45 689 A1, in which the lateral waveguide arms branch off from the waveguide section at an acute angle and, after switching on an E-plane bend, to that through the longitudinal axis of the waveguide section given main direction are approximately parallel and converge in the broadband branch after switching on another, S-shaped E-level elbow.

Finally, however, conventional polarizing switches have also become known, in which, for example, the waveguide section with a square cross section on the input side leads to a transverse short circuit, above which a rectangular cutout running in the longitudinal direction is introduced as coupling window on the opposite side wall of the waveguide section, to which an H- Manifold or angle connects. This ensures that the two separate waves, each with polarization planes offset by 90 °, have a vertical and offset transverse rectangular slot, to which, for example, a subsequent microwave converter can be connected, on a common connection plane.

Such high-precision parts are extremely expensive to manufacture. For this it is possible in one case to use a polarization switch milling from two full pieces that can be joined along their plane of symmetry. For this purpose, a corresponding cast body is separated in the common central plane formed by the elbow and the feeding waveguide section and in both halves the feeding waveguide section guiding both polarizations and the two waveguide branches leading away from it for the continuation of the differently polarized electromagnetic waves including a short circuit piece and one on the opposite side to be inserted coupling window.

Because of the specific geometry, however, it is not possible to produce it by casting, for example, from two or more parts, which is why only the above-mentioned complex manufacturing processes can be carried out.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, starting from the last-mentioned prior art, to nevertheless create a possibility of producing a waveguide polarizing switch considerably more favorably than in the prior art by avoiding costly turning and milling work.

The object is achieved according to the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The present invention surprisingly creates the possibility of previously unknown Way to assemble a waveguide polarization switch from, for example, two cast parts. The mold parts can be made, for example, from zinc, brass or, for example, also from an aluminum die casting.

According to the invention, in contrast to the prior art, the two components of the polarization switch are not separated in the plane formed jointly by the elbow and the feeding waveguide section, but rather are separated along a cutting plane running transversely thereto. This cutting plane can now be arranged in the region of the coupling window lying transversely to the longitudinal extent of the coupling window in such a way that the cutting plane in principle leads through the elbow or angle in the H-elbow or angle and / or through the short-circuit piece arranged below the coupling window . Manufacture by means of die-cast parts is still possible according to the invention if the section of the elbow or angle piece projecting over the cutting plane is in each case designed for the waveguide section on the input side and a possible short-circuit piece protruding over the cutting plane is nevertheless formed for the component on the output side. In other words, with possibly even slightly tapered walls - as is typical in die-cast parts - a waveguide polarization switch can be easily assembled from two body parts formed in this way, the corresponding parts mentioned above (end of the elbow or angle piece and / or a partial length of the short-circuit piece) each engage in a corresponding recess in the other body part. This type of separation avoids that tool parts, molds and punches do not have to be moved in opposite directions when touched, which would lead to rapid impairment and destruction.

Figur 1 :

die aus zwei Teilen zusammengesetzte Hohlleiter-Polarisationsweiche im vertikalen Längsschnitt quer zur Trennungsebene, wobei die beiden Teile in leichtem Abstand zueinander vor dem endgültigen Zusammenfügen gezeigt sind;

Figur 2 :

eine rückwärtige Ansicht auf das erste Bauteil der Hohlleiter-Polarisationsweiche mit dem quadaratischen Hohlleiterabschnitt;

Figur 3 :

eine rückwärtige Stirnansicht auf das erste Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2;

Figur 4 :

einen Vertikalschnitt durch ein abgewandeltes Ausführungsbeispiel mit etwas versetzt liegender Schnittebene zu den Figuren 1 bis 3;

Figur 5 :

eine weitere Abwandlung zu Figur 4;

Figur 6a und 6b :

zwei weitere auszugsweise dargestellte Abwandlungen mit unterschiedlichem Verlauf der Trennungsebenen.

Further advantages, details and features of the invention result below from the exemplary embodiments illustrated with reference to drawings. The following show in detail:

Figure 1:

the waveguide polarization crossover composed of two parts in a vertical longitudinal section transverse to the plane of separation, the two parts being shown at a slight distance from one another before final assembly;

Figure 2:

a rear view of the first component of the waveguide polarization switch with the quadratic waveguide section;

Figure 3:

a rear end view of the first embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4:

a vertical section through a modified embodiment with a slightly offset sectional plane to Figures 1 to 3;

Figure 5:

a further modification to Figure 4;

6a and 6b:

two further excerpts shown with different course of the separation levels.

In the following, reference is made to the first exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4. In Figures 1 to 4 a polarizing switch 1, consisting of the components 1 'and 1˝, is shown.

A first waveguide section 3, which is square in front view, is connected to a waveguide gate 5. Via a waveguide that can be connected here, for example a waveguide that is square or round in cross section, e.g. one H₁₀ and H₀₁ or two H₁₁ waves are transmitted, that is, two waves whose polarization planes are offset by 90 ° to one another in the direction of propagation.

In the interior of the components there is a short-circuit step or bridge 9 which runs at right angles to the direction of propagation 7. Behind it, the further extending first waveguide branch 11 is reduced in height while the width of the waveguide remains the same, i.e. usually halved, so that here only the vertically polarized electromagnetic wave, i.e. H. a H₁₀ wave is transmitted further. The lower short-circuit stage 9 and an upper bridge 10 which reduces the cross-sectional height are shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. A rectangular coupling opening or a coupling window 13 extends in the longitudinal direction centrally above the short-circuit stage 9. From there, the second waveguide branch 15 extends, which via a bend or an angle, in the exemplary embodiment shown an angle 17, to a polarization gate 21, which is above of the first polarization gate 19 connected to the first waveguide branch 11.

In principle, the angle 17 is an H-bend.

The first and second component 1 'and 1˝ is separated by the cutting plane 23 which runs between the components and is shown in broken lines in the exemplary embodiment.

However, the two components could not be produced using the die casting process unless an exception or deviation from the theoretically defined cutting plane 23, which is discussed in more detail below, is provided.

For this purpose, in the left component 1 'shown in Figure 1' a projection 25 belonging to the elbow or angle 17 is shown, which protrudes beyond the actual cutting plane 23 and is nevertheless part of the first, i.e. in Figure 1 left component 1 'is the polarization switch. In this area, the second component 1˝ has a corresponding recess 27 into which the remaining projection 25, which forms part of the angle 17, engages when the components are joined together.

With this design, the first as well as the second component 1 'or 1˝ can be formed in the die-casting process with walls that taper conically towards the exits. This makes it possible, in the die casting process, to move apart the molds and punches required for this purpose without mutual contact and friction in order to expose the components produced in this way. Warping already proves to be problematic here if individual walls would run directly in the direction of pull of the mold and stamp, which is why at least slightly widening wall sections are desired in the pull-out direction.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is a waveguide polarization switch which is similar in principle and which is only shown in a vertical longitudinal sectional view.

However, in this exemplary embodiment the basic cutting plane 23 is arranged such that it does not cut the upper angle 17 and, in the case of a bend provided here, the bend itself. In this case, a corresponding projection 25 'is formed in the short circuit stage 9. In other words, the projection 25 'belonging to the short-circuit stage 9' is designed to belong to the left-hand first component 1 'shown in FIG. 5, although in the assembled position it projects beyond the cutting plane 23 into the second component 1'.

In an analogous application to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4, the sectional plane 23 could be arranged exactly at the beginning of the short-circuit stage 9, so that in this case only the protrusion 25, as an outgoing part of the angle or Elbow 17 over the cutting plane 23 projecting to the first component 1 'would have to be formed.

For the sake of completeness, FIG. 5 will now be used to explain in the embodiment according to FIG. 5 that an arrangement of the cutting plane in a central position relative to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4 or according to FIG 5 could be arranged so that both the upper and the lower projection 25 and 25 'are each associated with the opposite component 1' and 1˝ and alternately protrude into the other component when joining over the actual theoretical cutting plane 23 .

Only for the sake of completeness it should be mentioned that, in deviation from the exemplary embodiment shown, the undercut 29 or 29 'behind the projections does not have to run back at right angles to the cutting plane 23, but can also run at an acute angle to the cutting plane 23, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 6a and 6b with the reference numerals 31 and 31 'is indicated.

Finally, the tapered separating surfaces to the cutting plane 23 could also be offset such that each of the projection 25 or 25 'the further course of the separating plane between the two components 1' and 1 'did not return to the actual theoretical cutting plane 23, but parallel to the outside runs as shown in dashed lines in Figure 6a and Figure 6b with reference numerals 33 and 33 '.

As was not explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the two components 1 'and 1˝ are centered over projections 37 which are offset from the actual waveguides and which engage in corresponding blind holes 39 on the other component. Furthermore, further openings or bores are provided through which cylinder screws can be inserted and screwed down by unscrewing nuts.

As can be seen particularly from FIG. 1, in the immediate section plane area 23, i. in the actual contact area between the components 1 'and 1˝ both the opposite sections of the waveguide 3 and the subdivided waveguide branches 11 and 15 are formed as contact surface areas 41 which are slightly raised relative to the remaining side surface areas. Even if, for example, the individual waveguide line sections are provided with precisely fitting devices to achieve a snug fit and the two waveguide components can be produced with such accuracy and tolerance as die-cast or extruded parts that u. U. reworking of the actual contact surface areas 41 is not necessary, this can nevertheless be carried out without problems at these points, since the actual contact surface areas 41 protrude somewhat. But despite any reworking that may be necessary here, the production costs are far lower than in the prior art, since the waveguide sections do not otherwise have to be worked out. Any necessary reworking is of little importance.

Claims (13)

1. Waveguide polarization switch having a waveguide section (3) starting at a waveguide gate (5), for transferring two linearly polarized waves having polarization planes arranged vertically to each other, a further first waveguide branch (11) forming an extension to the waveguide section (3), said waveguide branch (11) starting at a short-circuit stage (9) for transferring just one polarization plane of the wave and ending at a first polarization gate (19), and a second waveguide branch (15) which starts at the transition from the waveguide section (3) to the first waveguide branch (11) at a rectangular coupling window (13) incorporated in a lateral wall opposite the short-circuit stage (9), extending in the direction of propagation and leading via an H-elbow or angle (17) to a second polarization gate (21), so that the directions of propagation of the waves present at the first and second polarization gates (19, 21) extend in parallel or have at least a common parallel component, the waveguide polarization switch consisting of at least two elements in the form of castings (1', 1''), characterized in that the polarization switch (1) is divided substantially by a section plane (23) extending transversely relative to the coupling window (13) and to the direction of propagation (7) into the first and the second elements (1', 1''), the actual dividing surface between the two elements (1', 1'') extending such that the one and/or the other element (1', 1'') comprising at least one projection (25, 25') in such a manner that an elbow or angle section (25) remaining relative to the section plane (23) on the side of the second element (1'') comprising the first and second polarization gates (19, 21) is formed to extend beyond the section plane (23) and to belong to the first element (1') and/or that a short-circuit stage (9, 25') lying, relative to the section plane (23), on the side of the first element (1') comprising the waveguide gate (5) is formed to protrude beyond the section plane (23) in the opposite direction and to belong to the second element (1'').
2. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the section plane (23) extends in such a way that it intersects with the coupling window (13) and the area of the second waveguide branch (15) so that only a section or projection (25) remaining at the elbow or angle (17) is formed to extend beyond the section plane (23).
3. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the projection (25) formed by the remaining elbow or angle section is returned, in a cross sectional view, transversely relative to the section plane (23), if required, via a curved section from its maximum elevation with a rectangular cut-out (29) vertically relative to the section plane (23).
4. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in any one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the section plane (23) is returned from the projection (25) formed by the protruding elbow or angle section at an acute angle to the section plane (23).
5. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in any one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the sectional surface (23) extends externally from the projection (25) formed by the protruding angle or elbow section parallel to the section plane (23).
6. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the protruding projection (25) is rounded.
7. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the projection (25) engages with a corresponding recess (27) on the adjacent element (1'').
8. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the section plane (23) extends so that it intersects with the coupling window (13) and with the area of the first and second waveguide branches (11, 15) such that merely a section or projection (25') remaining at the short-circuit stage (9) is formed to protrude beyond the section plane (23).
9. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the projection (25') formed by the remaining short-circuit section is returned, in a cross sectional view, transversely to the section plane (23) from its maximum elevation opposite the section plane (23) with a rectangular cut-out (29) vertically relative to the section plane (23).
10. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the section plane (23) is returned from the projection (25) formed by the protruding short-circuit stage section at an acute angle to the section plane (23).
11. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the section plane (23) extends from the projection (25') formed by the protruding short-circuit stage section outwardly parallel to the section plane (23).
12. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the two elements (1', 1'') are provided in the immediate area around the waveguide sections (3, 11, 15) divided by the section plane (23) with a contact surface area (41) standing proud of the remaining lateral surface of the elements (1', 1'').
13. Waveguide polarization switch as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that the proud contact surface area is post-processed.

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