EP2797160A1 - Rotary joint for millimeter wave scanning systems - Google Patents

Rotary joint for millimeter wave scanning systems Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2797160A1
EP2797160A1 EP13165015.2A EP13165015A EP2797160A1 EP 2797160 A1 EP2797160 A1 EP 2797160A1 EP 13165015 A EP13165015 A EP 13165015A EP 2797160 A1 EP2797160 A1 EP 2797160A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rotary joint
mode
signal
antenna
waveguide
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP13165015.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Hans-Ulrich Dr. Nickel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Spinner GmbH
Original Assignee
Spinner GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Spinner GmbH filed Critical Spinner GmbH
Priority to EP13165015.2A priority Critical patent/EP2797160A1/en
Publication of EP2797160A1 publication Critical patent/EP2797160A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01PWAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
    • H01P1/00Auxiliary devices
    • H01P1/06Movable joints, e.g. rotating joints
    • H01P1/062Movable joints, e.g. rotating joints the relative movement being a rotation
    • H01P1/066Movable joints, e.g. rotating joints the relative movement being a rotation with an unlimited angle of rotation
    • H01P1/067Movable joints, e.g. rotating joints the relative movement being a rotation with an unlimited angle of rotation the energy being transmitted in only one line located on the axis of rotation

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a rotary joint for millimeter wave scanning imaging systems for generating images of objects by using electromagnetic waves with wavelengths in the millimeter range.
  • a food scanning device using electromagnetic RF radiation is disclosed in DE 10 2009 047300 A1 . It has a source for generation for RF radiation and directing this radiation to a food article. The reflected radiation is received by a receiver and analyzed to obtain information about the composition of the food.
  • a scanning imaging system using millimeter waves is disclosed in US 2002/0044276 A1 .
  • a scanning reflector is used to sweep through a periodic scan pattern to redirect millimeter wave energy from a target object to a detector.
  • the problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a rotary joint system for a millimeter wave scanner for continuous scanning of objects.
  • a further object is to provide a comparatively simple, cost-efficient, and maintenance-free rotary joint.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary joint, which transfers electromagnetic waves with a constant and scanning angle independent polarization.
  • a rotary joint system for coupling millimeter wave signals or other radio frequency signals from a stationary transmitter to a rotating antenna.
  • the rotary joint system comprises a rotary joint and a mode converter.
  • An input signal to the rotary joint system is a signal from a transmitter, being guided in a rectangular waveguide, propagating in H 10 mode.
  • This input signal is converted by the mode converter into a H 11 mode in a circular waveguide.
  • This signal is further forwarded to a circular H 11 rotary joint coupling the signal to the rotating side into a further circular waveguide and the antenna.
  • the orientation (or polarization) of the electromagnetic field in this circular waveguide is identical with respect to the stationary transmitter. It does not rotate with rotation and therefore allows the antenna to radiate a signal with a constant polarization independent of the rotation angle.
  • the mode converter may be omitted, if the transmitter is able to generate a H 11 mode signal in a circular waveguide.
  • the antenna is a circular antenna.
  • the terms “circular waveguide” and “circular antenna” relate to waveguides and antennas having an approximately circular cross section. Such antennas may further have a conical shape.
  • a first embodiment of a rotary joint 10 is shown in a sectional view.
  • the rotary joint 10 comprises a first body section 11 and a second body section 12 rotatably mounted together by a first bearing 13 and a second bearing 14. Threaded holes 15 and 16 are provided for flange screws.
  • Threaded holes 15 and 16 are provided for flange screws.
  • a first waveguide section 21 and a second waveguide section 22 separated by a narrow gap 23 are provided.
  • at least one choke (not shown here) may be provided.
  • Fig. 2 the first embodiment of a rotary joint is shown in a top view as seen from the left side in figure 1 .
  • FIG. 3 the first embodiment of a rotary joint is shown in a bottom view as seen from the right side in figure 1 .
  • further mounting holes (26) for mounting the flange of the rotary joint can be seen.
  • Fig. 4 a schematic diagram of a rotary joint system is shown.
  • the electromagnetic waves generated by transmitter 39 are coupled by means of a first stationary rectangular waveguide 36 to a mode converter 35.
  • a cross-section of each waveguide together with the preferred transmission mode is shown.
  • the first stationary rectangular waveguide 36 has a rectangular cross-section, and its preferred propagation mode is H 10 .
  • the mode converter 35 converts the H 10 mode received by the rectangular waveguide 36 into an H 11 mode in a stationary circular waveguide 34.
  • the H 11 mode signal from the circular waveguide is coupled by the rotary joint 33 to another H 11 mode in rotating circular waveguide 32.
  • the signal propagating there through is emitted by antenna 31.
  • a transmitter 39 which directly may generate H 11 mode signals into a circular waveguide.

Abstract

A rotary joint system is provided for coupling millimeter wave signals or other radio frequency signals from a stationary transmitter to a rotating antenna. The rotary joint system comprises a rotary joint and a mode converter. An input signal to the rotary joint system is a signal from a transmitter, being guided in a rectangular waveguide, propagating in H10 mode. This input signal is converted by the mode converter into a H11 mode in a circular waveguide. This signal is further forwarded to a circular H11 rotary joint coupling the signal to the rotating side into a further circular waveguide and the antenna. The orientation (or polarization) of the electromagnetic field in this circular waveguide is identical with respect to the stationary transmitter. It does not rotate with rotation and therefore allows the antenna to radiate a signal with a constant polarization independent of the rotation angle.

Description

    Field of the invention
  • The invention relates to a rotary joint for millimeter wave scanning imaging systems for generating images of objects by using electromagnetic waves with wavelengths in the millimeter range.
  • Description of the related art
  • A food scanning device using electromagnetic RF radiation is disclosed in DE 10 2009 047300 A1 . It has a source for generation for RF radiation and directing this radiation to a food article. The reflected radiation is received by a receiver and analyzed to obtain information about the composition of the food.
  • A scanning imaging system using millimeter waves is disclosed in US 2002/0044276 A1 . Herein, a scanning reflector is used to sweep through a periodic scan pattern to redirect millimeter wave energy from a target object to a detector.
  • Summary of the invention
  • The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a rotary joint system for a millimeter wave scanner for continuous scanning of objects. A further object is to provide a comparatively simple, cost-efficient, and maintenance-free rotary joint. Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary joint, which transfers electromagnetic waves with a constant and scanning angle independent polarization.
  • Solutions of the problem are described in the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to further improvements of the invention.
  • In a first embodiment, a rotary joint system is provided for coupling millimeter wave signals or other radio frequency signals from a stationary transmitter to a rotating antenna. The rotary joint system comprises a rotary joint and a mode converter. An input signal to the rotary joint system is a signal from a transmitter, being guided in a rectangular waveguide, propagating in H10 mode. This input signal is converted by the mode converter into a H11 mode in a circular waveguide. This signal is further forwarded to a circular H11 rotary joint coupling the signal to the rotating side into a further circular waveguide and the antenna. The orientation (or polarization) of the electromagnetic field in this circular waveguide is identical with respect to the stationary transmitter. It does not rotate with rotation and therefore allows the antenna to radiate a signal with a constant polarization independent of the rotation angle. The mode converter may be omitted, if the transmitter is able to generate a H11 mode signal in a circular waveguide.
  • It is preferred, if the antenna is a circular antenna. Herein, the terms "circular waveguide" and "circular antenna" relate to waveguides and antennas having an approximately circular cross section. Such antennas may further have a conical shape.
  • Description of Drawings
  • In the following, the invention will be described by way of example, without limitation of the general inventive concept, on examples of embodiment with reference to the drawings.
    • Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a rotary joint in a sectional view.
    • Fig. 2 shows the first embodiment of a rotary joint in a top view.
    • Fig. 3 shows the first embodiment of a rotary joint in a bottom view.
    • Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a rotary joint system.
  • In Fig. 1, a first embodiment of a rotary joint 10 is shown in a sectional view. The rotary joint 10 comprises a first body section 11 and a second body section 12 rotatably mounted together by a first bearing 13 and a second bearing 14. Threaded holes 15 and 16 are provided for flange screws. For transferring millimeter waves or any other kind of RF signals, a first waveguide section 21 and a second waveguide section 22 separated by a narrow gap 23 are provided. For electrically closing the gap, at least one choke (not shown here) may be provided. There may be at least one alignment pin 24, 25 for aligning an external waveguide with the rotary joint.
  • In Fig. 2, the first embodiment of a rotary joint is shown in a top view as seen from the left side in figure 1.
  • In Fig. 3, the first embodiment of a rotary joint is shown in a bottom view as seen from the right side in figure 1. Here, further mounting holes (26) for mounting the flange of the rotary joint can be seen.
  • In Fig. 4, a schematic diagram of a rotary joint system is shown. The electromagnetic waves generated by transmitter 39 are coupled by means of a first stationary rectangular waveguide 36 to a mode converter 35. In this figure, a cross-section of each waveguide together with the preferred transmission mode is shown. Accordingly, the first stationary rectangular waveguide 36 has a rectangular cross-section, and its preferred propagation mode is H10. The mode converter 35 converts the H10 mode received by the rectangular waveguide 36 into an H11 mode in a stationary circular waveguide 34. The H11 mode signal from the circular waveguide is coupled by the rotary joint 33 to another H11 mode in rotating circular waveguide 32. The signal propagating there through is emitted by antenna 31. Instead of the mode converter 35 and the first stationary rectangular waveguide 36, there may be a transmitter 39, which directly may generate H11 mode signals into a circular waveguide. List of reference numerals
    10 rotary joint
    11 first body section
    12 second body section
    13 first bearing
    14 second bearing
    15 first threaded hole
    16 second threaded hole
    21 first waveguide section
    22 second waveguide section
    23 gap
    24 first alignment pins
    25 second alignment pins
    26 mounting holes
    31 antenna
    32 circular waveguide
    33 rotary joint
    34 stationary circular waveguide
    35 mode converter
    36 stationary rectangular waveguide
    39 transmitter

Claims (2)

  1. A rotary joint system for coupling millimeter wave signals from a stationary transmitter (39) to a rotating antenna (31) comprising:
    - a mode converter (35) for converting the signals of the transmitter into a H11 mode signal in a circular waveguide, and
    - a rotary joint (10, 33) for coupling the signals in H11 mode from the mode converter to the rotating antenna.
  2. Scanning imaging system according to claim 1,
    characterized in that
    the rotating antenna (31) is a circular cross sectioned antenna.
EP13165015.2A 2013-04-23 2013-04-23 Rotary joint for millimeter wave scanning systems Withdrawn EP2797160A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13165015.2A EP2797160A1 (en) 2013-04-23 2013-04-23 Rotary joint for millimeter wave scanning systems

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13165015.2A EP2797160A1 (en) 2013-04-23 2013-04-23 Rotary joint for millimeter wave scanning systems

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2797160A1 true EP2797160A1 (en) 2014-10-29

Family

ID=48182768

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13165015.2A Withdrawn EP2797160A1 (en) 2013-04-23 2013-04-23 Rotary joint for millimeter wave scanning systems

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2797160A1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105186071A (en) * 2015-09-30 2015-12-23 西安艾力特电子实业有限公司 Novel one-way microwave rotary joint
CN107039715A (en) * 2017-05-23 2017-08-11 西安星展测控科技股份有限公司 The gapless waveguide junction of contact
CN107069151A (en) * 2017-05-23 2017-08-18 西安星展测控科技股份有限公司 A kind of waveguide junction of adjustable clearance
CN107192987A (en) * 2017-07-27 2017-09-22 南京俊禄科技有限公司 A kind of marine radar transceiver device
CN112290173A (en) * 2020-10-12 2021-01-29 盐城市星地通信设备有限公司 Contact type gapless waveguide rotary joint
CN113809489A (en) * 2021-08-13 2021-12-17 电子科技大学长三角研究院(湖州) Terahertz full-duplex waveguide rotary joint based on diaphragm polarizer

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS639301A (en) * 1986-06-30 1988-01-16 Nec Corp Waveguide device
US20020044276A1 (en) * 1998-08-05 2002-04-18 Microvision, Inc. Millimeter wave scanning imaging system
EP1291965A1 (en) * 2001-03-02 2003-03-12 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Antenna
US20040135657A1 (en) * 2002-04-02 2004-07-15 Yoji Aramaki Rotary joint

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS639301A (en) * 1986-06-30 1988-01-16 Nec Corp Waveguide device
US20020044276A1 (en) * 1998-08-05 2002-04-18 Microvision, Inc. Millimeter wave scanning imaging system
EP1291965A1 (en) * 2001-03-02 2003-03-12 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Antenna
US20040135657A1 (en) * 2002-04-02 2004-07-15 Yoji Aramaki Rotary joint

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105186071A (en) * 2015-09-30 2015-12-23 西安艾力特电子实业有限公司 Novel one-way microwave rotary joint
CN107039715A (en) * 2017-05-23 2017-08-11 西安星展测控科技股份有限公司 The gapless waveguide junction of contact
CN107069151A (en) * 2017-05-23 2017-08-18 西安星展测控科技股份有限公司 A kind of waveguide junction of adjustable clearance
CN107069151B (en) * 2017-05-23 2022-02-25 星展测控科技股份有限公司 Waveguide rotary joint with adjustable gap
CN107039715B (en) * 2017-05-23 2022-05-17 星展测控科技股份有限公司 Contact type gapless waveguide rotary joint
CN107192987A (en) * 2017-07-27 2017-09-22 南京俊禄科技有限公司 A kind of marine radar transceiver device
CN112290173A (en) * 2020-10-12 2021-01-29 盐城市星地通信设备有限公司 Contact type gapless waveguide rotary joint
CN112290173B (en) * 2020-10-12 2021-07-20 盐城市星地通信设备有限公司 Contact type gapless waveguide rotary joint
CN113809489A (en) * 2021-08-13 2021-12-17 电子科技大学长三角研究院(湖州) Terahertz full-duplex waveguide rotary joint based on diaphragm polarizer

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