US3328547A

US3328547A - Coaxial cross-point relay

Info

Publication number: US3328547A
Application number: US429855A
Authority: US
Inventors: Coenraad Van Loo
Original assignee: Jennings Radio Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Jennings Radio Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 1965-02-01
Filing date: 1965-02-02
Publication date: 1967-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 1984-06-27
Also published as: CH450552A; BE675858A; GB1131274A; NL6601301A; NL6601360A; FR1525000A; US3342966A; DE1491951A1

Description

June 27, 1967 c. VAN I OO 3,328,547

COAXIAL CROSS-POINT RELAY Filed Feb. 2. 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 nn l Il am 74 78 JJ 22 S INVENTOR..

COENRAAD VAN LOO Wgm June 27, 1967 C. VAN L00 3,328,547

COAXIAL .CROSSPOINT RELAY Filed Feb. 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. COENRAAD VAN `L00 BYWQM United States Patent O 3,328,547 COAXIAL CROSS-POINT RELAY Coenraad Van Loo, San `lose, Calif., assigner to Jennings Radio Manufacturing Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 429,855 14 Claims. (Cl. 20G-153) This invention relates to coaxial relays, and particular to a vacuum coaxial cross-point relay.

Cross-point matrices are useful in the communication arts to connect a single receiving or transmitting station with one or more receiving or transmitting antennae. It has been the practice in conventional matrices to utilize a plurality of separate individually controlled relays to accomplish this function. This has resulted in space-consuming complicated arrays such as that disclosed in the United States Patent Number 2,938,999 issued to William A. Etter on May 3l, 1960, and in the necessity of an unwieldy control circuit to control the multiplicity of relays incorporated in such matrices. It also results in needless expense and multiplication of parts. It is therefore one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a selectivity and versatility in cross-point switching not heretofore available With known cross-point relays.

One of the disadvantages of conventional coaxial relays hase been the existence of undesirable inductive capacitance resulting in cross-talk between adjacent circuits. This problem is a difficult one because solutions to this problem usually create other undesirable problems such as difficulty of fabrication or disruption of the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR). Accordingly, another principal object of the invention is to provide a crosspoint type coaxial relay designed to eliminate cross talk between adjacent circuits while providing a low voltage standing Wave ratio in the order of 111.085.

Another disadvantage found in conventional vacuum coaxial relays is the absence of characteristics which render such relays suitable 4for operation over a wide band of the frequency spectrum. It is therefore a still further object of the invention to provide a cross-point type vacuum coaxial relay suitable for wide band operation in the frequency range, say, from to 600 megacycles at power ratings up to 5 kilowatts.

Because communication installations are expensive in terms of time and materials, there is great reluctance to modify an existing system to incorporate new components unless such new components fit int-o the framework of cost and function originally planned for the installation. Any new device, such as a new, vacuum coaxial relay, is required to fit conveniently into the original concept of design of the system and associated equipment which the systems manufacturer already has operating in the field, or which it is presently designing for future installation. Accordingly, it is -a still further object of the invention to provide a coaxial relay of the cross-point type which will readily accommodate standard coaxial connectors, or a combination thereof, to render the relay compatible with existing systems.

Coaxial ymatrices of conventional design have heretofore utilized devices such as relays and connecting hardware which rendered such matrices voluminous and heavy, thus precluding or restricting their use in airborne equipment where space and weight are important factors. It is therefore another object of the invention to provide a vacuum coaxial relay of the two-pole, two-position cross-point type which is compact in configuration, low in weight, and which is provided with standard coaxial fittings in a manner to minimize the space requirements of a matrix in which it is incorporated.

The economical manufacture or reliable vacuum electronic components of any type is a difficult task, principalice ly because the design of such components requires skilled mechanical and electronic engineers capable of producing a component design that can be mass-produced and still perform the intended functions. Additionally the manufacturer of vacuum devices `requires considerable quality control and careful handling of the parts prior to their assembly, and considerable care in the necessary processing and testing of each device after it has been assembled. Accordingly, it is a still further object of the invention to provide a vacuum coaxial relay which is made up from parts which may be accurately fabricated and expeditiously assembled into a composite whole by mass production techniques.

The invention processes other -objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be apparent from the following description and drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the embodiment illustrated and described, as it may be embodied in various forms within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. l is a vertical cross-sectional view taken in the plane indicated by the line 1-1 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is an elevation taken in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 in FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the fixed contact support plate shown apart from the remaining portion of the relay.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, with the fixed contact support plate removed to disclose the underlying mobile contact assembly. The view illustrates the relationship Abetween the fixed contacts and the mobile contact assembly.

Broadly considered, the coaxial cross-point relay of the invention comprises an evacuated metallic envelope including at one end a cup-shaped shell member having around its open periphery a radially outwardly extending flange. This cup-shaped end member insulatedly supports a plurality of conductors terminating within the envelope in fixed contact points, selected ones of which are adapted to be engaged and disengaged by a movable contact assembly. The other end of the envelope is closed by a generally conically-shaped metallic shell, having a radially outwardly extending peripheral fiange abutting the fiange of the opposing cup-shaped end member, and also supporting an actuator mechanism extending axially into the envelope and supporting the movable contact assembly. Means are provided interposed between the two cupshaped shells constituting the envelope to effect their alignment prior to final seal, and also to function as a ground plane to which selected ones of the movable contacts may be abutted. Coaxial connectors are detachably mounted on the first mentioned relatively shallow cupshaped shell member in a manner to engage the tubular conductors which terminate in the contact points. The manner of connection of the coaxial connectors is such as to insure that the transition from an air dielectric to a vacuum dielectric does not result in reflection of the radio signal or an abrupt change in the voltage standing wave ratio. Means are also provided within the envelope constituting ground planes against which selected sets of movable contact blades may abut when the switch is actuated.

In terms of greater detail, the vacuum coaxial crosspoint relay of the invention comprises an evacuated metallic envelope designated generally by the numeral 2, including a relatively shallow metallic cup-shaped shell 3, formed from a base plate 4 having a peripheral cylindrical flange 6, thereabout as shown best in FIG.l. The cylindrical fiange 6 is provided with a radially outwardly extending seal flange 7. The base plate 4 is provided with a plurality of radially and circumferentially spaced apertures 8, each of the apertures 8 being provided with a chamfer which results in a thin edge portion 9 as shown in FIG. 1, and to which the ange member 12 of tubular dielectric member 13 is hermetically brazed.

Extending through and hermetically brazed within the tubular dielectric members 13 extending through the apertures 8 are tubular conductors, 14, 16, 17 and 18, terminating within the envelope in radially inwardly extending

contact points

19, 21, 22 and respectively, 23, as shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each of the

tubular conductors

14, 16, 17 and 18 is adapted to be connected conductively by the pin connectors 24 carried by conventional

coaxial fittings

26, 27, 28 and 29 shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2. These latter are detachably secured to a mounting plate 31, which is in turn detachably secured to a support plate 32, brazed to the end plate 4 of the envelope. The plate 31 at the occurrence of each of the conventional coaxial couplings is bored to provide an aperture 33 having a diameter gauged to cooperate with the diameter of the dielectric member 13 to provide a smooth transition from the air dielectric within aperture 33 to the vacuum dielectric within the envelope.

Attachment of the conventional coaxial couplings to the base plate 31 is accomplished by screws 34 as shown. Attached to the inner side of end wall 4 opposite the plate v32 is a tubular shell 36 having a radially inwardly extending ange 37 and forming a ground plane against which elements of the mobile contact assembly may abut during operation of the switch. The aperture defined by the flange 37 is preferably rectangular as shown best in FIG. 3, with the corners of the rectangular aperture being in line with -opposed fixed :contacts 16-23 and 19-22. The tubular member 36 thus cooperates with other structure to be subsequently described to insure that the impedance through the switch remains substantially the same as the impedance through the transmission line.

Closing the open end of the cup-shaped 3, is a second cup-shaped member 38 having a conical section 39 which merges into a radially extending flat shoulder portion 41,which in turn is integral with a cylindrically extending fiange portion 4t2, provided at its outer peripheral edge with a radially outwardly extending fiange 43 adapted to be heliarc welded to the flange 7 on cupshaped member 3. At its other end, the cup-shaped member 38 is provided with a cylindrically extending portion 44 merging with a radically inwardly extending portion 47. Within theflange portion 47 is heliarc welded the outer open end 48 lof an expansible `metallic bellow 49, the inner end of which is heliarc welded to a tubular fiange S1 having one end thereof brazed as at 52 about the actuator shaft 53 adjacent its inner end. The outer end of the actuator shaft 53 is provided with a threaded section 54, while the ,inner end of the shaft 53 is provided with a reduced in diameter` portion S6.

On the inner end of the actuator shaft is supported a mobile contact assembly including a cruciform dielectric support plate 62, arranged perpendicularly withl respect to the axis of the actuator shaft. The dielectric support plate 62 has appreciable thickness, in order of about 3/16 of an inch, and is shown best in FIGS. l and 4. Adjacent the ends of each pair of its cruciform arms, but on opposite surfaces on perpendicularly disposed pairs of arms, are brazed two pairs of conductive

resilient contact blades

63 and 64. As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 4, the blades of the pair of contact blades 63 are spaced apart on opposite sides of the axis of the actuator shaft and are brazed in the right hand surface of the dielectric member 62. Each blade of the pair includes a central portion 66 brazed to the end of the associated arm of the cruciform dielectric member, and laterally extending thin reslient

metallic finger portions

67 and 68 extending in opposite directions perpendicular to the arm on which it is attached and as shown best in FIGS. l and 2.

The resilient contact blades 64 are likewise spaced apart on opposite sides of the axis of the actuator shaft but are supported on the opposite side of the cruciform dielectric member 62 from the blades 63. Each of these contact blades is provided with a central body portion 68, which overlaps and is brazed to the end portion of the associated arm of the cruciform vdielectric support member, and with laterally extending thin resilient

metallic finger portions

69 and 71 extending in opposite directions perpendicular to the arms on which it is attached as shown best in FIGS. 1 and.4.The mobile -contact assembly is secured to the actuator shaft by a grommet 72 brazed to the reduced-in-diameter portion 56 of the shaft as shown best in FIG. l.

It will thus be seen that the mobile contact assembly is spaced with respect to fixed contact points 19, 21, 22 and 23 so that one pair of the

resilient contact blades

63 and 64 are positioned on one side of the fixed contact points and the other pair of contact blades 63 or 64v are positioned on the opposite side of the fixed contact points. Accordingly, when the actuator shaft isk displaced in an axial direction by any appropriate means (not shown), the mobile contact assembly moves from left to right and back again so as to bring first one pair of contact blades, such as 63, into contact with 2 selected pairs of the fixed contact points, while when the mobile contact assembly is moved in the opposite direction, i.e., toward the support plate 4, the Contact blades 64 are brought into conductive contact with a different set ofy two selected pairs of fixed contact points.

Thus, as seen in FIG. l, expansion by the bellows by atmospheric pressure will effect engagement and interconnection of the fixed

contacts

19 and 23 by one of the contact blades 64 to complete a circuit therethrough, while the fixed contact points 21 and 22 will be engaged and interconnected by the opposite contact blade 64 of the same pair. On the other hand, when the actuator of the switch is energized, as by a solenoid, or by hand, to overcome atmospheric pressure and thus collapse the bellows to displace the pair of mobile contact blades 63 to the left as viewed in FIG. 1, the pair of resilient contact blades 63 will conductively conne-ct fixed contact point 19 to fixed contact point 21, and fixed contact point 22 to fixed contact point 23. It will accordingly be seen that a cross-point connection has been effected between the enumerated fixed contact points.

In order to yeliminate crosstalk `between the pairs of contact points and pairs of circuits that are open condition, shield means are provided within the envelope interposed between the

resilient contact blades

63 and 64 in a manner to effect shielding of these contact blades from each -other by providing a ground plane disposed therebetween. This is accomplished by providing a hollow metallic shell-like ground like member 73, shown best in FIG. 1, and comprised of an annular plate portion 74, having a cylindrical flange portion 76 extending parallel to the cylindrical portions 6 and 42 of shells 3 and- 38, respectively, and extending across the joint between flanges 7 and 43 on the cup-shaped envelope portions. It will thus be seen that the cylindical portion 76 of the cup-shaped members 74 functions to align the cup-shaped member 3 with the cup-shaped member 38. The member 74 is preferably brazed within the corner formed between the radially outwardly extending portion 41 and the cylindrical tiange portion 42 of cup-shaped housing or envelope member 38. vThe radially inwardly extending portion of the member 74 adjacent in its periphery, is utilized to support a plurality of radially extending thin metallic members 77, a portion of each of which extends into the corner between adjacent arms of the cruciform dielectric member 62. This outwardly extending portion of the member 77 extends through the aperture in plate 74, while a Harige portion 78 extends radially outwardly along the underside of the plate 74 and is brazed thereto. It will thus be seen that when the actuator is activated to move the shaft 53 to the left as viewed in FIG. 1, the mobile contact blades 64 on the left-hand side of the dielectric cruciform member 62, come into grounding contact with the bottom plate portion of the cup-shaped member 74. On the other hand, when the actuator is activated by atmospheric pressure working on the inside of the bellows, the Contact blades 63 move to the right as viewed in FIG. 1 and come into conductive contact with the ground plane or shell 36. It will thus be apparent that each of the pairs of mobile contact blades which are not in circuit are grounded to the metallic envelope. It should also be apparent that the projecting portions of plates 77 which project into the corners between adjacent cruciform arms suitably shield the two open circuits through the switch.

I claim:

1. A coaxial cross-point relay comprising an envelope including a cup-shaped actuator support shell and a cupshaped fixed-contact support shell hermetically united to the actuator support shell, each of said cup-shaped shells having a bottom and a cylindrical side wall, a plurality of spaced conductors extending insulatedly and hermetically through the bottom of said fixed-contact support shell and terminating within the envelope in a plurality of spaced fixed contact points, a mobile contact assembly disposed within the envelope and including pairs of resilient contact blades arranged to conductively connect a plurality of pairs of said fixed contact points when the mobile contact assembly is moved in one ydirection and to conductively lconnect a plurality of different pairs of said fixed contact points when the mobile contact assembly is moved in the opposite direction, and an actuator assembly movably supported on said cup-shaped actuator support shell and engaging said mobile Contact assembly to effect movement thereof in a selected direction.

2. The combination according to claim 1, in which a ground shell is mounted on the bottom of said fixed-contact support shell in concentric alignment with the side wall lthereof whereby movement of said mobile contact assembly in one direction effects engagement of one pair of said resilient contact blades with said ground shell while another pair of said resilient contact blades conductively c-onnects two pairs of said fixed contact points.

3. The combination according to claim 1, in which a cup-shaped ground shell having a bottom and a cylindrical side-wall extends transversely across the interior of said envelope on the side of said mobile contact assembly opposite said cup-shape fixed-contact support shell whereby movement of said mobile contact assembly in one direction effects engagement of one pair of said resilient contact blades with the bottom of said cup-shaped ground shell while another pair of said resilient contact blades conductively connects two pairs of said fixed contact points.

4. The combination according to claim 1, in which said mobile contact assembly comprises a cruciform dielectric support plate, and said pairs of resilient contact blades are fixed in spaced relation on opposite sides of said cruciform dielectric support plate.

5. The combination according to claim 1, in which said actuator assembly includes a shaft slidably disposed on said cup-shaped actuator support shell and extending into the envelope, an expansible metallic bellows hermetically interposed between said shaft and said cup-shaped actuator support shell, and said mobile contact assembly is mounted on the inner end of said shaft within the envelope.

6. The combination according to claim 1, in which a first ground plane is mounted within the envelope on one side of said mobile contact assembly and a second ground plane is mounted within the envelope on the opposite side of said mobile contact assembly whereby movement of the mobile contact assembly toward said first ground plane effects engagement of one pair of resilient contact blades therewith and engagement of another pair of resilient contact blades with two selected pairs of fixed contact points whereas movement of the -mobile contact assembly toward said second ground plane effects disengagement of said one pair of resilient contact blades from said first ground plane and engagement thereof with two different pairs of fixed contacts, and effects disengagement of said other pair of resilient contact blades from said two first mentioned pairs of fixed contacts and engagement thereof with said second ground plane.

7. The combination according to claim 1, in which said fixed contact points comprise circumferentially arranged radially inwardly extending integral terminations of said plurality of spaced conductors.

8. The combination according to claim 1, in which shield means are provided supported on the envelope and interposed between the resilient contact blades of each pair thereof whereby one resilient contact blade of each pair of such blades is shielded against inductive capacitance from the other resilient contact blade of the same pair.

9. The combination according to claim 2, in which said ground shell mounted on said cup-shaped fixed-contact support shell includes a tubular portion brazed at one end to said bottom of said support shell and terminates at its other end in an apertured ground plate, the configuration of the aperture being such that the portion of the ground plate which remains cooperates with said resilient contact blades to maintain substantially constant impedance transmission through the relay.

10. The combination according to claim 3, in which the bottom of said cup-shaped ground shell is centrally apertured, a portion of sai-d actuator assembly extends through said aperture, and the configuration of the aperture is such that the portion of the ground plate which remains cooperates with said resilient contact blades to maintain substantially constant impedance transmission through the relay.

11. The combination according to claim 3, in which the bottom of said cup-shaped ground shell is centrally apertured, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending shield plates are m-ounted on said bottom of the ground shell and extend through the aperture therein past said resilient contact blades in a manner to shield one resilient contact blade of a pair of such blades against inductive capacitance from the other resilient contact blade of the same pair.

12. The combination according to claim 3, in which said cup-shaped ground shell has its bottom brazed adjacent its outer periphery to said cup-shaped actuator support shell and its side wall extends across the union of said cup-shaped actuator and fixed-contact support shells to effect coaxial alignment thereof.

13. The combination according to claim 3, in which said cup-shaped actuator support shell includes a bottom having a at annular portion and a cylindrical portion joined by a conical portion, and said cup-shaped ground shell is supported on said annular portion.

14. In a coaxial relay including an evacuated envelope having a cup-shaped metallic end wall including a bottom and a side wall, a plurality of dielectric bushings extending through said bottom and hermetically bonded thereto, a conductive center conductor extending through each said bushing and hermetically bonded thereto, each said conductive center conductor terminating within the er1- velope in a fixed contact point, and a metallic ground plate fixed on said bottom and having apertures coaxially associated with each center conductor outside the envelope.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1961 Charles 200-153 X 4/1964 Orner 200-153 X

Claims

1. A COAXIAL CROSS-POINT RELAY COMPRISING AN ENVELOPE INCLUDING A CUP-SHAPED ACTUATOR SUPPORT SHELL AND A CUPSHAPED FIXED-CONTACT SUPPORT SHELL HERMETICALLY UNITED TO THE ACTUATOR SUPPORT SHELL, EACH OF SAID CUP-SHAPED SHELLS HAVING A BOTTOM AND A CYLINDRICAL SIDE WALL, A PLURALITY OF SPACED CONDUCTORS EXTENDING INSULATEDLY AND HERMETICALLY THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF SAID FIXED-CONTACT SUPPORT SHELL AND TERMINATING WITHIN THE ENVELOPE IN A PLURALITY OF SPACED FIXED CONTACT POINTS, A MOBILE CONTACT ASSEMBLY DISPOSED WITHIN THE ENVELOPE AND INCLUDING PAIRS OF RESILIENT CONTACT BLADES ARRANGED TO CONDUCTIVELY CONNECT A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF SAID FIXED CONTACT POINTS WHEN THE MOBILE CONTACT ASSEMBLY IS MOVED IN ONE DIRECTION AND TO CONDUCTIVELY CONNECT A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENT PAIRS OF SAID FIXED CONTACT POINTS WHEN THE MOBILE CONTACT ASSEMBLY IS MOVED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, AND AN ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY MOVABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID CUP-SHAPED ACTUATOR SUPPORT SHELL AND ENGAGING SAID MOBILE CONTACT ASSEMBLY TO EFFECT MOVEMENT THEREOF IN A SELECTED DIRECTION.