US3784939A

US3784939A - Apparatus for connecting waveguide and method therefor

Info

Publication number: US3784939A
Application number: US00160728A
Authority: US
Inventors: T Maeda; Y Sato
Original assignee: Dainichi Nippon Cables Ltd
Current assignee: Dainichi Nippon Cables Ltd
Priority date: 1970-07-10
Filing date: 1971-07-08
Publication date: 1974-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-08
Also published as: JPS5118673Y1; CA949142A; DE2134318B2; DE2134318A1; GB1340115A; FR2098315B1; FR2098315A1; DE2134318C3

Abstract

A waveguide flared at its end is connected to a waveguiding connector means by so positioning a pressure member loosely encompassing the waveguide as to press the flared end of the waveguide against the connector means with the pressure edge of the pressure member so that both waveguiding paths of the waveguide and the connector means are precisely aligned, fixing a pair of half shells onto the surface of the waveguide thereby sandwiching the pressure member between the flared end and paired half shells, and securing the connector means, pressure member and paired half shells together by means of bolts and nuts. In assembling such connecting apparatus, a jig having structure for adaptability to the bolt apertures and the waveguiding path of the connector means is prepared in advance. The pressure member is so placed as to encompass the waveguide by using the jig so that the bolt apertures of the pressure member are precisely but tentatively positioned with respect to the waveguiding path of the waveguide and then the paired half shells are fixed to the waveguide with the pressure member keeping the said position by being sandwiched between the flared end of the waveguide and the half shells. Then the jig is removed and instead, the connector means is secured to the pressure member as well as half shells by means of the bolts and nuts with the result that the bolt apertures of the connector means are precisely positioned with respect to those of the pressure member. As a result the waveguiding paths of these are precisely aligned.

Description

United States Patent [191 Maeda et al.

[4 1 Jan. 8, 1974 APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING WAVEGUIDE AND METHOD THEREFOR [75] Inventors: Tsutomu Maeda, ltami; Yoshikazu Sato, Amagasaki, both of Japan [73] Assignee: Dainichi-Nippon Cables, Ltd.,

Amagasaki-shi, l-lyogo-ken, Japan 22 Filed: July 8,1971

21 Appl.No.: 160,728

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 10, I970 Japan 45/69418 [52] US. Cl 333/98 R [51] Int. Cl. H01p l/04 [58] Field of Search 333/98 R, 97 R, 95 A [5.6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,461,409 8/1969 Miller 333/98 R 3,535,661 10/1970 Berth et al. 333/98 R 2,937,360 5/1960 True 333/97 R 3,500,264 3/1970 Floyd, Jr. 333/98 R 3,300,741 1/1967 Hirsch et al 333/98 R 3,587,010 6/1971 Walsh 333/98 R 3,654,577 4/1972 Spinner et al 333/98 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,165,121 3/1962 Germany 333/95 A Primary Examiner-James W. Lawrence Assistant Examiner-Wm. H. Punter AtrorneyAllen D. Brufsky et al.

l8 16f 17 19 13c 13c 13d 16c I A I 3.,

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT A waveguide flared at its end is connected to a waveguiding connector means by so positioning a pressure member loosely encompassing the waveguide as to press the flared end of the waveguide against the connector means with the pressure edge of the pressure member so that both waveguiding paths of the waveguide and the connector means are precisely aligned, fixing a pair of half shells onto the surface of the waveguide thereby sandwiching the pressure member between the flared end and paired half shells, and securing the connector means, pressure member and paired half shells together by means of bolts and nuts.

In assembling such connecting apparatus, a jig having structure for adaptability to the bolt apertures and the waveguiding path of the connector means is prepared in advance. The pressure member is so placed as to encompass the waveguide by using the jig so that the.

bolt apertures of the pressure member are precisely but tentatively positioned with respect to the waveguiding path of the waveguide and then the paired half shells are fixed to the waveguide with the pressure member keeping the said position by being sandwiched between the flared end of the waveguide and the half shells. Then the jig is removed and instead, the connector means is secured to the pressure member as well as half shells by means of the bolts and nuts with the result that the bolt apertures of the connector means are precisely positioned with respect to those of the pressure member. As a result the waveguiding paths of these are precisely aligned.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures a 3b /j// 2 PATENTED JAN 8 I974 SHEET 1 UF 3 FIG. 1 PRIOR ART FIG. 2

FIG. 5

PATENTEU 81974 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 3

APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING WAVEGUIDE AND METHOD THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for concecting a waveguide and a method therefor. More specifically the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for connecting a waveguide flared at its end to a waveguiding connector means with both waveguiding paths of these precisely aligned.

2. Description of the Prior Art In application of the microwave it is often required to connect a waveguide to another waveguide. It is desired that such connecting apparatus should provide sufficient mechanical strength and precise alignment of the waveguiding paths of both waveguides for better electric characteristics and should be easy of assemblage.

In connecting an elliptical waveguide to other type waveguide such as rectangle type, circle type or the like, a mode transition has usually been interposed between both waveguides for avoiding reflection or mismatching in connection. Also in connecting an elliptical waveguide to another elliptical waveguide of different geometry in section it has also been a common practice to insert therebetween a straight waveguiding connector having a waveguiding path of approximately )t /4 in length, where A is a guide wavelength, for the purpose of compensating the influence of the round edge of a flared end of the waveguide. In particular it is comparatively difficult to connect the elliptical waveguide to the waveguiding connector means such as a mode transition, straight connector or the like with both waveguiding paths of these precisely aligned or positioned with respect to each other. Nevertheless such precise alignment of the waveguiding paths is of great importance in view of the electric characteristic of the connection.

An example of one of the most typical conventional apparatus for such connection is illustrated in FIG. 1. The apparatus shown in FIG. I basically comprises a metallic waveguiding connector means 4 with an waveguiding aperture 4a for propagation of the electromagnetic wave therethrough, and a pair of half shells 2 for holding a waveguide l flared at its end la therebetween. Connection of the waveguide 1 is implemented by fixing both half shells 2 with the waveguide l firmly sandwiched therebetween and securing the paired half shells 2 to the connector means 4 with the flared end la of the waveguide sandwiched therebetween.

More specifically, the waveguiding connector means 4 comprises a connector base 4b having a waveguiding aperture 4a extending therethrough and a cylindrical portion 40. The waveguide 1 having the flared end 1a extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof is inserted into the cylindrical portion 40 of the connector means 4 with a pair of half shells 2 fixed to each other so as to firmly hold the waveguide 1 so that the flanged end la of the waveguide is sandwiched between the connector base 4b and the edged portion 2a at the end of the half shells 2. The half shells 2 and the connector means 4 are fixed to each other by means of screw bolts 3 inserted through the bolt apertures of the half shells 2 and screwed into the connector base 4b. A gasket 5 encompassing the waveguide l is inserted from the opening of the cylindrical portion 4c and an annular curbing member 6 is screwed into the inside end wall of the said opening with a washer 7 sand wiched between the annular curbing member 6 and the gasket 5. As can be seen. in the waveguide connecting apparatus shown in FIG. I, the waveguide is supported only by the flared end la thereof being sandwiched between the connector means 4 and the edged portion 2a of the paired half shells 2. Therefore, the waveguide connecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 does not provide sufficient strength enough to withstand the tensile stress and/or torsional stress possibly given to the end portion of the waveguide l in installation thereof. As well known, in installation of the waveguide of one continuous length and of elasticity the waveguide itself is bent or twisted by using special tools and, therefore, a bend or corner is dispensable. However, the waveguide connecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 does not have sufficient strength enough to withstand such bending or torsion. As a result the end of the waveguide is liable to experience sectional deformation or buckling in installation of the waveguide, resulting in deterioration of the electric characteristics. Moreover, no particular means has been provided in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 for alignment of the axis of the waveguiding path of the waveguide 1 with the axis of the waveguiding path or aperture 4a. Therefore, such alignment depends on the geometry of internal surface of the cylindrical portion 40, the geometry of the outer and holding surfaces of the half shells 2 and the geometry of the outer surface of the waveguide and the combined relationship thereof, causing it difficult to connect the waveguide in precisely aligned relation of the waveguiding path. As described previously, even slight misalignment, if it occurs, results in reflection or mismatching in the connection and thus deterioration of the transmission characteristics.

It would be advantageous if a waveguide connecting apparatus of greater mechanical strength and of more precise alignment of the waveguiding paths and easy of assemblage is provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, the present invention comprises a waveguiding connector means having a waveguiding path extending therethrough and a connection surface to which a waveguide flared at its end is to be connected, a pressure member loosely encompassing the waveguide for pressing the flared end of the waveguide against the connection surface of the connector means with the waveguiding paths of the connector means and the waveguide precisely aligned, holding means for fixedly holding the waveguide with the pressure member tightly sandwiched between the said flared end of the waveguide and the holding means, and means for bodily securing these connector means, pressure member and holding means.

In assembling the connecting apparatus of the present invention, there is prepared in advance a jig having protrusions adapted to the positional relationship of the waveguiding path and bodily securing means portion of the waveguiding connector means. By using this jig, the pressure member is placed to encompass the waveguide so that the bodily securing means portions thereof are precisely but tentatively positioned with respect to the waveguide. Then the holding means are firmly fixed to the outer surface of the waveguide so as to keep the tentative positional relationship by sandwiching the pressure member between the flared end of the waveguide and the holding means. For this purpose, the holding means are preferably comprised of a pair of half shells which are fixed onto the outer surface of the waveguide by securing both by means of clamps so as to tightly hold the waveguide. Thus, the pressure member is fixed to the waveguide by being sandwiched between the flared end and the holding means in the proper positional relation of the bodily securing means portion with the waveguide. Then the jig is removed and instead the waveguiding connector means is secured to the pressure and/or the holding means, at which time the bodily securing means portions of the connector means are positioned with respect to those of the pressure means. As described previously, the bodily securing means portions of the pressure member have been positioned with respect to the waveguide based on the jig the geometry of which was selected to be adapted to the connector means. As a result the waveguiding connector means is positioned in desired aligned relation with the waveguide.

According to the present invention connection of the waveguide to the waveguiding connector means is implemented by sandwiching the flared end of the waveguide between the connector means and the pressure member and by firmly holding the waveguide by means of the holding means bodily secured to the connector means and the pressure member. As a result such apparatus is of greater mechanical strength and of better electric characteristics due to the precise alignment of both waveguiding paths of the waveguiding connector means and the waveguide. Nevertheless such precise alignment or positioning may be implemented with exterme ease.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for connecting the waveguide to the waveguiding connector means with both waveguiding paths of these precisely aligned with each other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus of greater mechanical strength for connecting the waveguide to the waveguiding connector means.

Other object of the present invention is to provide an improved waveguide connecting apparatus which is extremely easy of assemblage.

A further object of the present invention is to employ a pressure member for tentative positioning interposed between a flared end of the waveguide and holding means for the purpose of tentatively position and firmly securing the waveguide to the waveguiding connector means.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved method for connecting the waveguide to the waveguiding connector means with both waveguiding paths of these precisely aligned with each other.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved method for connecting a waveguide to the waveguiding connector means by using a jig.

It is still a further object of the present invention to position and connect the waveguide to the waveguiding connector means by positioning and fixing a pressure member for positioning to the waveguide by the use of a jig adapted to the connector means and then positioning and securing the connector means to the pressure member.

These objects and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in section, of a prior art waveguide connecting apparatus,

FIG. 2 is a side view, partially in section, of the waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 embodiment taken along a line IIIIII,

FIG. 4 is a side view, partially in section, of FIG. 2 embodiment with another waveguide connected to the opposite side of the apparatus, and

FIG. 5 is a side view, partially in section, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 in particular step in the assembling process thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown a side view, partially in section, and a sectional view, respectively, of an embodiment of the waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment shown basically comprises an elliptical type waveguide 11, a waveguiding connector means 16 to which the waveguide is to be connected, :1 pres sure ring or member 13, a pair of half shells l2 and 12' and clamping means 17. It is pointed out that the embodiment shown utilized a mode transition 16 as the waveguiding connector means, as to be described in more detail hereinafter.

The elliptical type waveguide 11 is flared at its end in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the waveguide to form a flared end 11a. Holding means are comprised of symmetrical upper and lower half shells l2 and 12', respectively, each comprising a holding cylindrical portion and and a flange 12b. Connection bolt apertures l2c are formed uniformly spaced apart from each other extending through the flange 12b in the axial direction of the holding cylindrical portion 12a. Also bolt apertures 12d are formed extending through the holding cylindrical portion 12a in the tangential direction thereof. The inner surface of each holding cylindrical portion 12a has grooves formed extending in the peripheral direction thereof to form protuberances 12e extending thereon in the same direction. The holding surface of the half shells is so constructed as to be in close con tact with the outer surface of the elliptical waveguide 11. Both the upper and lower half shells I2 and 1.2 are firmly bolted with both oppositely faced mutually by putting through the bolts 21 into the

bolt apertures

12d and 12d of the respeetive half shells so that the waveguide 1 1 is strongly held therebetween. As described previously, the flange 12b of the paired half shells l2 and 12' is provided with the connection bolt apertures 12c extending in parallel with the axial direction of the waveguide 11, the inner diameter of the apertures 120 being slightly larger than the outer diameter of connection bolts 17, as to be described in more detail hereinafter.

The pressure member 13 comprises connection bolt apertures 13a provided spaced apart from each other in the circumferential portion thereof, an aperture 13b of an ellipse in section slightly larger than the periphery of the elliptical waveguide 11 extending through the center thereof, the annular recess 13c a pressure edge 13c, and a tapered wall 13d inclined from the recess 13c toward the inner surface of the ellipse aperture 13b. The annular washer 14 is interposed inside the space defined by the annular recess 13c and the waveguiding connector means 16. The annular washer 14 is provided with an ellipse aperture 14a through which the elliptical waveguide 11 is pierced and is placed inside the annular recess 13c against the surface 13e to serve to press the flanged end 11a against the connector means 16. A gasket 15 is inserted between the annular washer 14 and the tapered portion 13d so that the waveguide 11 is kept air-tight.

The waveguiding connector means 16 has a connection surface 16a to which the waveguide 11 is connected. As mentioned previously, the embodiment shown utilizes a mode transition as the waveguiding connector means 16. The transition 16 comprises a waveguiding aperture 16b extending through the center thereof in the axial direction and

grooves

16c and 16d formed on the

opposite end surfaces

16a and 16a thereof, respectively, extending outside the opening ends of the aperture 16b. Resilient rings 19 and 20 are inserted in the grooves 160 and 16d, respectively. These

resilient rings

19 and 20 serve to keep the waveguides air-tight, in case the elliptical waveguide 11 and another waveguide are connected to the

surfaces

16a and 16e, respectively, of the connector means 16. As well known, the mode transition transforms a dominant mode of the electromagnetic wave in a waveguide of an elliptical type, for example, to a dominant mode of the electromagnetic wave in another waveguide of different type such as a rectangular type, for example, and vice versa, and makes matching of the characteristic impedance of both waveguides. A typical example of the transition is comprised of two metal plates, each having a rectangular waveguiding aperture or path of h,,/4 in length, where A, is guide wavelength, both connected to each other so that both apertures are precisely aligned. The cross sectional dimension of the waveguiding paths of both metal plates are so selected that such dimension of the plate being connected to the rectangular waveguide is smaller than that of the plate connected to the elliptical waveguide with the result that a step is formed on the inner surface of the common aperture at a contact position of both plates, this serving to make transformation of the dominant mode.

The bolts 17 are inserted through the bolt apertures 12c in the flange 12b of the half shells, the positioning portions or bolt apertures 13a of the pressure member 13 and the like apertures 16f of the connector means 16 and held with nuts 18, thereby bodily securing the connector means 16, the pressure member 13 and the

half shells

12 and 12, the pressure member 13 pressing the flared end 11a against the connection surface 16a of the connector means 16 through the intermediary of the annular washer 14.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view, partially in section, of the same embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with another rectangular waveguide connected to the opposite side of the connecting apparatus. A rectangular waveguide 22 being connected to the opposite side of the apparatus comprises a flange 23 soldered at the end thereof, through which bolt apertures 23a are formed. By using bolts 17 and nuts 18 screwed thereon the flange 23, the mode transition 16, the pressure member 13 and the flange 12b of the holding members 12 and 12' are secured together. The rectangular waveguide 22 is connected to appropriate microwave equipment such as a transmitter, reciever, antenna or the like (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 5, description will be made of the steps of assembling the waveguide connecting apparatus of the present invention by using an assembling jig so that the center of the waveguiding path of the waveguide is accurately aligned with the center of the waveguiding path of the connector means. The assembling jig 24 utilized in assemblage comprises a waveguiding path positioning protrusion 24a for close insertion into the waveguide 1 1, and bolt aperture positioning protrusions or guide pins 24b for close insertion into the bolt apertures 13a of the pressure member 13. The guide pins 24b are located in predetermined precise positional relation with the center axis of the positioning protrusion 24a. In this connection it is to be pointed out that the bolt apertures 16f of the waveguiding connector means 16 have also been precisely located with respect to the center axis thereof in the same predetermined positional relation as that of the guide pins 24b with the protrusion 24a. Therefore, by simply inserting the jig 24 into the waveguide 11, the center axis of the waveguiding path of the waveguide 11 can be precisely alinged with or positioned with respect to the center axis of the posioning protrusion 24a. In other words, the jig 24 serves to position the waveguide 11 within the aperture 13b of the pressure member 13 to establish the predetermined relationship between the pressure member 13, i.e. the bolt aperture and the axis of the waveguide 11, the clearance between the aperture 13b and the outer periphery of the waveguide 11 being such to permit the tranversal movement of the waveguide 11 with respect to the pressure member 13 to establish the desired relationship therebetween. Then by bringing the pressure member 13 in such a position that the guide pins 24b are inserted into the bolt apertures 13a, the pressure member 13 is positioned in such a manner that the bolt apertures 13a thereof are positioned in a desired predetermined relation. As a result, the positional relation of the bolt apertures 13a of the pressure member 13 with the center axis of the waveguide 11 exactly corresponds to the positional relation of the bolt apertures 16fof the waveguiding connector means 16 with the center axis of the waveguiding path of the connector means 16.

In assembling the apparatus, a connecting end, not flared originally, of the waveguide 11 is inserted through the apertures of the pressure member 13, the gasket 15 and the annular washer 14 and then the end is flared in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the waveguide to form the flared end 11a. Then the

half shells

12 and 12 are brought arround the waveguide 11 so as to hold it and the bolts 21 inserted into the

bolt apertures

12d and 12d of the upper and lower half shells 12 and 12', respectively, are held so slightly with nuts 21a that the half shells 12 and 12' are fixed to the waveguide 11 loosely enough to allow slight relative to and fro movement therebetween.

The jig 24 is brought to be adapted to the waveguide 11 so that the protrusion 24a is fitted into the waveguiding path of the waveguide and the guide pins 24b are fitted into the bolt apertures 13a of the pressure member 13 and the bolt apertures 12c of the half shells 12 and 12'. In this step there is no inconvenience that the pins 241) will receive undesired force causing dislocation thereof with respect to the center axis of the waveguiding path of the waveguide, even if the waveguide 11 has slight errors in its outer dimension, because the internal diameter of the bolt apertures 120 of the paired half shells isselected to be somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the pins 241:, which allows a slight relative sliding of the flange 12b of the shells between the pressure member 13 and the nuts 24c held to the pins 24b.

Then the nuts 240 are tightly fastened to fix the pressure member 13 between the flared end 11a of the waveguide 11 and the flange 12b of the

half shells

12 and 12. The bolts 21 are then more tightly held with nuts 21a so that the half shells 12 and 12' firmly hold the waveguide 11 therebetween.

In the next step, the nuts 240 are loosened and the jig 24 is removed from the assembly. However, as the paired half shells are firmly fixed to the waveguide 11 and the pressure member 13 is firmly sandwiched between the flared end 11a of the waveguide 11 and the flange 12b of the half shells, the positional relation of the pressure member 13 with the waveguide 11 set by means of the jig 24 is kept unchanged even after the removal of the jig 24. Thus the pressure member 13 is fixed tentatively to the waveguide with the bolt apertures 13a accurately positioned with respect to the waveguiding path of the waveguide 11.

The waveguiding connector means 16 is then placed opposite to and connected to the said assembly by inserting the bolts 17 into the

apertures

12c and 13a and holding them with nuts. Preferably the alignment of the bolt apertures 16f of the connector means 16 is made with the bolt apertures 13a of the pressure member 13 by using a pin (not shown) being closely inserted into both of these apertures as ajig. Alternatively, however, the diameter of the bolts 17 is so selected that these may be closely inserted into the bolt apertures of the connector means 16 and the pressure means 13 for precise alignment for the purpose of the present invention. Thus the waveguide connecting apparatus of the present invention is completed, wherein the center axis of the waveguiding path of the waveguide 11 is precisely aligned with the center axis of the waveguiding path of the connector means 16.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings and described in the foregoing the flared end 11a has been pressed by means of the pressure member 13 against the connection surface 16a of the connector means 16 through the intermediary of the annular washer 14. It is to be pointed out, however, that the apparatus may be so constructed that the flared end 110 may be pressed against the connection surface 16a of the connector means 16 directly by the pressure edge 13e of the presuure member 13 without employing the washer 14. For the purpose of firmly holding the waveguide 11 by the

half shells

12 and 12 the holding surface of the half shells 12 and 12' may preferably be made uneven or serrated for increasing the friction between the outer surface of the waveguide 1 1 and the holding surface of the

half shells

12 and 12.

It is to be understood that the connection of the waveguide in accordance with the present invention is of greater mechanical strength in view of the fact that the connection is effected by sandwiching of the flanged end 11a thereof between the connection surface 16a of the connector means 16 and the pressure member 13 and holding of the waveguide 11 by the half shells 12 and 12' bodily secured to the pressure member 13 and connector means 16. As a result the apparatus has sufficient mechanical strength enough to withstand the tensile stress and/or torsional stress possibly given to the waveguide itself or the end portion of the waveguide in installation thereof, resulting in no fear of deformation and/or buckling and of deterioration of the electric characteristics caused thereby.

As apparent from the foregoing description on the steps of assembling the apparatus, the bolt apertures 13a of the pressure member 13 are positioned with respect to the center axis of the waveguiding path of the waveguide 11 in predetermined precise positional relation. Therefore, mere connection of the pressure member 13 to the waveguiding connector means 16 by the use of the

bolt apertures

13 and 16f thereof, respectively, enables precise alignment of the waveguiding paths of the waveguide 11 and the waveguiding connector means 16. It is understood that such precise alignment can be accomplished with extreme ease in accordance with the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the annular washer 14 and the gasket 15 are interposed inside the space defined by the flared end 11a, the outer surface of the waveguide 11 and the pressure member 13. As a result the air-tightness of the connection is much improved as compared with the conventional apparatus.

While specific preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent that obvious variations and modifications of the invention will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art from a consideration of the foregoing description. It is, therefore, desired that the present invention be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A Waveguide connecting apparatus, comprising:

a waveguide having a flared end and a waveguiding path extending therethrough,

waveguiding connector means having a connecting surface and a waveguiding path extending therethrough,

a pressure member encompassing said waveguide with clearance and including a pressure edge for pressing said flared end of said waveguide against said connecting surface of said connector means,

first and second positioning means provided for said connector means and said pressure member, respectively, said first and second positioning means being disposable in an aligned relationship with each other to thereby position said connector means with respect to said pressure member in a first positional relationship,

said clearance between said pressure member and said waveguide being so chosen as to allow transversal movement of said pressure member with respect to said waveguide for disposing said second positioning means of said pressure member into a second positional relationship with respect to the axia of said waveguide,

holding means for firmly gripping said waveguide in such a manner that said pressure member is firmly disposed between said holding means and said flared end of said waveguide, thereby securing said pressure member to said waveguide whereby said second positional relationship is maintained, and

clamping means for bodily securing said pressure member to said connector means in said first positional relationship with said flared end of said waveguide disposed therebetween, whereby the axis of said connector means is precisely aligned with the axis of said waveguide.

2. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which said waveguide is an ellipse like waveguide.

3. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 1', in which said waveguiding connector means is a mode transition.

4. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, in which said waveguiding connector means is a straight connector.

5. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which seal means is interposed between said flared end of said waveguide and said pressure member.

6. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 5, in which said seal means comprises a washer ring encompassing said waveguide and a resilient ring, and

said resilient ring is housed in the space defined by said washer ring, the outer surface of said waveguide and said pressure edge of said pressure member.

7. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, inwhich said clamping means secures said waveguiding connector means, said pressure member and said holding means together.

8. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which said holding means is comprised of a pair of half shells fixed to each other with second clamping means so as to firmly hold the waveguide.

9. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 8, in which each half shell has its holding surface comprised of a protuberance extending in the peripheral direction thereof.

10. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which each of said positioning means of said pressure member and said waveguiding connector means is bolt apertures, and said clamping means comprises bolts being inserted through said apertures.

l l. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 10, in which said bolts secure said holding means as well by penetrating therethrough, said bolt apertures of said holding means being loose with respect to said bolts.

Claims

1. A waveguide connecting apparatus, comprising: a waveguide having a flared end and a waveguiding path extending therethrough, waveguiding connector means having a connecting surface and a waveguiding path extending therethrough, a pressure member encompassing said waveguide with clearance and including a pressure edge for pressing said flared end of said waveguide against said connecting surface of said connector means, first and second positioning means provided for said connector means and said pressure member, respectively, said first and second positioning means being disposable in an aligned relationship with each other to thereby position said connector means with respect to said pressure member in a first positional relationship, said clearance between said pressure member and said waveguide being so chosen as to allow transversal movement of said pressure member with respect to said waveguide for disposing said second positioning means of said pressure member into a second positional relationship with respect to the axia of said waveguide, holding means for firmly gripping said waveguide in such a manner that said pressure member is firmly disposed between said holding means and said flared end of said waveguide, thereby securing said pressure member to said waveguide whereby said second positional relationship is maintained, and clamping means for bodily securing said pressure member to said connector means in said first positional relationship with said flared end of said waveguide disposed therebetween, whereby the axis of said connector means is precisely aligned with the axis of said waveguide.

3. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which said waveguiding connector means is a mode transition.

6. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 5, in which said seal means comprises a washer ring encompassing said waveguide and a resilient ring, and said resilient ring is housed in the space defined by said washer ring, the outer surface of said waveguide and said pressure edge of said pressure member.

7. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which said clamping means secures said waveguiding connector means, said pressure member and said holding means together.

11. A waveguide connecting apparatus in accordance with claim 10, in which said bolts secure said holding means as well by penetrating therethrough, said bolt apertures of said holding means being loose with respect to said bolts.