Wave transmission lines and networks – Plural channel systems – Having branched circuits
Patent
1996-12-30
1998-05-05
Gensler, Paul
Wave transmission lines and networks
Plural channel systems
Having branched circuits
335 4, H01B 110, H01B 512
Patent
active
057480559
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One frequent design in prior art microwave switches is such that the microwave function in itself, that is mainly the switch housing and the switch rotor and the driving function, that is said electromagnetic driving device or corresponding means for rotating the switch rotor, are built in the form of substantially separate units. Generally, these driving devices comprises a magnetic rotor element which is surrounded by at least one electromagnetic stator element, being each optionally provided with one or several driving coils generating a magnetic field for driving the rotor element. Such designs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,694,782, 4,227,164, 3,761,851 and 4,500,861. In order to obtain a reduced switching time strong electromagnets are frequently used requiring a high electrical power and having a big soft iron mass. Frequently used are also arrangements of several electromagnets being activated simultaneously for generating a stronger magnetic field. As a consequence the driving devices are characterized by a complicated design including several mechanical and electrical elements, high weight and a comparatively large volume, being thereby space demanding in the actual applications.
The rotary movement of the driving device may be transferred to the switch rotor in different ways. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,929 discloses a construction using an arm 50 (FIG. 4) which is attached onto the shaft 20 of the driving device. The movement of said shaft in its turn is transferred to the microwave switch rotor by a type of mechanical gear, which may comprise so called "Maltese cross" by which said arm is mechanically connected with the switch rotor. The construction provides for damping of the rotor movement at the switch positions. Alternative examples of a movement transmission between the driving device and the switch rotor are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,331.
The comparatively complicated structure of these prior art driving devices at the same time ends up in high manufacturing costs for the complete microwave switch. Furthermore the prior art constructions comprise a number of wear suffering detail elements, for example said mechanical gear, said stop means for defining the switch positions and mechanically controlled switches for the current supply to the driving coils, all together reducing the useful life time of the microwave switch and causing maintenance costs.
The tendency of a rebounding action between said stop means at the switch positions is a general problem in microwave switches of the type in question. The problem is enhanced by the fact that a fast switch action is demanded at the same time by the switch rotor between the switch positions. The impact energy at the switch positions will also cause mechanical wear of the stop means.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,373 is disclosed a microwave switch, which, for solving the problem with said rebounding action, has been provided with a rotatable metal disc of substantially the same weight as the switch rotor. Immediately before the switch position is reached by the switch rotor an impact takes place between corresponding pins on said rotatable disc and one the switch rotor, thereby transferring the kinetic energy to said disc. As such this design is relatively complicated because the rotor is mounted in bearings in the switch housing, being space demanding as well. By the mode of operation it is required that the moveable disc in its turn must be stopped and brought to a defined start position before a nextcoming switch movement.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a microwave switch of the type mentioned in the introduction and not having the mentioned drawbacks of prior art, allowing for damping of the switch rotor movement at the switch positions by simple measures, and allowing for a compactly built switch of low weight.
One further object of invention is to use a low number of moving parts, demanding a minimal amount of maintenance, and to provide a switch design facilitatin
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Gensler Paul
Sivers Lab Aktiebolag
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