Electrical connectors – Including or for use with coaxial cable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-13
2001-04-03
Luebke, Renee (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Including or for use with coaxial cable
C439S675000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210221
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to microwave connectors and more specifically, to quick connect/disconnect coaxial connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In testing microwave devices, it is desirable to provide a connection which can be made quickly while providing low VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio), high isolation, and most importantly, repeatable measurements, ideally exhibiting repeatability greater than 40 dB. It is also desirable that the connection be stable and not require any external fixturing to insure repeatability, but may require support when used on a cable or test device which would normally require support during test.
Various quick disconnect coaxial connectors are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,846,714; 4,891,015; 4,941,846; and 5,401,175. All of the above employ relatively complex and expensive methods for achieving a quick connect/disconnect feature for coaxial connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A male slotted connector is described according to an aspect of the invention, which incorporates a compression ring that provides additional support to slotted and spread fingers of the outer conductor resulting in electrically repeatable couplings. The male connector can be mated to a female connector and connected and disconnected using a simple push on/pull off motion without the need for other action.
The connector may be used with an optional integral coupling nut to provide the option of a threaded coupling when performing calibration, or when verification of the measurement is desired. When used, the coupling nut provides engagement of one-half to one and one-half threads in one embodiment, providing the ability to quickly thread or unthread the mating connectors, or allowing a torqueable mating using industry standard torque wrenches.
This multi-function connector can be used to measure devices that utilize various types or sizes of female connectors, e.g.,SMA (Sub-Miniature Series A), 2.92 mm, or 3.5 mm female connectors. The female connector of these series connectors conventionally mate with a male connector that is screwed on and typically requires five to six revolutions of the coupling nut to mate.
The simplicity and ease of use of this invention, plus the low cost to manufacture, provides the user a low cost alternative to the more complex and costly methods currently available today.
Similar connectors can be provided using this coupling technique in connector types such as type N, TNC (Threaded Neille Concelman), 2.4 mm, 1.85 mm, 1.0 mm, and other sexed connectors with similar construction.
Another embodiment of the male connector employs a solid outer conductor structure with the compression ring.
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patent: 5938465 (1999-08-01), Fox, Sr.
Luebke Renee
Maury Microwave, Inc.
Roberts Larry K.
Ta Tho D.
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