Patent US3710280A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3710280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deposited latched junction circulator having magnetic flux return paths
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1971-10-12
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A latching ferrite circulator utilizing deposited ferrite layers and operable without the requirement of a permanent magnet. A pair of separated ferrite layers respectively include a microstrip transmission line circuit and a ground plane on faces which oppose each other. The microstrip transmission line comprises at least one hub circuit portion and a plurality of circuit arm portions. At least two coplanar ferrite elements are deposited between the microstrip transmission line circuit and the ground plane. One ferrite element comprises the circulator element and is placed contiguous with the hub while the other ferrite element comprises a magnetic return path member which is located a predetermined distance from the circulator element. A latching conductor is located generally in the plane of the microstrip circuit intermediate the two ferrite elements so that when a DC current pulse is applied to the latching conductor, a closed magnetic circuit loop is provided through the two ferrite elements and the ferrite layers containing the microstrip circuit and the ground plane.
Inventors
- 👤 D Buck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01P; H01P1/00; H01P1/32; H01P1/38; H01P1/383; H01P1/387
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A latching circulator comprising in combination: a first and second substrate capable of providing a magnetic flux line path therethrough, separated by a predetermined distance and having a respective inner surface opposing one another; at least three RF signal transmission line means coupled together at a common region, being contiguous with said inner surface of said first substrate; an electrical ground plane contiguous with said inner surface of said second substrate; first and second ferrite means of substantially equal thickness located in a common plane between said substrates, said first ferrite means being at least contiguous with said common region, said second ferrite means being separated a predetermined distance away from said first ferrite means such that said first and second substrates together with said first and second ferrite means define at least one closed magnetic circuit path; and electrical conductor means passing between said first and second ferrite means and being located substantially in a plane common to an inner surface of one of said substrates, said conductor means being adapted to be connected to a reversible DC voltage source which provides a current flow through said conductor means selectively in either of two directions to generate a magnetic field within said at least one closed magnetic circuit path whereby said first ferrite means controls RF signal flow between said at least three RF signal transmission line means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A latching circulator comprising in combination: a first and second substrate capable of providing a magnetic flux line path therethrough, separated by a predetermined distance and having a respective inner surface opposing one another; at least three RF signal transmission line means coupled together at a common region, being contiguous with said inner surface of said first substrate; an electrical ground plane contiguous with said inner surface of said second substrate; first and second ferrite means of substantially equal thickness located in a common plane between said substrates, said first ferrite means being at least contiguous with said common region, said second ferrite means being separated a predetermined distance away from said first ferrite means such that said first and second substrates together with said first and second ferrite means define at least one closed magnetic circuit path; and electrical conductor means passing between said first and second ferrite means and being located substantially in a plane common to an inner surface of one of said substrates, said conductor means being adapted to be connected to a reversible DC voltage source which provides a current flow through said conductor means selectively in either of two directions to generate a magnetic field within said at least one closed magnetic circuit path whereby said first ferrite means controls RF signal flow between said at least three RF signal transmission line means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined by claim 1 wherein said first and second substrate are comprised of ferrite material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined by claim 2 wherein said at least three RF signal transmission line means comprises microstrip transmission line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined by claim 3 wherein said first ferrite means comprises a generally circular layer of ferrite material and said second ferrite means comprises three layer members respectively located between each of the three microstrip conductors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined by claim 4 wherein said three layer members comprises generally arcuate segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention as defined by claim 4 and wherein said electrical conductor means comprises a conductor being located in a plane common to the inner surface of said first substrate which plane is also common to said microstrip transmission line means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
The invention as defined by claim 1 and additionally including another at least three RF signal transmission line means coupled together at a common region and being cOntiguous with said inner surface of said first substrate, being separated from said previously cited at least three transmission line means by a predetermined distance and wherein one transmission line means of both form a common transmission line between the common regions thereof; and wherein said second ferrite means is located contiguous with said common region of said another at least three signal transmission line means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined by claim 7 wherein all said transmission line means comprises microstrip transmission line means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention as defined by claim 8 wherein said common regions comprise substantially circular hubs of microstrip conductor means and wherein said first and second ferrite means comprise generally circular ferrite layers capable of being magnetized in either of two states by current flow through said electrical conductor means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined by claim 9 wherein said electrical conductor means comprises a conductor located in a plane common to said RF signal transmission line means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined by claim 10 wherein said electrical conductor means intersects said common transmission line between said common regions, and additionally including isolation circuit means coupled at the junction thereof for preventing signal interaction between the two.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention as defined by claim 11 wherein said isolation circuit means comprises low pass filter means coupled to said latching conductor on either side of said junction and capacitor means coupled to said signal transmission line on either side of said junction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |