Means and method for suppressing microwave resonance in elliptical cavities

Claim 2

In combination: a microwave cavity shaped substantially in the form of a right elliptical cylinder; means for introducing microwave energy into said cavity at one focus thereof; means on the periphery of said cavity for producing signals of greater amplitude than signals received at said periphery from said focus; means, positioned at the second focus of said cavity for removing microwave energy therefrom; and means for suppressing propagation of microwave energy across the major axis of said cavity.

Claim 3

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said means for suppressing propagation of microwave energy across the major axis of said cavity comprises: microwave absorbing material positioned within said cavity in the region of said major axis.

Claim 4

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said means for suppressing propagation perpendicular to said major axis comprises: a microwave terminal along a substantial portion of said Major axis for preventing propagation across said major axis, and termination means, electrically connected to said terminal to absorb microwave energy incident upon said terminal.

Claim 5

Apparatus as recited in claim 3 in which said termination has an impedance substantially equal to the wave impedance of said microwave energy.

Claim 6

Apparatus as recited in claim 3 in which said terminal comprises a highly conductive wall blocking said cavity along a portion of said major axis.

Claim 7

Apparatus as recited in claim 5 in which said wall is metallic.

Claim 8

Apparatus as recited in claim 5 in which the impedance of said absorbing material is equal to substantially the wave impedance of said microwave energy.

Claim 9

In a substantially right cylindrical elliptical microwave cavity, including two planar walls thereof, means for introducing microwave energy into said cavity at one focus thereof, means disposed on the periphery of said cavity for amplifying microwave energy received at said periphery, means disposed at the other focus of said elliptical cavity for removing microwave energy from said cavity, and means for suppressing resonant modes comprising: means for inhibiting propagation of microwave energy across the major axis of said cavity.

Claim 10

In a substantially right cylindrical elliptical microwave cavity, including two planar walls thereof, means for introducing microwave energy into said cavity at one focus thereof, means disposed on the periphery of said cavity for amplifying microwave energy received at said periphery, means disposed at the other focus of said elliptical cavity for removing microwave energy from said cavity, and means for suppressing resonant modes comprising: means for inhibiting propagation of microwave energy across the major axis of said cavity.

Claim 11

Apparatus as recited in claim 8 in which said means for inhibiting comprises means for terminating microwave energy at the major axis of said cavity.

Claim 12

In a substantially right cylindrical elliptical microwave cavity, including two planar walls thereof, means for suppressing resonant modes comprising: means for inhibiting propagation of microwave energy across the major axis of said cavity; with said means for inhibiting including means for terminating microwave energy at the major axis of said cavity, and with said means for terminating including a highly conductive wall positioned along the major axis of said cavity, and resistive material electrically connected to said wall.

Claim 13

In a substantially right cylindrical elliptical microwave cavity, including two planar walls thereof, means for suppressing resonant modes comprising: means for inhibiting propagation of microwave energy across the major axis of said cavity; with said means for inhibiting including means for terminating microwave energy at the major axis of said cavity, and with said means for terminating including a highly conductive wall positioned along the major axis of said cavity, and resistive material electrically connected to said wall.

Claim 14

Apparatus as recited in claim 10 in which said wall is metallic.

Claim 15

Apparatus as recited in claim 10 in which said resistive material is embedded in contact with said barrier and the two planar walls of said cavity.

Claim 16

Apparatus as recited in claim 12 in which the impedance of said means for terminating is equal to substantially the wave impedance of propagating microwave signals in said cavity.

Claim 17

In a substantially right cylindrical elliptical microwave cavity, including two planar walls thereof, means for suppressing resonant modes comprising: means for inhibiting propagation of microwave energy across the major axis of said cavity; with said means for inhibiting including microwave absorbing material positioned within said cavity along at least a portion of the major axis of said cavity.

Claim 18

In a substantially right cylindrical elliptical microwave cavity, including two planar walls thereof, means for suppressing resonant modes comprising: means for inhibiting propagation of microwave energy across the major axis of said cavity; with said means for inhibiting including microwave absorbing material positioned within said cavity along at least a portion of the major axis of said cavity.