US3919670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave phase shifter
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-10
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-01-10
Abstract
Abstract An electrically rotated half wave plate comprised of four electrically varied obstacle planes, consisting of respective sets of varactor diodes, spaced 45* apart in a circular waveguide propagating circularly polarized microwave energy. The four sets of varactor diodes are synchronously driven in a manner to cause the resultant or effective obstacle plane to continuously rotate between 0* and 360* within the waveguide in response to control voltage inputs applied to the four sets of varactor diodes.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald I Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01P; H01P1/00; H01P1/18; H01P1/185; H03; H03H; H03H7/00; H03H7/18; H03H7/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A microwave phase shifter, comprising in combination: a section of circular waveguide adapted to propagate circularly polarized waves therein; at least four electrically controlled variable capacitance means, adapted to respectively operate as shunt susceptances, in said waveguide section being located at substantially the same longitudinal position intermediate the central axis and the inner wall surface of the waveguide and further being spaced substantially 45* apart in a plane transverse to the central axis; and electrical circuit means coupling respective mutually synchronized control signals to said at least four variable capacitance means for selectively varying the capacitance value thereof and providing a varying resultant shunt susceptance therefrom which geNerates an effective rotatable obstacle plane for said circularly polarized waves, thereby imparting a phase shift thereto which is a function of the angle of said obstacle plane relative to a fixed reference.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A microwave phase shifter, comprising in combination: a section of circular waveguide adapted to propagate circularly polarized waves therein; at least four electrically controlled variable capacitance means, adapted to respectively operate as shunt susceptances, in said waveguide section being located at substantially the same longitudinal position intermediate the central axis and the inner wall surface of the waveguide and further being spaced substantially 45* apart in a plane transverse to the central axis; and electrical circuit means coupling respective mutually synchronized control signals to said at least four variable capacitance means for selectively varying the capacitance value thereof and providing a varying resultant shunt susceptance therefrom which geNerates an effective rotatable obstacle plane for said circularly polarized waves, thereby imparting a phase shift thereto which is a function of the angle of said obstacle plane relative to a fixed reference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The microwave phase shifter as defined by claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit means coupling respective mutually synchronized control signals to said four variable capacitance means comprises circuit means generating four sinusoidal control voltages consecutively phased 90* apart, and wherein said four control voltages are respectively applied to said four variable capacitance means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The microwave phase shifter as defined by claim 1 wherein said at least four electrically controlled variable capacitance means comprises four sets of axially aligned varactor diodes and wherein said electrical circuit means coupling control signal to said four sets of varactor diode means comprises circuit means for varying the capacitance of each set of diodes in cyclic fashion such that the variation between adjacent varactor diode sets is shifted 90*.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The phase shifter as defined by claim 1 and additionally including microwave circuit means coupled to one side of said circular waveguide section for coupling circularly polarized waves thereto; and second microwave circuit means coupled to the opposite side of said circular waveguide section for coupling circularly polarized waves therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The phase shifter as defined by claim 1 wherein said at least four electrically controlled variable capacitance means each comprises respective sets of varactor diode means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The phase shifter as defined by claim 5 wherein each set of varactor diode means comprises a plurality of spaced apart varactor diodes linearly aligned along the longitudinal direction of said circular waveguide section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The phase shifter as defined by claim 6 wherein said plurality of varactor diodes are substantially equally spaced and providing N n-1 sections where n is the number of the varactor diodes utilized.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The microwave phase shifter as defined by claim 7 wherein N is equal to an odd number.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The microwave phase shifter as defined by claim 8 wherein N is an odd number including the numbers 3 and 7.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The microwave phase shifter as defined by claim 1 and additionally including first microwave circuit means coupled to one side of said circular waveguide section for converting linearly polarized waves to circularly polarized waves; and second microwave circuit means coupled to the other side of said circular waveguide section for converting circularly polarized waves to linearly polarized waves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The phase shifter as defined by claim 10 wherein said first and second microwave circuit means comprises quarter wave plate microwave circuit means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
The microwave phase shifter as defined by claim 11 wherein both quarter wave plate microwave circuit means includes a circular waveguide portion; and additionally including first and second waveguide transition elements respectively coupled to the first quarter wave plate microwave circuit means for providing a transition from rectangular waveguide to circular waveguide, and to said second quarter wave plate circuit means for providing a transition from circular waveguide to rectangular waveguide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The microwave phase shifter as defined by claim 11 wherein said at least four electrically controlled variable capacitance means each comprises a set of spaced apart axially aligned varactor diodes electrically connected together in respective parallel circuit relationship.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
88 words
The microwave phase shifter as defined by claim 12 and wherein said electrical circuit means coupling respective mutually synchronized control signals to said four sets of varactor diodes comprises circuit means coupling a like cyclically variable control signal to each set of varactor diodes with each control signal being phased 90* apart such that the first and third set of varactor diodes receive a first pair of signals 180* apart and wherein said second and fourth set of varactor diodes receive a second pair of signals 180* apart.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3790908A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |