US4409637A — Connector for electromagnetic impulse suppression

Claim 1

Independent Claim 242 words

An electrical impulse suppressor for shunting electromagnetic impulse energy along a radio frequency signal transmission line of the type having primary and secondary conductors and a known characteristic impedance therebetween, the suppressor comprising in combination: paired first and second electrical connectors each having primary and secondary conductors for being operatively interposed along the primary and secondary conductors of the radio frequency signal transmission line; first and second discharge means each for defining a known breakdown voltage and a known capacitance between first and second sections thereof; first means for electrically coupling said first section of said first discharge means between said primary conductors of said first and second electrical connectors; second means for electrically coupling said first section of said second discharge means between said secondary conductors of said first and second electrical connectors; and groundplane means located adjacent said first means and said second means for electrically coupling said second section of each of said discharge means to a ground potential, with said first means and said second means and groundplane means having known inductances which interact with said capacitances of each of said discharge means and any stray capacitance of the combination thereof to produce a characteristic impedance which is generally equal to the characteristic impedance of the radio frequency signal cable, whereby the suppressor will shunt electrical impulse energy to ground potential while normally representing a low standing wave ratio for radio frequency energy transmitted along the transmission line.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 242 words

An electrical impulse suppressor for shunting electromagnetic impulse energy along a radio frequency signal transmission line of the type having primary and secondary conductors and a known characteristic impedance therebetween, the suppressor comprising in combination: paired first and second electrical connectors each having primary and secondary conductors for being operatively interposed along the primary and secondary conductors of the radio frequency signal transmission line; first and second discharge means each for defining a known breakdown voltage and a known capacitance between first and second sections thereof; first means for electrically coupling said first section of said first discharge means between said primary conductors of said first and second electrical connectors; second means for electrically coupling said first section of said second discharge means between said secondary conductors of said first and second electrical connectors; and groundplane means located adjacent said first means and said second means for electrically coupling said second section of each of said discharge means to a ground potential, with said first means and said second means and groundplane means having known inductances which interact with said capacitances of each of said discharge means and any stray capacitance of the combination thereof to produce a characteristic impedance which is generally equal to the characteristic impedance of the radio frequency signal cable, whereby the suppressor will shunt electrical impulse energy to ground potential while normally representing a low standing wave ratio for radio frequency energy transmitted along the transmission line.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 45 words

The impulse suppressor as described in claim 1 wherein: said first means comprises first inductor means operatively coupled between said primary conductors of said first and second electrical connectors; and wherein said groundplane means is generally parallel to said first and said second inductor means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

The impulse suppressor as described in claim 1, wherein said first and second discharge means comprise non-air gap type devices.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

The impulse suppressor as described in claim 1, wherein said first and second discharge means comprise discharge tubes filled with a gas.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 37 words

The impulse suppressor as described in claim 1, further including capacitor means interposed in series along said first means and along said second means so as to block the flow of low frequency and D.C. energy therethrough.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 227 words

An electrical impulse suppressor for shunting electromagnetic impulse energy from the center conductor to the shield of a coaxial transmission line having a known characteristic impedance, the electrical surge suppressor comprising in combination: a first conductor interposed between adjacent sections of the center conductor; a capacitor coupled in series with said first conductor for blocking the flow of low frequency and D.C. energy therethrough; a circumferential conductor interposed between adjacent sections of the shield so as to define a cavity therein; discharge means for defining a known breakdown voltage and a known capacitance between first and second sections thereof, with said first section coupled to said first conductor and with said second section coupled to said circumferential conductor such that said discharge means and said capacitor are at least partially contained within said cavity defined by said circumferential conductor; and wherein the inductance of said first conductor and said circumferential conductor interact with said capacitance of said discharge means and said capacitor and stray capacitance of the combination thereof so as to produce a desired characteristic impedance generally equal to the characteristic impedance of the coaxial transmission line, whereby the impulse suppressor will shunt impulse energy exceeding the breakdown voltage of said discharge means from the center conductor to the shield while normally representing a low VSWR for radio frequency energy transmitted along the coaxial transmission line.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 227 words

An electrical impulse suppressor for shunting electromagnetic impulse energy from the center conductor to the shield of a coaxial transmission line having a known characteristic impedance, the electrical surge suppressor comprising in combination: a first conductor interposed between adjacent sections of the center conductor; a capacitor coupled in series with said first conductor for blocking the flow of low frequency and D.C. energy therethrough; a circumferential conductor interposed between adjacent sections of the shield so as to define a cavity therein; discharge means for defining a known breakdown voltage and a known capacitance between first and second sections thereof, with said first section coupled to said first conductor and with said second section coupled to said circumferential conductor such that said discharge means and said capacitor are at least partially contained within said cavity defined by said circumferential conductor; and wherein the inductance of said first conductor and said circumferential conductor interact with said capacitance of said discharge means and said capacitor and stray capacitance of the combination thereof so as to produce a desired characteristic impedance generally equal to the characteristic impedance of the coaxial transmission line, whereby the impulse suppressor will shunt impulse energy exceeding the breakdown voltage of said discharge means from the center conductor to the shield while normally representing a low VSWR for radio frequency energy transmitted along the coaxial transmission line.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 18 words

The impulse suppressor as described in claim 6 wherein said discharge means comprises a non-air gap type device.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 23 words

The impulse suppressor as described in claim 6 wherein said discharge means comprises a discharge tube having a gas other than air therein.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 22 words

The electrical impulse suppressor as defined in claim 6 wherein said first conductor comprises the center conductor sections of oppossing coaxial connectors.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 238 words

A combination matching network and electrical impulse suppressor for matching the characteristic impedance along a coaxial cable and for shunting electromagnetic impulse energy from the center conductor to the shield thereof, the device comprising in combination: paired first and second electrical connectors each having a primary conductor coupled to the center conductor of the coaxial cable; a capacitor interposed between said primary conductors of said first and second electrical connectors for blocking the flow of low frequency and D.C. energy therethrough; a circumferential conductor interposed between adjacent sections of the shield of the coaxial cable so as to define therein a cavity for at least partially containing said primary conductors of said first and second electrical connectors; discharge means for defining a known breakdown voltage and a known capacitance between first and second sections thereof, with said first section coupled to said capacitor and with said second section being coupled to said circumferential conductor such that said capacitor and said discharge means are contained at least partially within said cavity; and wherein the inductances of said primary conductors and said circumferential conductor interacting with the capacitance of said discharge means and said capacitor and stray capacitances of the combination thereof so as to produce a desired characteristic impedance having a known relationship to the characteristic impedance of the coaxial cable, whereby the device will normally represent a low VSWR for radio frequency energy propagating along the coaxial cable.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 238 words

A combination matching network and electrical impulse suppressor for matching the characteristic impedance along a coaxial cable and for shunting electromagnetic impulse energy from the center conductor to the shield thereof, the device comprising in combination: paired first and second electrical connectors each having a primary conductor coupled to the center conductor of the coaxial cable; a capacitor interposed between said primary conductors of said first and second electrical connectors for blocking the flow of low frequency and D.C. energy therethrough; a circumferential conductor interposed between adjacent sections of the shield of the coaxial cable so as to define therein a cavity for at least partially containing said primary conductors of said first and second electrical connectors; discharge means for defining a known breakdown voltage and a known capacitance between first and second sections thereof, with said first section coupled to said capacitor and with said second section being coupled to said circumferential conductor such that said capacitor and said discharge means are contained at least partially within said cavity; and wherein the inductances of said primary conductors and said circumferential conductor interacting with the capacitance of said discharge means and said capacitor and stray capacitances of the combination thereof so as to produce a desired characteristic impedance having a known relationship to the characteristic impedance of the coaxial cable, whereby the device will normally represent a low VSWR for radio frequency energy propagating along the coaxial cable.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device as described in claim 10 wherein said discharge means comprises a non-air gap type device.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device as described in claim 10 wherein said discharge means comprises a gas discharge tube having therein a gas other than air.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device as described in claim 10 wherein said desired characteristic impedance comprises a matching network for matching an impedance along one part of the coaxial cable with a different impedance along another part of the coaxial cable.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 157 words

A method for matching the characteristic impedance of a radio frequency transmission line of the type having first and second conductors while shunting electromagnetic impulse energy traveling therethrough, said method comprising the steps of: (a) electrically interposing primary and secondary conductors along corresponding first and second conductors of the transmission line; (b) coupling discharge means, for defining a known breakdown voltage and a known capacitance, between said primary and secondary conductors; (c) interposing a capacitor in series in at least one of said first and second conductors for blocking the flow of low frequency and D.C. energy therethrough; (d) matching the characteristic impedance of the transmission line with the characteristic impedance represented by the combination of said primary conductor, said secondary conductor, said capacitor and said discharge means and any stray capacitance associated with the combination thereof, while enabling said discharge means to shunt electromagnetic impulse energy between the first and second conductors of the transmission line.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 157 words

A method for matching the characteristic impedance of a radio frequency transmission line of the type having first and second conductors while shunting electromagnetic impulse energy traveling therethrough, said method comprising the steps of: (a) electrically interposing primary and secondary conductors along corresponding first and second conductors of the transmission line; (b) coupling discharge means, for defining a known breakdown voltage and a known capacitance, between said primary and secondary conductors; (c) interposing a capacitor in series in at least one of said first and second conductors for blocking the flow of low frequency and D.C. energy therethrough; (d) matching the characteristic impedance of the transmission line with the characteristic impedance represented by the combination of said primary conductor, said secondary conductor, said capacitor and said discharge means and any stray capacitance associated with the combination thereof, while enabling said discharge means to shunt electromagnetic impulse energy between the first and second conductors of the transmission line.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1986-10-10	1987-04-11	1987-10-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1990-10-10	1991-04-11	1991-10-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1994-10-10	1995-04-11	1995-10-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Connector for electromagnetic impulse suppression

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