Flexible, dielectric millimeter waveguide

Claim 2

A flexible dielectric waveguide for conducting electromagnetic energy in the millimeter region comprising: an elongated flexible sheath of woven fiberglass materials; a plurality of flexible polytetrafluoroethylene fibers encased within said sheath; and a termination flange connected to one end of said encased fibers and sheath, said termination flange comprising; a body member constructed of brass having a generally circular radial flange and a generally cylindrical coaxial extension thereof, said body member having a generally cylindrical through bore terminating at an end of said extension in a generally conical-shaped end for engagement with the ends of predetermined ones of said fibers; and a polytetrafluoroethylene plug of a generally cylindrical configuration mounted within said body member bore, said plug having a conical end engaging the ends of other predetermined ones of said fibers.

Claim 3

A dielectric millimeter waveguide comprising: a flexible sheath; a plurality of flexible dielectric fibers confined within said sheath, said fibers and said sheath defining a cable; and a pair of termination flanges each coupled to an opposite end of said cable, wherein at least one of said termination flanges has a tapered face cavity engaging predetermined ones of said fibers and includes a dielectric plug having a wedge-shaped end engaging predetermined ones of said fibers.

Claim 4

A dielectric millimeter waveguide comprising: a flexible sheath; a plurality of flexible dielectric fibers confined within said sheath, said fibers and said sheath defining a cable; and a pair of termination flanges each coupled to an opposite end of said cable, wherein at least one of said termination flanges has a tapered face cavity engaging predetermined ones of said fibers and includes a dielectric plug having a wedge-shaped end engaging predetermined ones of said fibers.

Claim 5

The waveguide of claim 2 wherein said plug wedge-shaped end extends into said tapered face cavity.

Claim 6

The waveguide of claim 3 wherein said fibers and said sheath are respectively constructed of polytetrafluoroethylene and woven fiberglass cloth.

Claim 7

The waveguide of claim 4 wherein each of said termination flanges is constructed substantially of brass and each of said plugs is constructed of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 8

A flexible dielectric millimeter waveguide comprising: a flexible cable comprising: a flexible sheath, and a plurality of flexible fibers of dielectric material encased within said sheath; and a termination flange connected to at least one end of said cable, said termination flange comprising: a rigid body member having a generally circular radial flange portion and a generally cylindrical extension portion extending coaxially from said flange portion, said body member having a generally cylindrical bore extending coaxially through said flange portion and said extension portion, said bore terminating in said extension portion at an end opposite said flange portion is a generally conical-shaped opening, said extension portion having a radial ridge about the exterior thereof adjacent said end with said conical-shaped opening; a generally cylindrical plug having one end flush with said flange portion and an opposite end being conical-shaped and extending within the region defined by said conical-shaped opening, said plurality of fibers abutting said conical-shaped end of said plug and said conical-shaped opening, said sheath extending about the exterior of said extension portion between said ridge and said flange portion; and a collar mounted about said sheath overlapping said ridge, said collar securely engaging said sheath with said ridge and extension portion.

Claim 9

A flexible dielectric millimeter waveguide comprising: a flexible cable comprising: a flexible sheath, and a plurality of flexible fibers of dielectric material encased within said sheath; and a termination flange connected to at least one end of said cable, said termination flange comprising: a rigid body member having a generally circular radial flange portion and a generally cylindrical extension portion extending coaxially from said flange portion, said body member having a generally cylindrical bore extending coaxially through said flange portion and said extension portion, said bore terminating in said extension portion at an end opposite said flange portion is a generally conical-shaped opening, said extension portion having a radial ridge about the exterior thereof adjacent said end with said conical-shaped opening; a generally cylindrical plug having one end flush with said flange portion and an opposite end being conical-shaped and extending within the region defined by said conical-shaped opening, said plurality of fibers abutting said conical-shaped end of said plug and said conical-shaped opening, said sheath extending about the exterior of said extension portion between said ridge and said flange portion; and a collar mounted about said sheath overlapping said ridge, said collar securely engaging said sheath with said ridge and extension portion.

Claim 10

The waveguide of claim 6 wherein said sheath consists of a woven fiberglass cloth.

Claim 11

The waveguide of claim 7 wherein said collar is made of a heat-shrink material.

Claim 12

The waveguide of claim 7 wherein said sheath consists of a woven fiberglass cloth, said fibers and plug are made of polytetrafluoroethylene, said body member is made of brass, and said collar is made of a heat-shrink material.

Claim 13

The waveguide of claim 6 wherein each fiber is of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 14

The waveguide of claim 6 wherein said plug is made of a dielectric material.

Claim 15

The waveguide of claim 6 wherein said plug is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 16

The waveguide of claim 6 wherein said body member is made of brass.