Polarized signal receiver probe provided with a bifurcated transmission line

Claim 2

In a polarized signal receiver comprising a first waveguide of circular cross-section for receiving polarized signals at one open end, said first waveguide having a rear wall, a second waveguide for transmitting polarized signals, a dielectric rod controllably rotatably mounted axially through the rear wall of said first waveguide, means for controllably rotating said dielectric rod and a signal transferring probe mounted in said dielectric rod concentric with the axis of rotation thereof, said signal transferring probe comprising a receiver portion disposed in said first waveguide in a plane orthogonal to the axis of said first waveguide for receiving one of the polarized signals in said first waveguide, a launch or re-transmitter portion extending into the second waveguide substantially perpendicular to the axis of said second waveguide, said launch or re-transmitter portion being disposed concentric with said dielectric rod and rotatable in unison with said dielectric rod, and a transmission line portion connecting said receiver portion to said launch or re-transmitter portion, the improvement comprising said transmission line portion having two integral oppositely directed and symmetrical generally U-shaped branch portions forming a rectangle disposed in said first waveguide, said rectangle having a first long side integrally connected to said signal receiver portion, a second long side connected to said launch or re-transmitter portion, and a pair of opposed short sides integrally connecting said long sides, said first long side and a portion of said second long side being disposed in a single plane along the axis of symmetry of said first waveguide and perpendicular to the plane in which said signal receiver portion is disposed, wherein each of said short sides of said rectangle and a corresponding end portion of said second long side form symmetrically disposed winglets in a second and third planes at an angle to said single plane.

Claim 3

The improvement of claim 1 wherein said winglets extend in the same direction as said signal receiver portion.

Claim 4

The improvement of claim 2 wherein each of said short sides of said rectangle and a corresponding end portion of said second long side are joined by an integral curved portion.

Claim 5

The improvement of claim 1 wherein said winglets extend in a direction opposite to said signal receiver portion.

Claim 6

The improvement of claim 4 wherein each of said short sides of said rectangle and a corresponding end portion of said second long side are joined by an integral curved portion.

Claim 7

The improvement of claim 1 wherein each of said short sides of said rectangle and a corresponding end portion of said second long side are joined by an integral curved portion.

Claim 8

In a polarized signal receiver comprising a first waveguide of circular cross-section for receiving polarized signals at one open end, said first waveguide having a rear wall, said rear wall being formed as a substantially hemispherical cavity having a substantially hemispherical concave surface, a second waveguide for transmitting polarized signals, a dielectric rod controllably rotatably mounted axially through the rear wall of said first waveguide, means for controllably rotating said dielectric rod and a signal transferring probe mounted in said dielectric rod concentric with the axis of rotation thereof, said signal transferring probe comprising a receiver portion disposed in said first waveguide in a plane orthogonal to the axis of said first waveguide for receiving one of the polarized signals in said first waveguide, a launch or re-transmitter portion extending into the second waveguide substantially perpendicular to the axis of said second waveguide, said launch or re-transmitter portion being disposed concentric with said dielectric rod and rotatable in unison with said dielectric rod, and a transmission line portion connecting said receiver portion to said launch or re-transmitter portion, the improvement comprising said transmission line portion having two integral oppositely directed and symmetrical generally U-shaped branch portions forming a rectangle disposed in said first waveguide, said rectangle having a first long side integrally connected to said signal receiver probe portion, a second long side connected to said launch or re-transmitter portion and a pair of opposed short sides integrally connecting said long sides, said first long side and a portion of said second long side being disposed in a single plane along the axis of symmetry of said first waveguide and perpendicular to the plane in which said signal receiver probe portion is disposed, wherein each of said short sides of said rectangle and a corresponding end portion of said second long side form symmetrically disposed winglets in a second and third planes at an angle to said single plane.

Claim 9

In a polarized signal receiver comprising a first waveguide of circular cross-section for receiving polarized signals at one open end, said first waveguide having a rear wall, said rear wall being formed as a substantially hemispherical cavity having a substantially hemispherical concave surface, a second waveguide for transmitting polarized signals, a dielectric rod controllably rotatably mounted axially through the rear wall of said first waveguide, means for controllably rotating said dielectric rod and a signal transferring probe mounted in said dielectric rod concentric with the axis of rotation thereof, said signal transferring probe comprising a receiver portion disposed in said first waveguide in a plane orthogonal to the axis of said first waveguide for receiving one of the polarized signals in said first waveguide, a launch or re-transmitter portion extending into the second waveguide substantially perpendicular to the axis of said second waveguide, said launch or re-transmitter portion being disposed concentric with said dielectric rod and rotatable in unison with said dielectric rod, and a transmission line portion connecting said receiver portion to said launch or re-transmitter portion, the improvement comprising said transmission line portion having two integral oppositely directed and symmetrical generally U-shaped branch portions forming a rectangle disposed in said first waveguide, said rectangle having a first long side integrally connected to said signal receiver probe portion, a second long side connected to said launch or re-transmitter portion and a pair of opposed short sides integrally connecting said long sides, said first long side and a portion of said second long side being disposed in a single plane along the axis of symmetry of said first waveguide and perpendicular to the plane in which said signal receiver probe portion is disposed, wherein each of said short sides of said rectangle and a corresponding end portion of said second long side form symmetrically disposed winglets in a second and third planes at an angle to said single plane.

Claim 10

The improvement of claim 7 wherein said winglets extend in the same direction as said signal receiver portion.

Claim 11

The improvement of claim 8 wherein each of said short sides of said rectangle and a corresponding end portion of said second long side are joined by an integral curved portion.

Claim 12

The improvement of claim 7 wherein said winglets extend in a direction opposite to said signal receiver portion.

Claim 13

The improvement of claim 10 wherein each of said short sides of said rectangle and a corresponding end portion of said second long side are joined by an integral curved portion.

Claim 14

The improvement of claim 7 wherein each of said short sides of said rectangle and a corresponding end portion of said second long side are joined by an integral curved portion.