US4917630A — Constant impedance high frequency coaxial connect…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 296 words

A coaxial electrical connector comprising: a first plug comprising an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric spacer therebetween, the first plug having a free end for connection to a second plug, the inner and outer conductors of the first plug also having free ends, one of the free ends of the inner and outer conductors of the first plug projecting beyond the free end of the other conductor; and a second plug comprising an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric spacer therebetween, the second plug having a free end for connection to the first plug, the inner and outer conductors of the second plug also having free ends for connection to the free ends of the inner and outer conductors of the first plug, one of the inner and outer conductors of the second plug projecting beyond the free end of the other conductor; wherein the free end of the projecting conductor of the first plug and the free end of the projecting conductor of the second plug overlap each other when the connector is first electrically connected and only partially engaged thereby defining an overlap region; and wherein the inner and outer conductors are shaped and the dielectric material of the spacers is chosen such that along the axis of the partially engaged connector, including in the overlap region, the effective outer diameter of the inner conductor referenced by "d", the effective inner diameter of the outer conductor referenced by "D" and the dielectric constant of the medium therebetween referenced by "ε" satisfy the equation: Z=138 (ε).sup.-1/2 log (D/d) where Z is the impedance and the impedance is substantially the same in the overlap region as in the first and second plugs when the connector is in the partially engaged position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 296 words

A coaxial electrical connector comprising: a first plug comprising an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric spacer therebetween, the first plug having a free end for connection to a second plug, the inner and outer conductors of the first plug also having free ends, one of the free ends of the inner and outer conductors of the first plug projecting beyond the free end of the other conductor; and a second plug comprising an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric spacer therebetween, the second plug having a free end for connection to the first plug, the inner and outer conductors of the second plug also having free ends for connection to the free ends of the inner and outer conductors of the first plug, one of the inner and outer conductors of the second plug projecting beyond the free end of the other conductor; wherein the free end of the projecting conductor of the first plug and the free end of the projecting conductor of the second plug overlap each other when the connector is first electrically connected and only partially engaged thereby defining an overlap region; and wherein the inner and outer conductors are shaped and the dielectric material of the spacers is chosen such that along the axis of the partially engaged connector, including in the overlap region, the effective outer diameter of the inner conductor referenced by "d", the effective inner diameter of the outer conductor referenced by "D" and the dielectric constant of the medium therebetween referenced by "ε" satisfy the equation: Z=138 (ε).sup.-1/2 log (D/d) where Z is the impedance and the impedance is substantially the same in the overlap region as in the first and second plugs when the connector is in the partially engaged position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein the dielectric spacers are formed of teflon.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein the overlap region forms part of the signal pathway even with the connector fully engaged.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 147 words

An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein the free end of the inner conductor of the first plug projects beyond the free end of the outer conductor of the first plug and the free end of the outer conductor of the second plug projects beyond the free end of the inner conductor of the second plug; the free end of the inner conductor of the first plug having a larger diameter in the region where it projects beyond the outer conductor of the first plug than in the region where it does not project beyond the outer conductor of the first plug; and, the outer conductor of the second plug having a smaller inner diameter in the region where it projects beyond the inner conductor of the second plug than in the region where it does not project beyond the inner conductor of the second plug.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 38 words

An electrical connector according to claim 4 wherein the outer conductor of the first plug is slotted and slightly expanded at its free end to make connection to the interior of the outer conductor of the second plug.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 35 words

An electrical connector according to claim 4 wherein the inner conductor of the second plug is slotted and slightly compressed at its free end to make connection to the inner conductor of the first plug.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 42 words

An electrical connector according to claim 4 wherein the length of the enlarged projecting portion of the inner conductor of the first plug is substantially the same as the length of the projecting portion of the outer conductor of the second plug.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 46 words

An electrical connector according to claim 1 further including an electrically conductive shield substantially surrounding the free end of the first plug and formed to mate with and substantially surround the free end of the outer conductor of the second plug when the plugs are engaged.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 29 words

An electrical connector according to claim 8 wherein the shield is slotted and slightly compressed at its free end to make connection with the exterior of the second plug.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

A plurality of electrical connectors according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the plugs of each connector is mounted in a connector block.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 32 words

A plurality of electrical connectors according to claim 10 wherein both plugs of each connector are mounted in opposing connector blocks whereby all the connectors may be disconnected and connected substantially simultaneously.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 282 words

A coaxial electrical connector comprising: a first plug including: a first inner conductor having a free end for connection to a second inner conductor; a first outer conductor having a free end for connection to a second outer conductor; and a first dielectric spacer between the first inner conductor and the first outer conductor, the free end of the first inner conductor projecting beyond the free end of the first outer conductor, the region between the first inner conductor and the first outer conductor having a substantially constant impedance; a second plug for connection to the first plug including: the second inner conductor having a free end for connection to the first inner conductor; the second outer conductor having a free end for connection to the first outer conductor; and a second dielectric spacer between the second inner conductor and the second outer conductor, the free end of the second outer conductor projecting beyond the free end of the second inner conductor, the region between the second inner conductor and the second outer conductor having a substantially constant impedance; the projecting portion of the first inner conductor and the projecting portion of the second outer conductor overlapping each other when the connector is partially engaged thereby defining an overlap region which forms part of the signal pathway; and the ratio of the inner diameter of the projecting portion of the second outer conductor to the outer diameter of the projecting portion of the first inner conductor and the dielectric constant within the overlap region being such that the impedance is substantially constant within the overlap region and is the same as the impedance of the connector in the first and second plugs.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 282 words

A coaxial electrical connector comprising: a first plug including: a first inner conductor having a free end for connection to a second inner conductor; a first outer conductor having a free end for connection to a second outer conductor; and a first dielectric spacer between the first inner conductor and the first outer conductor, the free end of the first inner conductor projecting beyond the free end of the first outer conductor, the region between the first inner conductor and the first outer conductor having a substantially constant impedance; a second plug for connection to the first plug including: the second inner conductor having a free end for connection to the first inner conductor; the second outer conductor having a free end for connection to the first outer conductor; and a second dielectric spacer between the second inner conductor and the second outer conductor, the free end of the second outer conductor projecting beyond the free end of the second inner conductor, the region between the second inner conductor and the second outer conductor having a substantially constant impedance; the projecting portion of the first inner conductor and the projecting portion of the second outer conductor overlapping each other when the connector is partially engaged thereby defining an overlap region which forms part of the signal pathway; and the ratio of the inner diameter of the projecting portion of the second outer conductor to the outer diameter of the projecting portion of the first inner conductor and the dielectric constant within the overlap region being such that the impedance is substantially constant within the overlap region and is the same as the impedance of the connector in the first and second plugs.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 36 words

A coaxial electrical connector according to claim 12 wherein the length of the projecting portion of the first inner conductor is substantially the same as the length of the projecting portion of the second outer conductor.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 19 words

A coaxial electrical connector according to claim 12 wherein the first and second dielectric spacers are formed of teflon.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 34 words

A coaxial electric connector according to claim 12 wherein the overlap region forms part of the signal pathway when the connector is fully engaged as well as when the connector is only partially engaged.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 64 words

A coaxial electrical connector according to claim 12 wherein the projecting portion of the first inner conductor has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the non-projecting portion of the first inner conductor and the projecting portion of the second outer conductor has an inner diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the non-projecting portion of the second outer conductor.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

A coaxial electrical connector according to claim 16 wherein the first outer conductor slides inside and contacts the projecting portion of the second outer conductor.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 37 words

A coaxial electrical connector according to claim 17 wherein the first outer conductor is slotted and slightly expanded at its free end to make connection to the interior of the free end of the second outer conductor.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 25 words

A coaxial electrical connector according to claim 16 wherein the projecting portion of the first inner conductor slides inside and contacts the second inner conductor.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 41 words

A coaxial electrical connector according to claim 19 wherein the free end of the second inner conductor is slotted and slightly compressed at its free end to make connection to the exterior of the free end of the first inner conductor.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 45 words

A coaxial electrical connector according to claim 12 further including an electrically conductive shield substantially surrounding the projecting portion of the first inner conductor and formed to mate with the exterior of the free end of the second outer conductor when the plugs are engaged.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 35 words

A coaxial electrical connector according to claim 21 wherein the shield is slotted and slightly compressed at its free end to make connection with the exterior of the free end of the second outer conductor.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 26 words

A plurality of coaxial electrical connectors according to claim 12 wherein at least one of the plugs of each connector is mounted in a connector block.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 36 words

A plurality of coaxial electric connectors according to claim 23 wherein the first and second plugs of each connector are mounted in opposite connector blocks whereby all the connectors may be disconnected and connected substantially simultaneously.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 153 words

A coaxial electrical connector comprising: a first plug including coaxially mounted first inner and first outer conductors; the first outer conductor having an inner diameter D first ; the first inner conductor having a portion which projects beyond the first outer conductor, the projecting portion having an outer diameter d overlap and the non-projecting portion having an outer diameter d first ; a second plug including coaxially mounted second inner and second outer conductors: the second inner conductor having an outer diameter d second ; the second outer conductor having a portion which projects beyond the second inner conductor, the projecting portion having an inner diameter D overlap and the non-projecting portion having an inner diameter D second ; the projecting portions of the first inner and second outer conductors overlapping each other when the connector is partially engaged thereby defining an overlap region; and the diameter ratios: ##EQU1## all being substantially equal.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 153 words

A coaxial electrical connector comprising: a first plug including coaxially mounted first inner and first outer conductors; the first outer conductor having an inner diameter D first ; the first inner conductor having a portion which projects beyond the first outer conductor, the projecting portion having an outer diameter d overlap and the non-projecting portion having an outer diameter d first ; a second plug including coaxially mounted second inner and second outer conductors: the second inner conductor having an outer diameter d second ; the second outer conductor having a portion which projects beyond the second inner conductor, the projecting portion having an inner diameter D overlap and the non-projecting portion having an inner diameter D second ; the projecting portions of the first inner and second outer conductors overlapping each other when the connector is partially engaged thereby defining an overlap region; and the diameter ratios: ##EQU1## all being substantially equal.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 38 words

A coaxial electrical connector according to claim 25 wherein d first is smaller than d overlap which is smaller than d second and wherein D first is smaller than D overlap which is smaller than D second .

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-04-16	1993-10-16	1994-04-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-04-16	1997-10-16	1998-04-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-04-16	2001-10-16	2002-04-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Constant impedance high frequency coaxial connector

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