Patent · US Expired

Ambient load waveguide switch

US6067390A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
4References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 1, 1998
Grant dateMay 23, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 1, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01P1/122
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

These and other objects of the present invention are provided by an ambient load waveguide switch mounted between a feed horn and a low noise amplifier in a ground based antenna. The ambient load waveguide switch includes a housing assembly having a through path. A shuttle assembly is positioned within the housing assembly and moves linearly within the housing assembly on a guide assembly between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the shuttle assembly has a waveguide alignable with the through path of the housing assembly. In a second position, the shuttle assembly has an ambient load element alignable with the through path of the housing assembly. A motor assembly moves the shuttle assembly in a first direction and compresses a first spring to bias the shuttle assembly into the first position. The motor assembly moves the shuttle assembly in a second direction and compresses a second spring to bias the shuttle assembly into the second position. There are horizontal and vertical alignment mechanisms for accurately and repeatedly positioning the waveguide and the ambient load cell in the first and second position, respectively. Advantageously, the guide a…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.