Waveguide connector assembly having bearings engageable by a movable sleeve to allow or prevent axial movement of the connector assembly, and an antenna and a polarizer, respectively formed therefrom

An antenna system comprising:

• an antenna;
• a waveguide;
• a connector assembly, the connector assembly having:
• a waveguide connector having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body having a length that extends axially between the first end and the second end, the body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the waveguide connector being configured to receive the waveguide, the waveguide connector having one or more bearing apertures each extending radially through the body of the waveguide connector and each configured to receive a respective bearing of one or more bearings;
• and
• a movable sleeve having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a body extending axially between the first end and the second end, and an engaging surface, the movable sleeve being configured to slide axially along the exterior surface of the waveguide connector, the engaging surface contacting the one or more bearings to provide a force onto the waveguide to prevent axial movement of the waveguide when the movable sleeve is in an engaged position;
• and
• a bracket configured to couple the connector assembly to the antenna.

A method of adjusting the polarizations of a waveguide connector assembly comprising:

• sliding a movable sleeve on a waveguide connector away from an engaged position along an axis which causes an unlocking of a waveguide, the unlocking allowing free movement of the waveguide within the waveguide connector;
• rotating a waveguide either 45 degrees or 90 degrees;
• and
• sliding the movable sleeve towards the engaged position along the axis which causes a locking of the waveguide, the locking preventing free movement of the waveguide within the waveguide connector.