Septumless OMT polarizer
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorJason Stewart Wrigley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A septumless polarizer is an OMT polarizer which is formed without a traditional thin septum which bridges the gap from the first assembly half to the second assembly half when the polarizer is split in the zero-current region of the rectangular waveguides (RHCP and LHCP ports). The septumless polarizer utilizes a dual-axis-stepped feature, which is included in one half of the polarizer only, creates the illusion of a traditional thin septum and actually improves performance. A close-proximity fastener scheme is enabled along with a fully encompassing pressure lip and contact pressure risks are mitigated.
Claims18
A polarizer, comprising:
- a first half-structure including a first cavity;
- and
- a second half-structure including a second cavity matching the first cavity for coupling to the first half-structure to form a first port and a second port;
- an antenna port defined by respective regions of the first half-structure and the second half-structure;
- and
- a pressure-lip feature configured to mitigate a contact pressure risk associated with joining the first half-structure and the second half-structure,
- wherein:
- the second half-structure includes a stepped structure located only in the second cavity, the stepped structure having reduced dimensions toward the antenna port and configured to separate waves and to guide the separated waves in the first half-structure and the second half-structure to the first port and the second port, respectively.
A monolithic polarizer array, comprising:
- a plurality of polarizers, wherein a polarizer of the plurality of polarizers comprises:
- a first half-structure having a first cavity;
- and
- a second half-structure, having a second cavity matching the first cavity, for coupling to the first half-structure to form a first port and a second port;
- and
- an antenna port defined by respective regions of the first half-structure and the second half-structure;
- and
- an adhesive layer that joins the first half-structure to the second half-structure,
- wherein:
- the second half-structure comprises a stepped structure configured to guide waves separated in the first half-structure and the second half-structure to the first port and the second port, respectively, and
- dimensions of the stepped structure are reduced toward the antenna port, wherein first half-structures of the plurality of polarizers are fabricated as a first half-array piece and the second half-structure of the plurality of polarizers are fabricated as a second half-array piece.
A method for manufacturing a polarizer, the method comprising:
- fabricating a first half-structure including a first cavity;
- fabricating a second half-structure including a second cavity matching the first cavity;
- and
- coupling the first half-structure to the second half-structure to form a first port, a second port, and an antenna port,
- wherein:
- the second half-structure includes a stepped structure located only in the second cavity, the stepped structure having reduced dimensions toward the antenna port and configured to separate waves and to guide the separated waves in the first half-structure and the second half-structure to the first port and the second port, respectively.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.