DESC:EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE:
This Application claims priority from a provisional patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202321041609, filed on June 19, 2023, and titled “A WAVEGUIDE ROTARY JOINT ASSEMBLY AND A METHOD THEREOF”.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a field of communication and more particularly to a structure of a waveguide rotary joint to enable communication through a plurality of channels.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Rotary joints are mechanical devices used to enable transmission of signals between a stationary structure and a rotating structure. The rotary joints are used in radar antennas and air traffic control systems. The rotary joints include slip ring rotary joints, coaxial rotary joints, and fiber optic rotary joints. The slip-ring rotary joints are susceptible to wear and tear. Also, limited bandwidth affects functionality of the waveguide rotary joint and the coaxial rotary joint.
[0003] An amalgamation of the slip ring rotary joints, the coaxial rotary joints, and the fiber optic rotary joints is difficult since each of the slip ring rotary joints, the coaxial rotary joints and the fiber optic rotary joints require a central axis to perform the rotation .thereby making a resultant structure bulky. The circuitries required for the amalgamation is complex, further increasing an associated cost.
[0004] Hence, there is a need for an improved structure of a waveguide rotary joint to enable communication through a plurality of channels to address the aforementioned issue(s).
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An objective of the invention is to provide a structure of a waveguide rotary joint to enable communication through a plurality of channels by integrating the slip ring rotary joints, the coaxial rotary joints, and the fiber optic rotary joints.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a structure of a waveguide rotary joint to enable communication through a plurality of channels is provided. The structure includes a first wave guide adapted to receive a plurality of radio waves from a radio source. The structure also includes a plurality of telescopic tubes coupled to the first wave guide through a first proximal end of the plurality of telescopic tubes. The plurality of telescopic tubes includes a conductor adapted to support propagation of the plurality of radio waves through the periphery of the conductor. The conductor is adapted to house a plurality of cables to support propagation of one or more signals. The structure further includes a stepped cylindrical tube connected to the plurality of telescopic tubes via a first distal end of the plurality of telescopic tubes. The stepped cylindrical tube includes a diameter larger than the diameter of the plurality of telescopic tubes to enable interfacing of the stepped cylindrical tube to the first distal end of the plurality of telescopic tubes. The stepped cylindrical tube is adapted to guide the conductor towards the second distal end of the stepped cylindrical tube. The structure further includes a second wave guide coupled to the second distal end of the stepped cylindrical tube. The second wave guide is adapted to transmit the plurality of radio waves propagated by the conductor in a predefined direction, thereby enabling communication through a plurality of channels.
[0007] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more explicit description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional details with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a structure of a waveguide rotary joint to enable communication through a plurality of channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the structure of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of a plurality of cables in a conductor in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0011] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] To promote an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0013] The terms ``comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a'' does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0014] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
[0015] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0016] In the discussion that follows, references will be made to “first waveguide”, and “second waveguide” with reference to an entity (wave guide) that is used to guide and confine electromagnetic waves. In the discussion that follows, references will be made to “first proximal end”, and “second proximal end” with reference to an entity (proximal end) of the plurality of telescopic tubes and the stepped cylindrical tube. In the discussion that follows, references will be made to “first distal end”, and “second distal end” with reference to an entity (distal end) of the plurality of telescopic tubes and the stepped cylindrical tube.
[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a structure of a waveguide rotary joint to enable communication through a plurality of channels. The structure includes a first wave guide adapted to receive a plurality of radio waves from a radio source. The structure also includes a plurality of telescopic tubes coupled to the first wave guide through a first proximal end of the plurality of telescopic tubes. The plurality of telescopic tubes includes a conductor adapted to support propagation of the plurality of radio waves through the periphery of the conductor. The conductor is adapted to house a plurality of cables to support propagation of one or more signals. The structure further includes a stepped cylindrical tube connected to the plurality of telescopic tubes via a first distal end of the plurality of telescopic tubes. The stepped cylindrical tube includes a diameter larger than the diameter of the plurality of telescopic tubes to enable interfacing of the stepped cylindrical tube to the first distal end of the plurality of telescopic tubes. The stepped cylindrical tube is adapted to guide the conductor towards the second distal end of the stepped cylindrical tube. The structure further includes a second wave guide coupled to the second distal end of the stepped cylindrical tube. The second wave guide is adapted to transmit the plurality of radio waves propagated by the conductor in a predefined direction, thereby enabling communication through a plurality of channels.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a structure (10) of a waveguide rotary joint to enable communication through a plurality of channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The structure (10) includes a first wave guide (20) adapted to receive a plurality of radio waves from a radio source (not shown in FIG. 1). The structure (10) also includes a plurality of telescopic tubes (30) coupled to the first wave guide (20) through a first proximal end (40) of the plurality of telescopic tubes (30). The plurality of telescopic tubes (30) includes a conductor (FIG. 2, (50)) adapted to support propagation of the plurality of radio waves through the periphery of the conductor (FIG. 2, (50)) .
[0019] Further, in one embodiment, the conductor (FIG. 2, (50)) may include a hollow conductor. In some embodiments, the conductor (FIG. 2, (50)) may be composed of at least one of a copper, nickel, tungsten, silver, phosphorous, zinc, tin, and beryllium. The conductor (FIG. 2, (50)) is adapted to house a plurality of cables (FIG. 2, (60)) to support propagation of one or more signals. In one embodiment, the plurality of cables (FIG. 2, (60)) may include at least one of a fiber optic cable, power cable and a coaxial cable. The structure (10) further includes a stepped cylindrical tube (70) connected to the plurality of telescopic tubes (30) via a first distal end (80) of the plurality of telescopic tubes (30).
[0020] Furthermore, the stepped cylindrical tube (70) includes a diameter larger than the diameter of the plurality of telescopic tubes (30) to enable interfacing of the stepped cylindrical tube (70) to the first distal end (80) of the plurality of telescopic tubes (30). The stepped cylindrical tube (70) is adapted to guide the conductor (FIG. 2, (50)) towards the second distal end (90) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70). The structure (10) further includes a second wave guide (100) coupled to the second distal end (90) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70). In one embodiment, the second distal end (90) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70) may be adapted to rotate with respect to a second proximal end (120) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70).
[0021] Additionally, in some embodiments, the second distal end (90) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70) and the second proximal end (120) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70) may be coupled via at least one of air bearing and magnetic bearing. The second wave guide (100) is adapted to transmit the plurality of radio waves propagated by the conductor (FIG. 2, (50)) in a predefined direction, thereby enabling communication through a plurality of channels. In one embodiment, the conductor (FIG. 2, (50)) may be interfaced with the first wave guide (20) and the second wave guide (100) through a corresponding probe (not shown in FIG. 1). In such an embodiment, the corresponding probe may include at least one of a shape comprising loop with slope ridge shape, cone-shape, stepped ridge transformer shape, l-shaped loop, and doorknob shape.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the structure (10) of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of the plurality of cables (60) in a conductor (50) . Detailed description of the plurality of cables (60) and the conductor (50) is provided along with the FIG. 1 description.
[0023] Various embodiments of the structure of a waveguide rotary joint to enable communication through a plurality of channels described above enable various advantages. The conductor is hollow and is capable of propagating the plurality of radio waves through the periphery of the conductor. Also, the plurality of cables routed through the conductor is capable of propagating the one or more signals including optical signals, electrical signals, and the like. By integrating the plurality of cables inside the conductor, the structure is capable of realizing the multi-channel communication with a minimum footprint. Also the structure is capable of integrating the conductor and the plurality of cables with respective components through simple circuitries, thereby reducing the cost associated.
[0024] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended.
[0025] The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and is not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
,CLAIMS:1. A structure (10) of a wave guide rotary joint to enable communication through a plurality of channels comprising:
characterized in that:
a first wave guide (20) adapted to receive a plurality of radio waves from a radio source;
a plurality of telescopic tubes (30) coupled to the first wave guide (20) through a first proximal end (40) of the plurality of telescopic tubes (30), wherein the plurality of telescopic tubes (30) comprises a conductor (50) adapted to support propagation of the plurality of radio waves through the periphery of the conductor (50), wherein the conductor (50) is adapted to house a plurality of cables (60) to support propagation of one or more signals;
a stepped cylindrical tube (70) connected to the plurality of telescopic tubes (30) via a first distal end (80) of the plurality of telescopic tubes (30), wherein the stepped cylindrical tube (70) comprises a diameter larger than the diameter of the plurality of telescopic tubes (30) to enable interfacing of the stepped cylindrical tube (70) to the first distal end (80) of the plurality of telescopic tubes (30),
wherein the stepped cylindrical tube (70) is adapted to guide the conductor (50) towards the second distal end (90) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70); and
a second wave guide (100) coupled to the second distal end (90) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70), wherein the second wave guide (100) is adapted to transmit the plurality of radio waves propagated by the conductor (50) in a predefined direction, thereby enabling communication through a plurality of channels.
2. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second distal end (90) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70) is adapted to rotate with respect to a second proximal end (120) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70).
3. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second distal end (90) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70) and a second proximal end (120) of the stepped cylindrical tube (70) are coupled via at least one of air bearing and magnetic bearing.
4. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductor (50) comprises a hollow conductor.
5. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductor (50) is interfaced with the first wave guide (20) and the second wave guide (100) through a corresponding probe.
6. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the corresponding probe comprises at least one of a shape comprising loop with slope ridge shape, cone-shape, stepped ridge transformer shape, l-shaped loop, and doorknob shape.
7. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductor (50) is composed of at least one of a copper, nickel, tungsten, silver, phosphorous, zinc, tin, and beryllium.
8. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cables (60) comprises at least one of a fiber optic cable, power cable, and a co-axial cable.
9. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an outer cover (110) adapted to shield the plurality of telescopic tubes (30) and the stepped cylindrical tube (70) from an external environment.
Dated this 18th day of December 2023

Signature

Jinsu Abraham
Patent Agent (IN/PA-3267)
Agent for the Applicant