Advanced radio frequency sensing probe

• US 10,168,358 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2014
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Original Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Inventors: Sappok, Alexander, Smith, III, Roland, Bromberg, Leslie
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tung X
• Application Number:
  US14/535,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20150123688A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 22/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more G01N3/00 - G01N17/00, G01N24/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06772 High frequency probes

Abstract

A radio-frequency probe system with a transmitting or receiving element integrated into a cable assembly is disclosed. In some embodiments a preferred configuration may contain one or more sensing elements integrated into the transmitting or receiving element. In another embodiment, the radio frequency probe comprises an antenna body fixed to a coaxial cable, in which the center conductor of the coaxial cable serves as the transmitting or receiving element. A method for monitoring, transmitting, or detecting one or more parameters using a single radio frequency probe is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A radio frequency probe system, comprising:

a coaxial cable having an inner conductor directly surrounded by an inner dielectric material, the inner dielectric material covered by a conducting coaxial braid, and the conducting coaxial braid covered by an outer insulating jacket;

a conductive outer sleeve in direct electrical contact with the coaxial braid; and

an inner conductor sheath encasing the inner conductor, extending beyond the conducting outer sleeve.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a conductive inner sleeve disposed between the inner dielectric material and the conductive coaxial braid.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner conductor extends further than the inner dielectric material, the coaxial braid and the outer insulating jacket.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner conductor sheath comprises a conductive material.

3. A radio frequency probe system, comprising:

a coaxial cable having an inner conductor surrounded by an inner dielectric material, the inner dielectric material covered by a conducting coaxial braid, and the conducting coaxial braid covered by an outer insulating jacket;

a conductive outer sleeve in direct electrical contact with the coaxial braid; and

an inner conductor sheath encasing the inner conductor, extending beyond the conducting outer sleeve; and

one or more crimp connections unitary with the conductive outer sleeve and positioned over and in direct contact with the conductive coaxial braid, whereby the conductive outer sleeve is mechanically compressed to contact the coaxial braid.