Surface Wave Launcher

• US 20150008996A1
• Filed: 07/02/2014
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ROKE Manor Research Limited (Chemring Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: ROKE Manor Research Limited (Chemring Group PLC)
• Inventors: Jessup, Michael, Turner, Janice
• Application Number:
  US14/321,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20150008996A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 333/240
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/103 Hollow-waveguide/coaxial-line transitions

Abstract

A surface wave launcher for launching electromagnetic surface waves, the launcher comprising: a waveguide having a feed end and a launch end; a feed structure coupled to the feed end of the waveguide; wherein the feed structure includes a first conductor; the waveguide comprises a first planar conductive layer having a feed end and a launch end, the feed end being coupled to the first conductor; and the waveguide is arranged to be positioned adjacent a surface suitable for guiding electromagnetic surface waves, wherein the width of the first planar conductive layer tapers from the launch end towards the feed end.

Claims

1. A surface wave launcher for launching electromagnetic surface waves, the launcher comprising:

a waveguide having a feed end and a launch end;

a feed structure coupled to the feed end of the waveguide, wherein the feed structure includes a first conductor;

wherein the waveguide comprises a first planar conductive layer having the feed end and the launch end of the waveguide, the feed end being coupled to the first conductor;

wherein the waveguide is arranged to be positioned adjacent a surface suitable for guiding electromagnetic surface waves; and

wherein a width of the first planar conductive layer tapers from the launch end towards the feed end.

2. A surface wave launcher according to claim 1, wherein the first planar conductive layer is wider at the launch end than at the feed end.

3. A surface wave launcher according to claim 2, wherein the first planar conductive layer includes a first corner, the first planar conductive layer being coupled to the first conductor at the first corner.

4. A surface wave launcher according to claim 3, wherein the first planar conductive layer further includes a first edge, the first edge being at said launch end.

5. A surface wave launcher according to claim 4, wherein the first planar conductive layer is substantially triangular, the first corner being a corner of the triangle and the first edge being an edge of the triangle.

6. A surface wave launcher according to claim 1, wherein the feed structure has an axis.

7. A surface wave launcher according to claim 6, wherein the feed structure is a coaxial cable.

8. A surface wave launcher according to claim 7, wherein the first planar conductive layer is coupled to an inner conductor of the coaxial cable at the feed end of the waveguide.

9. A surface wave launcher according to claim 8, wherein a plane of the first planar conductive layer is aligned with the axis of the coaxial cable.

10. A surface wave launcher according to claim 8, wherein the coaxially cable includes a centre pin, coupled to the inner conductor, and coupled to the feed structure.

11. A surface wave launcher according to claim 1, wherein the waveguide further comprises a dielectric layer, the first planar conductive layer positioned on or adjacent a first surface of the dielectric layer.

12. A surface wave launcher according to claim 11, wherein the waveguide further comprises a second planar conductive layer positioned on or adjacent a second surface of the dielectric layer opposing the first surface.

13. A surface wave launcher according to claim 12, wherein the dielectric layer and the second planar conductive layer are substantially the same shape.

14. A surface wave launcher according to claim 13, wherein the dielectric layer and the second planar conductive layer are substantially the same width at the feed end as at the launch end of the waveguide.

15. A surface wave launcher according to claim 14, wherein the dielectric layer and second planar conductive layer are substantially rectangular.

16. A surface wave launcher for launching electromagnetic surface waves, the launcher comprising:

a waveguide having a feed end and a launch end;

a feed structure coupled to the feed end of the waveguide;

wherein the feed structure has a primary axis and includes a first conductor;

wherein the waveguide comprises a first planar conductive layer coupled to the first conductor and extending radially outward relative to the primary axis;

wherein the waveguide is arranged to be positioned adjacent a surface suitable for guiding electromagnetic surface waves; and

wherein the waveguide comprises one or more elements arranged to cause a signal generated by the waveguide to be emitted in a predetermined direction.

17. A surface wave launcher according to claim 16, wherein said one or more elements are axially orientated.

18. A surface wave launcher according to claim 16, wherein said one or more elements are pins.

19. A surface wave launcher according to claim 16, wherein the waveguide further comprises a dielectric layer, and the waveguide is oriented perpendicular to the primary axis.

20. A surface wave launcher according to claim 19, wherein the waveguide has a first surface proximal to the feed structure and a second surface distal to the feed structure;

and the first planar conductive layer forms said first surface and the dielectric layer forms said second surface.

21. A surface wave launcher according to claim 20, wherein said feed structure is a coaxial cable having an inner conductor and an outer conductor.

22. A surface wave launcher according to claim 21, wherein the feed structure further comprises a coupling pin, and the waveguide includes a recess, the coupling pin arranged to fit within the recess.

23. A surface wave launcher according to claim 16, wherein the waveguide is substantially circular.