Device for emitting high-frequency signals

• US 6,727,845 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Endress + Hauser + Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Burger, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B.
• Application Number:
  US10/204,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137447A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 342/124, 342/175, 324/637, 324/642, 333/252, 333/113, 333/21.A, 333/251, 333/254, 333/34, 333/99.R, 343/703, 343/720, 343/753, 343/772, 343/786, 343/872, 343/878, 343/888, 343/890, 343/900, 731/67, 732/90.R, 732/90.V, 73/32.A
• US Class Current: 342/124
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/103 Hollow-waveguide/coaxial-line transitions

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for emitting high-frequency signals, comprising a signal generation unit, a signaling line, an emission cable and an antenna configured as a circular waveguide, said antenna being sealed in an end section by a rear wall. According to the invention, the signal generation unit creates the high-frequency signals, the signaling line conducts the high-frequency signals along the emission cable and said emission cable projects into the interior of the antenna and is positioned approximately parallel to the rear wall. The invention aims to provide a device for emitting electromagnetic waves, which is characterized by optimized emission characteristics. To achieve this, the distance (Z) between the emission cable and the rear wall of the antenna is approximately λ/6, whereby λ is the wavelength of the high-frequency signals borne by the antenna.

Claims

1. A device for emitting high-frequency signals, comprising:

a signal generation and emission unit which generates the high-frequency signals;

a circular waveguide antenna connected to said signal generation and emission unit, said circular waveguide antenna defining a rear wall;

an emission cable which extends into said circular waveguide antenna approximately parallel to said rear wall; and

a signal line which carries the high-frequency signals to said emission cable, wherein the spacing between said emission cable and said rear wall is approximately λ

/6, where λ

is the wavelength of the high-frequency signals.

2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said emission cable has a length L which is L≧

D/2, where D is the inside diameter of said circular waveguide antenna.

3. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said emission cable defines a free end and a mushroom transmitter is disposed at said free end.

4. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said circular waveguide antenna includes dielectric material which fills up at least the interior of said circular waveguide antenna in the region of said emission cable.

5. The device as defined in claim 4, wherein said dielectric material includes a recess into which said emission cable extends.

6. The device as defined in claim 4, wherein said dielectric material is one of:

polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and aluminum troxide (Al₂O₃).

7. A fill-level measuring instrument including a device for emitting high-frequency signals, comprising:

a signal generation and emission unit which generates the high-frequency signals;

a circular waveguide antenna connected to said signal generation and emission unit, said circular waveguide antenna defining a rear wall;

an emission cable which extends into said circular waveguide antenna approximately parallel to said rear wall; and

a signal line which carries the high-frequency signals to said emission cable, wherein the spacing between said emission cable and said rear wall is approximately λ

/6, where λ

is the wavelength of the high-frequency signals.

8. The device as defined in claim 7, wherein said emission cable has a length L which is L≧

D/2, where D is the inside diameter of said circular waveguide antenna.

9. The device as defined in claim 7, wherein said emission cable defines a free end and a mushroom transmitter is disposed at said free end.

10. The device as defined in claim 7, wherein said circular waveguide antenna includes dielectric material which fills up at least the interior of said circular waveguide antenna in the region of said emission cable.

11. The device as defined in claim 10, wherein said dielectric material includes a recess into which said emission cable extends.

12. The device as defined in claim 10, wherein said dielectric material is one of:

polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and aluminum trioxide (Al₂O₃).