Radio frequency power load and associated method

• US 8,902,015 B1
• Filed: 11/18/2011
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Inventors: Sims, William Herbert III, Srinivasan, Karthik V, Freestone, Todd M.
• Primary Examiner(s): JONES, STEPHEN E
• Application Number:
  US13/299,930
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 333/22.F, 333/22.R, 333/81.R, 333/81.B, 333/208, 333/209, 333/211, 333/234, 333/227, 455/120
• US Class Current: 333/22.F
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/222 Waveguide attenuators H01P1/23 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/262 the dissipative medium being a liquid or being cooled by a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/30 for compensation of, or protection against, temperature or moisture effects ; for improving power handling capability H01P1/04, H01P1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/122 Dielectric loaded (not air)

Abstract

A radio frequency power load and associated method. A radio frequency power load apparatus may include a container with an ionized fluid therein. The apparatus may include one conductor immersed in a fluid and another conductor electrically connected to the container. A radio frequency transmission system may include a radio frequency transmitter, a radio frequency amplifier connected to the transmitter and a radio frequency power load apparatus connected to the amplifier. The apparatus may include a fluid having an ion source therein, one conductor immersed in a fluid, and another conductor electrically connected to the container. A method of dissipating power generated by a radio frequency transmission system may include constructing a waveguide with ionized fluid in a container and connecting the waveguide to an amplifier of the transmission system.

Claims

1. A radio frequency power load apparatus, comprising:

a container;

a first fluid having an ion source therein, the first fluid being surrounded by the container;

a first conductor immersed in the first fluid;

a second conductor electrically connected to the container; and

the first and second conductors electrically connected to the first fluid;

wherein the apparatus is adjusted to a selected frequency by adjusting any one of a size, a material composition, and a position of the first conductor.

2. A radio frequency power load apparatus, comprising:

a container;

a first fluid having an ion source therein, the first fluid being surrounded by the container;

a first conductor immersed in the first fluid;

a second conductor electrically connected to the container; and

the first and second conductors electrically connected to the first fluid;

wherein the apparatus is adjusted to a selected frequency by adjusting any one of a size and a material composition of the container.

3. A radio frequency power load apparatus, comprising:

a container;

a first fluid having an ion source therein, the first fluid being surrounded by the container;

a first conductor immersed in the first fluid;

a second conductor electrically connected to the container; and

the first and second conductors electrically connected to the first fluid;

wherein greater than 0.4 watts of radio frequency power is dissipated as heat into the first fluid per each cubic centimeter of volume of the apparatus.

4. A radio frequency power load apparatus, comprising:

a container;

a first fluid having an ion source therein, the first fluid being surrounded by the container;

a first conductor immersed in the first fluid;

a second conductor electrically connected to the container; and

the first and second conductors electrically connected to the first fluid;

wherein the container is immersed in a second fluid.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the container is perforated, the second fluid contains an ion source, and the second fluid is in fluid communication with the first fluid.

6. A radio frequency power load apparatus, comprising:

a container;

a first fluid having an ion source therein, the first fluid being surrounded by the container;

a first conductor immersed in the first fluid;

a second conductor electrically connected to the container; and

the first and second conductors electrically connected to the first fluid;

a third conductor;

and a fourth conductor;

wherein the third conductor is immersed in the first fluid and the fourth conductor is electrically connected to the container, and

wherein a first amount of radio frequency power is transmitted from the first and second conductors, through a waveguide formed by the container, and to the third and fourth conductors.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a second amount of radio frequency power at the first and second conductors is determined by measurements at the third and fourth conductors.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a third amount of radio frequency power is determined by calculating a difference between the first and second amounts of radio frequency power, wherein the third amount of radio frequency power is dissipated as heat in the fluid.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising fifth and sixth conductors,

wherein the fifth conductor is immersed in the first fluid and the sixth conductor is electrically connected to the container, and

wherein a second amount of radio frequency power is transmitted from the first and second conductors, through the waveguide formed by the container, and to the fifth and sixth conductors.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is adjusted to a selected frequency by adjusting any one of a size, a material composition, and a position of the fifth conductor.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a third amount of radio frequency power at the fifth and sixth conductors is determined by measurements at the third and fourth conductors.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a fourth amount of radio frequency power is determined by calculating a difference between the second and third amounts of radio frequency power, wherein the fourth amount of radio frequency power is dissipated as heat in the fluid.