Method and apparatus for reducing flow of currents on an outer surface of a structure

• US 10,389,403 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2017
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Henry, Paul Shala, Vannucci, Giovanni, Willis, III, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liu, Shuwang
• Assistant Examiner(s): McKie, Gina M
• Application Number:
  US15/641,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20190013837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/087 Transitions to a dielectric waveguide
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/0208 Corrugated horns waveguide mouth antenna with corrugated flange H01Q13/065; manufacturing details H01Q13/0283
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/28 Reducing interference caused by currents induced in cable sheathing or armouring
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/52 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that can include a coupler having a structure that facilitates guiding electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and a suppressor coupled to an inner surface of the structure that facilitates at least a reduction in a flow of an electrical current from the inner surface of the structure to an outer surface of the structure. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising:

a coupler having a structure that facilitates guiding electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium, wherein the structure has an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the electromagnetic waves induce an electrical current that flows along the inner surface of the structure, and wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and

a suppressor positioned on the inner surface of the structure, wherein the suppressor facilitates at least a reduction in a flow of the electrical current caused by the electromagnetic waves, from the inner surface of the structure to the outer surface of the structure.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the electrical current is induced on the inner surface of the structure by the electromagnetic waves.

3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the suppressor comprises a structural feature that reflects at least a portion of the electrical current.

4. The communication device of claim 3, wherein the structure of the suppressor comprises a recessed structure.

5. The communication device of claim 4, wherein the structure of the suppressor is located near a rim of the structure and is an independent structure assembled and attached to the structure of the coupler.

6. The communication device of claim 3, wherein the structure of the suppressor comprises a quarter wavelength structure.

7. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a waveguide horn coupled to the suppressor.

8. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the suppressor is an integral part of the structure.

9. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the suppressor comprises a material that absorbs at least a portion of the electrical current.

10. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the electrical current comprises a radio frequency electrical current.

11. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the suppressor is positioned at a juncture of the inner surface of the structure and the outer surface of the structure, and wherein the inner surface of the structure comprises a conductive material.

12. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the suppressor reduces radiation from the electrical current into free space as a wireless signal.

13. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the structure facilitates receiving other electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium.

14. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter coupled to the structure, wherein the transmitter facilitates receiving a communication signal that is converted to a wireless signal, wherein the wireless signal generates the electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey data conveyed by the communication signal.

15. A method, comprising:

guiding, by a coupler having a structure, electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the structure has an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the electromagnetic waves induce an electrical current that flows along the inner surface of the structure; and

reducing, by a suppressor positioned on the inner surface of the structure, a flow of the electrical current, caused by the electromagnetic waves, from the inner surface to the outer surface of the structure.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the electrical current is induced on the inner surface of the structure by the electromagnetic waves.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the suppressor coupled to the inner surface of the structure reflects or absorbs at least a portion of the electrical current.

18. A waveguide system, comprising:

a transmitter that facilitates generating a wireless signal, wherein the wireless signal conveys data;

a coupler having a structure that facilitates converting the wireless signal to electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the structure has an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the electromagnetic waves induce an electrical current that flows along the inner surface of the structure; and

a filter positioned on the inner surface of the structure, wherein the filter facilitates at least a reduction in a flow of the electrical current, caused by the electromagnetic waves, from the inner surface of the structure to the outer surface of the structure, wherein the electrical current is induced by the wireless signal.

19. The waveguide system of claim 18, wherein the filter comprises a crenellated structure.

20. The waveguide system of claim 18, wherein the filter is configured to reflect or absorb at least a portion of the electrical current.