Structural arrangements for spatial power-combining devices
Power-combining devices and more particularly spatial power-combining and related structural arrangements are disclosed. Such structural arrangements involve mechanical connections between center waveguide sections and input and/or output coaxial waveguide sections that provide scalable structures for different operating frequency bands, improved mechanical connections, and/or improved assembly. Exemplary structural arrangements include structures that extend through center waveguide sections and into input and/or output coaxial waveguide sections, integrated mechanical structures within the center waveguide section, compression fit arrangements, dielectric inserts arranged within channels of coaxial waveguide sections, and/or various combinations thereof.
1 . A spatial power-combining device comprising:
a center waveguide section comprising a plurality of amplifier assemblies, wherein the plurality of amplifier assemblies forms a first end and a second end, and wherein each amplifier assembly of the plurality of amplifier assemblies comprises:
an input antenna structure, an amplifier, and an output antenna structure; and
a body that supports the input antenna structure, the amplifier, and the output antenna structure, wherein a portion of the body that is proximate the first end forms a first slot that is entirely spaced from the first end, and wherein the first slot of each amplifier assembly of the plurality of amplifier assemblies forms a first radial cavity that is spaced from the first end;
a first coaxial waveguide section attached to the first end by a first mechanical fastener; and
a first nut that is arranged within the first radial cavity, wherein the first nut receives a portion of the first mechanical fastener.
2 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 1 , wherein another portion of the body of each amplifier assembly that is proximate the second end forms a second slot that is spaced from the second end, and wherein the second slot of each amplifier assembly of the plurality of amplifier assemblies forms a second radial cavity that is spaced from the second end.
3 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 2 , further comprising:
a second coaxial waveguide section attached to the second end by a second mechanical fastener; and
a second nut that is arranged within the second radial cavity, wherein the second nut receives a portion of the second mechanical fastener.
4 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 3 , wherein a total number of planar lateral edges of the second nut is less than or equal to a total number of amplifier assemblies of the plurality of amplifier assemblies.
5 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 3 , wherein each of the first mechanical fastener and the second mechanical fastener comprises a bolt.
6 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 1 , wherein a total number of planar lateral edges of the first nut is the same as a total number of amplifier assemblies of the plurality of amplifier assemblies.
7 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 1 , wherein the first nut is formed with a protruding feature that is oriented toward the first coaxial waveguide section.
8 . A spatial power-combining device comprising:
a center waveguide section comprising a plurality of amplifier assemblies, wherein the plurality of amplifier assemblies forms a first end and a second end;
a first coaxial waveguide section comprising a first inner conductor and a first outer conductor that is separated from the first inner conductor to form a first channel within the first coaxial waveguide section, wherein an outer surface of the first inner conductor and an inner surface of the first outer conductor form a gradient profile for the first channel; and
a dielectric insert arranged within the first channel along the gradient profile, wherein the dielectric insert is configured to form at least a portion of a medium in which a signal propagates through the first coaxial waveguide section, wherein the dielectric insert forms a plurality of tines that extend within the first channel.
9 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 8 , wherein the dielectric insert occupies only a portion of the first channel.
10 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 9 , wherein the dielectric insert forms a band within the portion of the first channel.
11 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 8 , wherein the first inner conductor is mechanically coupled to the first end by a compression fit connection.
12 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 11 , wherein the compression fit connection is at least partially provided by outer mechanical fasteners that couple the first outer conductor to the center waveguide section.
13 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of tines are connected by at least one band that resides within the first channel.
14 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 8 , wherein a portion of the dielectric insert occupies an entire portion of the first channel in which the signal propagates through the first coaxial waveguide section.
15 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 8 , wherein the dielectric insert comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
16 . A spatial power-combining device comprising:
a center waveguide section comprising a plurality of amplifier assemblies and an antenna structure, wherein the plurality of amplifier assemblies forms a first end and a second end; and
a first coaxial waveguide section comprising a first inner conductor and a first outer conductor that is separated from the first inner conductor to form a first channel within the first coaxial waveguide section, wherein an outer surface of the first inner conductor and an inner surface of the first outer conductor form a gradient profile for the first channel, wherein the first inner conductor is mechanically coupled to the first end by only a compression fit connection, wherein the first inner conductor comprises a first input inner conductor portion and a second input inner conductor portion that are both within the gradient profile of the first channel, and the first input inner conductor portion is between the second input inner conductor portion and the center waveguide.
17 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 16 , wherein the compression fit connection is at least partially provided by outer mechanical fasteners that couple the first outer conductor to the center waveguide section.
18 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 17 , wherein the compression fit connection is further provided by a pin that is arranged between the first outer conductor and the first inner conductor.
19 . The spatial power-combining device of claim 17 , wherein:
the antenna structure is an input antenna structure;
each amplifier assembly of the plurality of amplifier assemblies comprises a body structure that supports the input antenna structure, an amplifier, and an output antenna structure; and
the compression fit connection is further provided by an alignment notch formed in the body structure that receives a corresponding protruding feature of the first inner conductor.