Coaxial RF device thermally conductive polymer insulator and method of manufacture
An insulator supporting an inner conductor within the outer conductor of a coaxial device formed from a portion of thermally conductive polymer composition with a thermal conductivity of at least 4 W/m-K. The portion is dimensioned with an outer diameter in contact with the outer conductor and a coaxial central bore supporting there through the inner conductor. Cavities may be formed in the portion for dielectric matching and or material conservation purposes. The insulator may be cost effectively fabricated via injection molding.
1. An insulator supporting an inner conductor within the outer conductor of a coaxial device, comprising:
a portion of thermally conductive polymer composition with a thermal conductivity of at least 4 W/m-K; the portion dimensioned with an outer diameter in contact with the outer conductor and a coaxial central bore supporting there through the inner conductor.
2. The insulator of claim 1 , further including a plurality of cavities formed in the outer diameter.
3. The insulator of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of cavities are each equal in size.
4. The insulator of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of cavities is four.
5. The insulator of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of cavities each are a generally circle sector shape.
6. The insulator of claim 1 , further including a plurality of cavities provided in a front side and a back side of the insulator.
7. The insulator of claim 1 , further including at least one cavity provided in one of a front side and a back side of the insulator.
8. The insulator of claim 1 , wherein the thermally conductive polymer composition has a dielectric constant, measured at one megahertz, of less than 4.
9. The insulator of claim 1 , wherein the thermal conductivity is at least 10 W/m-K.
10. The insulator of claim 1 , wherein the insulator is cylindrical.
11. The insulator of claim 1 , wherein the portion is a unitary integral portion.
12. A method for manufacturing an insulator for supporting an inner conductor within an outer conductor of a coaxial device, comprising the steps of:
forming a portion of thermally conductive polymer composition with a thermal conductivity of at least 4 W/m-K; the portion dimensioned to have an outer diameter in contact with the outer conductor and a coaxial central bore in contact with the inner conductor.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the portion is formed via injection molding.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the portion is cylindrical.
15. The method of claim 12 , further including forming a plurality of cavities in the portion.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the cavities are arranged for two axis mold separation during forming via injection molding.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cavities are uniformly distributed around the portion.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the thermally conductive polymer composition has a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W/m-K.
19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the dielectric value of the thermally conductive polymer composition, measured at one megahertz, is less than 4.
20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the portion is formed as a unitary integral portion.