Advanced radio frequency sensing probe
Inventors
Sappok, Alexander • Smith, III, Roland • Bromberg, Leslie
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10168358-B2
Publication Date
2019-01-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A radio-frequency probe system with a transmitting or receiving element integrated into a cable assembly is disclosed. In some embodiments a preferred configuration may contain one or more sensing elements integrated into the transmitting or receiving element. In another embodiment, the radio frequency probe comprises an antenna body fixed to a coaxial cable, in which the center conductor of the coaxial cable serves as the transmitting or receiving element. A method for monitoring, transmitting, or detecting one or more parameters using a single radio frequency probe is also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an advanced radio frequency probe system for microwave sensing in which transmitting and receiving RF elements are integrated into a cable assembly. A radio frequency probe system includes a coaxial cable having an inner conductor directly surrounded by an inner dielectric material, where the inner dielectric material is covered by a conducting coaxial braid and the conducting coaxial braid is covered by an outer insulating jacket. An antenna body is fixed to the coaxial cable assembly such that RF electrical and mechanical coupling are established through the integrated cable structure.
The system further includes a conductive outer sleeve in direct electrical contact with the coaxial braid and an inner conductor sheath encasing the inner conductor and extending beyond the conducting outer sleeve. The coaxial structure and the sleeve/sheath arrangement are configured to support robust construction concepts for harsh environments and to reduce variability caused by external connectors, interconnects, and operator installation errors.
Ancillary sensing elements can be integrated with the probe so monitoring and correction can be enabled with a single probe. In one implementation, RF electronics can be incorporated into the antenna body, such as a VCO and a detector mounted inside or on a board, to eliminate external high-frequency connectors or cables and improve reproducibility and reliability. The probe can use integrated ancillary sensor values for signal correction and to perform plausibility or self-diagnostics associated with the RF sensing.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are identified. Across the independent claims, the coverage is centered on a coaxial cable structure with a conductive outer sleeve and an inner conductor sheath, and one independent claim additionally includes one or more crimp connections that mechanically compress the conductive outer sleeve into direct contact with the conducting coaxial braid.
Coaxial cable with outer sleeve and extended inner conductor sheath
A radio frequency probe system comprising a coaxial cable with an inner conductor directly surrounded by an inner dielectric material, the inner dielectric material covered by a conducting coaxial braid, and the conducting coaxial braid covered by an outer insulating jacket; a conductive outer sleeve in direct electrical contact with the coaxial braid; and an inner conductor sheath encasing the inner conductor and extending beyond the conducting outer sleeve.
Crimp-compressed conductive outer sleeve for braid contact
A radio frequency probe system comprising a coaxial cable with an inner conductor surrounded by an inner dielectric material, the inner dielectric material covered by a conducting coaxial braid, and the conducting coaxial braid covered by an outer insulating jacket; a conductive outer sleeve in direct electrical contact with the coaxial braid; an inner conductor sheath encasing the inner conductor and extending beyond the conducting outer sleeve; and one or more crimp connections unitary with the conductive outer sleeve and positioned over and in direct contact with the conductive coaxial braid, whereby the conductive outer sleeve is mechanically compressed to contact the coaxial braid.
The claim set covers RF probe systems that establish electrical contact and mechanical coupling using a conductive outer sleeve and an inner conductor sheath integrated with a specific coaxial cable construction. One independent claim adds crimp connections that mechanically compress the conductive outer sleeve into direct contact with the conducting coaxial braid.
Stated Advantages
Improves reproducibility and reliability by eliminating external high-frequency connectors or cables when RF electronics are incorporated into the antenna body.
Reduces variability caused by external connectors, interconnects, and operator installation errors.
Enables monitoring and correction with a single probe by integrating ancillary sensing elements.
Demonstrates temperature tracking with negligible impact on RF resonance, reported as less than ~0.35% variation.
Documented Applications
Emission-control monitoring of diesel particulate filters/catalysts.
Microwave sensing in a microwave resonant cavity, including cavity perturbation sensing.
Microwave sensing in transmission sensing.
Microwave sensing in free-space sensing.
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