US2766355A - Coaxial switch - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 9, 1956 I D. B. CHERRY 2,766,355

COAXIAL SWITCH Filed Aug. 25, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I i 6a 42 :5 z

52 A W 51 a4 4 I iMALALQQiKY Z5 E7772 TZZ ET- Oct. 9, 1956 D, CHERRY 2,766,355

' COAXIAL SWITCH Filed Aug. 25, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E1 2. hrs? Dean B. Cherry 7: 4MJ M United States Patent COAXIAL SWITCH Dean B. Cherry, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Thompson Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 25, 1953, Serial No. 376,424

8 Claims. (Cl. 200-453) The present invention relates to a coaxial switch. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coaxial switch with bias coupled center conductors.

Coaxial switches, as they are known in the art, are systems for selectively connecting one high frequency transmission line to selected individual of a plurality of other transmission lines. That is, coaxial switches are multiple channel systems adapted to selectively connect one of the channels to a main channel and to selectively couple the main channel to any one of the desired other channels.

These switching systems have been termed coaxial switches because they have found their greatest use in connection with selective coupling of coaxial transmission lines. Until recently, most coaxial switches inherently, by virtue of their construction, were plagued with such problems as having high input VSWR values (voltage standing wave ratio values) and characteristics, the requirements of extremely close manufacturing mechanical tolerances, and short life due to excessive wear on the contacting conductor elements.

The poor VSWR characteristics, which are an indication of poor conductance and high loss values, were due principally to the numerous discontinuities which were present in the switch construction. These discontinuities in equivalent circuit analysis fundamentally amounted to capacitance shunting of the input wave. Attempts to avoid high VSWR characteristics indicating high losses were usually unsuccessful even though it was assumed to be helpful to machine the component parts of the switches to extremely close tolerances. These extremely close tolerances became standard practice in the manufacture of these switches and resulted in very expensive construction of the same.

In addition to being almost excessively expensive, close tolerance construction resulted in switches of short life due to wear on the closely fitting component parts of the switches. Further, this close tolerance construction required that the switches be manipulated relatively forcefully and that a relatively high torque be applied to rotary type coaxial switches. The requirement of high torque or force manipulation also represented a further increase in the construction cost and additional power losses.

Close machining and mechanical tolerances were not the only cause for the requirement of high manipulation force or torque since rotary type coaxial switches generally included a sleeve type coupling between the center conductor of the rotor and the end conductor or principal or main transmission line connector. Such sleeve type connection was naturally attended with considerable friction between the two members. Also, many prior coaxial switches of the rotor type incorporated slot and flange connection between the center conductor of the rotor and the center conductor of each of the remaining connectors which were usually radially disposed about the rotor and radially extending from the switch.

Numerous of the aforementioned difiiculties and problems, and particularly the problems of high discontinuity 2,766,355 Patented Oct. 9, 1956 and reflection losses, high VSWR characteristic values, have been obviated in the development of the coaxial switch developed by Carl F. Schunemann and Theodore R. Thoren, described and claimed in their application for patent entitled Coaxial Switch, Serial No. 267,246, filed January 19, 1952. The features and advantages of the coaxial switch invented by Messrs. Schunemann and Thoren are therefore incorporated into the coaxial switch system of my invention insofar as they are compatible with the principles of my invention.

By the principles of my invention, I have obviated numerous of the remaining ditficulties and problems attending the construction of coaxial switch systems; construction of a coaxial switch system in accordance with the principles of my invention provides a coaxial switch not dependent upon extremely close machining tolerances, of long useful life, and requiring only minimum torque in the range of very few inch-ounces to manipulate the rotor mechanism thereby to change the channel coupled to the end conductor connector.

By the system of the present invention another difficulty, not mentioned above, is also obviated. This problem was the frequent existence of poor contact coupling and connection between the several inner conductors of the lines to be coupled together selectively by the switch mechanism. Since, as stated, the usual practice in the construction of coaxial switches was to interconnect the center conductors of the same through tight friction fitting ends of the conductors thereby subjecting them to excessive wear without compensation therefor.

By the system of the present invention, the numerous forms of slot and flange or plug type coupling connection of the center conductors may be eliminated and wear on the connecting surfaces of these inner conductors is compensated for.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the center conductor connections are preferably spring loaded or otherwise biased for insuring not only wear compensation but also a good connection and proper coupling between these inner or center conductors.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a new and improved coaxial switch system having improved and reduced VSWR values and improved coupling between the center conductors coupled together by the switch system.

It is another important object of the present invention to provide an improved coaxial switch system with new and improved connector sections including biasing of the center conductors of the switch system thereby providing the same with compensation for wear and insuring good center conductor contact.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved coaxial switch mechanism permitting increased manufacturing and construction tolerances.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved coaxial switch system with construction features permitting the same to be operated by reduced torque on the rotor of the system.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved coaxial switch rotor with a slidably arranged center conductor.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved coaxial switch connector with a biased center conductor member. 1

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved coaxial switch connector assembly including an improved center conductor con struction.

Still other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will readily present themselves to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, from the amended claims, and from the accompanying drawings from form an integral part of this specification and fully disclose each and every detail shown and illustrated thereon, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

Figure l is an elevational view, partially in section, of a coaxial switch embodying the principles of the present invention coupled to a rotor operator therefor;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a connector center conductor assembly and the dielectric spacer therefor 619w bodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 3 is an elevational sectional view of another preferred embodiment of a coaxial switch embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a preferred form of coaxial switch rotor embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a coaxial switch constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and embodying the rotor as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of another preferred form of coaxial switch rotor embodying the principles of the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view of still another preferred form of coaxial switch embodying the principles of the present invention and incorporating the rotor of Figure 6 therein.

There is illustrated in Figure l a preferred form of coaxial switch, indicated generally at 1, embodying the principles of the present invention and readily adapted to be manipulated to interconnect desired channels by a rotor operator mechanism 2 coupled to the switch mechanism and arranged to incrementally rotate a rotor 3 forming a part of the switch mechanism. The switch 1, in Figure 1, is illustrated in section to more clearly present the features of this embodiment of the present invention and the construction thereof. As the switch 1 is illustrated, it is provided with an end conductor connector 4 extending axially from the switch mechanism and a plurality of other channel conductor connectors 5 and 6. Only two such other channel conductor connectors are illustrated in Figure l but it should be understood that there may be any desired number of these radially extending connectors such as the conectors 5 and 6. The number of other channel radially extending connectors is not critical to the present invention and is limited only by the dimensions desired for the switch and for the component parts thereof. The switch 1 has been illustrated with only two such other channel radially extending connectors for purposes of convenience.

An outer housing 7 having a plurality of radially extending pipe-like portions 8 and 9 and a similarly dimensioned axially extending pipe-like portion 10 is constructed from a conductive material and forms the outer conductor of each of the connector assemblies 4, 5 and 6. The pipe-like portions 8, 9 and 10 are preferably axially hollow and are joined at a hub portion 11 which is also hollow to provide an appropriate cavity for the rotor 3. Of course, the cavity in the hub 11 is joined with the hollows in each of the connector outer conductor portions 8, 9 and 10. It will be understood also that the unitary construction for the housing 7 is preferred but not essential and the housing 7 may be constructed from a plurality of appropriately machined or otherwise constructed parts fitted and secured together to provide the housing assembly with a construction resembling that illustrated and described here.

The rotor cavity in the hub 11 is preferably substantially circular in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of Figure l, substantially cylindrical to accept the switch rotor 3 in rotatable bearing relation therein. The particular cavity in the hub section 11 of the switch housing 7 is stepped as at 12 providing the cavity with an enlarged cylindrical section 13 in the vicinity of the rotor operator 2 and with a reduced diameter section 14 joining with the axial hollow 15 and air match section 1.5 in the end conductor connector section 4. The shoulder 12 is axially positioned in the cavity at about the center plane for the radially extending connectors 5 and 6, etc.

The rotor assembly 3 includes a substantially cylindrical rotor block 16 formed of a conductive material which is preferably the same as the material for the housing and outer conductor assembly 7 but which may be of any other desired material selected at random or in accordance with design calculations and conductivity. The rotor block 16 is formed to fit rotatably and bearingly within the cavity in the hub 11 and is therefore substantially cylindrical having a reduced diameter in the area of the section 14 of the cavity in the hub 11 and an enlarged diameter in the area 13 of the cavity in the hub 11. Similarly, a shoulder portion joins the reduced diameter section and enlarged diameter section in the vicinity of the shoulder 12 in the cavity in the hub 11. A shaft or the like 17 interconnects the rotor block 16 and the rotor operator mechanism within the operator 2.

The conductor rotor block 16 forms the outer conductor coupling member for the switch rotor 3. The switch roto r assembly 3 is also provided with an inner conductor coupling member 18 which is concentric within a right angle passage 19 within the block 16. The passage 19 is substantially of the same normal plane diameter as the diameter of the passage or hollow 15 and the end conductor connector outer conductor 10 and a similar passage 20 in the portion 8 of the housing 7 and the passage 21 in the portion 9 of the housing 7. In addition, the passage 19 terrninates at one end thereof concentrically with the passage 15 and at its other end concentric with the opening passage through the coaxial connector with which it is contiguous. A dielectric insulator spacer 23 positions the inner conductor 18 of the rotor assembly 3 properly within the passage 19 and is preferably formed of a moldable material having good dieletric qualities such as the material commonly known as Kel-F, polytrifiuorochloroethylene resin. This insulating elbow 23 has good molding characteristics as well as good dielectric characteristics (the dieletric constant of Kel-F being about 2.3) and may be molded right in place in the elbow passage 19 .in the rotor block 16. Other materials for the insulator elbow 23 may be employed in this particular embodiment but it is preferred to use Kel-F for numerous reasons not least among which is that it provides good dielectric matching for other insulators in the connectors further described hereinbelow and the fact that it has proper temperature expansion characteristics which are utilized in accordance with the principles of the present invention further defined hereinbelow.

At the ends thereof which are to mate with the appropriate parts of the radial connectors 5 and 6, the elbow insulator 23 and rotor center conductor 18 are appropriately shouldered as at 24. At their other ends, the dielectric Kel-F insulator 23 and rotor center condoctor 18 of this embodiment of the present invention are preferably finished flush with the face 25 of the rotor block and outer conductor 16, which face 25 is the end conductor face thereof adjacent to the end conductor 4.

The radial connectors 5 and 6 for coaxial type transmission lines each include a center conductor member 26, a dielectric insulator 27 and a thrust insert 28. The center conductor 26 of each of these radial connectors is axially disposed within the passages in the outer conduotors 8 and 9 respectively and maintained in that position by the dielectric insulators 27 which are preferably preformed plugs of the preferred dielectric material Teflon, polytetrafluoroethylene, which is a preferred construction material for the plug insulator and spacer 27. The Teflon insulator plugs 27 for the radial connectors 5 and 6 also have good dielectric characteristics and insulation characteristics and may be matched with the diameters, as stated, should be substantially the same but may be modified in accordance with coaxial line discontinuity considerations permitting matching of the insulators and coaxial lines and the connectors. Also, of assistance in matching these several lines and compensating for the discontinuities present in the switch, air match gaps are provided by recesses in an end or ends of the several insulators such as the air match recesses 29 in the insulators 27 illustrated. The inserts 28 in the connectors and 6 which radially extend about the hub 11 and rotor 16, are also preferably formed to maintain the insulators 27 of each of these connectors in proper axial position.

The end conductor connector 4 has an inner conductor and insulator assembly illustrated in enlargement in Figure 2 and identified gene-rally by the numeral 30. This inner conductor and insulator assembly 30 is held in place in the axial passage and against the air match section 15' in the outer conductor member 10 by an additional insent 28 which is preferably cup-shaped and which may be identical with the inserts 28 of the radial connector 5 and 6.

The inner conductor and insulator assembly 30 includes an insulator 31 which is also preferably formed of Teflon of substantially cylindrical construction and provided with air match recesses 32 and 33 in each end thereof respectively. The insulator 31 is provided with an axial passage therethrough of substantially the same diameter as the calculated diameter of an inner conductor for this connector. An inner conductor spool-like member 34 is fixed within the axial passage 35 of the dielectric insulator 31 and is axially bored from both of its ends 36 and 37 so that it is substantially hollow except for a center solid portion 38 therein. At the coaxial transmission line connector end 36 thereof, the spool-like center conductor member 34 is slotted in quadrature for resilient coupling to a coaxial connector plug (not shown). In the hollow extending inwardly from the rotor coupling end 37 of the spool-like inner conductor member 34 there is disposed an axially resilient member such as a compression spring 39 seated against the solid portion 38 and an inner conductor plunger 40 seated against the axially resilient member 39 telescopingly within the member 34. The rotor coupling end 37 of the center conductor 34 also may be slotted to provide fingers biased into highly conducting contact with the plunger 40. Crimping or the like provides the bias to these fingers and the conductive contact between fingers and the plunger prevents inductive effects in the spring 39 at high frequencies. It will be understood, of course, that so long as there is good conductive contact between the plunger 40 and the spool 34, inductive effects at the spring 39 will be avoided.

Seated Within the axial passage 15 of the outer conductor portion 19 of the end conductor connector 4, the inner conductor and insulator assembly 30 abuts the elbow dielectric insulator 23 and the elbow inner conductor 18 of the rotor assembly 3. The coupling end 41 of the inner conductor plunger 40 abuts the flush end of the elbow inner conductor 13 and is pressurably resiliently urged thereagainst by the spring member 39. To insure against axial movement of the spool-like inner conductor member 38, it is provided with a small radial shoulder 42 which abuts against the face of the recess 32 in the Teflon plug 31 and has an axial dimension substantially the same as that of the recess 32. The spoollike center conductor member 34 has a length from its shoulder 42 to its rotor coupling end 37 slightly greater than the axial dimension of the Teflon block 31 so that the coupling end thereof may be disposed as closely as possible to the plane of coupling with the elbow center conductor 18.

Thus, by the arrangement of Figure 1, it will be understood that when the rotor 3 is rotated by the mechanism of the rotor operator 2, the center conductor 18 thereof will remain in constant positive coupling with the center conductor of the connector 4 by pressure of the plunger 40 thereagainst at face 41 due to the spring 39. Any Wear on the abutting faces of the conductors 18 and 40 will be compensated for automatically by the spring member 39. Axial movement of the center conductor spool 34 is prevented by its pressed interfilling relation with the insulator 31.

From the above, it will also be seen that the heretofore required close tolerances for many of the component parts of coaxial switches may be eliminated since the center conductors are in pressure contact. Therefore, and since plug-type and slot-type center conductor connections may be avoided in accordance with the principles of the present invention, very low torque is neces sary to rotate the rotor 3. Only a torque in the range of a very few inch ounces need be applied to effect rotation of the rotor 3. By rotating the rotor 3 between preselected positions defined by the position of each of the connectors radially disposed thereaobut, such as the connectors 5 and 6, the end conductor connector 4 may be coupled to individual of these radially extending connectors and the coaxial transmission lines to which they are connected, not shown, selectively. The system may be provided with an indicator or with automatic stop means if so desired since the rotation operator mechanism 2 may be a rotary solenoid or the like or any other desired type of rotor operator mechanism merely operable to effect rotation of the rotor between the radially extending connectors individually and selectively.

In systems of this nature, the power signal may be fed in from the end conductor 4 and distributed selectively to any one desired of the radially extending conductors and their associated coaxial transmission lines or differing signals may be provided to each of the radially extending connectors and they may be selectively taken to the end conductor assembly 4 as desired for any desired purpose.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in cross-section in Figure 3. In this coaxial switch system the housing 50 is substantially identical to the housing 7 of the switch 1 except that the cavity in the hub portion 51 thereof is substantially uniform in diameter and is not provided with the shoulder 12 of the cavity in the hub 11 in the housing of switch 1. Also, the rotor assembly 52 has a rotor block 53 which is preferably cylindrical and substantially uniform in diameter throughout its axial length except that the forward face 54 thereof is slightly charnfered or tapered circumferentially thereabout as at 55 for purposes hereinafter described.

The coaxial switch system of Figure 3 is similar to the system of Figure l in that it is provided with a plurality of connectors such as connectors 56 and 57 extending radially therefrom about the rotor assembly 53, and further has an end conductor connector 58 thereon extending axially therefrom.

In this embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred that all of the several connectors such as the connectors 56, 57 and 58 be formed substantially identically with the connector 4 of the switch of Figure 1, thereby including in each thereof a center conductor and insulator assembly 30 such as the one illustrated in Figure 2. By providing each of the connectors such as connectors 56, 57 and 58 with Teflon dielectric insulators 31 and shoulder 42, spool-like center conductor members 34 carrying spring 39, biased center conductor plungers 40 and center conductor positioning and securing inserts 28, all of the center conductor plungers 40 are urged into pressure contact and wear-compensating contact with the rotor assembly 52. This construction is particularly advantageous since it insures good contact of low friction thereby allowing the rotor to be manipulated by a very small torque and further eliminating any necessity for any contact shoulders or the like for the center conductor members.

Assembly of the coaxial switch of Figure 3 is conducted in a very similar manner to the system of assembly and construction of the coaxial switch system of Figure l and insertion of the rotor assembly 52 carrying the rotor outer conductor 53, the Kelelbow dielectric insulator 60 and the rotor elbow inner conductor 61 after fitting the connector assemblies 56, 57 and 53 together is easily and etficiently facilitated without damage to the plungers 40 of the radially extending connectors 56 and 57 by camming them onto the cylindrical surface of the rotor block 53 over chamfered camming leading edges 55.

The coaxial switch system of Figure 3, forming a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thus provides a coaxial switch wherein all of the center conductors are very definitely individually pressure-urged into proper coupling engagement without the difficulties attending plug and recess or slot and flange type high friction, high reaction coupling terminals.

Another important embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 4 and Figure 4 illustrating a new and improved form of rotor and Figure 5 illustrating a new and improved coaxial switch mechanism incorporating the rotor of Figure 4.

As was previously pointed out, the dielectric insulating material which is preferred for the dielectric elbow in the rotor is a material which is commonly known as Kel-F and more technically known as polytrifluorochloroethylene resin since this material has good dielectric characteristics and may be molded in place. Another characteristic of Kel-F is that it has a relatively high thermal expansion value and upon cooling and setting following molding has a tendency to contract or shrink to a considerably reduced volume.

Heretofore, this shrinkage and contraction of the Kel-F dielectric elbow has been thought of as creating a problem and has been compensated for in numerous ways. I have found, however, that the shrinkage of the Kel-F elbow may be most advantageously employed in a coaxial switch rotor.

The coaxial switch rotor 70 of Figure 4 has a rotor block 71 which may be, if desired, identical to the rotor block 53 of the rotor assembly 52 of the coaxial switch system of Figure 3. A center conductor member 72 of elbow configuration and squared off ends like the center conductor 61 of the switch in Figure 3 is coaxially arranged within an elbow passage 73 in the rotor block 71 and a dielectric insulator formed of Kel-F is molded about the center conductor 72 within the passage 73. Upon cooling and setting the Kel-F elbow 74 shrinks and contracts somewhat and therefore is loose to arcuately slide within the passage 73 unless some other provision is made to hold the Kel-F insulator and center conductor 72 in place in the rotor block 71.

The coaxial switch system of Figure 5 is substantially identical to the coaxial switch system 1 of Figure l but incorporates the rotor 70 which is one Without shoulders on the peripheral surface thereof and the cavity in the hub 75 is similarly without shoulders thereon, but is preferably smoothly cylindrical as in the similarly constructed assembly of Figure 3. The end conductor connector of the switch assembly of Figure 5 is also identified by the numeral 4 indicating that it is the same as the end conductor connector assembly 4 of the system of Figure 1 including the insulator and center conductor assembly 30 of Figure 2. In this preferred embodiment, the plunger 40 biased outwardly by the axial biasing spring 39 is forced against the center conductor 72 of the rotor 70 and slidably urges the center conductor 72 and the Kel-F insulator 74 into engagement with the center conductor 76 and Teflon plug dielectric insulator 77 of lit one of the radially extending connectors 78 and 79, respectively. Since the Kel-F elbow dielectric insulator 74 is arcuately slidable within the passage 73 of the insulator block 70, any Wear on the ends, either of them, of the center conductor 72 or center conductors 76 or center conductor plunger 40 is compensated for through movement of the plunger 40 and the elbow conductor and insulator 72 and 74 under the biasing force of the spring 39.

This preferred improved arrangement in accordance with the principles of the present invention provides a very efficient long-life positive contacting coaxial switch mechanism which in addition to its other features is also rotatable under a very small torque within the range of a very few inch ounces just as the other of the preferred systems described and illustrated in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Another form of coaxial switch taking advantage of this slidably arranged center conductor system, is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. A rotor assembly 80 is illustrated in Figure 6 wherein the rotor block 81 has an elbow passage 82 in which a Kel-F insulator elbow 83 is so molded as to be fixedly secured in position within the elbow passage 82. The elbow insulator 83 is also so molded that the center conductor 34 coaxially therein is arcuately slidnble therethrough and is shown in an offset position in Figure 6.

The coaxial switch system embodying this rotor assembly 80 is shown in section in Figure 7 and aside from the coaxial switch rotor assembly 80 is preferably substantially identical to the system described above in connection with Figure 5. That is, the cavity in the hub 75 is regularly cylindrical and the connector 4 incorporates the Teflon insulator and biased center conductor assembly 30 of Figure 2.

In this preferred embodiment biasing of the plunger 40 operates to arcuately slide only the center conductor 84 of the rotor assembly 80 into proper coupling contact in connection with the center conductor 76 of a selected one of the radial connectors 78 and 79, etc. The coaxial switch system of Figure 7 is a most efficiently operating one and constitutes a valuable preferred embodiment of my invention.

It should be noted in connection with the coaxial switch systems of Figures 1, 5 and 7 that the radially extending connectors may be equipped with the biased center con ductor system as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 if so desired without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention since that biased center conductor system constitutes an important feature of the present invention.

Thus, it will be understood that the principles and novel concepts of the present invention are not limited to the precise embodiments shown and described but are applicable to various types of coaxial switches such as those where connection is made only between selectable radial connectors etc.

It will also be understood that various other details of construction may be varied through a wide range, depending upon the conditions, without departing from the true principles of this invention and the scope thereof, and it is, therefore, not the purpose hereof to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than by the scope of the claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A coaxial switch system comprising, a plurality of radially arranged coaxial line connectors, an axially disposed coaxial line connector, a rotor assembly having a coaxial line coupling member incorporated therein and positioned to couple said axial connector selectively with individual of said radially arranged connectors, and spring-loading biasing means insuring proper connection coupling of inner conductors of said connectors through said rotor assembly, said rotor assembly including an outer conductor member and a coaxially arranged inner conductor member slidably disposed therein for arcuate sliding thereof under force from said biasing means.

2. A coaxial switch system comprising a plurality of radially arranged coaxial line connectors, an axially disposed coaxial line connector, a rotor assembly having a coaxial line coupling member with an axially extending end for continuity with the axially disposed coaxial line connectorand with a radially extending end for selective continuity with the radially arranged coaxial line connectors, and biasing means acting at least on the axial end of the coaxial line coupling member and thereby urging the radial end of the coaxial line coupling member toward a selected radially arranged coaxial line connector for insuring proper coupling of said axial connector with the selected radial connector through said rotor assembly.

3. A coaxial switch system comprising a plurality of radially arranged coaxial line connectors, an axially disposed coaxial line connector, a rotor assembly having an inner conductor member incorporated therein, said rotor assembly having a passage defining an outer conductor, and said inner conductor member being movable axially of said passage so as to maintain coaxial alignment of said inner conductor member relative to the outer conductor in spite of axial shifting thereof, said inner conductor member being positioned to couple said axial connector selectively with individual of said radially arranged connectors, and spring-loading biasing means acting on at least one end of said inner conductor member for urging the inner conductor member to shift axially of said outer conductor for insuring proper coupling of said connectors through said rotor assembly.

4. A coaxial switch mechanism for coupling coaxial lines, comprising a switch body, a pair of coaxial line connectors in said body each having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, a coaxial switch member movable relative to said switch body and constructed for establishing continuity between said pair of connectors in one position thereof, said switch member having an outer conductor and having an inner conductor mounted for shifting axially of the switch member outer conductor, and one of the switch body inner conductors acting on at least one end of the switch member inner conductor to urge the opposite end of the switch member inner conductor toward the other of the switch body inner conductors when the switch member is disposed to interconnect said switch body coaxial line connectors.

5. A coaxial switch mechanism for coupling coaxial lines, comprising a switch body, a pair of coaxial line connectors in said switch body each having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, a coaxial switch member movable relative to said switch body and constructed for establishing continuity between said pair of connectors in one position thereof, said switch member having an outer conductor and having an inner conductor mounted for shifting axially of said switch member outer conductor, an insulating sleeve carrying said switch mem ber inner conductor in insulated relation to the switch member outer conductor and slidable in said switch member as a unit with said switch member inner conductor, and one of the switch body inner conductors acting on one end of the switch member inner conductor toward the other of the switch body inner conductors when the switch member is disposed to interconnect said switch body coaxial line connectors.

6. A high frequency switch mechanism comprising a switch body, a switch member movable relative to said switch body and having an arcuate coupling member with a substantially constant radius of curvature slidable in said switch member on an arcuate path defined by said radius, connector means carried by the switch body for registration with opposite ends of said coupling memher in said one position of said switch member, and biasing means urging at least one of said connectors against the corresponding end of the coupling member to tend to slide the coupling member toward the other of said connectors without displacing said coupling member from the arcuate path defined by said radius of curvature.

7. A coaxial switch mechanism comprising a switch body, a switch member movable relative to said switch body and having an arcuate passage with a substantially constant radius of curvature, an inner conductor of corresponding radius of curvature disposed coaxially in said arcuate passage and movable in an are on said radius, said switch body providing a pair of coaxial connectors for registration with the opposite ends of said arcuate passage in one position of the switch member, and the coaxial connectors including inner conductors for registration with the opposite ends of the switch member inner conductor, and at least one of the switch body inner conductors acting on the corresponding end of the switch member inner conductor to urge the switch member inner conductor to move in said arc and to urge the opposite end thereof toward the other switch body inner conductor.

8. A coaxial switch mechanism comprising a switch body, a switch member movable relative to said switch body and having an arcuate passage with a substantially constant radius of curvature, an elongated insulating sleeve slidably disposed in said arcuate passage and having a corresponding conforming curvature, an inner conductor of radius of curvature corresponding to said arcuate passage and carried by said insulating sleeve for movement in an arc on said radius, said switch body providing a pair of coaxial connectors for registration with the opposite ends of the passage in one position of the switch member, the coaxial connectors including inner conductors for registration with the respective opposite ends of the switch member. inner conductor, and at least one of the switch body inner conductors acting on the corresponding end of the switch member inner conductor to urge the switch member inner conductor to move in said arc and to urge the opposite end thereof toward the other switch body inner conductor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,475,647 Spriggs July 12, 1949 2,556,869 Charles June 12, 1951 2,642,495 Haulman et al June 16, 1953

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