Coupler to c-pathway device and methodology

Abstract

The invention is an electromagnetic wave or 'EM' coupler for successfully connecting EM waves between an EM generator output and a conductive pathway or 'c-pathway' that is not normally considered as an EM transmission medium or line. The coupler includes a dual surface shell-like structure with an electrically conductive outer surface that is insulated from an electrically conductive inner surface that is attached at a specified location along a c-pathway. The forward end of the inside surface of the coupler is attached to the c-pathway while the outside surface of the forward end of the coupler is left unconnected and open. To provide a successful EM connection between the coupler and the c-pathway, the physical size of the coupler is configured as a physically shaped component with a relationship to the c-pathway itself rather than to the particular EM wave required to make such connectivity. To facilitate a realistic physical coupler structure, an additional impedance matching system is coupled between the EM wave generator output and the coupler itself. The EM generator is appropriately connected to an impedance tuning network whose output is then electrically connected to the coupler with the ground component connected to the rearward end of the outside surface of the coupler while the active component is connected to the inside surface of the rearward end of the coupler.