Cartridge for use in radio frequency systems

Abstract

An apparatus including a conductive sleeve including an outer-conductive surface and an inner passageway that extends from a first end at least partially to a second end. The passageway is adapted to receive and shield a device that provides at least one of a radio frequency path and an electrical current path.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a conductive sleeve including an outer-conductive surface and an inner passageway that extends from a first end at least partially to a second end, the passageway adapted to receive and shield a device that provides at least one of a radio frequency path and an electrical current path.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a securing bracket operable to attach the conductive sleeve to a grounded radio frequency device, wherein the outer-conductive surface contacts a ground in the grounded radio frequency device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device is one of an active electrical circuit, a passive electrical circuit, an active electro-optical circuit, a passive electro-optical circuit, an electrical element, an optical element, a radio frequency device, band pass filter, a band stop, a low pass filter, a notch filter, a printed circuit board, radio frequency traces, lasers, light emitting diodes, a straight pin and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner passageway extends from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is adapted to contact a first ground contact in a first radio frequency device, wherein the first ground contact is in proximity to the at least one of the radio frequency path and the electrical current path. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve is further adapted to contact a second ground contact in the first radio frequency device, wherein the second ground contact is in proximity to the at least one of the radio frequency path and the electrical current path. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve is adapted to contact a second ground contact in a second radio frequency device, wherein the second ground contact is in proximity to the at least one of the radio frequency path and the electrical current path. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve further comprises:
 a first-end portion near the first end, the first-end portion partially encircled by a securing bracket, the securing bracket operable to attach the conductive sleeve to a radio frequency device, wherein a ground contact in the radio frequency device is in contact with the outer-conductive surface and in proximity to the at least one of the radio frequency path and the electrical current path.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the ground contact is a first ground contact, and wherein the sleeve further comprises:
 movable flanges at the second end, the flanges enabled to stably contact a second ground contact in the radio frequency device, wherein the second ground contact is in contact with the outer-conductive surface and in proximity to the at least one of the radio frequency path and the electrical current path.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sleeve further comprises:
 a hole in a portion of the sleeve, the hole extending from the outer-conductive surface of the sleeve to an inner surface of the sleeve, wherein an input/output connector extends through the hole, wherein the input/output connector electrically connects to the device.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the securing bracket comprises:
 an inset having a shape that conforms to a shape of the outer-conductive surface at the first-end portion of the sleeve, wherein the inset contacts the first-end portion of the outer-conductive surface in order to hold the conductive sleeve in the radio frequency device.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the ground contact is a first ground contact, and wherein the sleeve further comprises:
 movable flanges at the second end, the flanges enabled to stably contact a second ground contact in the radio frequency device wherein the second ground contact is in contact with the outer-conductive surface and in proximity to the at least one of the radio frequency path and the electrical current path.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve further comprises:
 movable flanges at the first end, the flanges enabled to stably contact a first ground contact in a first radio frequency device, wherein the first ground contact is in contact with the outer-conductive surface and in proximity to the at least one of the radio frequency path and the electrical current path; and   movable flanges at the second end, the flanges enabled to stably contact a second ground contact in a second radio frequency device, wherein the second ground contact is in contact with the outer-conductive surface and in proximity to the at least one of the radio frequency path and the electrical current path.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is formed from one of a metal cylinder, a metallic form including a passageway extending at least partially through a length of the metallic form, a metallic form including a cylindrical passageway extending at least partially through a length of the metallic form, a plastic form coated on an exterior surface with a metal layer and including a passageway extending at least partially through a length of the plastic form, a plastic form coated on an exterior surface with a metal layer and including a cylindrical passageway extending at least partially through a length of the metal-coated plastic form, a plastic cylinder coated on an exterior surface with a metal layer, a rectangular plastic form coated on an exterior surface with a metal layer wherein a passageway extends at least partially through a length of the metal-coated rectangular plastic form and a rectangular plastic form coated on an exterior surface with a metal layer wherein a cylindrical passageway extends at least partially through a length of the metal-coated rectangular plastic form. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve further comprises:
 a non-conductive material with the inner passageway extending through a length of the non-conductive material; and   a conductive layer formed on an exterior surface of the non-conductive material.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner passageway is a cylindrical inner passageway. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a radio frequency device. 
     
     
         18 . A method to electrically isolate a device, the method comprising:
 inserting the device into a conductive sleeve; and   grounding an outer-conductive surface of the conductive sleeve to a ground of a radio frequency device near at least one of a radio frequency path and an electrical current path for the device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ground is a first ground, wherein the radio frequency device is a first radio frequency device, and wherein the method further comprises:
 grounding the outer-conductive surface of the conductive sleeve to a second ground of a second radio frequency device near at least one of the radio frequency path and the electrical current path for the device.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ground is a first ground and wherein the method further comprises:
 grounding the outer-conductive surface of the conductive sleeve to a second ground of the radio frequency device near at least one of the radio frequency path and the electrical current path for the device.