Mini isolator

Abstract

An isolator includes a conditioning circuit configured to filter signals communicated therethrough. The isolator also includes a coupling member comprising an anti-rotation feature. The anti-rotation feature is configured to prevent the conditioning circuit from rotating with respect to the coupling member to maintain a stable ground contact for the conditioning circuit. The isolator also includes a first annular circuit positioned around the coupling member. The isolator also includes a second annular circuit positioned around the coupling member and axially offset from the first annular circuit. The first and second annular circuits are configured to provide radio-frequency (RF) coupling with the coupling member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An isolator, comprising:
 an outer shield configured to provide a radio-frequency (RF) barrier;   a body positioned at least partially within the outer shield, wherein the body is configured to be connected to a user device;   a conditioning circuit positioned at least partially within the outer shield, the body, or both, wherein the conditioning circuit is configured to filter signals communicated therethrough;   a coupling member positioned at least partially within the outer shield, the body, or both, wherein the coupling member comprises an anti-rotation feature that is configured to prevent the conditioning circuit from rotating with respect to the coupling member to maintain a stable ground contact for the conditioning circuit;   a first annular circuit positioned radially between the coupling member and the outer shield, the body, or both; and   a second annular circuit positioned radially between the coupling member and the outer shield, the body, or both, wherein the first and second annular circuits are axially offset from one another with respect to a central longitudinal axis that extends therethrough, and wherein the first and second annular circuits are configured to provide RF coupling between the coupling member and the outer shield, the body, or both.   
     
     
         2 . The isolator of  claim 1 , wherein inner surfaces of the first and second annular circuits are configured to contact the coupling member, and wherein outer surfaces of the first and second annular circuits are configured to contact the outer shield, the body, or both, which allows the first and second annular circuits to provide the RF coupling between the coupling member and the outer shield, the body, or both. 
     
     
         3 . The isolator of  claim 1 , wherein the first annular circuit comprises:
 a ring comprising a non-conductive material;   a first layer formed on an inner surface of the ring and configured to contact the coupling member;   a second layer formed on an outer surface of the ring and configured to contact the outer shield, the body, or both, wherein the first and second layers comprise a conductive material; and   a surface mounted circuit connected to the ring.   
     
     
         4 . The isolator of  claim 3 , wherein a hole is formed axially through the ring, wherein the surface mounted circuit is connected to the ring via the hole, and wherein the surface mounted circuit is located on an axial side of the ring. 
     
     
         5 . The isolator of  claim 4 , wherein the first annular circuit further comprises a plating positioned at least partially in the hole and in contact with the surface mounted circuit, and wherein the plating comprises the conductive material. 
     
     
         6 . An isolator, comprising:
 a conditioning circuit configured to filter signals communicated therethrough;   a coupling member comprising an anti-rotation feature, wherein the anti-rotation feature is configured to prevent the conditioning circuit from rotating with respect to the coupling member to maintain a stable ground contact for the conditioning circuit;   a first annular circuit positioned around the coupling member; and   a second annular circuit positioned around the coupling member and axially offset from the first annular circuit, wherein the first and second annular circuits are configured to provide radio-frequency (RF) coupling with the coupling member.   
     
     
         7 . The isolator of  claim 6 , further comprising a body positioned radially outward from the coupling member and configured to be connected to a user device, wherein an outer surface of the first annular circuit is configured to contact the body. 
     
     
         8 . The isolator of  claim 7 , wherein inner surfaces of the first and second annular circuits are configured to contact the coupling member, and wherein outer surfaces of the first and second annular circuits are configured to contact the body, which allows the first and second annular circuits to provide the RF coupling between the coupling member and the body. 
     
     
         9 . The isolator of  claim 7 , wherein inner surfaces of the first and second annular circuits are configured to contact the coupling member, and wherein outer surfaces of the first and second annular circuits are configured to contact the body, which allows the first and second annular circuits to at least partially attenuate direct current (DC) signals between the coupling member and the body. 
     
     
         10 . The isolator of  claim 7 , wherein the first annular circuit comprises:
 a ring comprising a non-conductive material;   a first layer formed on an inner surface of the ring and configured to contact the coupling member;   a second layer formed on an outer surface of the ring and configured to contact the body, wherein the first and second layers comprise a conductive material; and   a surface mounted circuit connected to the ring.   
     
     
         11 . The isolator of  claim 10 , wherein a hole is formed axially through the ring, wherein the surface mounted circuit is connected to the ring via the hole, and wherein the surface mounted circuit is located on an axial side of the ring. 
     
     
         12 . The isolator of  claim 11 , wherein the first annular circuit further comprises a plating positioned at least partially in the hole and in contact with the surface mounted circuit, and wherein the plating comprises the conductive material. 
     
     
         13 . The isolator of  claim 6 , wherein the anti-rotation feature comprises a slot that is defined at least partially by:
 a first axially extending surface;   a second axially extending surface that is circumferentially offset from the first axially extending surface; and   a circumferentially extending surface that extends between the first and second axially extending surfaces.   
     
     
         14 . The isolator of  claim 6 , wherein the anti-rotation feature extends radially through the coupling member, from an inner radial surface of the coupling member to an outer radial surface of the coupling member. 
     
     
         15 . The isolator of  claim 6 , wherein the anti-rotation feature comprises two anti-rotation features that are circumferentially offset from one another around an axial end of the coupling member. 
     
     
         16 . An isolator, comprising:
 an anti-rotation feature that is configured to be positioned within a body of the isolator, wherein the anti-rotation feature is configured to receive a circuit and to prevent the circuit from rotating within the body to maintain a stable ground contact for the circuit.   
     
     
         17 . The isolator of  claim 16 , wherein the anti-rotation feature comprises a slot that is configured to receive the circuit, wherein the slot is defined at least partially by:
 a first axially extending surface;   a second axially extending surface that is circumferentially offset from the first axially extending surface; and   a circumferentially extending surface that extends between the first and second axially extending surfaces.   
     
     
         18 . The isolator of  claim 16 , wherein the anti-rotation feature comprises an annular member with a slot formed in an axial end thereof, wherein the slot is formed from an inner radial surface of the annular member to an outer radial surface of the annular member, and wherein the slot is configured to receive the circuit. 
     
     
         19 . The isolator of  claim 18 , wherein the annular member comprises a first portion having a first radial thickness and a second portion having a second radial thickness, and wherein the slot is formed through the first and second portions. 
     
     
         20 . The isolator of  claim 19 , wherein the anti-rotation feature comprises two anti-rotation features that are circumferentially offset from one another around a central longitudinal axis through the isolator, and wherein the two anti-rotation features are configured to receive the circuit.