Position adjuster for millimeter wave antenna

Abstract

An adjustor configured to position an antenna coupled to a mounting element includes an adjustor nut having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of the adjustor nut. At least a portion of the bore has inner threads configured to engage corresponding threads on a first portion of the mounting element positioned within the bore. A tool interface is positioned near a proximal end region of the adjustor nut and an external fastening mechanism positioned near a distal end region of the adjustor nut. A preload nut configured to engage the external fastening mechanism and configured to apply a load onto a second portion of the mounting element is positioned between a portion of the adjustor nut and the preload nut. Rotation of the adjustor nut around the longitudinal axis causes movement of the first portion along the longitudinal axis while the load is applied onto the second portion.

1 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An adjustor for aligning a data communication device, the adjustor comprising:
 a mounting element configured to mount the data communication device on a support structure;   an adjustor nut configured to be coupled to the mounting element, the adjustor nut comprising:
 a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of the adjustor nut, the bore configured to engage with a first portion of the mounting element positioned within the bore; and 
 an outer surface; 
   a preload nut configured to engage the outer surface and configured to apply a load onto a second portion of the mounting element positioned between a portion of the adjustor nut and the preload nut;   wherein rotation of the adjustor nut around the longitudinal axis causes movement of the first portion of the mounting element along the longitudinal axis while the load is applied onto the second portion of the mounting element, and wherein the movement, caused by the rotation of the adjustor nut, is configured to align the data communication device.   
     
     
         32 . The adjustor of  claim 31 , wherein movement of the first portion of the mounting element along the longitudinal axis adjusts the data communication device along an elevation coordinate, an azimuth coordinate, or a polarization. 
     
     
         33 . The adjustor of  claim 31 , further comprising a locknut. 
     
     
         34 . The adjustor of  claim 33 , wherein the locknut is coupled to the mounting element. 
     
     
         35 . The adjustor of  claim 33 , wherein the locknut is coupled to the adjustor nut. 
     
     
         36 . The adjustor of  claim 35 , wherein the locknut comprises a central bore having a threaded region and an unthreaded region forming a tapered shoulder, wherein the central bore is configured to receive at least a portion of the adjustor nut. 
     
     
         37 . The adjustor of  claim 36 , wherein the threaded region is sized to engage at least a portion of the outer surface of the adjustor nut. 
     
     
         38 . The adjustor of  claim 37 , wherein when the locknut is loose, the locknut travels along the longitudinal axis during movement of the first portion of the mounting element. 
     
     
         39 . The adjustor of  claim 37 , wherein when the locknut is tightened, the locknut prevents movement of the first portion of the mounting element along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         40 . The adjustor of  claim 37 , wherein at least the portion of the outer surface of the adjustor nut forms a tapered region. 
     
     
         41 . The adjustor of  claim 40 , wherein the tapered region comprises one or more slits extending through a wall of the adjustor nut. 
     
     
         42 . The adjustor of  claim 41 , wherein tightening of the locknut via rotation advances the locknut toward an end of the adjustor nut causing engagement between the threaded region of the locknut with at least a portion of the outer surface of the adjustor nut. 
     
     
         43 . The adjustor of  claim 42 , wherein further tightening of the locknut via rotation advances the locknut further toward the end of the adjustor nut causing the tapered shoulder of the locknut to wedge against the tapered region of the adjustor nut. 
     
     
         44 . The adjustor of  claim 43 , wherein the tapered shoulder of the locknut wedged against the tapered region of the adjustor nut narrows the one or more slits of the tapered region and reduces an inner diameter of the tapered region. 
     
     
         45 . The adjustor of  claim 44 , wherein reduction of the inner diameter locks the adjustor nut onto the first portion of the mounting element. 
     
     
         46 . The adjustor of  claim 45 , wherein locking the adjustor nut prevents rotation of the adjustor nut around the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         47 . The adjustor of  claim 31 , wherein the bore comprises threads positioned within an end region of the adjustor nut. 
     
     
         48 . The adjustor of  claim 31 , wherein the at least a portion of the bore comprises threads positioned along a length of the bore. 
     
     
         49 . The adjustor of  claim 31 , wherein the outer surface of the adjustor nut comprises a fixation ring, a pop rivet, a weld, a bond, an interference fit, a thread or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         50 . The adjustor of  claim 31 , wherein the outer surface of the adjustor nut comprises an external thread.