The present invention relates to a polarization coupler used for mainly separating orthogonally polarized waves in a VHF band, a UHF band, a microwave band, a millimetric wave band, and so on.
Conventionally, in an orthogonal polarization coupler, there is disclosed the one having: a circular main waveguide that transmits orthogonally polarized waves; a coupling hole which is radially provided in order to branch the circular main waveguide; a rectangular sub waveguide that extracts a vertical component electromagnetic wave of the orthogonally polarized waves in the orthogonal direction of the circular main waveguide via the coupling hole; a rectangular sub waveguide that extracts a horizontal component electromagnetic wave of the orthogonally polarized waves in the coaxial direction of the circular main waveguide; a step conversion part for matching the coaxial rectangular sub waveguide with the circular main waveguide; and a septum plate (short circuit plate) that is provided parallel to the horizontal component of the orthogonal polarized waves, and formed in the circular main waveguide on a side closer to the coaxial rectangular sub waveguide with respect to the coupling hole of the circular main waveguide, or a septum plate (short circuit plate) that is provided parallel to the horizontal component of the orthogonal polarized waves, and formed in the step conversion part (e.g., see Patent Documents 1 to 3).
In the orthogonal polarization coupler described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the orthogonal polarized waves transmitted through the circular main waveguide are branched in the coaxial direction and the orthogonal direction by the septum plate. The polarized wave component parallel to the septum plate is reflected by the septum plate, and extracted in the orthogonally branched rectangular sub waveguide via the coupling hole. On the other hand, the polarized wave of the vertical component orthogonal to the septum plate is extracted from the coaxial rectangular sub waveguide via the step conversion part without receiving much influence of the septum plate. At this time, the step conversion part performs mode conversion from the mode of the circular main waveguide to the mode of the rectangular sub waveguide.
In such an orthogonal polarization coupler, when the polarized wave whose component is orthogonal to the septum plate is extracted, a part of radio waves is reflected on the end of the septum plate, and a part of the reflected radio waves is further reflected on the end of the septum plate on the reversed side. Then, these waves that are subjected to multiple reflection at a certain frequency sometimes overlap and intensify each other, and confine these energies in the section of the septum plate. In such a case, as a result, the radio waves extracted from the rectangular waveguide causes periodic resonance called plate resonance. The frequency at which this periodic and plate resonance occurs depends on the length of the septum plate in the coaxial direction. Therefore, in the orthogonal polarization coupler, in order to effectively extract energy in a desired band, it is necessary to adjust the length of the septum plate.
However, the polarization coupler described in each of Patent Documents 1 to 3 has a problem that the step conversion part connected to the circular main waveguide becomes a waveguide with a different diameter, to cause a step (level difference) on a side wall with respect to the circular main waveguide, and the septum plate is arranged either on the circular main waveguide side or on the step conversion part side, and therefore an adjustment margin for adjusting the length of the septum plate is extremely small, so that a desired performance is not obtained.
In the polarization coupler described in each of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the septum plate is arranged on the circular main waveguide side, and therefore when the length of the septum plate is increased while avoiding a step part between the circular main waveguide side and the step conversion part, the length of the circular main waveguide is increased by the length of the septum plate, resulting an axially elongated large structure.
In the polarization coupler described in Patent Document 3, the septum plate is arranged on the step conversion part that connects the rectangular sub waveguide on the coaxial side connected to the circular main waveguide, and therefore the range where the length of the septum plate can be increased while avoiding the step part between the circular main waveguide side and the step conversion part depends on the length of the step conversion part.
In the polarization coupler described in Patent Document 3, the septum plate is placed on the step conversion part separated from the coupling hole, and therefore when the polarized wave whose component is parallel to the septum plate is extracted, the radio waves that directly enter the rectangular sub waveguide on the orthogonal side via the coupling hole from the circular main waveguide, and the radio waves that are reflected on the septum plate and thereafter enter the orthogonal-side rectangular sub waveguide via the coupling hole are greatly different in phase from each other, thereby making it difficult to attain matching in a wide band.
In order to arrange the septum plate that extends over the step part between the circular main waveguide side and the step conversion part, there is a problem such that the number of machining works in manufacturing the polarization coupler increases. Additionally, there is also a case such that the machining work itself is sometimes difficult. Further, even when the following work can be performed: the septum plate that extends over the step part between the circular main waveguide side and the step conversion part is disposed, there is another problem that the step part between the circular main waveguide side and the step conversion part, and the septum plate are not adhered, so that a desired performance is not obtained, or on the contrary, an unnecessary conductor remains, so that a desired performance is not obtained.
The present invention is made to solve the aforementioned problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a polarization coupler that has an axially small structure, is easily machined, is highly receptive with respect to the length of the septum plate, and is capable of achieving excellent characteristics in each of two polarized waves orthogonal to each other.
A polarization coupler according to an aspect includes: a circular waveguide; a quadrangular waveguide that is arranged in an axial direction of the circular waveguide, and has a short side shorter than an inner diameter of the circular waveguide; a connector waveguide that connects the quadrangular waveguide with the circular waveguide; a flat conductor wall that is formed over the connector waveguide and the circular waveguide, and divides the inside of the connector waveguide and the circular waveguide arranged parallel to a direction where a long side of the quadrangular waveguide extends; a first inclined surface that is formed on an inner wall of the connector waveguide at a position facing one surface of the conductor wall, and inclined toward the conductor wall as coming closer to the quadrangular waveguide; a second inclined surface that is formed on the inner wall of the connector waveguide at a position facing the other surface of the conductor wall, and inclined toward the conductor wall as coming closer to the quadrangular waveguide; and a coupling hole that is formed in the circular waveguide, and extracts one that is polarization-divided by the conductor wall out of electromagnetic waves propagated through the circular waveguide, wherein the connector waveguide is configured by: an arc-shaped first wall surface; an arc-shaped second wall surface that faces the first wall surface; the first inclined surface; and the second inclined surface.
A polarization coupler according to the invention of claim 2 is the polarization coupler according to claim 1, wherein the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface each have a stepwise shape.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the connector waveguide is configured by: an arc-shaped first wall surface that has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; an arc-shaped second wall surface that faces the first wall surface and has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; the first inclined surface; and the second inclined surface.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the connector waveguide is configured at a part connected to the circular waveguide by: an arc-shaped first wall surface that has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; an arc-shaped second wall surface that faces the first wall surface and has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; the first inclined surface; and the second inclined surface, wherein the first wall surface and the second wall surface each have a diameter that increases from the circular waveguide side toward the quadrangular waveguide side.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the long side of the quadrangular waveguide is shorter than the inner diameter of the circular waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the one surface and the other surface of the conductor wall in the connector waveguide each are formed in a trapezoid shape.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the connector waveguide is configured at a part connected to the circular waveguide by: an arc-shaped first wall surface; an arc-shaped second wall surface that faces the first wall surface; the first inclined surface; and the second inclined surface, wherein a distance between the first wall surface and the second wall surface decreases from the circular waveguide side toward the quadrangular waveguide side.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the connector waveguide is configured at a part connected to the circular waveguide by: an arc-shaped first wall surface; an arc-shaped second wall surface that faces the first wall surface; the first inclined surface; and the second inclined surface, wherein a distance between the first wall surface and the second wall surface decreases from the circular waveguide side toward the quadrangular waveguide side.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the connector waveguide is configured at a part connected to the circular waveguide by: an arc-shaped first wall surface that has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; an arc-shaped second wall surface that faces the first wall surface and has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; the first inclined surface; and the second inclined surface, wherein a distance between the first wall surface and the second wall surface decreases from the circular waveguide side toward the quadrangular waveguide side.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the connector waveguide is configured at a part connected to the circular waveguide by: an arc-shaped first wall surface that has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; an arc-shaped second wall surface that faces the first wall surface and has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; the first inclined surface; and the second inclined surface, wherein a distance between the first wall surface and the second wall surface decreases from the circular waveguide side toward the quadrangular waveguide side.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the connector waveguide is configured at a part connected to the circular waveguide by: an arc-shaped first wall surface that has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; an arc-shaped second wall surface that faces the first wall surface and has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; the first inclined surface; and the second inclined surface, wherein a distance between the first wall surface and the second wall surface decreases, and also the first wall surface and the second wall surface each have a diameter that increases, from the circular waveguide side toward the quadrangular waveguide side.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the connector waveguide is configured at a part connected to the circular waveguide by: an arc-shaped first wall surface that has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; an arc-shaped second wall surface that faces the first wall surface and has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide; the first inclined surface; and the second inclined surface, wherein a distance between the first wall surface and the second wall surface decreases, and also the first wall surface and the second wall surface each have a diameter that increases, from the circular waveguide side toward the quadrangular waveguide side.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the conductor wall is formed on the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and divides the inside of the connector waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the conductor wall is formed on the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and divides the inside of the connector waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the conductor wall is formed on the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and divides the inside of the connector waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the conductor wall is formed on the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and divides the inside of the connector waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the conductor wall is formed on the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and divides the inside of the connector waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the conductor wall is formed on the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and divides the inside of the connector waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the conductor wall is formed on the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and divides the inside of the connector waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the conductor wall is formed on the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and divides the inside of the connector waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the conductor wall is formed on the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and divides the inside of the connector waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the conductor wall is formed integrally with the circular waveguide and the quadrangular waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the quadrangular waveguide has a long side longer than the inner diameter of the circular waveguide, and a distance between the first wall surface and the second wall surface of the connector waveguide increases from the circular waveguide side to the quadrangular waveguide.
In a polarization coupler according to another aspect, the quadrangular waveguide has a long side longer than the inner diameter of the circular waveguide, and at a part where the connector waveguide is connected with the circular waveguide, the first wall surface and the second wall surface each are formed in an arc-shape having the same diameter as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide, and a distance between the first wall surface and the second wall surface increases from the circular waveguide side to the quadrangular waveguide.
As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler, in which the easiness in the adjustment or workability of the conductor wall (septum plate) for obtaining desired electric performance is secured, so that the septum plate is easily provided in production, and the range where the length of the septum plate can be adjusted becomes wider, so that an improvement in electric performance such as bandwidth widening can be achieved, and that a step is unlikely to be generated inside the waveguide at the connecting portion between the circular waveguide and the connector waveguide part.
According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the inclined shape of each of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the connector waveguide is the stepwise shape, and hence it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler that is further easily processed.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler, in which a step is not generated on the connecting portion between the circular waveguide and the connector waveguide inside the waveguide.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler, in which a step is not generated on the connecting portion between the circular waveguide and the connector waveguide inside the waveguide, and the connector waveguide has high affinity with the sectional shape of the quadrangular waveguide.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler that has the connector waveguide having high affinity with the sectional shape of the quadrangular waveguide with a long side shorter than the inner diameter of the circular waveguide.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler, in which the conductor wall does not have a step on the connecting portion between the circular waveguide and the connector waveguide.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler, in which a step is not generated inside the waveguide on the connecting portion between the circular waveguide and the connector waveguide.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler, in which a step is not generated inside the waveguide on the connecting portion between the circular waveguide and the connector waveguide.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler that has the connector waveguide having high affinity with the quadrangular waveguide having a long side shorter than the inner diameter of the circular waveguide.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler that has the connector waveguide having high affinity with the quadrangular waveguide having a long side shorter than the inner diameter of the circular waveguide.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler that has the connector waveguide having high affinity with the sectional shape of the quadrangular waveguide with a long side shorter than the inner diameter of the circular waveguide.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler that has the connector waveguide having high affinity with the sectional shape of the quadrangular waveguide with a long side shorter than the inner diameter of the circular waveguide.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler, in which the conductor wall is further easily formed over the connector waveguide and the circular waveguide.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler having the conductor of a flate plate having a rectangular shape with a trapezoid shape, instead of the flat plate having a stepped outer shape.
According to aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a polarization coupler having a flate plate having a shape combining a rectangular shape with a trapezoid shape, instead of the flat plate having a stepped outer shape.
In the following, in order to explain the present invention in more detail, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiment 1.
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of this invention will described with reference to
a) is a perspective top view (omitting a coupling hole and a quadrangular sub waveguide) of the polarization coupler;
In
Note that in
Subsequently, in
The conductor wall 4 is formed on the first wall surface 3c and the second wall surface 3d to thus divides the inside of the connector waveguide 3. By the conductor wall 4, the first wall surface 3c, and the second wall surface 3d, the connector waveguide 3 is formed in an H-shape. Further, by adding the first inclined surface 3a and the second inclined surface 3b thereto, the connector waveguide 3 is formed in a θ shape. In the figures, the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the figures other than
With reference to
The conductor wall 4 is arranged inside the waveguide (waveguide structure of the polarization coupler according to Embodiment 1) extending over from the circular waveguide 1 to the connector waveguide 3. Note that from
Next, with reference to
That is, from
Accordingly, the conductor wall 4 is formed over the connector waveguide 3 and the circular waveguide 1 in a manner to bridge the centers of the facing arcs of the first wall surface 3c and the second wall surface 3d (connect the centers of the arcs), so that the conductor wall 4 can have a flat plate having a rectangular shape instead of the one having a stepped outer shape.
Though in
In
The conductor wall 4 has a rectangular shape so far; however, as long as a large step is not generated at a connecting part which is located between the circular waveguide 1 and the connector waveguide 3, and at which the conductor wall 4 is formed, the polarization coupler according to Embodiment 1 can be implemented. That is, it can be said that even a polarization coupler in which the long side of the quadrangular waveguide 2 is shorter than the inner diameter of the circular waveguide 1 is included in the polarization coupler according to Embodiment 1. Such a case will be described with reference to
a) to 6(g) correspond to the aforementioned
That is, from
Though in
In
Next, an operation of the polarization coupler according to Embodiment 1 will be described. The polarization coupler according to Embodiment 1 is configured by: the quadrangular sub waveguide 6 that is connected to the circular main waveguide 1 capable of transmitting orthogonally polarized waves via the coupling hole 5 in the radial direction; and the quadrangular waveguide 2 that is connected to the circular main waveguide 1 via the connector waveguide 3 in the coaxial direction. The connector waveguide 3 has an oval cross section formed by cutting out the upper and lower parts of the circular waveguide 1 along parallel lines, the heights of the upper and lower parts vary corresponding to its tapered shape, and there is provided with the conductor wall (septum plate) 4 arranged at an area that extends over the circular waveguide 1 and the connector waveguide 3.
The circular waveguide 1 transmits orthogonally polarized waves, and transmits radio waves (electromagnetic waves) to the quadrangular waveguide 2 via the connector waveguide 3, or to the quadrangular sub waveguide 6 via the coupling hole 5. In addition, the radio waves from the quadrangular waveguide 2 are output to the end of the circular waveguide 1. The radio waves from the quadrangular sub waveguide 6 are output to the end of the circular waveguide 1. The connector waveguide 3 performs matching between the circular waveguide 1 and the quadrangular waveguide 2.
From such a structure, for example, as shown in
Embodiment 2 of this invention will be described with reference to
With reference to
a) and
Accordingly, it goes without saying that the polarization coupler according to Embodiment 2 is configured by: a quadrangular sub waveguide 6 that is connected to the circular main waveguide 1 that is capable of transmitting orthogonally polarized waves via a coupling hole in the radial direction; and a quadrangular waveguide 2 that is connected to the circular main waveguide 1 via the connector waveguide 3 in the axial direction, similarly to the polarization coupler according to Embodiment 1. A difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 is that the polarization coupler according to Embodiment 2 has an oval cross section formed by cutting out the upper and lower parts of the connector waveguide 3 along parallel lines, and the heights of the upper and lower parts vary in a stepped shape (stepwise).
In the polarization coupler according to each of the Embodiments 1 and 2, it is preferable that the circular waveguide 1 and the connector waveguide 3 are molded integrally by a general machining method such as cutting method and die casting. It is preferable that the conductor wall 4 is also molded integrally with the circular waveguide 1 and the connector waveguide 3 by a general machining method such as cutting method and die casting. Additionally, a general waveguide connection method may be employed for the connection of the connector waveguide 3 and the quadrangular waveguide 2.
In a case where the circular waveguide 1 and the connector waveguide 3 are formed integrally, in Embodiment 1, the connector waveguide 3 can be understood as a tapered conversion part provided on the end on the side that is connected to the quadrangular waveguide 2 of the circular waveguide 1, and the conductor wall (septum plate) 4 is arranged on an area extending over the circular waveguide 1 and the tapered conversion part of the circular waveguide 1. In Embodiment 2, the connector waveguide 3 can be understood as a step conversion part provided on the end on the side that is connected to the quadrangular waveguide 2 of the circular waveguide 1, and the conductor wall (septum plate) 4 is arranged on an area extending over the circular waveguide 1 and the step conversion part of the circular waveguide 1.
In each of Embodiments 1 and 2, the following is described: the circular waveguide 1 has a substantially perfect circular shape, and the constant inner diameter over the circumference, and the length of the long side of the quadrangular waveguide 2 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the circular waveguide 1 (difference in diameter that is within the range of α mentioned previously), or shorter than the inner diameter of the circular waveguide 1 (difference in diameter that exceeds α mentioned previously); however, in a case where the circular waveguide 1 is formed in an ellipse, when the circular waveguide 1 and the quadrangular waveguide 2 are connected (of course, when connected via the connector waveguide 3) such that the longer part of the inner diameters matches the long side of the quadrangular waveguide 2, and the shorter part thereof matches the long side of the quadrangular waveguide 2, the polarization coupler according to each of Embodiments 1 and 2 is applicable thereto. Specifically, the structure of the conductor wall (septum plate) 4 of the polarization coupler in the invention according to the present application can be reproduced, and therefore the polarization coupler according to each of Embodiments 1 and 2 is applicable thereto. Accordingly, it is apparent not to depart from the spirit of the invention according to this application.
That is, it can be said that the polarization coupler according to this application (Embodiments 1 and 2) includes: the circular waveguide 1; the connector waveguide 3 that communicates with (connected to, or formed integrally with) one of openings of the circular waveguide 1 (when it is formed integrally with the circular waveguide 1, the connector waveguide 3 becomes the tapered conversion part of the circular waveguide 1 or the step conversion part of the circular waveguide 1 as mentioned above); the flat conductor wall 4 formed over the connector waveguide 3 and the circular waveguide 1, and dividing the inside of the circular waveguide 1 and the connector waveguide 3; the first inclined surface 3a that is formed on the inner wall of the connector waveguide 3 at a position facing one surface of the conductor wall 4, and inclined toward the conductor wall 4 as coming closer to the side opposite to the circular waveguide 1; the second inclined surface 3b that is formed on the inner wall of the connector waveguide 3 at a position facing on the other surface of the conductor wall 4, and inclined toward the conductor wall 4 as coming closer to the side opposite to the circular waveguide 1; and the coupling hole 5 that is formed in the circular waveguide 1, and extracts one that is polarization-divided by the conductor wall 4 out of electromagnetic waves propagated through the circular waveguide 1. Accordingly, the shape (cross section) of the part communicating with the circular waveguide 1 of the connector waveguide 3 is the same (a circle or an ellipse) as the sectional shape of the circular waveguide 1. In addition, the shape (cross section) of the side, connectable to the quadrangular waveguide 2, of the connector waveguide 3 is an ellipse, or a quadrangle with arc-shaped corners (four corners). Note that the conductor wall 4 is arranged parallel to the direction in which the long side of the quadrangular waveguide 2 extends, and which is connectable to the connector waveguide 3 (circular waveguide 1). The tapered conversion part of the circular waveguide 1, or the step conversion part of the circular waveguide 1 is formed on the side of the quadrangular waveguide 2 which is connectable to the circular waveguide 1.
It is noted that the present invention can be implemented by a free combination of the embodiments, a modification of arbitrary components of the embodiments, or an omission of arbitrary components of the embodiments, within the scope of the invention.
The polarization coupler according to this invention includes: the connector waveguide that is arranged in the axial direction of the circular waveguide, and connects a quadrangular waveguide having the short side shorter than the inner diameter of the circular waveguide with the circular waveguide; the flat conductor wall that is formed over the connector waveguide and the circular waveguide, and divides the inside of the circular waveguide arranged parallel to the direction where the long side of the quadrangular waveguide extends; the first inclined surface that is formed on the inner wall of the connector waveguide at the position facing one surface of the conductor wall, and inclined toward the conductor wall as coming closer to the quadrangular waveguide; the second inclined surface that is formed on the inner wall of the connector waveguide at the position facing the other surface of the conductor wall, and inclined toward the conductor wall as coming closer to the quadrangular waveguide; and the coupling hole that is formed in the circular waveguide, and extracts one that is poralization-divided by the conductor wall out of the electromagnetic waves propagated through the circular waveguide, and thus the conductor wall (septum plate) is easily provided in production, and the range where the length of the septum plate can be adjusted becomes wider, so that the improvement in electric performance such as bandwidth widening can be achieved. Therefore, it is suitable for a polarization coupler that separates orthogonally polarized waves.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2011-251663 | Nov 2011 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2012/079807 | 11/16/2012 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2013/073674 | 5/23/2013 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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5392008 | Wong | Feb 1995 | A |
Number | Date | Country |
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56-90601 | Jul 1981 | JP |
01-273401 | Nov 1989 | JP |
03-253101 | Nov 1991 | JP |
06-140810 | May 1994 | JP |
07-94905 | Apr 1995 | JP |
08-162804 | Jun 1996 | JP |
09-186506 | Jul 1997 | JP |
Entry |
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International Search Report issued Feb. 12, 2013, in PCT/JP12/079807 filed Nov. 16, 2012. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20140197908 A1 | Jul 2014 | US |