Patents by Inventor Edward Mitchell Blalock

Edward Mitchell Blalock has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and apparatus for beam-steerable antenna with single-drive mechanism
    Patent number: 11476573
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna assembly is described. The antenna assembly includes and antenna and an antenna positioner coupled to the antenna. The antenna positioner includes a single drive interface and a plurality of gears. The plurality of gears rotate in a first manner in response to a first drive direction applied through the single drive interface, and rotate in a second manner in response to a second drive applied through the single drive interface. The antenna positioner also includes a threaded rod that moves in a first rod direction and a second rod direction in response to rotation of the plurality of gears in the first manner and the second manner respectively. The antenna positioner also includes a tilt plate contacting the threaded rod. The tilt plate tilts about a pivot line in response to movement of the threaded rod to move a beam of the antenna in a spiral pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Runyon, Edward Mitchell Blalock
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BEAM-STEERABLE ANTENNA WITH SINGLE-DRIVE MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20210218138
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna assembly is described. The antenna assembly includes and antenna and an antenna positioner coupled to the antenna. The antenna positioner includes a single drive interface and a plurality of gears. The plurality of gears rotate in a first manner in response to a first drive direction applied through the single drive interface, and rotate in a second manner in response to a second drive applied through the single drive interface. The antenna positioner also includes a threaded rod that moves in a first rod direction and a second rod direction in response to rotation of the plurality of gears in the first manner and the second manner respectively. The antenna positioner also includes a tilt plate contacting the threaded rod. The tilt plate tilts about a pivot line in response to movement of the threaded rod to move a beam of the antenna in a spiral pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Donald L. Runyon, Edward Mitchell Blalock
  • Method and apparatus for beam-steerable antenna with single-drive mechanism
    Patent number: 10998623
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna assembly is described. The antenna assembly includes an antenna and an antenna positioner coupled to the antenna. The antenna positioner includes a single drive interface and a plurality of gears. The plurality rotate in a first manner in response to a first drive direction applied through the single drive interface, and rotate in a second manner in response to a second drive applied through the single drive interface. The antenna positioner also includes a threaded rod that moves in a first rod direction and a second rod direction in response to rotation of the plurality of gears in the first manner and the second manner respectively. The antenna positioner also includes a tilt plate contacting the threaded rod. The tilt plate tilts about a pivot line in response to movement of the threaded rod to move a beam of the antenna in a spiral pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Runyon, Edward Mitchell Blalock
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BEAM-STEERABLE ANTENNA WITH SINGLE-DRIVE MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20200119441
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna assembly is described. The antenna assembly includes an antenna and an antenna positioner coupled to the antenna. The antenna positioner includes a single drive interface and a plurality of gears. The plurality rotate in a first manner in response to a first drive direction applied through the single drive interface, and rotate in a second manner in response to a second drive applied through the single drive interface. The antenna positioner also includes a threaded rod that moves in a first rod direction and a second rod direction in response to rotation of the plurality of gears in the first manner and the second manner respectively. The antenna positioner also includes a tilt plate contacting the threaded rod. The tilt plate tilts about a pivot line in response to movement of the threaded rod to move a beam of the antenna in a spiral pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Donald L. Runyon, Edward Mitchell Blalock
  • Method and apparatus for beam-steerable antenna with single-drive mechanism
    Patent number: 10483637
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna assembly is described. The antenna assembly includes and antenna and an antenna positioner coupled to the antenna. The antenna positioner includes a single drive interface and a plurality of gears. The plurality of rotate in a first manner in response to a first drive direction applied through the single drive interface, and rotate in a second manner in response to a second drive applied through the single drive interface. The antenna positioner also includes a threaded rod that moves in a first rod direction and a second rod direction in response to rotation of the plurality of gears in the first manner and the second manner respectively. The antenna positioner also includes a tilt plate contacting the threaded rod. The tilt plate tilts about a pivot line in response to movement of the threaded rod to move a beam of the antenna in a spiral pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L Runyon, Edward Mitchell Blalock
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BEAM-STEERABLE ANTENNA WITH SINGLE-DRIVE MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20180337449
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna assembly is described. The antenna assembly includes and antenna and an antenna positioner coupled to the antenna. The antenna positioner includes a single drive interface and a plurality of gears. The plurality of rotate in a first manner in response to a first drive direction applied through the single drive interface, and rotate in a second manner in response to a second drive applied through the single drive interface. The antenna positioner also includes a threaded rod that moves in a first rod direction and a second rod direction in response to rotation of the plurality of gears in the first manner and the second manner respectively. The antenna positioner also includes a tilt plate contacting the threaded rod. The tilt plate tilts about a pivot line in response to movement of the threaded rod to move a beam of the antenna in a spiral pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: DONALD L. RUNYON, EDWARD MITCHELL BLALOCK
  • Satellite antenna adapter for tripod
    Patent number: 9136610
    Abstract: A satellite antenna adapter comprising a bottom plate comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, a reflector mounting plate coupled to the bottom plate. The bottom surface of the bottom plate is constructed to removably couple to a tripod. The top surface of the bottom plate is constructed to removably couple to a satellite antenna feed. The reflector mounting plate is constructed to removably couple to a satellite reflector and is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Mitchell Blalock, Gary M. Miller
  • Satellite Antenna Adapter for Tripod
    Publication number: 20140118213
    Abstract: A satellite antenna adapter comprising a bottom plate comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, a reflector mounting plate coupled to the bottom plate. The bottom surface of the bottom plate is constructed to removably couple to a tripod. The top surface of the bottom plate is constructed to removably couple to a satellite antenna feed. The reflector mounting plate is constructed to removably couple to a satellite reflector and is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the bottom plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Edward Mitchell Blalock, Gary M. Miller