Patents by Inventor James L. Alford

James L. Alford 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).

  • Publication number: 20240160800
    Abstract: The disclosed simulation environment, methods, and system support simultaneous design and analysis of assemblies with unified computer aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA). The system provides a simulation environment that is unified with the architecture of the assembly environment, which significantly reduces the amount of time it takes to set up structural simulations as compared to prior simulation tools. The system enables CAD designers to obtain accurate mechanical guidance such as strength and rigidity early and often in the design process, seeing the structural impact of CAD modifications at the sketch, part, and configuration level. Such guidance can be particularly helpful when CAD engineers are determining product fit and form, defining dimensions, and shaping the overall weight and volume of designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher L. Gromek, Joseph B. Alford, Gregory D. Brown, Adam Chacon, Jonathan D. Hiller, George R. Hudetz, Tej Kumar, Joshua A. Natarajan, K Evan Nowak, James Olliff
  • Patent number: 8971796
    Abstract: A signal repeating element for repeating a signal includes a housing, at least one transmit antenna element positioned on one side of the housing and at least one receive antenna element positioned on the same one side of the housing. Receiver and transmitter circuitry is coupled with respective ones of the receive and transmit antenna elements. Phase circuitry for affecting the phase of signals from the at least one receive antenna element and at least one transmit antenna element is coupled between the respective receive or transmit antenna element and the receiver or transmitter circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Mano D. Judd, Breck W. Lovinggood, David T. Tennant, Gregory A. Maca, William P. Kuiper, James L. Alford, Michael D. Thomas, Jonathon C. Veihl
  • Publication number: 20140127989
    Abstract: A signal repeating element for repeating a signal includes a housing, at least one transmit antenna element positioned on one side of the housing and at least one receive antenna element positioned on the same one side of the housing. Receiver and transmitter circuitry is coupled with respective ones of the receive and transmit antenna elements. Phase circuitry for affecting the phase of signals from the at least one receive antenna element and at least one transmit antenna element is coupled between the respective receive or transmit antenna element and the receiver or transmitter circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: ANDREW LLC
    Inventors: Mano D. Judd, Breck W. Lovinggood, David T. Tennant, Gregory A. Maca, William P. Kuiper, James L. Alford, Michael D. Thomas, Jonathon C. Veihl
  • Patent number: 8630581
    Abstract: A repeater and associated method of use includes at least one antenna element for communicating in one direction and at least one antenna element for communicating in another direction. A radio frequency uplink path and a radio frequency downlink path are coupled between the antennas. At least one of the radio frequency uplink path or the radio frequency downlink path includes an adaptive cancellation circuit. The adaptive cancellation circuit is configured to generate a cancellation signal without requiring an injected signal. The cancellation signal, when added to a radio frequency signal in the respective uplink and downlink paths, substantially reduces feedback signals present in the radio frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Mano D. Judd, Breck W. Lovinggood, David T. Tennant, Gregory A. Maca, William P. Kuiper, James L. Alford, Michael D. Thomas, Jonathan C. Veihl
  • Patent number: 8358970
    Abstract: A repeater and associated method of use includes at least one antenna element for communicating in one direction and at least one antenna element for communicating in another direction. A radio frequency uplink path and a radio frequency downlink path are coupled between the antennas. At least one of the radio frequency uplink path or the radio frequency downlink path includes an adaptive cancellation circuit. The adaptive cancellation circuit is configured to generate a cancellation signal without requiring an injected signal. The cancellation signal, when added to a radio frequency signal in the respective uplink and downlink paths, substantially reduces feedback signals present in the radio frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Mano D. Judd, Breck W. Lovinggood, David T. Tennant, Gregory A. Maca, William P. Kuiper, James L. Alford, Michael D. Thomas, Jonathon C. Veihl
  • Publication number: 20110312269
    Abstract: A repeater and associated method of use includes at least one antenna element for communicating in one direction and at least one antenna element for communicating in another direction. A radio frequency uplink path and a radio frequency downlink path are coupled between the antennas. At least one of the radio frequency uplink path or the radio frequency downlink path includes an adaptive cancellation circuit. The adaptive cancellation circuit is configured to generate a cancellation signal without requiring an injected signal. The cancellation signal, when added to a radio frequency signal in the respective uplink and downlink paths, substantially reduces feedback signals present in the radio frequency signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Mano D. Judd, Breck W. Lovinggood, David T. Tennant, Gregory A. Maca, William P. Kuiper, James L. Alford, Michael D. Thomas, Jonathon C. Veihl
  • Patent number: 8010042
    Abstract: A repeater and associated method of use includes at least one antenna element for communicating in one direction and at least one antenna element for communicating in another direction. A radio frequency uplink path and a radio frequency downlink path are coupled between the antennas. At least one of the radio frequency uplink path or the radio frequency downlink path includes an adaptive cancellation circuit. The adaptive cancellation circuit is configured to generate a cancellation signal without requiring an injected signal. The cancellation signal, when added to a radio frequency signal in the respective uplink and downlink paths, substantially reduces feedback signals present in the radio frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Mano D. Judd, Breck W. Lovinggood, David T. Tennant, Gregory A. Maca, William P. Kuiper, James L. Alford, Michael D. Thomas, Jonathon C. Veihl
  • Publication number: 20100029197
    Abstract: A repeater and associated method of use includes at least one antenna element for communicating in one direction and at least one antenna element for communicating in another direction. A radio frequency uplink path and a radio frequency downlink path are coupled between the antennas. At least one of the radio frequency uplink path or the radio frequency downlink path includes an adaptive cancellation circuit. The adaptive cancellation circuit is configured to generate a cancellation signal without requiring an injected signal. The cancellation signal, when added to a radio frequency signal in the respective uplink and downlink paths, substantially reduces feedback signals present in the radio frequency signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: ANDREW LLC
    Inventors: Mano D. Judd, Breck W. Lovinggood, David T. Tennant, Gregory A. Maca, William P. Kuiper, James L. Alford, Michael D. Thomas, Jonathon C. Veihl
  • Patent number: 7577398
    Abstract: A flat-panel repeater includes a housing having a pair of oppositely facing surfaces, at least one antenna element mounted to each of the surfaces for radiating energy in a direction opposite to that of an antenna element mounted to the other of the surfaces, and an electronic circuit mounted within the housing and operatively coupling signals between at least one antenna element on each of the oppositely facing surfaces of the module. Isolation between the antennas on opposite sides of the repeater is improved by various techniques, such as use of adaptive cancellation which removes a significant portion of the feedback signal power, therefore increasing the total system isolation by the same amount. This additional isolation can be used to achieve greater system gain, and therefore significantly extend the range of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Mano D. Judd, Breck W. Lovinggood, David T. Tennant, Gregory A. Maca, William P. Kuiper, James L. Alford, Michael D. Thomas, Jonathon C. Veihl
  • Patent number: 7411474
    Abstract: A multi-layer printed circuit board includes a first conductive layer including at least one conductor pattern and a plated through hole extending into the first conductive layer and intersecting the conductor pattern. A current diverting cutout in the conductor pattern is positioned proximate the intersection of the plated through hole and conductor pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Alford
  • Patent number: 7027770
    Abstract: A repeater for use in connection with enhancing reception of wireless communications in an architectural structure utilizes a housing that incorporates both a null antenna capable of being oriented to provide an antenna beam directed into an interior portion of the architectural structure, and a repeater circuit that is configured to provide bi-directional exchange of radio frequency signals between the null antenna and a donor antenna. The donor antenna may also be mounted to the housing, or alternatively may be coupled to the housing via a cable or other communications path. The repeater is suitable for installation in an attic, or alternatively, within a room or other inhabitable area of a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Mano D. Judd, James L. Alford
  • Patent number: 6965515
    Abstract: A base station for a wireless communications system having a tower-mounted amplifier system with a low-noise amplifier transistor and a thermoelectric cooler that reduces the operating temperature of the low-noise amplifier transistor. The amplifier system has additional heat-generating components, such as filters, and additional electrical components mounted on a substrate to which the low-noise amplifier transistor is mounted. These heat-generating components are thermally isolated from the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler. As a result, the cooling capacity and electrical power requirement for the thermoelectric cooler is significantly reduced because only the low-noise amplifier transistor is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Alford, Mike Thomas
  • Patent number: 6904666
    Abstract: A simplified method for forming passive microwave components, such as a filter, and passive microwave components formed by the method. The method includes forming a ceramic insert having a plurality of resonator regions and then die casting an outer casing of a conductive material about the ceramic insert. Each resonator region has a cavity that may be filled with the conductive material used to die cast the outer casing or, alternatively, may be filled with a resonator rod made of different materials than the encapsulating metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Alford
  • Publication number: 20040110469
    Abstract: A flat-panel repeater includes a housing having a pair of oppositely facing surfaces, at least one antenna element mounted to each of the surfaces for radiating energy in a direction opposite to that of an antenna element mounted to the other of the surfaces, and an electronic circuit mounted within the housing and operatively coupling signals between at least one antenna element on each of the oppositely facing surfaces of the module. Isolation between the antennas on opposite sides of the repeater is improved by various techniques, such as use of adaptive cancellation which removes a significant portion of the feedback signal power, therefore increasing the total system isolation by the same amount. This additional isolation can be used to achieve greater system gain, and therefore significantly extend the range of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Mano D. Judd, Breck W. Lovinggood, David T. Tennant, Gregory A. Maca, William P. Kuiper, James L. Alford, Michael D. Thomas, Jonathon C. Veihl
  • Publication number: 20020177401
    Abstract: A repeater for use in connection with enhancing reception of wireless communications in an architectural structure utilizes a housing that incorporates both a null antenna capable of being oriented to provide an antenna beam directed into an interior portion of the architectural structure, and a repeater circuit that is configured to provide bi-directional exchange of radio frequency signals between the null antenna and a donor antenna. The donor antenna may also be mounted to the housing, or alternatively may be coupled to the housing via a cable or other communications path. The repeater is suitable for installation in an attic, or alternatively, within a room or other inhabitable area of a structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Mano D. Judd, James L. Alford
  • Patent number: 4912436
    Abstract: A diplexer for communicating signals in two different frequency bands with separate polarizations in each band may, for example, concurrently separate low frequency received signals of orthogonal polarizations from high frequency transmitted signals, also of orthogonal polarizations. To this end a common square waveguide leads to serially disposed, axially displaced, orthogonal mode transitions at which branches are made to closely coupled lowpass filters that communicate with separate ports for low frequency signal bands. A smaller square waveguide coupled to the second of the orthogonal mode transitions communicates with another orthogonal mode transition at which axially displaced branches communicate with other ports for high frequency signal bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Gamma-F Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Alford, Robert E. Terry
  • Patent number: 4554552
    Abstract: A compact antenna feed system for orthogonally polarized RF signals includes a waveguide feed having orthogonally disposed internal ridges, a pair of wave detectors coupled to the waveguide feed to receive orthogonally oriented RF signals, and an amplifier housed as part of the feed system to amplify received RF signals prior to communication of the signals outside the feed system. The system is readily switchable by remote control to receive RF signals in either orientation and angular alignment to the orientation of the incoming signals is easily accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Gamma-f Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Alford, Robert E. Terry