Patents by Inventor Miguel A. Estevez

Miguel A. Estevez 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).

  • On-orbit reconfigurability of a shaped reflector with feed/reflector defocusing and reflector gimballing
    Patent number: 6031502
    Abstract: A system and method for changing the radiation pattern of an antenna assembly of a satellite in orbit is provided. The antenna assembly includes a reflector antenna fed by a feed assembly. The reflector antenna transmits and receives signals within a radiation pattern. The reflector antenna and the feed assembly are movably mounted to a sliding mechanism so that they can be displaced with respect to one another. The displacement causes defocusing as the reflector antenna is displaced from the focus point. The defocusing causes the radiation pattern to become more compact or broadened. Thus, the radiation pattern of the satellite provided with a single reflector antenna and a single feed element may be changed while the satellite is in orbit. The system and method include gimballing the reflector antenna to steer the radiation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Parthasarathy Ramanujam, Louis R. Fermelia, Cynthia A. Dixon, Miguel A. Estevez
  • Self-forming rib reflector
    Patent number: 6018328
    Abstract: A single surface reflector antenna and method for making same comprises a plurality of hat-shaped cross section ribs formed on the back surface of a reflector shell with flexible tooling. All antenna shell and backing structure components are comprised of triaxial weave graphite laminate layers thereby allowing the backing structure to conform precisely to the shape of the antenna shell when cured and heat cycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Nolan, Miguel A. Estevez, Karl J. Sakowski, Terry R. Denardo, Clarence Douglas Reddell, Russell Watkins, John J. Sennikoff, Patrick N. Costantini, Dru D. Hartranft, Robert U. Johnson, Richard W. Gehle
  • Antenna having movable reflectors
    Patent number: 5966104
    Abstract: An antenna having dual reflectors connected by a moving mechanism for moving the reflectors between stowed and deployed positions. In the stowed position the reflectors overlap and are positioned close to each other. In the deployed position the reflectors are spaced apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Cameron G. Massey, Mark T. Austin, Peter D. Anderson, Miguel A. Estevez, Michael Nolan, Clifford R. Harper, Terry R. Denardo, John J. Sennikoff, Martin M. Skredsvig