Patents by Inventor Nicholas L. Muhlhauser

Nicholas L. Muhlhauser 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: 20020008669
    Abstract: A multiple beam antenna system including an offset parabolic reflector has an increased focal length (FL) and/or an increased FL/D (where D is a diameter of the reflector) in order to improve off-axis performance of the system. In certain embodiments, the system can simultaneously receive different signals from different satellites that are orbitally spaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: NICHOLAS L. MUHLHAUSER, KENNETH P. CANNIZZARO, BRIAN C. HEWETT
  • Patent number: 6198449
    Abstract: A multiple beam array antenna system including a first group of right-handed circularly polarized subarrays and a second group of left-handed circularly polarized subarrays. Combined signals from the right-handed subarrays are output via low noise amplifiers to a first electromagnetic lens while the outputs of the left-handed circularly polarized subarrays are sent via low noise amplifiers to a second steering electromagnetic lens. A satellite selection matrix output block allows a user to tap into signals from right-handed circularly polarized satellites, left-handed circularly polarized satellites, and linearly polarized satellites. A plurality of satellites (e.g. right-handed satellite “A” and linearly polarized satellite “B”) may be accessed simultaneously thus allowing the user to utilize both signals at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: E*Star, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Muhlhauser, Thomas C. Weakley, Scott A. Townley
  • Patent number: 6181293
    Abstract: A bifocal lens for use in a multiple beam antenna system including a reflector that is at least partially parabolic in one dimension and a pair of waveguides. Multiple received beams are received and reflected by the reflector into an orthogonal mode junction which separates signals of a first polarity from signals of a second orthogonal polarity. The signals of the first polarity are forwarded into a first waveguide and the orthogonal signals of the second polarity are forwarded into a second parallel waveguide. A plurality of satellites may be accessed simultaneously thus allowing the user to utilize both signals at the same time. The bifocal lenses may be located in the waveguides, respectively, with each lens including a step portion defined in at least one edge thereof for matching purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: E*Star, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Muhlhauser, Kenneth P. Cannizzaro, Brian C. Hewett
  • Patent number: 6160520
    Abstract: A multiple beam antenna system including a reflector that is at least partially parabolic in one dimension, a pair of dielectric lenses (or optionally at least one shaped reflector to perform functionality otherwise performed by the lens(es)), and a pair of waveguides. Multiple received beams are received and reflected by the reflector into an orthogonal mode junction which separates signals of a first polarity from signals of a second orthogonal polarity. The signals of the first polarity are forwarded into a first waveguide and the orthogonal signals of the second polarity are forwarded into a second parallel waveguide. A plurality of satellites may be accessed simultaneously thus allowing the user to utilize both signals at the same time. In certain embodiments, each of the dielectric lenses may be of the bifocal type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: E.star-solid.Star, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Muhlhauser, Kenneth P. Cannizzaro, Brian C. Hewett
  • Patent number: 6107897
    Abstract: A multiple beam antenna system including a reflector that is at least partially parabolic in one dimension, a pair of dielectric lenses, and a pair of waveguides. Multiple received beams are received and reflected by the reflector into an orthogonal mode junction which separates signals of a first polarity from signals of a second orthogonal polarity. The signals of the first polarity are forwarded into a first waveguide and the orthogonal signals of the second polarity are forwarded into a second parallel waveguide. A plurality of satellites may be accessed simultaneously thus allowing the user to utilize both signals at the same time. In certain embodiments, each of the dielectric lenses may be of the bifocal type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: E*Star, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Muhlhauser, Kenneth P. Cannizzaro, Brian C. Hewett
  • Patent number: 6087999
    Abstract: A multiple beam antenna system including a reflector that is at least partially parabolic in one dimension, a pair of dielectric lenses, and a pair of waveguides. Multiple received beams are received and reflected by the reflector into an orthogonal mode junction which separates signals of a first polarity from signals of a second orthogonal polarity. The signals of the first polarity are forwarded into a first waveguide and the orthogonal signals of the second polarity are forwarded into a second parallel waveguide. A plurality of satellites may be accessed simultaneously thus allowing the user to utilize both signals at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: E*Star, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Muhlhauser, Kenneth P. Cannizzaro, Brian C. Hewett
  • Patent number: 5831582
    Abstract: A multiple beam array antenna system including a first group of right-handed circularly polarized subarrays and a second group of left-handed circularly polarized subarrays. Combined signals from the right-handed subarrays are output via low noise amplifiers to a first electromagnetic lens while the outputs of the left-handed circularly polarized subarrays are sent via low noise amplifiers to a second steering electromagnetic lens. A satellite selection matrix output block allows a user to tap into signals from right-handed circularly polarized satellites, left-handed circularly polarized satellites, and linearly polarized satellites. A plurality of satellites (e.g. right-handed satellite "A" and linearly polarized satellite "B") may be accessed simultaneously thus allowing the user to utilize both signals at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Easterisk Star, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Muhlhauser, Thomas C. Weakley, Scott A. Townley
  • Patent number: 5495258
    Abstract: A multiple beam array antenna system including a first group of right-handed circularly polarized subarrays and a second group of left-handed circularly polarized subarrays. Combined signals from the right-handed subarrays are output via low noise amplifiers to a first electromagnetic lens while the outputs of the left-handed circularly polarized subarrays are sent via low noise amplifiers to a second steering electromagnetic lens. A satellite selection matrix output block allows a user to tap into signals from right-handed circularly polarized satellites, left-handed circularly polarized satellites, and linearly polarized satellites. A plurality of satellites (e.g. right-handed satellite "A" and linearly polarized satellite "B") may be accessed simultaneously thus allowing the user to utilize both signals at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Nicholas L. Muhlhauser
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Muhlhauser, Scott A. Townley, Thomas C. Weakley
  • Patent number: 5317288
    Abstract: A variable electronically controlled phase shift circuit including a phase splitter stage including a 90 degree phase divider to split an RF input signal into 0 and 90 degree components. Each split signal is further split into two pairs that are displaced in phase by 180 degrees to provide, 0 degree, 180 degree and degree, 270 degree pairs. Four signals of the signal pairs are applied to a phase controller subcircuit wherein one of each of the two signal pairs may be attenuated by a control signal. The signal pairs from the phase controller sub-circuit are then summed and the summed pairs are combined into a single output signal. The phase of the output signal is controlled by varying the relative amplitudes of at least one of the component signals of the 0 degree, 180 degree and 90 degree, 270 degree pairs by means of the control signals on the phase control sub-circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming L. Yung, Bernard M. Albrecht, Jr., Nicholas L. Muhlhauser, Stephen T. Herbusky