Patents Assigned to Searete LLC
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Patent number: 11476714Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for providing wireless power to a mobile device, such as an aerial mobile device like an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A navigational constraint model may prescribe a navigation path along which a wireless power transmission system can provide wireless power to the mobile device. Deviations from the prescribed path may require the mobile device to self-power. The prescription of a navigation path allows for the use of reduced-complexity wireless power transmitters that are fully capable of servicing the prescribed path. Multiple embodiments of prescribed paths with various limitations and features are set forth herein, along with multiple embodiments of wireless power transmission systems of reduced complexity and functionality to fully service the various embodiments of prescribed paths.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Searete LLCInventors: Lawrence F. Arnstein, Daniel Arnitz, Jeffrey A. Bowers, Joseph A. Hagerty, Guy S. Lipworth, David R. Nash, Matthew S. Reynolds, Clarence T. Tegreene
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Patent number: 11355841Abstract: An embodiment of an antenna configured to form a high-power beam, such as a battery-charging beam, includes a transmission structure, signal couplers, amplifiers, and antenna elements. The transmission structure (e.g., a waveguide) is configured to carry a reference signal (e.g., a traveling reference wave), and each of the signal couplers is configured to generate a respective intermediate signal in response to the reference signal at a respective location along the transmission structure. Each of the amplifiers is configured to amplify, selectively, an intermediate signal from a respective one of the couplers, and each of the antenna elements (e.g., conductive patches) is configured to radiate a respective elemental signal in response to an amplified intermediate signal from a respective one of the amplifiers. In operation, the elemental signals interfere with one another to form a transmission beam, such as a battery-charging, or other high-power, transmission beam.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Searete LLCInventors: Matthew S. Reynolds, Guy Lipworth, Joseph Hagerty, Daniel Arnitz, Yaroslav Aleksandrovich Urzhumov
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Cavity-backed antenna array with distributed signal amplifiers for transmission of a high-power beam
Patent number: 11271300Abstract: An embodiment of an antenna array includes a cavity, signal couplers, and antenna elements. The cavity is configured to reinforce a reference signal (e.g., a standing reference wave) having a wavelength ?, and each of the signal couplers is configured to generate a respective intermediate signal in response to the reference signal at a respective location of the cavity. And each of the antenna elements (e.g., conductive patches) is configured to radiate a respective elemental signal in response to an intermediate signal from a respective one of the signal couplers. In operation, the elemental signals interfere with one another to form a transmission beam. Controlling the cavity to introduce phase differences between the antenna elements can allow a wider pitch between adjacent antenna elements without the need for large, costly phase shifters, where the pitch can approach its theoretical limit of approximately ?/2.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Searete LLCInventors: Matthew S. Reynolds, Guy Lipworth, Joseph Hagerty, Daniel Arnitz, Yaroslav Aleksandrovich Urzhumov -
Patent number: 11183887Abstract: System and methods are described herein for providing wireless power to a target device, such as a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a vehicle, robot, or an unmanned aerial vehicle or system (UAV) or (UAS). A tunable multi-element transmitter may transmit electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to the target device using any of a wide variety of frequency bands. A location determination subsystem and/or range determination subsystem may determine a relative location, orientation, and/or rotation of the target device. For a target device within a distance range for which a smallest achievable waist of the Gaussian beam of the EMR at an operational frequency is smaller than the multi-element EMR receiver of the target device, a non-Gaussian beamform may be determined to increase efficiency, decrease overheating, reduce spillover, increase total power output of rectenna receivers on the target device, or achieve another target power delivery goal.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2020Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Searete LLCInventors: Daniel Arnitz, Jeffrey A. Bowers, Joseph A. Hagerty, Russell J. Hannigan, Guy S. Lipworth, David R. Nash, Matthew S. Reynolds, Clarence T. Tegreene, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 11075463Abstract: A metasurface antenna can be configured to focus a paraxial beam, such as a Gaussian beam, on a target within a Fresnel zone region. The focused beam can be used to wirelessly deliver power to the target.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Searete LLCInventors: Guy S. Lipworth, David R. Smith, Yaroslav Urzhumov, Okan Yurduseven
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Patent number: 10998628Abstract: Modulation patterns for surface scattering antennas provide desired antenna pattern attributes such as reduced side lobes and reduced grating lobes.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2017Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Searete LLCInventors: Pai-Yen Chen, Tom Driscoll, Siamak Ebadi, John Desmond Hunt, Nathan Ingle Landy, Melroy Machado, Milton Perque, Jr., David R. Smith, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10958108Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and method. A system includes a tracking circuit configured to determine a location of a target device within a Fresnel region of an electronically reconfigurable beam-forming antenna. The antenna is configured to implement at least two selectable focused electromagnetic beams within its Fresnel region. The system includes a beam selector circuit configured to select from the at least two selectable focused electromagnetic beams a focused electromagnetic beam having a focal spot that covers at least a portion of the determined location of the target device. The system includes a beam definition circuit configured to determine an electromagnetic field distribution over an aperture of the electronically reconfigurable beam-forming antenna implementing the selected focused electromagnetic beam. The system includes an output circuit configured to transmit a signal indicative of the determined electromagnetic field distribution.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2017Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Searete LLCInventors: Russell J. Hannigan, Guy Shlomo Lipworth, Matthew S. Reynolds, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10938249Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for various tunable multi-timescale wireless rectification systems. Tunable multi-timescale wireless rectification systems may include multiple feedback control loops, systems, or sub-systems that modify characteristics of components of a wireless rectification system on various timescales. A wireless rectification system may include antennas, impedance-matching components, rectifying devices, DC-to-DC converters, and/or load controllers. Two or more feedback controls may function on different timescales to modify one or more characteristics or functionalities of components of the wireless rectification system in response to monitored AC and/or DC power values at various locations within the wireless rectification system. Feedback controls operating on various timescales may include antenna feedback controls, impedance feedback controls, rectifying feedback controls, and/or DC feedback controls.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Searete LLCInventors: Daniel Arnitz, Lawrence F. Arnstein, Jeffrey A. Bowers, Joseph A. Hagerty, Russell J. Hannigan, Guy S. Lipworth, David R. Nash, Matthew S. Reynolds, Clarence T. Tegreene, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10928614Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are described to provide a large emittance angle and a large beamforming aperture for radiation emitted by a relatively small transmit aperture. For example, a diffractive concentrator structure can provide a large emittance angle and a large beamforming aperture for radiation emitted by a small transmit aperture and delivered to a larger exit aperture.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Searete LLCInventor: Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10622845Abstract: System and methods are described herein for providing wireless power to a target device, such as a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a vehicle, robot, or an unmanned aerial vehicle or system (UAV) or (UAS). A tunable multi-element transmitter may transmit electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to the target device using any of a wide variety of frequency bands. A location determination subsystem and/or range determination subsystem may determine a relative location, orientation, and/or rotation of the target device. For a target device within a distance range for which a smallest achievable waist of the Gaussian beam of the EMR at an operational frequency is smaller than the multi-element EMR receiver of the target device, a non-Gaussian beamform may be determined to increase efficiency, decrease overheating, reduce spillover, increase total power output of rectenna receivers on the target device, or achieve another target power delivery goal.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Searete LLCInventors: Daniel Arnitz, Jeffrey A. Bowers, Joseph A. Hagerty, Russell J. Hannigan, Guy S. Lipworth, David R. Nash, Matthew S. Reynolds, Clarence T. Tegreene, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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CAVITY-BACKED ANTENNA ARRAY WITH DISTRIBUTED SIGNAL AMPLIFIERS FOR TRANSMISSION OF A HIGH-POWER BEAM
Publication number: 20200067186Abstract: An embodiment of an antenna array includes a cavity, signal couplers, and antenna elements. The cavity is configured to reinforce a reference signal (e.g., a standing reference wave) having a wavelength A, and each of the signal couplers is configured to generate a respective intermediate signal in response to the reference signal at a respective location of the cavity. And each of the antenna elements (e.g., conductive patches) is configured to radiate a respective elemental signal in response to an intermediate signal from a respective one of the signal couplers. In operation, the elemental signals interfere with one another to form a transmission beam. Controlling the cavity to introduce phase differences between the antenna elements can allow a wider pitch between adjacent antenna elements without the need for large, costly phase shifters, where the pitch can approach its theoretical limit of approximately ?/2.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: Searete LLCInventors: Matthew S. Reynolds, Guy Lipworth, Joseph Hagerty, Daniel Arnitz, Yaroslav Aleksandrovich Urzhumov -
Publication number: 20200067187Abstract: An embodiment of an antenna configured to form a high-power beam, such as a battery-charging beam, includes a transmission structure, signal couplers, amplifiers, and antenna elements. The transmission structure (e.g., a waveguide) is configured to carry a reference signal (e.g., a traveling reference wave), and each of the signal couplers is configured to generate a respective intermediate signal in response to the reference signal at a respective location along the transmission structure. Each of the amplifiers is configured to amplify, selectively, an intermediate signal from a respective one of the couplers, and each of the antenna elements (e.g., conductive patches) is configured to radiate a respective elemental signal in response to an amplified intermediate signal from a respective one of the amplifiers. In operation, the elemental signals interfere with one another to form a transmission beam, such as a battery-charging, or other high-power, transmission beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: Searete LLCInventors: Matthew S. Reynolds, Guy Lipworth, Joseph Hagerty, Daniel Arnitz, Yaroslav Aleksandrovich Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10530054Abstract: A conversion device for converting between electric power and electromagnetic waves, such as an RF antenna, may be fitted with an intermediary holographic lens to modify a radiation pattern between an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) reflector to reflect EMR and an EMR feed. The holographic lens may modify a performance metric associated with the conversion device. The holographic lens may have a volumetric distribution of dielectric constants. For example, a voxel-based discretization of the distribution of dielectric constants can be used to generate the holographic lens.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Searete LLCInventor: Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10249950Abstract: In some embodiments, an antenna system includes antenna elements for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation. The antenna elements may be connected to a feed via a plurality of tunable impedance elements. At least some of the tunable impedance elements may have nonlinear responses to impedance tuning that can be numerically approximated by nonlinear impedance-tuning parameter curves with a cumulative number of selectable nonlinear coefficients. Control inputs to nonlinearly vary impedance values of the tunable impedance elements allow for the selection of distinct impedance patterns that correspond to distinct field patterns attainable by the antenna system. The number of field patterns attainable is a function of the number of control inputs and a cumulative number of selectable nonlinear coefficients. Thus, a selection of tunable impedance elements and control inputs may be made to attain a target number of field patterns to serve a desired coverage area.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Searete LLCInventors: Daniel Arnitz, Joseph Hagerty, Russell J. Hannigan, Guy S. Lipworth, Matthew S. Reynolds, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Patent number: 10135123Abstract: An antenna system includes a tunable medium, rectifier circuitry, combining circuitry, and control circuitry. The tunable medium includes antenna elements corresponding to lumped impedance elements and variable impedance control inputs configured to enable selection of an impedance value for each of the lumped impedance elements. The control circuitry is configured to determine a scattering matrix (S-matrix) relating field amplitudes at lumped ports including internal lumped ports and lumped external ports. The internal lumped ports correspond to the lumped impedance elements, and the lumped external ports correspond to at least one of the rectifier circuitry inputs, the combined output of the combining circuitry, and the at least one transmitting element. A method includes determining at least a portion of component values of a desired S-matrix, and adjusting the variable impedance control inputs to at least approximate at least a portion of the desired S-matrix.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Searete LLCInventors: Daniel Arnitz, Joseph Hagerty, Russell J. Hannigan, Guy S. Lipworth, Matthew S. Reynolds, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov
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Publication number: 20170352436Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide automated nuclear fission reactors and methods for their operation. Exemplary embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, re-use of nuclear fission fuel, alternate fuels and fuel geometries, modular fuel cores, fast fluid cooling, variable burn-up, programmable nuclear thermostats, fast flux irradiation, temperature-driven surface area/volume ratio neutron absorption, low coolant temperature cores, refueling, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: Searete LLCInventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Publication number: 20170231560Abstract: Apparatus and systems are described that include physical media related to accepting at least one attribute associated with an individual from a licensed health care provider and/or presenting an output of an artificial sensory experience associated with a request to measure at least one effect of a bioactive agent on the attribute associated with individual.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2016Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: Searete LLCInventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
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Publication number: 20170223164Abstract: An apparatus, device, methods, computer program product, and system are described that make a determination that a wireless device is in proximity to at least one secondary wireless device, and determine an aggregate user interface on the wireless device based on the determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Applicant: Searete LLCInventors: Edward K.Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, JR., Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Publication number: 20170100540Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include measuring at least one effect of a combined bioactive agent and artificial sensory experience on an individual and/or modifying at least one of the bioactive agent or the artificial sensory experience at least partially based on the at least one effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: Searete LLCInventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
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Publication number: 20170068800Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting at least one attribute of at least one individual, querying at least one database at least partly based on the at least one attribute, selecting from the at least one database at least one prescription medication and at least one artificial sensory experience to address the at least one attribute of at least one individual, and/or presenting an indication of the at least one prescription medication and the at least one artificial sensory experience at least partly based on the selecting from the at least one database at least one prescription medication and at least one artificial sensory experience to address the at least one attribute of at least one individualType: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: Searete LLCInventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Victoria Y.H. Wood