Patents by Inventor Alan M. Buchanan

Alan M. Buchanan 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).

  • Stepped radio frequency reflector antenna
    Patent number: 8878743
    Abstract: Stepped radio frequency (RF) reflector antennas are disclosed in which an inner RF reflector is disposed in a central opening of at one or more annular RF reflectors. The RF reflecting surface of the inner RF reflector and the RF reflecting surface(s) of the one or more annular RF reflectors can be shaped and positioned relative to each other to have different focal lengths but nevertheless reflect an RF signal to the same focal plane. The depth of the inventive reflector antenna system can be less than the depth of prior art reflector antennas with a comparable RF aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Alan M. Buchanan, Trevis D. Anderson, Douglas H. Ulmer, Jeffrey J. McGill, Scott M. Lyon, Rory K. Sorensen, Neil K. Harker
  • System and method for pointing and control of an antenna
    Patent number: 7333064
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for directing an antenna mounted in a restricted radome on an aircraft. The method can include the operation of determining whether the antenna is directed in a keyhole. A further operation can involve controlling the antenna using an elevation gimbal and an azimuth gimbal when it is determined the antenna is directed outside the keyhole. Another operation can include directing the antenna using an elevation, azimuth, and cross elevation gimbal when it is determined the antenna is pointing in the keyhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: L3 Communication Corporation
    Inventors: LaMar K. Timothy, Jeffrey S. Sato, Alan M. Buchanan, Patricia F. Batzer
  • System and method for pointing and control of an antenna
    Patent number: 7095376
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for directing an antenna mounted in a restricted radome on an aircraft. The method can include the operation of determining whether the antenna is directed in a keyhole. A further operation can involve controlling the antenna using an elevation gimbal and an azimuth gimbal when it is determined the antenna is directed outside the keyhole. Another operation can include directing the antenna using an elevation, azimuth, and cross elevation gimbal when it is determined the antenna is pointing in the keyhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: L3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: LaMar K. Timothy, Jeffrey S. Sato, Alan M. Buchanan, Patricia F. Batzer
  • Printed wiring board substrate for surface mounted components
    Patent number: 4963425
    Abstract: A laminated printed wiring board having surfaces thereof fabricated from conventional fiber reinforced laminates which are secured together by means of an adhesive fabricated of a reinforced thermosetting resin having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) which is substantially smaller than the CTE of the surface laminate whereby the apparent CTE of the overall printed wiring board assembly is substantially controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Alan M. Buchanan, Jay S. Abramowitz, Roberta A. Y. Flygare