Patents by Inventor Andrew W. Chu

Andrew W. Chu 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).

  • Patent number: 9652646
    Abstract: A system for radio frequency identification (RFID) includes an enclosure defining an interior region interior to the enclosure, and a feed for generating an electromagnetic field in the interior region in response to a signal received from an RFID reader via a radio frequency (RF) transmission line and, in response to the electromagnetic field, receiving a signal from an RFID sensor attached to an item in the interior region. The structure of the enclosure may be conductive and may include a metamaterial portion, an electromagnetically absorbing portion, or a wall extending in the interior region. Related apparatuses and methods for performing RFID are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Gregory Y. Lin, Timothy F. Kennedy, Phong H. Ngo, Dewey T. Brown, Diane Byerly
  • Patent number: 9465965
    Abstract: A system for radio frequency identification (RFID) includes an enclosure defining an interior region interior to the enclosure, and a feed for generating an electromagnetic field in the interior region in response to a signal received from an RFID reader via a radio frequency (RF) transmission line and, in response to the electromagnetic field, receiving a signal from an RFID sensor attached to an item in the interior region. The structure of the enclosure may be conductive and may include a metamaterial portion, an electromagnetically absorbing portion, or a wall extending in the interior region. Related apparatuses and methods for performing RFID are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration
    Inventors: Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Gregory Y. Lin, Timothy F. Kennedy, Phong H. Ngo, Dewey T. Brown, Diane Byerly
  • Patent number: 9208362
    Abstract: A system for radio frequency identification (RFID) includes an enclosure defining an interior region interior to the enclosure, and a feed for generating an electromagnetic field in the interior region in response to a signal received from an RFID reader via a radio frequency (RF) transmission line and, in response to the electromagnetic field, receiving a signal from an RFID sensor attached to an item in the interior region. The structure of the enclosure may be conductive and may include a metamaterial portion, an electromagnetically absorbing portion, or a wall extending in the interior region. Related apparatuses and methods for performing RFID are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Gregory Y. Lin, Timothy F. Kennedy, Phong H. Ngo, Dewey T. Brown, Diane Byerly, Haley C. Boose
  • Patent number: 8384614
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enhancing the gain of a wireless signal are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the apparatus can include a screen comprised of one or more electrically conductive regions for reflecting electromagnetic radiation and one or more non-conductive regions for permitting electromagnetic radiation therethrough. The one or more electrically conductive regions can be disposed adjacent to at least one of the one or more non-conductive regions. The apparatus can also include a support member disposed about at least a portion of the screen. The screen can be capable of collapsing by twisting the support member in opposite screw senses to form interleaved concentric sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Timothy F. Kennedy, Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Gregory Y. Lin
  • Publication number: 20120081265
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enhancing the gain of a wireless signal are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the apparatus can include a screen comprised of one or more electrically conductive regions for reflecting electromagnetic radiation and one or more non-conductive regions for permitting electromagnetic radiation therethrough. The one or more electrically conductive regions can be disposed adjacent to at least one of the one or more non-conductive regions. The apparatus can also include a support member disposed about at least a portion of the screen. The screen can be capable of collapsing by twisting the support member in opposite screw senses to form interleaved concentric sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy F. Kennedy, Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Gregory Y. Lin
  • Patent number: 8022307
    Abstract: A flexible, fabric-based circuit comprises a non-conductive flexible layer of fabric and a conductive flexible layer of fabric adjacent thereto. A non-conductive thread, an adhesive, and/or other means may be used for attaching the conductive layer to the non-conductive layer. In some embodiments, the layers are attached by a computer-driven embroidery machine at pre-determined portions or locations in accordance with a pre-determined attachment layout before automated cutting. In some other embodiments, an automated milling machine or a computer-driven laser using a pre-designed circuit trace as a template cuts the conductive layer so as to separate an undesired portion of the conductive layer from a desired portion of the conductive layer. Additional layers of conductive fabric may be attached in some embodiments to form a multi-layer construct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Andrew W. Chu, Justin A. Dobbins, Robert C. Scully, Robert C. Trevino, Greg Y. Lin, Patrick W. Fink
  • Publication number: 20100147562
    Abstract: A flexible, fabric-based circuit comprises a non-conductive flexible layer of fabric and a conductive flexible layer of fabric adjacent thereto. A non-conductive thread, an adhesive, and/or other means may be used for attaching the conductive layer to the non-conductive layer. In some embodiments, the layers are attached by a computer-driven embroidery machine at pre-determined portions or locations in accordance with a pre-determined attachment layout before automated cutting. In some other embodiments, an automated milling machine or a computer-driven laser using a pre-designed circuit trace as a template cuts the conductive layer so as to separate an undesired portion of the conductive layer from a desired portion of the conductive layer. Additional layers of conductive fabric may be attached in some embodiments to form a multi-layer construct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew W. Chu, Justin A. Dobbins, Robert C. Scully, Robert C. Trevino, Greg Y. Lin, Patrick W. Fink
  • Patent number: 7410485
    Abstract: A miniature microwave antenna is disclosed which may be utilized for biomedical applications such as, for example, radiation induced hyperthermia through catheter systems. One feature of the antenna is that it possesses azimuthal directionality despite its small size. This directionality permits targeting of certain tissues while limiting thermal exposure of adjacent tissue. One embodiment has an outer diameter of about 0.095? (2.4 mm) but the design permits for smaller diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Patrick W. Fink, Greg Y. Lin, Andrew W. Chu, Justin A. Dobbins, G. Dickey Arndt, Phong H. Ngo
  • Patent number: 7126553
    Abstract: A deployable antenna and method for using wherein the deployable antenna comprises a collapsible membrane having at least one radiating element for transmitting electromagnetic waves, receiving electromagnetic waves, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Patrick W. Fink, Justin A. Dobbins, Greg Y. Lin, Andrew W. Chu, Robert C. Scully
  • Patent number: 6903687
    Abstract: A novel feed structure, for an antenna having a resonant electric field structure, comprising a patch element, an integrated circuit attached to the patch element, at least one inner conductor electrically connected to and terminating at the integrated circuit on a first end of the at least one inner conductor, wherein the at least one inner conductor extends through and is not electrically connected to the patch element, and wherein the at least one inner conductor is available for electrical connectivity on a second end of the at least one inner conductor, and an outer conductor electrically connected to and terminating at the patch element on a first end of the outer conductor, wherein the outer conductor is available for electrical connectivity on a second end of the outer conductor, and wherein the outer conductor concentrically surrounds the at least one inner conductor from the second end of the at least one inner conductor available for electrical connectivity to the first end of the outer conductor t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Justin A. Dobbins, Greg Y. Lin