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).
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Patent number: 9652646Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Gregory Y. Lin, Timothy F. Kennedy, Phong H. Ngo, Dewey T. Brown, Diane Byerly
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Patent number: 9465965Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdminstrationInventors: Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Gregory Y. Lin, Timothy F. Kennedy, Phong H. Ngo, Dewey T. Brown, Diane Byerly
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Patent number: 9208362Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Gregory Y. Lin, Timothy F. Kennedy, Phong H. Ngo, Dewey T. Brown, Diane Byerly, Haley C. Boose
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Patent number: 8384614Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Timothy F. Kennedy, Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Gregory Y. Lin
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Publication number: 20120081265Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Timothy F. Kennedy, Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Gregory Y. Lin
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Patent number: 8022307Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Andrew W. Chu, Justin A. Dobbins, Robert C. Scully, Robert C. Trevino, Greg Y. Lin, Patrick W. Fink
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Publication number: 20100147562Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2007Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Andrew W. Chu, Justin A. Dobbins, Robert C. Scully, Robert C. Trevino, Greg Y. Lin, Patrick W. Fink
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Patent number: 7410485Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Patrick W. Fink, Greg Y. Lin, Andrew W. Chu, Justin A. Dobbins, G. Dickey Arndt, Phong H. Ngo
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Patent number: 7126553Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 2, 2003Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Patrick W. Fink, Justin A. Dobbins, Greg Y. Lin, Andrew W. Chu, Robert C. Scully
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Patent number: 6903687Abstract: 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 tType: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Patrick W. Fink, Andrew W. Chu, Justin A. Dobbins, Greg Y. Lin