Patents by Inventor Benjamin McMahon

Benjamin McMahon 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: 10230171
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing series-fed antenna arrays with a variable dielectric waveguide. In one implementation, coupling elements with optional controlled phase shifters are placed adjacent each radiating element of the array. To avoid frequency sensitivity of the resulting array, one or more waveguides have a variable propagation constant. The variable waveguide may use certain materials exhibiting this phenomenon, or may have configurable gaps between layers. Plated-through holes and pins can control the gaps; and/or a 2-D circular or a rectangular travelling wave array of scattering elements can be used as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Benjamin McMahon, Brian Molen, Judy Feng, William Mouyos
  • Patent number: 9806425
    Abstract: A leaky travelling wave array of elements provide a broadband radio frequency antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: AMI RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Judy Feng, William Mouyos, Benjamin McMahon
  • Patent number: 9705199
    Abstract: A dielectric travelling wave antenna (DTWA) using a TEM mode transmission line and variable dielectric substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, William Mouyos, Benjamin McMahon, Brian Molen, Paul Gili
  • Publication number: 20170141479
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing series-fed antenna arrays with a variable dielectric waveguide. In one implementation, coupling elements with optional controlled phase shifters are placed adjacent each radiating element of the array. To avoid frequency sensitivity of the resulting array, one or more waveguides have a variable propagation constant. The variable waveguide may use certain materials exhibiting this phenomenon, or may have configurable gaps between layers. Plated-through holes and pins can control the gaps; and/or a 2-D circular or a rectangular travelling wave array of scattering elements can be used as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Benjamin McMahon, Brian Molen, Judy Feng, William Mouyos
  • Patent number: 9557480
    Abstract: A rectifier comprising a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure. The insulator may be a native oxide with an adjacent layer of graphene. In one implementation, the rectifier is used in an electromagnetic energy collector consisting of a planar waveguide formed of multiple material layers having at least two different dielectric constants. MIM rectifiers are aligned with mirrors are formed within the waveguide core. In some arrangements, a plurality of MIM rectifiers are disposed in a column or 3D array beneath each mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: R.A. Miller Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Patricia Bodan, William Mouyos, Milton Feng, Benjamin McMahon, Paul Gili
  • Patent number: 9509056
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing series-fed antenna arrays with a variable dielectric waveguide. In one implementation, coupling elements with optional controlled phase shifters are placed adjacent each radiating element of the array. To avoid frequency sensitivity of the resulting array, one or more waveguides have a variable propagation constant. The variable waveguide may use certain materials exhibiting this phenomenon, or may have configurable gaps between layers. Plated-through holes and pins can control the gaps; and/or a 2-D circular or a rectangular travelling wave array of scattering elements can be used as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Benjamin McMahon, Brian Molen, Judy Feng, William Mouyos
  • Publication number: 20160233371
    Abstract: A planar fixed area thin film antenna-coupled metal-insulator-metal (MIM) rectifier of arbitray metal with a native nickel oxide insulator. Devices can be designed for millimeter wave, IR, NIR and visible wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, William Mouyos, Patricia Bodan, Milton Feng, Benjamin McMahon
  • Patent number: 9413063
    Abstract: The use of rectennas, or antenna-coupled rectifiers, using metal-insulator-metal tunnel diodes as rectifiers for energy conversion has been explored with more fervor recently, given the advances in nanotechnology fabrication and increased resolution of features. Some have made these devices from symmetric metals (e.g. Ni—NiO—Ni) and asymmetric metals (e.g. Al—AlOx/Pt), and have used deposited oxides as well as native oxides. One key to obtaining a highly asymmetric device with efficient current generation needed for high conversion efficiency is to instead use dissimilar metals and a thin reproducible oxide. The described method allows for a thin, reproducible native oxide of nickel be integrated with any antenna metal to overcome oxide surface roughness problems that typically hamper the practicality of these devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: R.A. Miller Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, William Mouyos, Patricia Bodan, Milton Feng, Benjamin McMahon
  • Patent number: 9281424
    Abstract: An electromagnetic energy concentrator uses a prism and waveguide with a gap layer of uniform thickness disposed between the prism and a first surface of waveguide. Energy detectors, which may be photovoltaics or miniaturized antenna elements are disposed adjacent to and co-extensive with a second surface of the waveguide. The detectors operate in each of at least two bands; a distance between detectors operating in a given band depends on a wavelength in the given band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: Patricia Bodan, John T. Apostolos, Benjamin McMahon, William Mouyos
  • Publication number: 20160041335
    Abstract: A rectifier comprising a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure. The insulator may be a native oxide with an adjacent layer of graphene. In one implementation, the rectifier is used in an electromagnetic energy collector consisting of a planar waveguide formed of multiple material layers having at least two different dielectric constants. MIM rectifiers are aligned with mirrors are formed within the waveguide core. In some arrangements, a plurality of MIM rectifiers are disposed in a column or 3D array beneath each mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Patricia Bodan, William Mouyos, Milton Feng, Benjamin McMahon, Paul Gili
  • Patent number: 9246230
    Abstract: A leaky dielectric travelling wave surface waveguide antenna provides a multiband, low-profile antenna for satellite and other wideband (Ku/K/Ka/Q) communications applications. The antenna structure can be arranged into various types of arrays to yield a cost-effective, wideband/multiband operation with high power. In one implementation, the antenna includes a waveguide having a multi-layer substrate, a top surface, a feed (excitation) end, and a load end. One or more scattering features are disposed on the top surface of the waveguide or within the waveguide, and achieve operation in a leaky propagation mode. A wavelength correction element adds linear delay to incident energy received or transmitted by the antenna. The resulting structure permits a resulting beam direction of the antenna to be independent of the wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Judy Feng, William Mouyos, Benjamin McMahon
  • Publication number: 20150318619
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing series-fed antenna arrays with a variable dielectric waveguide. In one implementation, coupling elements with optional controlled phase shifters are placed adjacent each radiating element of the array. To avoid frequency sensitivity of the resulting array, one or more waveguides have a variable propagation constant. The variable waveguide may use certain materials exhibiting this phenomenon, or may have configurable gaps between layers. Plated-through holes and pins can control the gaps; and/or a 2-D circular or a rectangular travelling wave array of scattering elements can be used as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Benjamin McMahon, Brian Molen, Judy Feng, William Mouyos
  • Publication number: 20150318621
    Abstract: A dielectric travelling wave antenna (DTWA) using a TEM mode transmission line and variable dielectric substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, William Mouyos, Benjamin McMahon, Brian Molen, Paul Gili
  • Patent number: 9166301
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing series-fed antenna arrays with a variable dielectric waveguide. In one implementation, coupling elements with optional controlled phase shifters are placed adjacent each radiating element of the array. To avoid frequency sensitivity of the resulting array, one or more waveguides have a variable propagation constant. The variable waveguide may use certain materials exhibiting this phenomenon, or may have configurable gaps between layers. Plated-through holes and pins can control the gaps; and/or a 2-D circular or a rectangular travelling wave array of scattering elements can be used as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Benjamin McMahon, Brian Molen, Judy Feng, William Mouyos
  • Patent number: 9147936
    Abstract: A low profile antenna using a cavity-backed central radiating surface surrounded by one or more ground plane surfaces. Passively reconfigurable structure provide frequency dependent coupling between the surfaces. The frequency dependent couplings may be implemented using meander line structures, Variable Impedance Transmission Lines (VITLs), or tunable VITLs that used interspersed electroactive sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Judy Feng, William Mouyos, Benjamin McMahon
  • Patent number: 9118116
    Abstract: A cylindrically symmetric satellite antenna that provides directional and omnidirectional operating modes in a compact form factor. Feed points located at the top of the cylindrical structure provide increased platform isolation. Combining networks, disposed below or within the cylindrical structure, may be replaced with inexpensive baluns composed of coaxial line sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, William Mouyos, Brian Molen, Benjamin McMahon
  • Publication number: 20150188237
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing series-fed antenna arrays with a variable dielectric waveguide. In one implementation, coupling elements with optional controlled phase shifters are placed adjacent each radiating element of the array. To avoid frequency sensitivity of the resulting array, one or more waveguides have a variable propagation constant. The variable waveguide may use certain materials exhibiting this phenomenon, or may have configurable gaps between layers. Plated-through holes and pins can control the gaps; and/or a 2-D circular or a rectangular travelling wave array of scattering elements can be used as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Benjamin McMahon, Brian Molen, Judy Feng, William Mouyos
  • Patent number: 9059488
    Abstract: Dispersive properties of a linear dispersive delay line are retained in a spiral configuration by constraining the radius of curvature depending on a desired propagation mode. The compact form factor spiral can be either a continuous spiral or a piecewise linear approximation. The spiral comprises a highly dielectric waveguide such as titanium dioxide or barium tetratitanate. Preferably, a spacer with a low dielectric constant and a microstrip are disposed on the top surface. The microstrip prevents attenuation of low frequencies, thereby increasing the operating frequency range. A second dielectric spacer and a second microstrip can be deposited on the bottom surface of the waveguide. Alternatively, the bottom surface of the waveguide can face a ground plane. The waveguide can be fed by horns or half-horns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, William Mouyos, Benjamin McMahon
  • Patent number: 9030202
    Abstract: Nuclear quadrupole resonance measurement using two or more wire loop(s) within a space to define a portal, and driving the wire loop(s) with a baseband digital transmitter generating a chirped or stepped signal, to create a corresponding varying electromagnetic field within the portal. Coherent emissions reflected thereby are detected through a directional coupler feeding the transceiver. The detected coherent emissions are processed with a matched filter to determine presence of a target object within the portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Judy Feng, William Mouyos, Benjamin McMahon
  • Publication number: 20150110440
    Abstract: An electromagnetic energy collector includes a planar waveguide formed of multiple material layers having at least two different dielectric constants. Mirrors formed within the waveguide core. Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) detectors are aligned with the mirrors, and disposed below the bottom surface of the waveguide. The mirrors may be etched at an angle into the waveguide. In some arrangements, wherein a plurality of MIM detectors are disposed in a column or 3D array beneath each mirror. A wavelength range of the MIM detectors disposed closer to a respective mirror is lower than a wavelength range of a MIM detector disposed farther away from the same mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Patricia Bodan, John T. Apostolos, Benjamin McMahon, William Mouyos