Patents by Inventor Brandon M. Black

Brandon M. Black 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: 10310062
    Abstract: A frequency steered sonar element comprises a transducer element and a grating element. The transducer element presents a longitudinal axis and is configured to receive a transmit electronic signal and generate an acoustic wave with a frequency component corresponding to a frequency component of the transmit electronic signal. The grating element presents a longitudinal axis and is oriented such that a longitudinal axis of the grating element and a longitudinal axis of the transducer element form an acute angle. The grating element includes a first surface and an opposing second surface. One or more of the surfaces includes one or more grooves distributed thereon, the one or more grooves including first and second facets. The grating element is configured to emit a sonar beam in an angular direction which varies according to the frequency component of the acoustic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Aaron R. Coleman, Brian T. Maguire, Brandon M. Black, Jeffrey B. Wigh
  • Publication number: 20180217244
    Abstract: A frequency steered sonar element comprises a transducer element and a grating element. The transducer element presents a longitudinal axis and is configured to receive a transmit electronic signal and generate an acoustic wave with a frequency component corresponding to a frequency component of the transmit electronic signal. The grating element presents a longitudinal axis and is oriented such that a longitudinal axis of the grating element and a longitudinal axis of the transducer element form an acute angle. The grating element includes a first surface and an opposing second surface. One or more of the surfaces includes one or more grooves distributed thereon, the one or more grooves including first and second facets. The grating element is configured to emit a sonar beam in an angular direction which varies according to the frequency component of the acoustic wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron R. Coleman, Brian T. Maguire, Brandon M. Black, Jeffrey B. Wigh
  • Patent number: 9766328
    Abstract: A sonar transducer array assembly comprises a first flexible circuit, a second flexible circuit, and a plurality of transducer elements. The first and second flexible circuits each include a first side, a second side, and a plurality of adhesive areas spaced apart and positioned in a line along one edge of the first side. The transducer elements each include a first surface attached to one of the adhesive areas of the first flexible circuit, an opposing second surface attached to one of the adhesive areas of the second flexible circuit, and a third surface positioned between the first and second surfaces. The transducer elements form a linear array with the third surface of each transducer element in alignment and configured to transmit and receive an acoustic pressure wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Brandon M. Black, Brian T. Maguire, John A. Matson
  • Publication number: 20160018514
    Abstract: A sonar transducer array assembly comprises a first flexible circuit, a second flexible circuit, and a plurality of transducer elements. The first and second flexible circuits each include a first side, a second side, and a plurality of adhesive areas spaced apart and positioned in a line along one edge of the first side. The transducer elements each include a first surface attached to one of the adhesive areas of the first flexible circuit, an opposing second surface attached to one of the adhesive areas of the second flexible circuit, and a third surface positioned between the first and second surfaces. The transducer elements form a linear array with the third surface of each transducer element in alignment and configured to transmit and receive an acoustic pressure wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Brandon M. Black, Brian T. Maguire, John A. Matson