Patents by Inventor Brian M. Pierce
Brian M. Pierce 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: 6999040Abstract: A transverse device array phase shifter includes an overmoded waveguide structure having a top conductive broad wall surface, a bottom conductive broad wall surface and opposed first and second conductive side wall surfaces. At least one transverse device array circuit is positioned in the waveguide circuit. Each circuit comprises a generally planar dielectric substrate having a microwave circuit defined thereon, and a plurality of spaced discrete phase shifter elements. The substrate is disposed within the waveguide structure generally transverse to the side wall surfaces. A bias circuit applies a voltage to reverse bias the phase shifter elements. The transverse device array phase shifter circuit causes a change in phase of microwave or millimeter-wave energy propagating through the waveguide structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Ralston S. Robertson, Jr., William H. Henderson, Robert T. Lewis, Ruey-Shi Chu, David W. Baker, Brian M. Pierce, David R. Ulmer, Romulo J. Broas
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Patent number: 6958665Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) phase shifter for shifting the phase of a radio frequency (RF) signal. The phase shifter includes a quadrature coupler having an input port, an output port, a first load port and a second load port. A first variable reactance is coupled to the first load port and a second variable reactance is coupled the second load port. Each variable reactance has a plurality of reflecting phase shifting elements each having an associated micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switching element to individually and selectively couple the reflecting phase shifting element to the appropriate load port.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Robert C. Allison, Brian M. Pierce
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Publication number: 20040257288Abstract: A transverse device array phase shifter includes an overmoded waveguide structure having a top conductive broad wall surface, a bottom conductive broad wall surface and opposed first and second conductive side wall surfaces. At least one transverse device array circuit is positioned in the waveguide circuit. Each circuit comprises a generally planar dielectric substrate having a microwave circuit defined thereon, and a plurality of spaced discrete phase shifter elements. The substrate is disposed within the waveguide structure generally transverse to the side wall surfaces. A bias circuit applies a voltage to reverse bias the phase shifter elements. The transverse device array phase shifter circuit causes a change in phase of microwave or millimeter-wave energy propagating through the waveguide structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: Ralston S. Robertson, William H. Henderson, Robert T. Lewis, Ruey-Shi Chu, David W. Baker, Brian M. Pierce, David R. Ulmer, Romulo J. Broas
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Patent number: 6822615Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) steerable electronically scanned lens array (ESA) antenna and method of frequency scanning are disclosed. The MEMS ESA antenna includes a wide band feedthrough lens and a continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array. The wide band feedthrough lens includes first and second arrays of wide band radiating elements and an array of MEMS phase shifter modules disposed between the first and second arrays of radiating elements. The continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array is disposed adjacent the first array of radiating elements for providing a planar wave front in the near field. The MEMS phase shifter modules steer a beam radiated from the CTS feed array in two dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Clifton Quan, Jar J. Lee, Brian M. Pierce, Robert C. Allison
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Publication number: 20040164915Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) steerable electronically scanned lens array (ESA) antenna and method of frequency scanning are disclosed. The MEMS ESA antenna includes a wide band feedthrough lens and a continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array. The wide band feedthrough lens includes first and second arrays of wide band radiating elements and an array of MEMS phase shifter modules disposed between the first and second arrays of radiating elements. The continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array is disposed adjacent the first array of radiating elements for providing a planar wave front in the near field. The MEMS phase shifter modules steer a beam radiated from the CTS feed array in two dimensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Clifton Quan, Jar J. Lee, Brian M. Pierce, Robert C. Allison
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Patent number: 6741207Abstract: An RF phase shifter circuit includes first and second RF ports, and a switch circuit comprising a plurality of micro-electro-mechanical (“MEM”) switches responsive to control signals. The switch circuit is arranged to select one of a plurality of discrete phase shift values introduced by the phase shifter circuit to RF signals passed between the first and second RF ports. The circuits can be connected to provide a single-pole-multiple-throw (SPMT) or multiple-pole-multiple-throw (MPMT) switch function. The phase shifter circuits can be used in an electronically scanned array including a linear array of radiating elements, with an array of phase shifters coupled to the radiating elements. An RF manifold including a plurality of phase shifter ports is respectively coupled to a corresponding phase shifter RF port and an RF port. A beam steering controller provides phase shift control signals to the phase shifters to control the phase shift setting of the array of the phase shifters.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Robert C. Allison, Clifton Quan, Brian M. Pierce
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Publication number: 20040091197Abstract: A first MEM is mounted on a substrate having a first contact and a second contact is mounted on a substrate. A PA power cell is thermally connected to the substrate using a thermal bump. The power cell is electrically insulated from the substrate. The power cell has a first power cell bump and a second power cell bump as pathways for I/O functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: Samuel D. Tonomura, Robert C. Allison, Brian M. Pierce
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Patent number: 6728432Abstract: A first MEM is mounted on a substrate having a first contact and a second contact is mounted on a substrate. A PA power cell is thermally connected to the substrate using a thermal bump. The power cell is electrically insulated from the substrate. The power cell has a first power cell bump and a second power cell bump as pathways for I/O functions. A first insulator is mounted on the substrate supporting a second MEM above the substrate. The second MEM has a first connection and a second connection The first connection and the second connection are located on a bottom surface of the second MEM. A first conductive via vertically traverses the first insulator and is connected to the first connection from the second MEM. This first conductive via is further connected to a first conductor. The first conductor is insulated from substrate by a first insulating layer. The first conductor is further connected to the first power cell bump.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Samuel D. Tonomura, Robert C. Allison, Brian M. Pierce
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Patent number: 6677899Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) steerable electronically scanned lens array (ESA) antenna and method of frequency scanning are disclosed. The MEMS ESA antenna includes a MEMS E-plane steerable lens array and a MEMS H-plane steerable linear array. The MEMS E-plane steerable lens array includes first and second arrays of wide band radiating elements, and an array of MEMS E-plane phase shifter modules disposed between the first and second arrays of radiating elements. The MEMS H-plane steerable linear array includes a continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array and an array of MEMS H-plane phase shifter modules at an input of the CTS feed array. The MEMS H-plane steerable linear array is disposed adjacent the first array of radiating elements of the MEMS E-plane steerable lens array for providing a planar wave front in the near field.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Jar J. Lee, Clifton Quan, Brian M. Pierce
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Patent number: 6674340Abstract: A switched loop RF radiator circuit, comprising a radiator element, a RF input/output (I/O) port, and a balun coupled between the radiator element and the (I/O) port. The balun includes a 180° switched loop circuit having transmission line legs coupled to a balun transition to provide a selectable phase shift, and a microelectromechanically machined (MEM) switch Many radiator circuits can be deployed in an electronically scanned antenna array.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Clifton Quan, Brian M. Pierce
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Publication number: 20030193377Abstract: A switched loop RF radiator circuit, comprising a radiator element, a circuit RF input/output (I/O) port, and a balun coupled between the radiator element and the I/O port. The balun includes a 180° switched loop circuit having two transmission line legs coupled to a balun transition to provide a selectable 180° phase shift, and a microelectromechanically machined (MEM) switch cirtuit. Many radiator circuits can be deployed in an electronically scanned antenna array.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2002Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Clifton Quan, Brian M. Pierce
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Patent number: 6101102Abstract: Frequency regulating apparatus comprising a high power, voltage variable dielectric varactor or capacitor (or ferroelectric voltage variable dielectric capacitor) for use as a control element in the regulation circuit that actively tunes a resonant network to modulate power delivered to a load. The voltage variable dielectric capacitor comprises a substrate having a bottom electrode 33 formed thereon. A dielectric material is disposed on the substrate is a crystallized ceramic material that preferably comprises a barium, strontium, and titanium mixture. A top electrode is disposed on top of the crystallized ceramic material. Methods of fabricating the voltage variable dielectric varactor (capacitor) are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1999Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Michael Brand, Thomas Kirk Dougherty, John J. Drab, Brian M. Pierce
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Patent number: 5771567Abstract: Methods of fabricating a porous ceramic composite having voltage-variable dielectric properties. The composite is made as follows. A polycrystalline ferroelectric powder, which is a ferroelectric perovskite such as barium strontium titanate, for example, is provided. The powder, a binder and a filler are then mixed in water to form a slurry. The powder-binder-filler slurry is then dried. The dried powder-binder-filler slurry is granulated. The granulated powder-binder-filler is pressed into a die. The binder and filler are then burned out to form a fragile porous ash-like structure. The porous structure is then sintered to form porous ceramic parts. The porous ceramic parts are then machined tiles. The machined porous tiles may then be tested for microwave properties. Fabrication methods for producing porous ferroelectric ceramic-polymer composite tiles or subaperture blanks and continuous transverse stub electronically scanned antenna plates or subapertures are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1996Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Brian M. Pierce, Norman H. Harris, Thomas Kirk Dougherty, William W. Chen, Florentino V. Lee
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Patent number: 5600325Abstract: Ferro-electric frequency selective surface radomes that have dielectric layers that comprise voltage controlled material, and the electrical properties of the dielectric layers are voltage controlled. By varying the dielectric properties, the passband frequency of the radomes can be shifted to optimize frequency and angular response of the frequency selective surface. The radomes comprise grating screens having a plurality of printed radiating elements. Inner and outer voltage controlled dielectric layers are disposed on the grating screens. Relatively high ohms per square resistive films are disposed on exposed surfaces of the voltage controlled dielectric layers.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Hughes ElectronicsInventors: David A. Whelan, John Fraschilla, Brian M. Pierce
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Patent number: 5574077Abstract: A microwave-absorbing material composed of blends of polar icosahedral molecular units with a variety of host matrices, or with polymers with the units covalently bonded in a pendant manner to the polymer chain. Both blends and polymers must impart a high degree of orientational mobility to the units so that they can absorb microwave radiation. These materials employ orientationally mobile, polar icosahedral molecular units as the source of dielectric loss at microwave frequencies. Examples of these units are the polar carboranes (ortho- and meta-carborane), polar carboranes with electronegative and/or electropositive substitutes, and polar "buckminsterfullerenes.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1993Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Inventors: Thomas K. Dougherty, Norman H. Harris, James R. Chow, Brian M. Pierce, David A. Whelan
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Patent number: 5443746Abstract: Ferroelectric composites are prepared by sol-gel derived procedures. The present invention utilizes the sol-gel process (1) to form a gel in a mold of the desired size and shape, (2) to dry the gel using a supercritical fluid extraction, (3) to sinter the dried gel to a crystalline ceramic, and finally (4) to impregnate the pores with a low loss polymer. The aerogel composition may be a barium titanate-based composition such as barium strontium titanate (BST). Making a ferroelectric aerogel composite provides a unique and novel means of fully exploiting the voltage- and/or frequency-tunable properties of certain compositions by maximizing their desirable properties and minimizing their undesirable characteristics such as loss at operational frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1994Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventors: Norman H. Harris, Brian M. Pierce, Carl W. Townsend, Thomas K. Dougherty
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Patent number: 5381149Abstract: An inhomogeneous broadband absorber of electromagnetic energy constructed from an aerogel-lossy dielectric composite, where the concentration of the lossy dielectric increase across its thickness such that the composite's dielectric properties vary from those of the aerogel to those of the lossy dielectric. Materials useful for serving as the lossy dielectric include polar molecules, polar icosahedral molecules, polyaniline electron-conducting polymers, and polyprrole electron-conducting polymers. Another inhomogeneous layer absorber is constructed from an aerogel that is intrinsically a lossy dielectric. The variation in dielectric properties is achieved by increasing the density of the aerogel across the thickness of the material. Aerogel materials for such an absorber include organic aerogels which have been pyrolized in an inert atmosphere to give vitreous carbon aerogels. Methods for fabricating these absorbers are described.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1992Date of Patent: January 10, 1995Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventors: Thomas K. Dougherty, Norman H. Harris, James R. Chow, Brian M. Pierce
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Patent number: 5361034Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the conductivity of a fluid is disclosed. The invention 10 provides both a contact and non-contact monitoring of fluid conductivity by measuring the A.C. dielectric properties of the fluid. The invention 10 transmits an electromagnetic wave into the fluid 22 and analyzes the transmitted and reflected waves providing an indication of the conductivity of the fluid 22. The invention 10 is versatile in that it allows for the fluid to be in the form of a spray. In a specific illustrative implementation, a novel nozzle is provided to monitor the conductivity of paint spray 22 as it passes therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1991Date of Patent: November 1, 1994Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventors: Brian M. Pierce, David B. Chang, Kenn S. Bates
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Patent number: 5317058Abstract: A microwave-absorbing material composed of blends of polar icosahedral molecular units with a variety of host matrices, or with polymers with the units covalently bonded in a pendant manner to the polymer chain. Both blends and polymers must impart a high degree of orientational mobility to the units so that they can absorb microwave radiation. These materials employ orientationally mobile, polar icosahedral molecular units as the source of dielectric loss at microwave frequencies. Examples of these units are the polar carboranes (ortho- and meta-carborane), polar carboranes with electronegative and/or electropositive substitutes, and polar "buckminsterfullerenes.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1992Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventors: Thomas K. Dougherty, Norman H. Harris, James R. Chow, Brian M. Pierce, David A. Whelan
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Patent number: 5188783Abstract: An ion-conductive article and method of making the same. A charge material is formed that includes an ion-conductive polymer and a generally non-ion-conductive polymer. The charge material is fabricated into an ion-conductive article.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1990Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventor: Brian M. Pierce