Patents by Inventor Christopher D Hills
Christopher D Hills 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: 11918998Abstract: A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignees: bioMérieux, Inc., BioFire Defense, LLCInventors: John D. Walsh, Christopher S. Ronsick, Mark S. Wilson, Kirk Ririe, Ryan T. Hill
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Patent number: 10454182Abstract: A unitary dielectric block is provided having a waveguide transition portion located at a first end of the unitary dielectric block, a sub-reflector support portion located at a second end of the unitary dielectric block, and a radiator portion between the waveguide transition portion and the sub-reflector support portion. The unitary dielectric block may have a longitudinal axis. The sub-reflector support portion may have a proximal surface and a distal surface. The distal surface may be located further from the longitudinal axis of the unitary dielectric block than the proximal surface. The distal surface may be angled at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the unitary dielectric block, and the proximal surface may be angled at a second angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the unitary dielectric block. The second angle may be greater than the first angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLCInventors: Ronald J. Brandau, Christopher D. Hills
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Publication number: 20190221945Abstract: A unitary dielectric block is provided having a waveguide transition portion located at a first end of the unitary dielectric block, a sub-reflector support portion located at a second end of the unitary dielectric block, and a radiator portion between the waveguide transition portion and the sub-reflector support portion. The unitary dielectric block may have a longitudinal axis. The sub-reflector support portion may have a proximal surface and a distal surface. The distal surface may be located further from the longitudinal axis of the unitary dielectric block than the proximal surface. The distal surface may be angled at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the unitary dielectric block, and the proximal surface may be angled at a second angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the unitary dielectric block. The second angle may be greater than the first angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Ronald Brandau, Christopher D. Hills
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Patent number: 10170844Abstract: A method for illuminating a dish reflector of a reflector antenna, including providing a waveguide coupled to a vertex of a dish reflector at a proximal end, a sub-reflector supported by a dielectric block coupled to a distal end of the waveguide, the dielectric block provided with a dielectric radiator portion proximate the distal end of the waveguide. An RF signal passing through the waveguide and the dielectric block to reflect from the sub-reflector through the dielectric block and at least partially through the dielectric radiator portion to the dish reflector illuminates the dish reflector with a maximum signal intensity and/or signal intensity angular range that is spaced outward from the vertex area of the dish reflector.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLCInventors: Ronald J. Brandau, Christopher D. Hills
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Publication number: 20180233830Abstract: A method for illuminating a dish reflector of a reflector antenna, including providing a waveguide coupled to a vertex of a dish reflector at a proximal end, a sub-reflector supported by a dielectric block coupled to a distal end of the waveguide, the dielectric block provided with a dielectric radiator portion proximate the distal end of the waveguide. An RF signal passing through the waveguide and the dielectric block to reflect from the sub-reflector through the dielectric block and at least partially through the dielectric radiator portion to the dish reflector illuminates the dish reflector with a maximum signal intensity and/or signal intensity angular range that is spaced outward from the vertex area of the dish reflector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Ronald J. Brandau, Christopher D. Hills
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Patent number: 9948009Abstract: A dielectric cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector is provided as a unitary dielectric block with a sub-reflector at a distal end. A waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block is dimensioned for coupling to an end of the waveguide. A dielectric radiator portion is provided between the waveguide transition portion and a sub-reflector support portion. An outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided with a plurality of radial inward grooves and a minimum diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is greater than ? of a sub-reflector diameter of the sub-reflector support surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLCInventors: Ronald J Brandau, Christopher D Hills
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Publication number: 20170338568Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna system includes a device for attenuating undesirable radiation from an antenna. The device includes a perimeter plate adapted to be located around the perimeter of the antenna. The perimeter plate has one or more concentric perimeter bands, where each perimeter band comprises an array of distinct EM-field-suppressing features. The surface of each suppressing features is metallic. The dimensions, arrangement, and number of the suppressing features are such that the features form a meta-material and the perimeter plate attenuates back-lobe and/or side-lobe radiation generated by the antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2015Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Claudio Biancotto, Elham EBRAHIMI, Christopher D. HILLS
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Publication number: 20160043474Abstract: A dielectric cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector is provided as a unitary dielectric block with a sub-reflector at a distal end. A waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block is dimensioned for coupling to an end of the waveguide. A dielectric radiator portion is provided between the waveguide transition portion and a sub-reflector support portion. An outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided with a plurality of radial inward grooves and a minimum diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is greater than ? of a sub-reflector diameter of the sub-reflector support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Ronald J. BRANDAU, Christopher D. HILLS
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Patent number: 9214711Abstract: A waveguide polarization rotator is provided as unitary body with a first bore; a diametral first septum of the unitary body extending between sidewalls of the first bore. The first septum is twisted between a first end of the first septum and a second end of the first septum. The waveguide polarization rotator may be further provided in a matrix configuration with a plurality of second bores each with a diametral second septum of the unitary body extending between sidewalls of the second bores; a longitudinal axis of the first bore and each of the second bores parallel to one another. The waveguide polarization rotator may be manufactured via injection molding, casting or the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLCInventors: Alexander Peter Thomson, Christopher D Hills, Claudio Biancotto, Elham Ebrahimi
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Patent number: 9160049Abstract: An antenna adapter, for an antenna with a recessed adapter seat with a feed bore is provided as a base with a feed aperture, the base dimensioned to seat within the adapter seat, the feed aperture aligned coaxial with the feed bore. The base may be provided with interlock cavities dimensioned to receive retaining elements of the adapter seat as the base is inserted into the adapter seat, retaining the base within the adapter seat. The base may include a coupler cavity, coupling the feed aperture to two or more output ports. The coupler cavity may have sidewall slots.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLCInventors: Christopher D Hills, Alexander Peter Thomson, Claudio Biancotto, Donald B Gardner
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Patent number: 8866687Abstract: A modular feed network is provided with a segment base provided with a feed aperture, a corner cavity at each corner and a tap cavity at a mid-section of each of two opposite sides. A segment top is provided with a plurality of output ports. The segment top is dimensioned to seat upon the segment base to form a segment pair. the segment base provided with a plurality of waveguides between cavities of the segment base. The modular feed network is configurable via a range of feed, bypass and/or power divider taps seated in the apertures and/or cavities to form a waveguide network of varied numbers of output ports by routing across one or more of the segment tops. For example, the modular feed network may comprise 1, 4 or 16 of the segment bases retained side to side.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Andrew LLCInventors: Claudio Biancotto, Christopher D Hills, Alexander Thomson
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Publication number: 20140266943Abstract: A polarization adjustment assembly for a reflector antenna is provided with a radio bracket with a mounting flange. The mounting flange is coupled to a hub provided with a stop portion. Fasteners couple the radio bracket to the hub via slots in the mounting flange, rotatable with respect to the hub within the extents of the slots. An adjustment bolt passes through a boss coupled to the mounting flange. The adjustment bolt abuts the stop portion, whereby longitudinal displacement of the adjustment bolt with respect to the boss rotates the radio bracket with respect to the hub. Alternatively, the positions of the boss and stop portion on the mounting flange and hub may be exchanged.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: ANDREW LLCInventors: Alexander Peter Thomson, Christopher D. Hills, Claudio Biancotto
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Publication number: 20140254976Abstract: A waveguide polarization rotator is provided as unitary body with a first bore; a diametral first septum of the unitary body extending between sidewalls of the first bore. The first septum is twisted between a first end of the first septum and a second end of the first septum. The waveguide polarization rotator may be further provided in a matrix configuration with a plurality of second bores each with a diametral second septum of the unitary body extending between sidewalls of the second bores; a longitudinal axis of the first bore and each of the second bores parallel to one another. The waveguide polarization rotator may be manufactured via injection molding, casting or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: ANDREW LLCInventors: Alexander Peter Thomson, Christopher D. Hills, Claudio Biancotto, Elham Ebrahimi
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Patent number: 8558746Abstract: A panel array antenna has a waveguide network coupling an input feed to a plurality of primary coupling cavities. Each of the primary coupling cavities is provided with four output ports, each of the output ports coupled to a horn radiator. The waveguide network is provided on a second side of an input layer and a first side of a first intermediate layer. The primary coupling cavities are provided on a second side of the first intermediate layer and the output ports provided on a first side of an output layer, each of the output ports in communication with one of the horn radiators. The horn radiators are provided as an array of horn radiators on a second side of the output layer. Additional layers, such as a second intermediate layer and/or slot layer, may also be applied, for example to further simplify the waveguide network and/or rotate the polarization.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Andrew LLCInventors: Alexander P Thomson, Claudio Biancotto, Christopher D Hills
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Publication number: 20130120205Abstract: A panel array antenna has a waveguide network coupling an input feed to a plurality of primary coupling cavities. Each of the primary coupling cavities is provided with four output ports, each of the output ports coupled to a horn radiator. The waveguide network is provided on a second side of an input layer and a first side of a first intermediate layer. The primary coupling cavities are provided on a second side of the first intermediate layer and the output ports provided on a first side of an output layer, each of the output ports in communication with one of the horn radiators. The horn radiators are provided as an array of horn radiators on a second side of the output layer. Additional layers, such as a second intermediate layer and/or slot layer, may also be applied, for example to further simplify the waveguide network and/or rotate the polarization.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: ANDREW LLCInventors: Alexander P. Thomson, Claudio Biancotto, Christopher D. Hills
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Publication number: 20130057444Abstract: A dielectric cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector is provided as a unitary dielectric block with a sub-reflector at a distal end. A waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block is dimensioned for coupling to an end of the waveguide. A dielectric radiator portion is provided between the waveguide transition portion and a sub-reflector support portion. An outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided with a plurality of radial inward grooves and a minimum diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is greater than ? of a sub-reflector diameter of the sub-reflector support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: ANDREW LLCInventors: Ronald J. Brandau, Christopher D. Hills
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Patent number: D653654Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Andrew LLCInventors: Alexander P Thomson, Claudio Biancotto, Christopher D Hills
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Patent number: D654910Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Andrew LLCInventors: Alexander P Thomson, Claudio Biancotto, Christopher D Hills
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Patent number: D655278Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Andrew LLCInventors: Alexander P Thomson, Claudio Biancotto, Christopher D Hills