Patents by Inventor Christopher K. WALKER
Christopher K. WALKER 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: 11630299Abstract: Various examples are provided related to amplified deformable mirrors (ADMs). In one embodiment, an ADM includes a deformable mirror and a flexible dielectric matrix deposited on a front side of the deformable mirror. A pathlength of a wavelength, ?0, of electromagnetic radiation passing through the dielectric matrix can be amplified by a distribution of dielectric particles embedded in the dielectric matrix.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONAInventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Patent number: 11171425Abstract: A spherical reflector antenna, including a sphere with a reflective surface opposite a transparent surface, a feed system that receives electromagnetic waves that (pass through the transparent surface at a beam angle) and are reflected off the reflective surface at a beam angle and outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface (and pass through the transparent surface at a beam angle), and beam steering electronics that identify a position of the spherical reflector antenna, identify an orientation of the sphere, and adjust the beam angle of the feed system based on angle from the position of spherical reflector antenna to the target relative to the orientation of the sphere.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2018Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of University of ArizonaInventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Publication number: 20210226337Abstract: A phased array line feed for a reflector antenna, including a plurality of substantially parallel metallic rods and a phase/power switching matrix electrically connected to the metallic rods. The phase/power switching matrix may steer a beam of the reflector antenna by adjusting the phase and/or power difference between the metallic rods. The phased array line feed may also include a plurality of substantially parallel metallic disks. The metallic rods may extend through the metallic disks substantially perpendicular to the metallic discs. The metallic discs may be equally spaced and the diameter of the metallic disks may decrease along the length of the metallic rods. Alternatively, the diameters of the metallic discs may be equal and the distances between the metallic discs may decrease along the length of the metallic rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Patent number: 10978808Abstract: A phased array line feed for a reflector antenna, including a plurality of substantially parallel metallic rods and a phase/power switching matrix electrically connected to the metallic rods. The phase/power switching matrix may steer a beam of the reflector antenna by adjusting the phase and/or power difference between the metallic rods. The phased array line feed may also include a plurality of substantially parallel metallic disks. The metallic rods may extend through the metallic disks substantially perpendicular to the metallic discs. The metallic discs may be equally spaced and the diameter of the metallic disks may decrease along the length of the metallic rods. Alternatively, the diameters of the metallic discs may be equal and the distances between the metallic discs may decrease along the length of the metallic rods.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2016Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONAInventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Patent number: 10938117Abstract: A cross-link satellite with spherical reflectors that can communicate in up to five substantially orthogonal directions, and thus can be included in a satellite constellation, that can be built and deployed at a lower cost than conventional satellite antennas in conventional satellite constellations. The cross-link satellite includes a communications hub in the center of a spherical balloon. The spherical balloon includes a transparent surface and three or more reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces include a continuous reflective surface (e.g., for communicating with the ground), a first polarized reflective surface, and a second polarized reflective surface opposite the first polarized reflective surface. The first polarized reflective surface and the second polarized reflective surface are orthogonally polarized, enabling the cross-link satellite to communicate with satellites on either side of the cross-link satellite as part of a satellite constellation.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of The University of ArizonaInventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Publication number: 20200259067Abstract: Superconducting Meissner effect transistors, methods of modulating, and systems are disclosed. In one aspect a disclosed transistor includes a superconducting bridge between a first and a second current probe, the first and second current probe being electrically connected to a source and a drain electrical connection, respectively and a control line configured to emit a magnetic field signal having signal strength Hsig at the superconducting bridge. In one aspect the emitted magnetic field is configured to break Cooper pairs in the superconducting bridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Patent number: 10680310Abstract: A balloon reflector antenna for a satellite, including a spherical balloon with a surface transparent to electromagnetic waves and a reflective surface opposite the transparent surface. The balloon reflector antenna may further include a feed system extending from the center of the balloon that receives electromagnetic waves reflected off the reflective surface and/or outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignees: The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona, Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Christopher K. Walker, Ira Steve Smith, Jr.
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Patent number: 10636955Abstract: Superconducting Meissner effect transistors, methods of modulating, and systems are disclosed. In one aspect a disclosed transistor includes a superconducting bridge between a first and a second current probe, the first and second current probe being electrically connected to a source and a drain electrical connection, respectively and a control line configured to emit a magnetic field signal having signal strength Hsig at the superconducting bridge. In one aspect the emitted magnetic field is configured to break Cooper pairs in the superconducting bridge.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONAInventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Publication number: 20200044354Abstract: A cross-link satellite with spherical reflectors that can communicate in up to five substantially orthogonal directions, and thus can be included in a satellite constellation, that can be built and deployed at a lower cost than conventional satellite antennas in conventional satellite constellations. The cross-link satellite includes a communications hub in the center of a spherical balloon. The spherical balloon includes a transparent surface and three or more reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces include a continuous reflective surface (e.g., for communicating with the ground), a first polarized reflective surface, and a second polarized reflective surface opposite the first polarized reflective surface. The first polarized reflective surface and the second polarized reflective surface are orthogonally polarized, enabling the cross-link satellite to communicate with satellites on either side of the cross-link satellite as part of a satellite constellation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2018Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Patent number: 10461432Abstract: Collapsible feed structures to further improve the ability of a reflector antenna (e.g., a spherical balloon reflector antenna) to collapse are disclosed. In a first embodiment, feed systems that include a metallic layer deposited on a dielectric support curtain (e.g., the dielectric support curtain of a spherical balloon antenna), one or more Vee antenna structures, patterned on the metallic layer, that receive a signal reflected off a reflective surface and/or emit a signal that is reflected off a reflective surface, and one or more slot line transmission lines, patterned on the metallic layer, that transmit a signal to and/or from one of the Vee antenna structures. In a second embodiment, a collapsible line feed that includes a plurality of metallic disks and a flexible monopole passing through the plurality of metallic disks.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of ArizonaInventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Publication number: 20190235225Abstract: Various examples are provided related to a space-based imaging approach for characterizing objects in space Earth or other planetary body. In one example, a method for characterizing objects in space includes illuminating an object in space about Earth or other planetary body with a narrow band, continuous wave (CW) radio beam transmitted by a transmitting telescope; receiving return signals from the object by receiving telescopes in an array, at least one receiving telescope in orbit; and generating a high resolution image of the object from the received return signals utilizing a near-field correction. In another example, a space-based imaging system includes an array of telescopes including a transmitting telescope that can illuminate an object in space; a plurality of receiving telescopes that receive return signals reflected by the object; and processing circuitry that generates a high resolution image of the object from the received return signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Publication number: 20190123417Abstract: A balloon reflector antenna for a satellite, including a spherical balloon with a surface transparent to electromagnetic waves and a reflective surface opposite the transparent surface. The balloon reflector antenna may further include a feed system extending from the center of the balloon that receives electromagnetic waves reflected off the reflective surface and/or outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Christopher K. WALKER, Ira Steve SMITH, JR.
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Patent number: 10199711Abstract: A balloon reflector antenna for a satellite, including a spherical balloon with a surface transparent to electromagnetic waves and a reflective surface opposite the transparent surface. The balloon reflector antenna may further include a feed system extending from the center of the balloon that receives electromagnetic waves reflected off the reflective surface and/or outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignees: The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University of Arizona, Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Christopher K. Walker, Ira Steve Smith, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180212334Abstract: A phased array line feed for a reflector antenna, including a plurality of substantially parallel metallic rods and a phase/power switching matrix electrically connected to the metallic rods. The phase/power switching matrix may steer a beam of the reflector antenna by adjusting the phase and/or power difference between the metallic rods. The phased array line feed may also include a plurality of substantially parallel metallic disks. The metallic rods may extend through the metallic disks substantially perpendicular to the metallic discs. The metallic discs may be equally spaced and the diameter of the metallic disks may decrease along the length of the metallic rods. Alternatively, the diameters of the metallic discs may be equal and the distances between the metallic discs may decrease along the length of the metallic rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2016Publication date: July 26, 2018Applicant: The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of ArizonaInventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Publication number: 20180198214Abstract: A spherical reflector antenna, including a sphere with a reflective surface opposite a transparent surface, a feed system that receives electromagnetic waves that (pass through the transparent surface at a beam angle) and are reflected off the reflective surface at a beam angle and outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface (and pass through the transparent surface at a beam angle), and beam steering electronics that identify a position of the spherical reflector antenna, identify an orientation of the sphere, and adjust the beam angle of the feed system based on angle from the position of spherical reflector antenna to the target relative to the orientation of the sphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventor: Christopher K. Walker
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Publication number: 20170338396Abstract: Superconducting Meissner effect transistors, methods of modulating, and systems are disclosed. In one aspect a disclosed transistor includes a superconducting bridge between a first and a second current probe, the first and second current probe being electrically connected to a source and a drain electrical connection, respectively and a control line configured to emit a magnetic field signal having signal strength Hsig at the superconducting bridge. In one aspect the emitted magnetic field is configured to break Cooper pairs in the superconducting bridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventor: CHRISTOPHER K. WALKER
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Publication number: 20170256840Abstract: A balloon reflector antenna for a satellite, including a spherical balloon with a surface transparent to electromagnetic waves and a reflective surface opposite the transparent surface. The balloon reflector antenna may further include a feed system extending from the center of the balloon that receives electromagnetic waves reflected off the reflective surface and/or outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Christopher K. WALKER, Ira Steve Smith, JR.