Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Laighton

Christopher M. Laighton 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: 11406007
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) energy transmission line transition for coupling RF energy between a pair of RF transmission line sections disposed on intersecting surfaces of a corresponding one of a pair of conductive members, a first one of the pair of conductive members having a wall with a jog therein for receiving an end portion of a second one of the pair of conductive members, the end portion of an electrically conductive strip of the first one of the pair of radio frequency transmission line sections being disposed on, and electrically connected to, an electrically conductive strip of a second one of the pair of radio frequency transmission line sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Susan C. Trulli, Elicia K. Harper
  • Patent number: 11177547
    Abstract: A branchline coupler structure having a pair of main transmission lines disposed on different horizontal levels of a support structure and a pair of shunt transmission lines, vertically disposed and laterally spaced, and disposed in the support structure. A first one of the pair of shunt transmission lines is coupled between: one region of a first one of the pair of main transmission lines and a first end of a second one of the pair of main transmission line. A second one of the pair of shunt transmission lines is coupled between a second region of the first one of the pair of main transmission lines, laterally spaced from the first region, and a second end of the second one of the main transmission lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Elicia K. Harper, Christopher M. Laighton, Francois Y. Colomb
  • Publication number: 20210351487
    Abstract: A branchline coupler structure having a pair of main transmission lines disposed on different horizontal levels of a support structure and a pair of shunt transmission lines, vertically disposed and laterally spaced, and disposed in the support structure. A first one of the pair of shunt transmission lines is coupled between: one region of a first one of the pair of main transmission lines and a first end of a second one of the pair of main transmission line. A second one of the pair of shunt transmission lines is coupled between a second region of the first one of the pair of main transmission lines, laterally spaced from the first region, and a second end of the second one of the main transmission lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Elicia K. Harper, Christopher M. Laighton, Francois Y. Colomb
  • Patent number: 11146223
    Abstract: A power amplifier having: a plurality of N amplifier modules, where N is an integer greater than one; an M:N power splitter having M inputs, where M is an integer less than N, and N outputs, each one of the N outputs being coupled to an input of a corresponding one of the plurality of N power amplifiers; a plurality of M delay lines, each one the M delay lines having an output coupled to a corresponding one of the M inputs of the M:N power splitter, each one of the plurality of M delay lines being coupled to a common input of the power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Susan C. Trulli, Elicia K. Harper
  • Publication number: 20210259095
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) energy transmission line transition for coupling RF energy between a pair of RF transmission line sections disposed on intersecting surfaces of a corresponding one of a pair of conductive members, a first one of the pair of conductive members having a wall with a jog therein for receiving an end portion of a second one of the pair of conductive members, the end portion of an electrically conductive strip of the first one of the pair of radio frequency transmission line sections being disposed on, and electrically connected to, an electrically conductive strip of a second one of the pair of radio frequency transmission line sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Susan C. Trulli, Elicia K. Harper
  • Publication number: 20210006213
    Abstract: A power amplifier having: a plurality of N amplifier modules, where N is an integer greater than one; an M:N power splitter having M inputs, where M is an integer less than N, and N outputs, each one of the N outputs being coupled to an input of a corresponding one of the plurality of N power amplifiers; a plurality of M delay lines, each one the M delay lines having an output coupled to a corresponding one of the M inputs of the M:N power splitter, each one of the plurality of M delay lines being coupled to a common input of the power amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Susan C. Trulli, Elicia K. Harper
  • Publication number: 20200343616
    Abstract: A first RF module has a port, such port having a first signal conductor and a first ground plane conductor. A second RF module has a port spaced from the port of the first RF module and having a second signal conductor and a second ground plane conductor. A ground bridging conductor, bridging a space between the ports of the first and second RF modules, has a first end connected to the first ground plane conductor and a second end connected to the second ground plane conductor. A signal bridging conductor, bridging the space between ports of the first and second RF modules has a first end connected to the first signal conductor and second end connected to the second signal conductor. A capacitor is connected between the ground plane bridging conductor and one of the first ground plane conductor and the second ground plane conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Elicia K. Harper, Christopher M. Laighton, Michael T. Borkowski
  • Patent number: 10785863
    Abstract: A MMIC support and cooling structure having a three-dimensional, thermally conductive support structure having a plurality of surfaces and a circuit having a plurality of heat generating electrical components disposed on a first portion of the surfaces and interconnected by microwave transmission lines disposed on a second portion of the plurality of surfaces of the thermally conductive support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Susan C. Trulli, Christopher M. Laighton
  • Patent number: 10709011
    Abstract: An electrically conductive shield for a microwave transmission line-electrical connector interconnect region wherein the microwave transmission line is connected to the electrical connector. An elastic, dielectric material is disposed between opposing surfaces of the dielectric structure and the housing. An electrically conductive material is disposed on an outer surface of the elastic, dielectric material to provide an electrically conductive shield. The electrically conductive shield is disposed over the opposing surfaces of the dielectric structure and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Susan C. Trulli, Christopher M. Laighton, Elicia K. Harper
  • Patent number: 10578708
    Abstract: A transmit/receive module having a switch, a load and a controller for coupling radar energy fed to switch to the load during a time interval subsequent to the controller producing a transmit enable signal to the transmit/receive module and prior to the controller producing a receive enable signal to the transmit/receive module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Steven C. Evangelista, Christopher M. Laighton, Anthony J. Silva
  • Patent number: 10511076
    Abstract: An RF coupler having: a pair of input ports; a pair of output ports; and a coupling region for coupling: a portion of an input signal at a first one of the input ports to first of the pair of output ports and another portion of the input signal fed to the first one of the input ports a second one of the output ports; and one portion of an input signal fed to a second one of the input ports to the second of the pair of output ports and another portion of the input signals fed to the second one of the input ports to the second one of the output ports. The coupling region comprises a plurality of serially connected, vertically stacked, coupling sections. Each one of a plurality of electrically conductive layers is disposed between a pair of the vertically stacked coupling sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Susan C. Trulli, Elicia K. Harper
  • Publication number: 20190313522
    Abstract: A MMIC support and cooling structure having a three-dimensional, thermally conductive support structure having a plurality of surfaces and a circuit having a plurality of heat generating electrical components disposed on a first portion of the surfaces and interconnected by microwave transmission lines disposed on a second portion of the plurality of surfaces of the thermally conductive support structure
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Susan C. Trulli, Christopher M. Laighton
  • Patent number: 10374280
    Abstract: A quadrature coupler having: a pair of overlying strip conductors separated by a first dielectric layer to provide a coupling region between the coupling region of overlying strip conductors; a pair of opposing ground pads, the coupling region being disposed between the pair of opposing ground pads; a second dielectric layer disposed over the coupling region and between the pair of opposing ground pads; and an electrically conductive shield layer disposed over the second dielectric layer, extending over opposing sides of the dielectric layer and onto the pair of opposing ground pads. Portions of coupler are formed by printing or additive manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Susan C. Trulli, Elicia K. Harper
  • Publication number: 20190239340
    Abstract: An electrically conductive shield for a microwave transmission line-electrical connector interconnect region wherein the microwave transmission line is connected to the electrical connector. An elastic, dielectric material is disposed between opposing surfaces of the dielectric structure and the housing. An electrically conductive material is disposed on an outer surface of the elastic, dielectric material to provide an electrically conductive shield. The electrically conductive shield is disposed over the opposing surfaces of the dielectric structure and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Susan C. Trulli, Christopher M. Laighton, Elicia K. Harper
  • Patent number: 10321555
    Abstract: An RF circuit module having RF and DC contacts on a surface of a circuit board. An RF component having RF and DC contacts is disposed in a cavity of the circuit board. Electrical connectors bridge the cavity to connect the RF contacts on the circuit board to the RF contacts on the RE component and the DC, contacts on the circuit board to the DC contacts on the RF component. A plug member is disposed in the cavity which has a dielectric member with an outer portion disposed over the RF and DC contacts on the circuit board and an inner portion elevated above the RF and DC contacts the RF component. The plug member has one portion of electrical conductors disposed on an upper surface of the inner portion and another portion disposed under the outer portion on, and electrically connected to, the DC contacts on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Susan C. Trulli, Christopher M. Laighton, Elicia K. Harper
  • Patent number: 10263566
    Abstract: An amplifier having a Radio Frequency (RF) power level detector circuit for producing a control signal in accordance with a power level of an RF input signal. The control signal indicates whether the power level of the input signal is within a predetermined range of power levels greater than zero. A bias circuit is fed by the control signal, for producing a fixed bias voltage at a gate electrode of a field effect transistor (FET) to establish a predetermined quiescent current for the FET when the control signal indicates the power level of the RF input signal is within the predetermined range of power levels and to reduce the bias voltage to reduce the predetermined quiescent current when the control signal indicates the power level of the RF input signal is below the predetermined range of power levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Alan J. Bielunis, Edward A. Watters
  • Publication number: 20190097580
    Abstract: An amplifier having a Radio Frequency (RF) power level detector circuit for producing a control signal in accordance with a power level of an RF input signal. The control signal indicates whether the power level of the input signal is within a predetermined range of power levels greater than zero. A bias circuit is fed by the control signal, for producing a fixed bias voltage at a gate electrode of a field effect transistor (FET) to establish a predetermined quiescent current for the FET when the control signal indicates the power level of the RF input signal is within the predetermined range of power levels and to reduce the bias voltage to reduce the predetermined quiescent current when the control signal indicates the power level of the RF input signal is below the predetermined range of power levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Alan J. Bielunis, Edward A. Watters
  • Patent number: 10243246
    Abstract: A phase shifter is formed by providing a branchline coupler having a pair of phase adjusting sections. Each one of the phase adjusting sections is coupled to a corresponding one of a pair of shunt transmission line sections of the branchline coupler. Each one of the pair of phase adjusting sections includes: first and second conductive pads are disposed on the surface of a substrate having a gap between them; one of the pads being connected to a ground plane conductor on a bottom surface of the substrate. A series of conductive layer segment is sequentially written on the surface of the substrate in the gap electrically connected to sidewalls of the first and second pads. Phase shift through the phase shifter is measured after each one of the segments is written. The writing process is terminated when the measuring detects a predetermined phase shift through the phase shifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Susan C. Trulli, Elicia K. Harper
  • Publication number: 20190074567
    Abstract: An RF coupler having: a pair of input ports; a pair of output ports; and a coupling region for coupling: a portion of an input signal at a first one of the input ports to first of the pair of output ports and another portion of the input signal fed to the first one of the input ports a second one of the output ports; and one portion of an input signal fed to a second one of the input ports to the second of the pair of output ports and another portion of the input signals fed to the second one of the input ports to the second one of the output ports. The coupling region comprises a plurality of serially connected, vertically stacked, coupling sections. Each one of a plurality of electrically conductive layers is disposed between a pair of the vertically stacked coupling sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Susan C. Trulli, Elicia K. Harper
  • Patent number: 10218045
    Abstract: A microwave transmission line structure having a pair of ground strip conductors on a surface of a dielectric substrate structure. A signal strip conductor is disposed on the surface of the dielectric substrate structure between the pair of ground strip conductors. A solid dielectric layer is disposed over: the signal strip conductor; the upper surface of the dielectric substrate structure between sides of each one of the ground strip conductors; and the signal strip conductor. An electrically conductive shield member is disposed on the solid dielectric layer and on, and in direct contact with, upper surfaces of the pair of ground strip conductors. The structure is used on each one of a plurality of proximate microwave transmission lines formed on the substrate structure to electrically isolate the transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Susan C. Trulli, Elicia K. Harper