Patents by Inventor Clifton C. Courtney

Clifton C. Courtney 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).

  • Publication number: 20100214043
    Abstract: A high peak and high average power-capable microwave/radio frequency window for use in rectangular or other waveguide transmission line geometries. The waveguide microwave window provides a physical barrier, or interface, between two regions on either side of the window. The window presents a relatively transparent interface for the microwave signal that is propagating in the waveguide. In an electrical sense the window will exhibit low return loss. The microwave window inhibits multipactor phenomena, suppresses electrical breakdown and transmits high peak power radio frequency signals. The microwave window also provides a mechanism for both passive and active cooling to allow operation at high average power. The applications for the claimed invention include use as part of: High Power Microwave (HPM) generators and systems; HPM sources and systems employed in and by particle accelerators; plasma processing systems; and numerous other applications that utilize high power microwave signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss
  • Publication number: 20080156219
    Abstract: A technique and apparatus for generating high voltage (100s-1000s kV) and supplying high current (fractional to many tens of kilo-amperes), projecting a parallel, two wire electrical transmission line over a large distance (10s-100s m), or a single conductor in which the return path is the earth, which is capable of sustaining high voltages and conducting high currents, and landing the terminating terminals of the transmission line across a pre-defined target zone resulting in a low impedance closure of the electrical circuit causing high electrical current to flow. The applications for the present invention, which falls into a class of directed energy and/or non-lethal device, include: suppression of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and landmines; halting motorized platforms, including two and four wheeled motor vehicles and boats; damage and destruction of electronic systems; and destruction or incapacitation of electronic systems at substantial distances from a high voltage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Donald E. Voss, Clifton C. Courtney
  • Patent number: 7129504
    Abstract: Generating and frequency tuning of modulated high current electron beams and a specific efficient, high current, frequency-tunable device for generating intense radio frequency (RF), microwave electromagnetic fields in a rectangular waveguide. Current multiplication of a modulated seed electron beam is created by an energetic electron beam impacting a thin foil surface. The transmissive-electron-multiplier foils also mitigate both space charge expansion and improve beam propagation effects, by shorting of the radially directed electric field at the axial location of the foil(s). Foil thinness and intensity of the exit fields provide for a multiplication process occurring in a fraction of an RF period. Also included are both a self-excited microwave generator and an amplifier, using a temporally modulated laser to generate a modulated seed electron beam that is amplified. Methods to tune the oscillator are described that allow tunability over a full waveguide band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Voss Scientific, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Voss, Clifton C. Courtney
  • Patent number: 7057571
    Abstract: An antenna concept for radiating intense, high power electromagnetic fields in the RF regime without electrical breakdown. The invention accomplishes this with high aperture and power efficiency, high gain, and in a geometry that is compact and conformal to a planar or curved surface. The antenna concept is compatible with standard rectangular waveguide feeds, or other hybrid transmission line geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Voss Scientific, LLC
    Inventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss
  • Publication number: 20040245933
    Abstract: Generating and frequency tuning of modulated high current electron beams and a specific efficient, high current, frequency-tunable device for generating intense radio frequency (RF), microwave electromagnetic fields in a standard rectangular waveguide. The invention utilizes current multiplication of a seed electron beam, comprising an energetic electron beam to impact a thin foil surface with high electric field. The transmissive-electron-multiplier foils also mitigate both space charge expansion and improve beam propagation effects, by shorting of the radially directed electric field at the axial location of the foil(s). Foil thinness and intensity of the exit fields provide for a multiplication process occurring in a fraction of an RF period. Both self-excited oscillator and amplifier configurations are envisaged. Also included is both a self-excited microwave generator and an amplifier, using a temporally modulated laser to generate a seed electron beam that is amplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Donald E. Voss, Clifton C. Courtney
  • Patent number: 6639548
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating an electromagnetic environment in which the free field, plane wave response of electronic systems of an electrically large (greater than several wavelengths in its longest dimension) object, or objects, under test can be measured in the electromagnetic radiating near field of the transmitter array apparatus. The apparatus comprises: (1) one or more transmitting station(s), each station home to an array of radiating elements; (2) a software operating system and computer that controls the electronic circuits of the apparatus and executes an optimizing algorithm based on a Genetic Algorithm to control the radiation of each transmitting station; and (3) mechanical and electrical circuits that enable the apparatus to conduct self calibration and adjustment as required. In operation, the apparatus is placed and distributed about an object under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss
  • Publication number: 20030076256
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating an electromagnetic environment in which the free field, plane wave response of electronic systems of an electrically large (greater than several wavelengths in its longest dimension) object, or objects, under test can be measured in the electromagnetic radiating near field of the transmitter array apparatus. The apparatus comprises: (1) one or more transmitting station(s), each station home to an array of radiating elements; (2) a software operating system and computer that controls the electronic circuits of the apparatus and executes an optimizing algorithm based on a Genetic Algorithm to control the radiation of each transmitting station; and (3) mechanical and electrical circuits that enable the apparatus to conduct self calibration and adjustment as required. In operation, the apparatus is placed and distributed about an object under test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss
  • Patent number: 6469658
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating an electromagnetic environment in which the free field, plane wave response of electronic systems of an electrically large (greater than several wavelengths in its longest dimension) object, or objects, under test can be measured in the electromagnetic radiating near field of the transmitter array apparatus. The apparatus comprises: (1) one or more transmitting station(s), each station home to an array of radiating elements; (2) a software operating system and computer that controls the electronic circuits of the apparatus and executes an optimizing algorithm based on a Genetic Algorithm to control the radiation of each transmitting station; and (3) mechanical and electrical circuits that enable the apparatus to conduct self calibration and adjustment as required. In operation, the apparatus is placed and distributed about an object under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss
  • Publication number: 20010054977
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating an electromagnetic environment in which the free field, plane wave response of electronic systems of an electrically large (greater than several wavelengths in its longest dimension) object, or objects, under test can be measured in the electromagnetic radiating near field of the transmitter array apparatus. The apparatus comprises: (1) one or more transmitting station(s), each station home to an array of radiating elements; (2) a software operating system and computer that controls the electronic circuits of the apparatus and executes an optimizing algorithm based on a Genetic Algorithm to control the radiation of each transmitting station; and (3) mechanical and electrical circuits that enable the apparatus to conduct self calibration and adjustment as required. In operation, the apparatus is placed and distributed about an object under test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss