Patents by Inventor David W. Cripe

David W. Cripe 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: 11276936
    Abstract: A half-rhombic antenna includes an addressable switch at the apex. The addressable switch is opened or closed base on the operating frequency of the antenna. The addressable switch is open when operating at odd multiples of the lowest frequency and closed when operating at even multiples of the lowest frequency. The feedpoint includes a tuning element to adjust impedance within a range defined by the operating range of the switched antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 11145971
    Abstract: An antenna has a rotating magnetic dipole and a rotating electric dipole having parallel axes of rotation, but orthogonal magnetic and electric vectors. The rotational frequency defines the RF carrier to create the electric and magnetic fields necessary to generate the Poynting vector in the immediate vicinity of the antenna. Because there is no energy required to maintain the fields of a permanent magnet or electret, the only power input is that overcoming mechanical friction, and eddy current and hysteretic losses in adjacent conducting structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 11018425
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a system including at least one active electronically scanned array (AESA) element incorporates drain voltage amplifier control (DRAVAC) to maintain the power amplifiers of the AESA elements at a constant gain compression level. A processor of the AESA system may dynamically program, monitor, or adjust each individual array element or component thereof. As the RF output power of the power amplifiers varies, constant gain compression is achieved by dynamically adjusting the RF input power and drain voltage to the power amplifiers. An AESA element may incorporate built-in self-test circuitry for detecting faults in the power supply to the power amplifiers as well as calibrating and calculating RF output power for a given input power by controlling the bias of a pass device serving as the amplifier current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Hageman, David W. Cripe, Robert A. Kertis, Bryan S. McCoy, Russell D. Wyse
  • Patent number: 10230172
    Abstract: An antenna array system can include a plurality of sheet metal structures arranged substantially parallel to one another. Each sheet metal structure can include a row of antenna elements and the plurality of sheet metal structures can form an array of antenna elements. The antenna array system can include a plurality of printed circuit boards (PCBs) each of which is mechanically and electrically coupled to a respective sheet metal structure. Each sheet metal structure extends beyond the PCB to which it is mechanically coupled. The antenna array system can include at least one electromagnetic shielding structure configured to electromagnetically shield one or more circuit components from the array of antenna elements. The antenna array system can also include one or more alignment structures configured to provide mechanical rigidity to the array of antenna elements and to allow for spacing between pairs of adjacent sheet metal structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremiah D. Wolf, Matilda G. Livadaru, Nathan P. Lower, David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 10153421
    Abstract: Piezoelectric transistors with Schottky contacts and power conversion applications utilizing such piezoelectric transistors are disclosed. A piezoelectric transistor configured in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be fabricated to behave as a controllable/switchable active device with an intrinsic anti-parallel diode. Piezoelectric transistors configured in this manner may be utilized in power amplifiers, power converters, as well as in a variety of electronic systems/applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 10153555
    Abstract: An antenna assembly includes a rotor, a first end component, and a second end component. The rotor includes a rotor body and a plurality of magnets configured to output a first magnetic field. The rotor body defines a plurality of slots extending radially inward from an exterior surface of the rotor body. Each magnet is disposed in a corresponding slot. The first end component includes a first end component body and a plurality of first extensions extending from the first end component body and contacting a first set of the plurality of magnets. The second end component includes a second end component body and a plurality of second extensions extending from the second end component body and contacting the first set. The first end component and the second end component are configured to output an electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Cripe, Bryan S. McCoy, Jeffrey L. Box
  • Patent number: 9509254
    Abstract: A bi-directional Class D half-bridge power amplifier circuit incorporates soft switching components to reduce switching losses by commutating the voltage across the high and low switches of the half-bridge. The power amplifier may further be embodied in an AC power inverter configured to generate 60 Hz sinusoidal current from a DC power source. The AC power inverter may further incorporate an active filter circuit including a current shunt resistor and negative feedback loop to attenuate ripple current from the DC power source by supplying a compensating ripple voltage to the AC power inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 9473080
    Abstract: A switch comprises two photoconductive semiconductors and two corresponding laser diodes driven by opposing voltage sources. The two photoconductive semiconductors are connected in series between a high and low voltage source with a radio frequency output at a center node between the photoconductive semiconductors. Each photoconductive semiconductor may include one ohmic contact and one schottky contact for superior bandwidth and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Cripe, Scott L. Patten, Chenggang Xie, Don L. Landt
  • Patent number: 9461236
    Abstract: A piezoelectric transistor includes an input terminal, a piezoresistive element, an output terminal, an insulator, a control terminal, and a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoresistive element is electrically positioned between the input terminal and the output terminal. The insulator is positioned between the piezoresistive element and the piezoelectric actuator. The insulator electrically insulates the output terminal from the control terminal. The control terminal is configured to control activation of a piezoelectric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 9350076
    Abstract: An antenna system and related method are disclosed for an electrically small antenna of variable geometry capable of a harmonically pure resonant radiation pattern over a broadband coverage of frequency selection. One geometrical embodiment comprises a multiple loop antenna system is configured to radiate a switched signal via the multiple antenna elements to inhibit transmission of any of the harmonics of the signal. An additional geometrical embodiment comprises a cylindrical shell with one or more interior center conductors to overcome radiation resistance and radiate a signal pattern of desirable toroidal shape free from undesirable harmonics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 9246183
    Abstract: A composition of matter is configured for use as at least a part of an energy source when combined with water. The composition of matter includes a metal comprising gallium and aluminum that is alloyed with the metal. The metal comprising gallium is liquid at a room temperature of 70° F. and at a standard atmospheric pressure of 14.7 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: Nathan P. Lower, Ross Wilcoxon, David W. Cripe, Luke R. Porisch
  • Patent number: 9124181
    Abstract: A single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC) may include, but is not limited to: a first switch connected to a first circuit node; a first capacitor and a second switch connected in series between the first circuit node and a second circuit node; an inductor connected to the first circuit node and the second circuit node; at least one of a third switch and a passive diode rectifier connected between the second circuit node and a third circuit node; and at least one second capacitor and at least one load connected in parallel to the third circuit node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 9018926
    Abstract: A PFC circuit has inductive elements and a capacitor between a source node of a first transistor and the second node of a second transistor. The capacitor is configured to resonate at a frequency approximately half that of the switching frequency of the transistors. Furthermore, the inductive element is configured to charge the drain-source voltage of the transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 8928413
    Abstract: A method, device and system is disclosed for high efficiency power amplification of a signal over a broad range of output power. Two broad-banded, parallel-tuned class E power amplifiers are combined through a lossless half wave transmission line combiner and configured to operate in an outphased arrangement to permit amplitude modulation. Asymmetrical shunt tuned switches are tuned for efficient amplitude modulation while asymmetrical drain inductors provide enhanced efficiency at outphased conditions over that of a symmetrical circuit. The drain source inductors and transmission components are tuned for maximum efficiency at full power output and for minimum dissipation a zero power output. At zero degrees outphasing, the circuit operates as a conventional Class-E power amplifier. However, at 180 degrees outphasing, each quarterwave line in the combiner reflects back all incident power, permitting the circuit to operate as an unloaded resonant switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 8830132
    Abstract: The present invention is load circuit for a parasitic antenna element of a parasitic antenna array. The load circuit may include a DC bias current source, a resistor connected to the DC bias current source, one or more capacitors connected to the resistor, and multiple (ex. —two) diodes connected to the parasitic antenna element. The first diode may be configured for directly connecting the parasitic element to a ground plane of the parasitic antenna array. The second diode may be configured for connecting the parasitic element to the ground plane via the one or more capacitors. The load circuit may be configured for providing a variable (ex. —adjustable) impedance to the parasitic antenna array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Doane, Bryan S. McCoy, David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 8786389
    Abstract: A resonant energy conversion apparatus may utilize magnetostrictive properties of a toroidal magnet. Electrical current induces periodic, complementary magnetic fields around separate quadrants of a toroidal magnet. The periodic, complementary magnetic fields induce mechanical changes in the toroidal magnet due to magnetostriction, causing mechanical stress in the toroidal magnet. Energy is stored as mechanical stress, and later released as electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 8441317
    Abstract: A distributed power amplifier may include a plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits, and a plurality of connection network sub-circuits, each of the plurality connection network sub-circuits having a characteristic impedance, wherein each of the plurality of connection network sub-circuits combines two or more of the plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits into a parallel or series configuration, wherein the plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits, the plurality of connection network sub-circuits and the characteristic impedance of each of the plurality of connection network sub-circuits are configured to present each of the plurality of switching power amplifier sub-circuits with a substantially equivalent load impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Cripe, Scott L. Patten, Don L. Landt, Forest P. Dixon
  • Patent number: 8384577
    Abstract: A power digital to analog converter may include a course-resolution digital to analog converter for converting a first segment of binary digits into a first analog output having a first voltage. The power digital to analog converter may also include a fine-resolution digital to analog converter connected in series with the course-resolution digital to analog converter. The fine-resolution digital to analog converter may be configured for converting a second segment of binary digits into a second analog output having a second voltage. The first voltage and the second voltage may be added together to produce an analog output signal representing the binary digits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Don L. Landt, David W. Cripe, Scott L. Patten, Forest P. Dixon
  • Patent number: 8344923
    Abstract: A digital signal power amplification apparatus with multiple digital amplification cells connected in series, each amplification cell processing a separate bit of the digital signal. The apparatus additively combines the output from each amplifier into a single amplified signal without the use of separate signal combining circuitry. The apparatus has high linearity, high efficiency, high bandwidth and high power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 8300728
    Abstract: The invention is a method of transmitting a radio signal using a complex envelope elimination and restoration technique. The method includes receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal. Further, the method includes separating the RF signal into an in-phase baseband signal (I) and a quadrature baseband signal (Q). Still further, the method includes decomposing the (I) signal into a in-phase magnitude component and a in-phase phase component while decomposing the Q signal into a quadrature magnitude component and a quadrature phase component. Alternatively, the source signal could be digital baseband information. Digital signal processing could generate the phase and magnitude reference signals for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Hoffmann, David W. Cripe