Patents by Inventor Donald E. Voss
Donald E. Voss 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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Publication number: 20100214043Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Inventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss
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Publication number: 20080156219Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Donald E. Voss, Clifton C. Courtney
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Patent number: 7129504Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Voss Scientific, LLCInventors: Donald E. Voss, Clifton C. Courtney
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Patent number: 7057571Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Voss Scientific, LLCInventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss
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Publication number: 20040245933Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: Donald E. Voss, Clifton C. Courtney
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Patent number: 6639548Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 18, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Inventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss
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Publication number: 20030076256Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss
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Patent number: 6469658Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Inventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss
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Publication number: 20010054977Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2001Publication date: December 27, 2001Inventors: Clifton C. Courtney, Donald E. Voss
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Patent number: 4999591Abstract: A waveguide mode converting apparatus especially of the TM.sub.01 to TE.sub.11 converting type and usable in circuit waveguide apparatus with desirable high efficiency and relatively small physical size is disclosed. The mode converter employs the combination of an asymmetrically shaped conical frustum waveguide segment together with a radially disposed fin having tapered input and output or ramp surfaces. Details of a 1.3 gigahertz embodiment of the mode converter including dimensions are included along with the results of efficiency measuring and indications of alternate arrangements of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1990Date of Patent: March 12, 1991Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Robert A. Koslover, Charles D. Cremer, William P. Geren, Donald E. Voss, Lynn M. Miner
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Patent number: 4980658Abstract: A passive cylindrical integrator assembly is disclosed which provides an output voltage into 50 ohm load that is proportional to the time integral of the input voltage. The device has a bandpass of greater than 1000 MHz plus and a risetime which is less than 350 picoseconds. The device produces negligible overshoot for very fast rising and falling signals. The construction of the device uses low cost materials and is configured into a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical housing concentrically supports front and rear connectors or center pins. Each center pin is connected to a 470 ohm 1/4 watt resistor. The resistors are in turn held in place by a screw and nut in contact with the graphite material which fills the center of the cylinder. A dielectric film surrounds the graphite material insulating it from the outer housing wall.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1989Date of Patent: December 25, 1990Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Lynn M. Miner, Donald E. Voss
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Patent number: 4825149Abstract: An electric field sensor which may be used to detect the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) which accompanies a nuclear explosion, as well as other pulsed electric fields, is disclosed. One embodiment of this sensor has been constructed with an overall dimension of less than 5 cm. In general a sensor can be built to conform to an arbitrarily shaped conducting surface such as an airplane surface. Because of this conformity the sensor does not perturb the electric field being measured. By building the probe so that its RC time constant is much greater than the pulse rise time the probe output voltage is self integrated, and produces an output that is proportional to the signal itself rather than to its derivative. The nondifferentiating or self-integrating feature allows full utilization of the sensor/oscilloscope bandpass.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1987Date of Patent: April 25, 1989Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Donald E. Voss, Lynn M. Miner, Kenneth O. Busby