Patents by Inventor Gerald E. Roberts
Gerald E. Roberts 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: 6453157Abstract: A passive bandpass tracking filter tracks the frequency of an RF input signal received within a radio receiver's tracking range of RF frequencies. The bandpass filter includes parallel inductor and capacitor circuits connected in shunt between the input and output filter ports. A tracking control signal is selectively applied to change the capacitance of the LC circuits in order to shift the filter's frequency characteristics/profile as the filter tracks through the tracking band. The filter attenuates half-IF, receiver IF, and image spurious signals. In particular, the filter substantially attenuates the image spurious signal throughout the tracking frequency range by 50 dB or more below the filter output signal level. The filter also attenuates the half-IF spurious signal throughout the tracking frequency range by well over 10 dB or more below the filter output signal level. The receiver IF spurious signal is attenuated about 40 dB.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1998Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Ericsson Inc.Inventor: Gerald E. Roberts
-
Patent number: 6219531Abstract: An architecture and frequency plan for a wideband UHF radio minimizing spurious output signal emissions uses a low value for the ratio of the maximum RF operating frequency to the (first) intermediate frequency (IF) in the radio, as part of its internal superheterodyne conversion process. A minimum value or a value sufficiently close to the minimum value of this ratio allows the radio design to be optimized to reduce spurious outputs and the effects of inherently present major harmonics. These and other advantages and features permit a radio design to be realized in a cost effective manner for an array of stringent performance specifications including low spurious output emissions.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Ericsson Inc.Inventors: Gerald E. Roberts, John R. Lane, John R. Poirier, Robert B. Sanders, William P. Overstreet, Johannes J. Vandegraaf, Jeff Johnson, David Bing, Fulvio Bonecchi
-
Patent number: 5795028Abstract: A modular occasional chair and method for assembling a modular chair are disclosed. The modular chair includes a universal seat deck to which modular side frame and seat back components constructed in various styles are attached. The universal seat deck can accommodate a variety of bases including four-leg, swivel/glider, swivel, and swivel/rocker styles. The construction method involves assembling and preupholstering each modular frame component prior to final assembly. The method further involves producing a modular chair in a "cell manufacturing" environment in which the individual components are simultaneously manufactured during parallel assembly processes.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1996Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Ralph J. Dussia, Jr., Gerald E. Roberts, Margaret A. Hoffman, William A. Calvert, Jr., Duane T. Dutkievic, Charles R. West, Adam E. Thayer
-
Patent number: 5594354Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for obtaining frequency parameters to determine the resonator frequencies, the synchronous peak separation frequency, and the normal center frequency of a coupled-dual resonator crystal. Under this method, a plurality of frequencies are applied to a first electrode. This application is performed once while the second electrode and the common electrode are connected by a short circuit, and then again when the second electrode and the common electrode are capacitively connected or open circuited. During each application of the plurality of frequencies to the crystal, the phase response for the output of the resonator circuit is monitored. Then the time response of the crystal is determined. Next, the time delay relative maxima for the time response is determined. Finally, the frequencies at which the time delay relative maxima occur are determined.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1995Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Xtal Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Gerald E. Roberts, Michael E. Roberts
-
Patent number: 5587663Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for obtaining frequency parameters to determine the resonator inductances of a crystal. Under this method, a plurality of frequencies are applied to a first electrode. This application is performed once while the second electrode and the common electrode are connected by a short circuit, and then again when the second electrode and the common electrode are capactively connected or open circuited. During each application of the plurality of frequencies to the crystal, the phase response for the output of the resonator circuit is monitored. Then the time response of the crystal is determined. Next, the time delay relative maxima for the time response is determined. Finally, the frequencies at which the time delay relative maxima occur are determined. These frequencies correspond to the inflection points where the change in phase goes from monotonically increasing to monotonically decreasing.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1995Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: XTAL Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Gerald E. Roberts, Michael E. Roberts
-
Patent number: 5272597Abstract: A clip for surface-mounting a coupled-dual resonator crystal to a circuit board includes an elongated housing shaped complementary to the housing of the crystal and having an opening along a side for receiving the crystal. A tab spaces first and second shielding portions which overlie the end of the crystal housing. A first shield portion engages the middle ground terminal of the crystal shielding the input and output terminals, while the second shield extends from the first shield to overlie the output terminal, likewise shielding it from the input terminal. Distal portions of the input, output and common terminals, together with pads at the opposite end of the clip, mount the clip mechanically to the surface of a circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1992Date of Patent: December 21, 1993Assignee: Ericsson GE Mobile Communications Inc.Inventors: Alfred G. Staples, Gerald E. Roberts
-
Patent number: 5217276Abstract: A "two-way" recliner mechanism for use in articles of furniture is disclosed. The two-way recliner mechanism provides operative first and second linkages for tilting the seat assembly relative to a stationary chair frame and for extending and retracting a leg rest assembly, respectively. The first linkage mechanism is a toggle-lock mechanism operable for holding the seat assembly in the upright position and the second linkage is an over-center toggle mechanism operable for actuating the leg rest assembly. The first and second linkages are activated by a short-stroke actuator handle concealed in the upholstery of the chair, sofa or loveseat which may be easily operated by the seat occupant.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1991Date of Patent: June 8, 1993Assignee: La-Z-Boy Chair CompanyInventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Gerald E. Roberts, Karl J. Komorowski
-
Patent number: 5146174Abstract: A monolithic coupled-dual resonator crystal filter coupled to improve switching arrangements is tested using both resonator ports to quickly measure selected resonator parameters useful in frequency adjustment, production and test systems as well as accurately measuring other filter crystal parameters, all without requiring removal of the crystal structure from the test fixture.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1991Date of Patent: September 8, 1992Assignee: Ericsson GE Mobile Communications Inc.Inventors: Samuel Toliver, Gerald E. Roberts, Myron A. Turner, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5049828Abstract: In coupled-dual resonator crystals, key parameters, such as resonator frequencies and synchronous peak separation frequency, are determined using a four frequency measuring process and apparatus wherein additional impedance is connected in parallel with the driving point impedance of the input resonator so as to allow the measurement of the critical frequencies above about 45 MHz.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1990Date of Patent: September 17, 1991Assignee: Ericsson GE Mobile Communications Inc.Inventors: Samuel Toliver, Gerald E. Roberts
-
Patent number: 4839618Abstract: A monolithic coupled-dual resonator crystal filter is produced for operation with wide bandwidths (especially at high center frequencies) by providing an ultra-small gap between juxtaposed resonator electrodes. A gap width of substantially less than 0.006 inch is obtained by laser-machine trimming the gap. An initial single electrode may thus be divided into a pair of such juxtaposed resonator electrodes. Further metallic plate-back is provided on the electrodes for center-frequency control. Although this typically may decrease the coupling bandwidth somewhat, an increased thickness of metallic plate-back material on the ground electrode, opposite the ultra-thin gap area on the active side of the crystal wafer, provides precisely controlled extra wide bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1987Date of Patent: June 13, 1989Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gerald E. Roberts, A. Gordon Staples, Samuel Toliver
-
Patent number: 4833430Abstract: A dual-coupled resonator crystal is fine-tuned by frequency balancing the input and output resonators and thereafter plating a coupling adjust spot on the grounded side shadowing the unelectroded region of the front side of the crystal to produce a change in synchronous peak separation frequency. Thereafter, the front side electrodes are sequentially plated to bring plateback and synchronous peak separation frequency to their target values. Interim adjustments in synchronous peak separation frequency may be made during the tuning process to compensate for misalignment of the plating elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1987Date of Patent: May 23, 1989Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gerald E. Roberts, Samuel Toliver, Robert J. Crescenzi
-
Patent number: 4676993Abstract: A dual-coupled resonator crystal is fine-tuned by frequency balancing the input and output resonators and thereafter plating a coupling adjust spot on the grounded side shadowing the unelectroded region of the front side of the crystal to produce a change in synchronous peak separation frequency. Thereafter, the front side electrodes are sequentially plated to bring plateback and synchronous peak separation frequency to their target values. Interim adjustments in synchronous peak separation frequency may be made during the tuning process to compensate for misalignment of the plating elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1986Date of Patent: June 30, 1987Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gerald E. Roberts, Samuel Toliver, Robert J. Crescenzi
-
Patent number: 4627379Abstract: A system for plating resonator electrodes or the like by the vapor deposition process employs one or more shutters between the deposition material source and a plating mask. At least one of the shutters has a pair of apertures aligned with different apertures in the plating mark. In one embodiment comprising a two shutter, four position system, the two shutters may be positioned such that either, both or neither of the resonators can be plated. Because each shutter is either ON or OFF, a simple binary analogy for control of the shutters results.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1984Date of Patent: December 9, 1986Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gerald E. Roberts, Samuel Toliver
-
Patent number: 4484158Abstract: A multi-resonator crystal body is physically supported by electrical lead wires extending from a support substrate having individual shaped electrical conductors thereon which are thus connected to each resonator on the crystal body such that the individual resonator electrodes can be selectively short-circuited, or open-circuited, or displayed to an external electrical network to facilitate final finishing of the resonator electrodes. Predetermined electrical circuits (e.g. a short-circuit effected by conductive cement or paint) are thereafter connected across some of the resonator electrodes via the shaped conductive areas on the support substrate before the entire assembly is encapsulated in a standard pin connector housing arrangement. Besides greatly facilitating the tuning of individual crystal resonators to desired frequencies during the finishing operation, this mounting arrangement is also believed to provide improved temperature characteristics and/or shock mounting of the crystal body.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1982Date of Patent: November 20, 1984Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gerald E. Roberts, Alfred G. Staples
-
Patent number: 4477952Abstract: An improved crystal is provided with an aluminum baseplate, a nickel plating on the aluminum baseplate, and a silver plating on the nickel plating. The nickel is plated on the aluminum baseplate before the aluminum has oxidized to provide high yields of stable crystals.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1983Date of Patent: October 23, 1984Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert J. Crescenzi, John U. Daniels, Jr., Gerald E. Roberts
-
Patent number: 4433316Abstract: A crystal filter structure and fabrication method therefor. The crystal filter is constructed as a thick film circuit on a ceramic substrate. The coupling capacitors are painted on the ceramic substrate as part of the thick film circuit. The capacitors are laser trimmed to precise tolerance in order to provide a crystal filter having precise characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1981Date of Patent: February 21, 1984Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gerald E. Roberts, Alfred G. Staples
-
Patent number: 4093914Abstract: Dual resonator crystal filters have an input electrode, a common electrode, and an output electrode which provide two resonators coupled together. Mathematical formulas were derived to determine the resonator frequencies, the synchronous peak separation frequency, and the normalized center frequency. These formulas use selected frequencies or parameters which can be easily measured by applying a variable band of frequencies to the input electrode of a dual crystal filter. Measurements are made of the frequencies at which the voltage at the common electrode is a maximum when the output electrode is connected to the common electrode by capacity and when the output electrode is connected to the common electrode by a short circuit. The measured frequencies can be used in the mathematical formulas to determine the resonator frequencies, the synchronous peak separation frequency, and the normalized center frequency.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1977Date of Patent: June 6, 1978Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Harry J. Peppiatt, Gerald E. Roberts
-
Patent number: 3992760Abstract: Apparatus is provided for measuring the resonant frequency and the coefficient of coupling of a plurality of coupled piezoelectric resonators. A plurality of electrode terminals are provided in the apparatus for connection to respective resonator electrodes, and a common terminal is provided for connection to common electrodes of the resonators. First switching means are connected to a signal source for applying the signal selectively to one of the electrode terminals. A parallel resonant circuit is coupled between each of the electrode terminals and the common terminal respectively to provide a relatively high impedance at the resonant frequency of the adjacent resonators. Second switching means are connected in parallel with the parallel resonant circuits for selectively short-circuiting the resonant circuits.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1976Date of Patent: November 23, 1976Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Gerald E. Roberts
-
Patent number: 3963982Abstract: Apparatus is provided for measuring the resonant frequency and the coefficient of coupling of a plurality of coupled piezoelectric resonators. A plurality of electrode terminals are provided in the apparatus for connection to respective resonator electrodes, and a common terminal is provided for connection to common electrodes of the resonators. First switching means are connected to a signal source for applying the signal selectively to one of the electrode terminals. A parallel resonant circuit is coupled between each of the electrode terminals and the common terminal respectively to provide a relatively high impedance at the resonant frequency of the adjacent resonators. Second switching means are connected in parallel with the parallel resonant circuits for selectively short-circuiting the resonant circuits.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1974Date of Patent: June 15, 1976Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Gerald E. Roberts