Patents by Inventor James B. West

James B. West 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: 20170040702
    Abstract: An antenna array includes a flexible microstrip PCB feed layer and a plurality of radiating elements attached to the flexible PCB feed layer. The radiating elements comprise a Tau scalable log periodic array of low profile radiating elements for producing a monopole, end fire radiation pattern. Radiating elements include printed inverted F antenna elements and multi-arm puck elements for circular polarization. The antenna array is conformable to a curved surface. The radiating elements can be either integrated within a multi-layer flex or rigid flex PCB, or configured as individual elements that are die attached to a common ground plane flex circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: James B. West, Jiwon L. Moran
  • Publication number: 20160374945
    Abstract: In one aspect, pharmaceutical compositions comprising dispersions of an acid-sensitive drug and a neutral dispersion polymer are disclosed. The acid-sensitive drug has improved chemical stability relative to dispersions of the drug and acidic polymers. In another aspect, pharmaceutical compositions of low-solubility drugs and amphiphilic, hydroxy-functional vinyl copolymers are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Bend Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwayne T. Friesen, Michael J. Gumkowski, Rodney James Ketner, Douglas A. Lorenz, James A. S. Nightingale, Ravi M. Shanker, James B. West
  • Patent number: 9513361
    Abstract: A system and related method is disclosed including a symmetrical array of Balanced Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna (BAVA) elements. Within the array a plurality of dual polarization sub-arrays comprised of individual BAVA elements oriented in a first polarization and individual BAVA elements oriented in a second polarization. The plurality of sub-arrays maintains low mutual coupling and cross polarization rejection between sub-arrays within the array and between elements within the sub-array. As a signal is received by each of the individual BAVA elements, signals from each first polarized BAVA element and each second polarized BAVA element of a sub-array are combined to produce a single signal of the first polarization and a single signal of the second polarization per sub-array. A DF processor receives the two signals and determines the angle of arrival of the signal. A communications link within the array sends and receives information and commands for array operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Wajih A. Elsallal, James B. West
  • Patent number: 9478858
    Abstract: Electronically scanned arrays and multi-chip modules (MCMs) that may be used in such arrays are provided. One MCM may include a set of one or more first semiconductor components and a plurality of second semiconductor components. The first semiconductor component set is coupled to the plurality of second semiconductor components, and the first semiconductor component set is configured to control the plurality of second semiconductor components. Each of the plurality of second semiconductor components is accessible through a plurality of data strings providing communication between the first semiconductor component set and the plurality of second semiconductor components, each data string defining a unique path between the first semiconductor component set and the plurality of second semiconductor components, such that the plurality of data strings provide redundant data paths between the first semiconductor component set and the plurality of second semiconductor components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Lee M. Paulsen, Daniel L. Woodell, Michael L. Hageman, Russell D. Wyse, Adrian Hill
  • Patent number: 9468604
    Abstract: In one aspect, pharmaceutical compositions comprising dispersions of an acid-sensitive drug and a neutral dispersion polymer are disclosed. The acid-sensitive drug has improved chemical stability relative to dispersions of the drug and acidic polymers. In another aspect, pharmaceutical compositions of low-solubility drugs and amphiphilic, hydroxy-functional vinyl copolymers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Bend Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwayne T. Friesen, Michael J. Gumkowski, Rodney James Ketner, Douglas A. Lorenz, James A. S. Nightingale, Ravi M. Shanker, James B. West
  • Patent number: 9455500
    Abstract: A dual-polarized antenna array includes at least one Balanced Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna (BAVA) element pair. A particular pair of the at least one BAVA element pair includes a first BAVA and a second BAVA. A substrate of the first BAVA forms a notched portion along a center axis of the first BAVA. A substrate of the second BAVA forms a notched portion along a center axis of the second BAVA. Each BAVA of the particular BAVA element pair includes a plurality of conductors. The notched portion of the substrate of the first BAVA is received by the notched portion of the substrate of the second BAVA, and the notched portion of the substrate of the second BAVA is received by the notched portion of the substrate of the first BAVA. The substrate of the first BAVA is in an orthogonal orientation relative to the substrate of the second BAVA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Modhwajih A. Elsallal
  • Patent number: 9419329
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a vehicle are provided. A vehicle can be an aircraft, truck, ship, automobile, locomotive, etc. A system includes a housing having an exterior surface for housing sensor or communication equipment and interior surface for housing electronics associated with the equipment. The sensor or communication equipment can include a radar antenna mounted on or adjacent to the exterior surface, and at least one of a Satcom antenna, altimeter antenna, vision sensor or any communication link antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Lee M. Paulsen, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 9409151
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an ESA radar to mitigate degradation of its radiation system. The radiation system includes the distribution manifold, the ESA radiating elements and the radome the ESA may be operating through. Sensing of degradation takes place both locally with a switchable matched load to identify individual ESA element characteristics and globally with target based radar return data. The data generated by this sensing of both local and global characteristics is then used to modify available ESA element complex weighting to produce a desired far-field radiation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Daniel L. Woodell, Lee M. Paulsen
  • Patent number: 9337536
    Abstract: A hybrid satellite antenna comprises an ESA with two steerable dimensions connected to a motor. The motor rotates the antenna about an axis to position the antenna such that a satellite signal can be sufficiently resolved using the two steerable dimensions of the ESA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee M. Paulsen, Michael J. Buckley, James B. West, Jeremiah D. Wolf
  • Patent number: 9128189
    Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for a hybrid multi-mode airborne and rotary wing radar Electronically Scanned Antenna (ESA). Pulsed Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC) Transmit and Receive Modules (TRM) are nested with Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) transmit elements within the aperture of an ESA. FMCW elements only transmit while the pulsed TRM receive both the pulsed return and the FMCW return. During the hybrid configuration, both the pulsed and FMCW performance is limited to less than the full ESA aperture. In an alternate configuration, individual TRM are configured for transmit and receive of both FMCW and pulsed signals are coupled within the aperture of the ESA. The individual elements offer full aperture performance in both pulsed and FMCW operation. A diplexer controls channel deconfliction between the pulsed and the FMCW transmissions/receptions while a switching network directs the individual elements to hop between the pulsed and FMCW modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Daniel L. Woodell, Lee M. Paulsen
  • Patent number: 9118112
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a vehicle are provided. A vehicle can be an aircraft, truck, ship, automobile, locomotive, etc. A system includes a housing having an exterior surface for housing sensor or communication equipment and interior surface for housing electronics associated with the equipment. The sensor or communication equipment can include a radar antenna mounted on or adjacent to the exterior surface, and at least one of a Satcom antenna, altimeter antenna, vision sensor or any communication link antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Lee M. Paulsen, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 9116244
    Abstract: The method includes providing a first radar pulse at a first beam position during a radar scan and receiving a first return, the first radar pulse being a velocity sampling beam. The method also includes providing a second radar pulse at a second and different beam position during the radar scan and receiving a second return, the second radar pulse overlaps and is not identical to the first radar pulse. The method further includes providing a third radar pulse using a lower gain wider beam width beam pattern at the first beam position during the radar scan and receiving a third radar return, the third radar pulse being a side lobe detection beam. The method can also include processing the first return, the second return and the third return and using data associated with the first return, the second return and the third return to determine a presence of weather phenomenon and to identify and remove returns from non-weather targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 9091745
    Abstract: A two panel radar system is disclosed. The radar system may include a pair of AESA panels respectively positioned on either side of a central axis, wherein a pointing direction of the first AESA panel is offset by a predetermined angle in a clockwise direction with respect to the central axis and a pointing direction of the second AESA panel is offset by the predetermined angle in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the central axis. A controller may be configured for selectively activating at least one of: the first AESA panel for providing a first coverage area in a first direction offset from the central axis, the second AESA panel for providing a second coverage area in a second direction offset from the central axis, or the pair of AESA panels jointly for providing a third coverage area between the first coverage area and the second coverage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, James B. West, Lee M. Paulsen, Michael J. Buckley, Brian J. Herting
  • Patent number: 9024834
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a dual-polarized antenna array including a first BAVA, a second BAVA and a cradle assembly. The cradle assembly includes first, second and third U-channel modules connected via first and second frame portions. The first U-channel module, the second U-channel module, and the first frame portion receive first, second and third edge portions of a substrate of the first BAVA, respectively. The second U-channel module, the third U-channel module, and the second frame portion receive first, second and third edge portions of a substrate of the second BAVA, respectively. When received within the cradle assembly, the substrate of the first BAVA is oriented perpendicular to the substrate of the second BAVA. The first BAVA is a vertical polarization input and the second BAVA is a horizontal polarization input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Modhwajih A. ElSallal, John C. Mather, Lee M. Paulsen, James B. West
  • Patent number: 8963774
    Abstract: A parasitic array antenna and a beamforming method for such a parasitic array antenna are disclosed. The parasitic array antenna may include a single driven element at the center of a ground plane. The driven element may be surrounded by multiple parasitic elements. RF loading may be selectively applied to each parasitic element. When symmetric loading is applied to the parasitic elements, the parasitic array antenna may function as an omnidirectional antenna. When asymmetric loading is applied to the parasitic elements, a null and a directional beam may be formed for the parasitic array antenna, therefore providing beamforming capabilities to the parasitic array antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Matilda G. Livadaru, Lee M. Paulsen, Daniel B. Roggendorf, Jeremiah D. Wolf, Wajih A. ElSallal, James B. West
  • Patent number: 8952843
    Abstract: A multi-functional reconfigurable radar system and a method for configuring such a radar system are disclosed. The multi-functional reconfigurable radar system that is operable as a directional antenna or a DF interferometer. The antenna system in accordance with the present disclosure may be installed on a size-constrained platform such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and utilized as a common shared asset aperture for intelligence-gathering, electronic countermeasure, self-protection, electronic support, electronic attack as well as direction finding and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B West, M. Wajih Elsallal
  • Patent number: 8902114
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a radiating element, such as a Balanced Antipodal Tapered Slot Antenna (BAVA) radiating element having embedded circuitry which includes an integrated filter and functions as a port mismatch circuit for protecting a communication system implementing the radiating element from jammers. The embedded circuitry may provide a dynamically adjustable filter and/or a port mismatch circuit at the radiating element level which allows for center frequency tuning, provides selectivity and/or acts as an adaptive first line of defense layer for protecting sensitive radio and digital signal processing (DSP) physical layers of the communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Modhwajih A. Elsallal
  • Patent number: 8878728
    Abstract: The present invention includes a substrate; a central monopole element configured to radiate electromagnetic energy, the central monopole element disposed within a central monopole element through-hole of the substrate and extending from the first to the second surface of the substrate, the central monopole element formed by plating the central monopole element through-hole; a plurality of parasitic elements surrounding the central monopole element, each of the parasitic elements disposed within a parasitic element through-hole of the substrate and extending from the first to the second surface of the substrate, each of the plurality of parasitic elements formed by plating a parasitic element through-hole; a ground plane disposed on the second surface of the substrate; and a plurality of load circuits, each load circuit being connected to a parasitic element of the plurality of parasitic elements, each load circuit further being connected to the ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Matilda G. Livadaru, Lee M. Paulsen, Brian J. Herting, James B. West
  • Publication number: 20140210117
    Abstract: In one aspect, pharmaceutical compositions comprising dispersions of an acid-sensitive drug and a neutral dispersion polymer are disclosed. The acid-sensitive drug has improved chemical stability relative to dispersions of the drug and acidic polymers. In another aspect, pharmaceutical compositions of low-solubility drugs and amphiphilic, hydroxy-functional vinyl copolymers are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: BEND RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Dwayne T. Friesen, Michael J. Gumkowski, Rodney James Ketner, Douglas A. Lorenz, James A. S. Nightingale, Ravi M. Shanker, James B. West
  • Patent number: 8743015
    Abstract: A device occupying a volumetric space definable within the bounds of a substantially spherical volume for realizing isotropic radiation may include a support for supporting a plurality of multi-polarization capable antenna elements. The plurality of antenna elements may include a first antenna element oriented in a first direction, a second antenna element oriented in a second direction, and a third antenna element oriented in a third direction. The support may support the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element in an arrangement such that the second direction is at least substantially different than the first direction, and the third direction is at least substantially different than the first direction and the second direction. The plurality of antenna elements generally occupies a volumetric space definable within the bounds of a substantially spherical volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Jonathan P. Doane, Wajih A. ElSallal, Lee M. Paulsen, Michael J. Buckley