Patents by Inventor Larry L. Savage
Larry L. Savage 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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Patent number: 10291312Abstract: A steerable antenna assembly (“SAA”) for receiving a plurality of incident radio frequency (“RF”) signals at a plurality of incident angles is disclosure. The SAA includes an approximately spherical dielectric lens (“SDL”), a waveguide aperture block (“WAB”), a switch aperture matrix (“SAM”), and a radial aperture combiner (“RAC”). The SDL receives and focuses the plurality of incident RF signals creating a plurality of focused RF signals at a plurality of focal points approximately along the back surface of the SDL. The WAB is positioned adjacent to the back surface of the SDL and receives the plurality of focused RF signals. The SAM electronically steers a beam of a radiation pattern produced by the SAA and switch between the pluralities of focused RF signals based on electronically steering the beam. The RAC produces a received RF signal from the plurality of focused RF signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Larry L. Savage, Corey M. Thacker
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Patent number: 10230166Abstract: A reconfigurable antenna comprises a plurality of antenna feed elements, a plurality of plasma switches respectively associated with the antenna feed elements, and control circuitry for independently operating the plasma switches to selectively activate and deactivate the antenna feed elements. Each plasma switch may comprise a volume of inert gas, and a pair of electrodes spanning the respective volume of inert gas. The reconfigurable antenna may comprise a power supply for supplying a voltage to the pair of electrodes of each of plasma switch sufficient to ignite the respective inert gas volume into a plasma field to deactivate the respective antenna feed element. Each plasma switch may optionally be operated to attenuate each antenna feed element.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Larry L. Savage, Ted R. Dabrowski, Colin A. Diehl, John D. Williams, Enrique J. Ruiz
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Publication number: 20190028175Abstract: A steerable antenna assembly (“SAA”) for receiving a plurality of incident radio frequency (“RF”) signals at a plurality of incident angles is disclosure. The SAA includes an approximately spherical dielectric lens (“SDL”), a waveguide aperture block (“WAB”), a switch aperture matrix (“SAM”), and a radial aperture combiner (“RAC”). The SDL receives and focuses the plurality of incident RF signals creating a plurality of focused RF signals at a plurality of focal points approximately along the back surface of the SDL. The WAB is positioned adjacent to the back surface of the SDL and receives the plurality of focused RF signals. The SAM electronically steers a beam of a radiation pattern produced by the SAA and switch between the pluralities of focused RF signals based on electronically steering the beam. The RAC produces a received RF signal from the plurality of focused RF signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Larry L. Savage, Corey M. Thacker
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Publication number: 20180301803Abstract: A reconfigurable antenna comprises a plurality of antenna feed elements, a plurality of plasma switches respectively associated with the antenna feed elements, and control circuitry for independently operating the plasma switches to selectively activate and deactivate the antenna feed elements. Each plasma switch may comprise a volume of inert gas, and a pair of electrodes spanning the respective volume of inert gas. The reconfigurable antenna may comprise a power supply for supplying a voltage to the pair of electrodes of each of plasma switch sufficient to ignite the respective inert gas volume into a plasma field to deactivate the respective antenna feed element. Each plasma switch may optionally be operated to attenuate each antenna feed element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Larry L. Savage, Ted R. Dabrowski, Colin A. Diehl, John D. Williams, Enrique J. Ruiz
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Patent number: 10027004Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide. The waveguide includes a waveguide wall having a shape associated with a dominant propagation mode. The waveguide includes a first dielectric material having a cross-sectional area that varies along a length of a portion of the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Larry L. Savage, Ted R. Dabrowski, Corey M. Thacker
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Patent number: 9979459Abstract: A steerable antenna assembly (“SAA”) for receiving a plurality of incident radio frequency (“RF”) signals at a plurality of incident angles is disclosure. The SAA includes an approximately spherical dielectric lens (“SDL”), a waveguide aperture block (“WAB”), a switch aperture matrix (“SAM”), and a radial aperture combiner (“RAC”). The SDL receives and focuses the plurality of incident RF signals creating a plurality of focused RF signals at a plurality of focal points approximately along the back surface of the SDL. The WAB is positioned adjacent to the back surface of the SDL and receives the plurality of focused RF signals. The SAM electronically steers a beam of a radiation pattern produced by the SAA and switch between the pluralities of focused RF signals based on electronically steering the beam. The RAC produces a received RF signal from the plurality of focused RF signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Larry L. Savage, Corey M. Thacker
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Publication number: 20180062727Abstract: A steerable antenna assembly (“SAA”) for receiving a plurality of incident radio frequency (“RF”) signals at a plurality of incident angles is disclosure. The SAA includes an approximately spherical dielectric lens (“SDL”), a waveguide aperture block (“WAB”), a switch aperture matrix (“SAM”), and a radial aperture combiner (“RAC”). The SDL receives and focuses the plurality of incident RF signals creating a plurality of focused RF signals at a plurality of focal points approximately along the back surface of the SDL. The WAB is positioned adjacent to the back surface of the SDL and receives the plurality of focused RF signals. The SAM electronically steers a beam of a radiation pattern produced by the SAA and switch between the pluralities of focused RF signals based on electronically steering the beam. The RAC produces a received RF signal from the plurality of focused RF signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: LARRY L. SAVAGE, COREY M. THACKER
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Publication number: 20180034126Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide. The waveguide includes a waveguide wall having a shape associated with a dominant propagation mode. The waveguide includes a first dielectric material having a cross-sectional area that varies along a length of a portion of the waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Larry L. Savage, Ted R. Dabrowski, Corey M. Thacker
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Patent number: 8462060Abstract: An embedded antenna for facilitating wireless transmission of utility meter data is disclosed, where in one embodiment an RF antenna is a part of the faceplate of the utility meter. In another embodiment the utility meter faceplate is a single-layer or a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with the RF antenna printed on any desired layer. Such faceplates may be labeled to be viewable from outside of the meter housing and/or have openings to accommodate visual access to an output display of the meter consumption information.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Larry L. Savage, Kirby K. Nelson, Michael D. Rock
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Patent number: 8299975Abstract: An embedded antenna for facilitating wireless transmission of utility meter data is disclosed, where in one embodiment an RF antenna is a part of the faceplate of the utility meter. In another embodiment the utility meter faceplate is a single-layer or a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with the RF antenna printed on any desired layer. Such faceplates may be labeled to be viewable from outside of the meter housing and/or have openings to accommodate visual access to an output display of the meter consumption information.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Larry L. Savage, Kirby K. Nelson, III, Michael D. Rock
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Patent number: 7994994Abstract: An embedded antenna for facilitating wireless transmission of utility meter data is disclosed, where in one embodiment an RF antenna is a part of the faceplate of the utility meter. In another embodiment the utility meter faceplate is a single-layer or a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with the RF antenna printed on any desired layer. Such faceplates may be labeled to be viewable from outside of the meter housing and/or have openings to accommodate visual access to an output display of the meter consumption information.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Larry L. Savage, Kirby K. Nelson, III, Michael D. Rock
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Publication number: 20110163925Abstract: An embedded antenna for facilitating wireless transmission of utility meter data is disclosed, where in one embodiment an RF antenna is a part of the faceplate of the utility meter. In another embodiment the utility meter faceplate is a single-layer or a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with the RF antenna printed on any desired layer. Such faceplates may be labeled to be viewable from outside of the meter housing and/or have openings to accommodate visual access to an output display of the meter consumption information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: ITRON, INC.Inventors: Larry L. Savage, Kirby K. Nelson, III, Michael D. Rock
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Publication number: 20100110617Abstract: An embedded antenna for facilitating wireless transmission of utility meter data is disclosed, where in one embodiment an RF antenna is a part of the faceplate of the utility meter. In another embodiment the utility meter faceplate is a single-layer or a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with the RF antenna printed on any desired layer. Such faceplates may be labeled to be viewable from outside of the meter housing and/or have openings to accommodate visual access to an output display of the meter consumption information.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: ITRON, INC.Inventors: Larry L. Savage, Kirby K. Nelson, III, Michael D. Rock
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Patent number: 7671814Abstract: An embedded antenna for facilitating wireless transmission of utility meter data is disclosed, where in one embodiment an RF antenna is a part of the faceplate of the utility meter. In another embodiment the utility meter faceplate is a single-layer or a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with the RF antenna printed on any desired layer. Such faceplates may be labeled to be viewable from outside of the meter housing and/or have openings to accommodate visual access to an output display of the meter consumption information.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Larry L. Savage, Kirby K. Nelson, III, Michael D. Rock
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Patent number: 7196673Abstract: An embedded antenna for facilitating wireless transmission of utility meter data is disclosed, where in one embodiment an RF antenna is a part of the faceplate of the utility meter. In another embodiment the utility meter faceplate is a single-layer or a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with the RF antenna printed on any desired layer. Such faceplates may be labeled to be viewable from outside of the meter housing and/or have openings to accommodate visual access to an output display of the meter consumption information.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Itron Electricity Metering, Inc.Inventors: Larry L. Savage, Kirby K. Nelson, III, Michael D. Rock
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Publication number: 20030179149Abstract: A multi-purpose embedded antenna apparatus for facilitating the communication of RF data signals is disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the subject technology are utilized in a wireless utility metering environment and corresponding nodal network of communications devices. Preferred embedded antenna embodiments incorporate an RF antenna into a structural member, such as a faceplate, of a utility meter. Additional functionality may also be offered through device labeling incorporated with such an antenna apparatus. Exemplary embedded antenna apparatuses in accordance with the present subject matter may comprise a body of dielectric material, a radio frequency (RF) antenna applied to the body of dielectric material in a predefined size and pattern, and a connective element to interface the antenna to a communications module within a utility meter or other electronic device. An antenna apparatus may offer additional structural stability for meter housings.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: Schlumberger Electricity, Inc.Inventors: Larry L. Savage, Kirby K. Nelson, Michael D. Rock
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Publication number: 20020027664Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically detecting the position of an object wherein an incandescent light source is used for illuminating the object. Condensing and collimating optics are provided for illuminating the object with a highly spatially uniform beam of substantially collimated light. Focusing optics focus the shadow of the object onto a light-sensitive position detector that produces an output signal indicative of the position of the shadow on the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Inventors: Robert W. Hyers, Larry L. Savage, Jan R. Rogers