Patents by Inventor Lewis V. Smith, Jr.

Lewis V. Smith, Jr. 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: 3988736
    Abstract: A plurality of steerable beam feed devices are used in combination with a single stationary toroidal antenna which permits simultaneous communication with several geosynchronous satellites. Each feed device is movably mounted on a flat elevation plate having linear bearings which mate with rails on a flat azimuth plate to allow the feed to be positioned vertically or at some angle with respect to the vertical depending upon the orientation of the antenna. The flat azimuth plate is mounted for movement on two curved rails which follow the focal arc of the toroidal antenna. Linear actuator devices are provided for moving each plate within a limited range to provide fine positioning of the feed relative to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1976
    Assignee: Communications Satellite Corporation (Comsat)
    Inventors: Lewis V. Smith, Jr., Norman P. Miller