Patents by Inventor Michael A. Thorburn

Michael A. Thorburn 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: 10181634
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for angularly aligning an antenna disposed at a geographical location is disclosed. A corresponding apparatus comprises a plurality of reticle members, each reticle member having a reticle, and a plurality of reference members, each adjustably engaged with an associated one of the plurality of reticle members, wherein each of the plurality of reference members comprises an associated template having a reference mark positioned thereon according to the geographical location of the antenna and the antenna is angularly aligned when each reference mark of each template is aligned with the reticle associated with the reference mark. A corresponding method comprises the steps of affixing an associated template having a reference mark positioned thereon according to the geographic location of the antenna to each of the plurality of reference members and angularly aligning each of the plurality of reticle members with each reference mark of each associated template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Philip J. Goswitz, Joseph Santoru, Michael A. Thorburn, Jeff Bentzler, Robert C. Tennant
  • Publication number: 20170187089
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for angularly aligning an antenna disposed at a geographical location is disclosed. A corresponding apparatus comprises a plurality of reticle members, each reticle member having a reticle, and a plurality of reference members, each adjustably engaged with an associated one of the plurality of reticle members, wherein each of the plurality of reference members comprises an associated template having a reference mark positioned thereon according to the geographical location of the antenna and the antenna is angularly aligned when each reference mark of each template is aligned with the reticle associated with the reference mark. A corresponding method comprises the steps of affixing an associated template having a reference mark positioned thereon according to the geographic location of the antenna to each of the plurality of reference members and angularly aligning each of the plurality of reticle members with each reference mark of each associated template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Goswitz, Joseph Santoru, Michael A. Thorburn, Jeff Bentzler, Robert C. Tennant
  • Patent number: 6898428
    Abstract: A communication system having gateway filter and switching networks in forward and return channels of a frequency reuse communication satellite. The system couples subscriber terminals to the Internet or other terrestrial network by way of one or more gateways. The system cross-straps gateway-to-user beam connectivity provided by the communication satellite to allow full coverage of all user beams with a subset of the gateways having reduced frequency reuse. An exemplary system comprises a communication satellite having a return channel and a forward channel. One or more gateways are coupled to the Internet or other terrestrial network and communicate with subscriber terminals by way of the return and forward channels provided by the satellite. The return and forward channels each comprise a filter and switching network that selectively couple signals between the one or more gateways and the subscriber terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Thorburn, Craig Ziegler, Stephen C. Holme
  • Publication number: 20020183057
    Abstract: A communication system having gateway filter and switching networks in forward and return channels of a frequency reuse communication satellite. The system couples subscriber terminals to the Internet or other terrestrial network by way of one or more gateways. The system cross-straps gateway-to-user beam connectivity provided by the communication satellite to allow full coverage of all user beams with a subset of the gateways having reduced frequency reuse. An exemplary system comprises a communication satellite having a return channel and a forward channel. One or more gateways are coupled to the Internet or other terrestrial network and communicate with subscriber terminals by way of the return and forward channels provided by the satellite. The return and forward channels each comprise a filter and switching network that selectively couple signals between the one or more gateways and the subscriber terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Thorburn, Craig Ziegler, Stephen C. Holme
  • Patent number: 3963391
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling speed and torque of hand held air driven vane type motors is available in several embodiments. For example, one embodiment is used in tool and die work and another embodiment is used in dental work. In reference to the latter, a foot operated control regulates the speed of an air driven handpiece, driving in turn various tools such as cutters and drills as they are generally used in a dental laboratory, by regulating the flow of compressed air both to and from the handpiece. Application of an operator's foot pressure on a floor level foot control, simultaneously depresses two valves which control the flow of compressed air. One valve controls the flow of compressed air from its source to the handpiece, and one valve controls the release into the atmosphere of compressed air from the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Inventors: Fred E. Thorburn, T. Michael Thorburn