Patents by Inventor Michael E. Mertel
Michael E. Mertel 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: 11404778Abstract: A phased antenna array includes a plurality of variable length radiators arrayed in a geometric pattern. A length control mechanism is mechanically coupled to each one of the variable length radiators and responsive to radiator length control data to control the length of the variable length radiator. A variable phase delay circuit is coupled to each of the variable length radiators and responsive to phase delay control data to control a phase delay of a radio frequency signal coupled to the variable phase delay circuit. A controller has phase delay circuit control outputs coupled to each one of the variable phase delay circuits, and length control circuit coupled to each one of the length control mechanisms. The controller is configured to send radiator length control data to each one of the length control mechanisms and to send phase delay data to each one of the variable phase delay circuits.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Steppir Communication Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael E Mertel
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Publication number: 20200343630Abstract: A phased antenna array includes a plurality of variable length radiators arrayed in a geometric pattern. A length control mechanism is mechanically coupled to each one of the variable length radiators and responsive to radiator length control data to control the length of the variable length radiator. A variable phase delay circuit is coupled to each of the variable length radiators and responsive to phase delay control data to control a phase delay of a radio frequency signal coupled to the variable phase delay circuit. A controller has phase delay circuit control outputs coupled to each one of the variable phase delay circuits, and length control circuit coupleds to each one of the length control mechanisms. The controller is configured to send radiator length control data to each one of the length control mechanisms and to send phase delay data to each one of the variable phase delay circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: October 29, 2020Applicant: SteppIR Communication Systems Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Mertel
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Patent number: 10693211Abstract: A method for controlling the lengths of length adjustable elements of an antenna includes engaging a motor drive assembly coupled to each length adjustable element and in response to signals from a motor controller for adjusting the length of the length-adjustable antenna elements to element lengths provided by element length tables coupled to the motor controller, running antenna modeling software coupled to the motor controller to generate antenna performance data as a function of antenna element lengths, and driving the motor controller for each motor drive assembly from data in the element length tables to adjust the lengths of the length-adjustable elements in response to commands entered into a user interface or commands generated by the antenna modeling software running in the processor.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: SteppIR Communications Systems Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Mertel
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Publication number: 20190074572Abstract: A method for controlling the lengths of length adjustable elements of an antenna includes engaging a motor drive assembly coupled to each length adjustable element and in response to signals from a motor controller for adjusting the length of the length-adjustable antenna elements to element lengths provided by element length tables coupled to the motor controller, running antenna modeling software coupled to the motor controller to generate antenna performance data as a function of antenna element lengths, and driving the motor controller for each motor drive assembly from data in the element length tables to adjust the lengths of the length-adjustable elements in response to commands entered into a user interface or commands generated by the antenna modeling software running in the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventor: Michael E. Mertel
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Patent number: 9105963Abstract: A tunable antenna is formed on a boom. First and a second opposed non-conductive support pole extend from a first end of the boom. Third and a fourth opposed non-conductive support pole extending from a second end of the boom. Each pole has a wire guide at its end. First and second spools are mounted near the first end of the boom. Third and fourth spools are mounted near the second end of the boom. First and second wires are spooled on the first and second spools. A third wire is spooled on the third spool and mechanically coupled to the first wire by a non-conductive cord, the first and third wires running through the first and third pole guides. A fourth wire is spooled on the fourth spool and mechanically coupled to the second wire by non-conductive cord, the second and fourth wires running through the second and fourth pole guides.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Fluidmotion, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Mertel
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Patent number: 8842053Abstract: An electrically-shortened Yagi antenna includes a boom, a first electrically-shortened end element mounted on the boom, a second electrically-shortened end element mounted on the boom; and an electrically-shortened driven element mounted on the boom and electrically shortened less than the first and second electrically-shortened end elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Fluidmotion, Inc.Inventors: Clayton B. Curtiss, Michael E. Mertel
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Patent number: 7463211Abstract: An antenna system with at least one tunable dipole element with a length adjustable conductive member disposed. The element is made of two longitudinally aligned, hollow support arms made of non-conductive material. Disposed longitudinally inside each element is a length adjustable conductive member electrically connected at one end. Each conductive member is stored on a spool that is selectively rotated to extend the conductive member into the support arm. The support arms are affixed at one end to a rigid housing. During use, the conductive members are adjusted in length to tune the element to a desired frequency. The antenna can be optimally tuned at a specific frequency for maximum gain, maximum front-to-back ratio, as a bi-directional antenna, and to provide a desired feed point impedance. An electronic control system allows the length of the conductive members to be manually or automatically adjusted to a desired frequency.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Fluid Motion, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Mertel, Clayton B Curtiss, James E. Thomas
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Patent number: 7388555Abstract: An adjustable-frequency two-element bowtie antenna includes a support member on which first and second non-conductive hollow element support arms are mounted. Each support arm includes first and second opposing segments. The first and second segments of each element support arm include a first section extending outwardly from the support member, a curved transition section, and a second section extending in a direction towards and joining the second section of the other element support arm. The spacing between the first sections of each segment of each element support arm increase as a function of the distance from the support member. A length-adjustable conductive member is disposed in each element support arm. Length adjusters are coupled to the conductive members to configure the lengths of antenna elements. A connector may be provided to couple a transmission-line to a pair of the conductive members comprising a driven element.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Inventor: Michael E. Mertel
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Publication number: 20070229386Abstract: An antenna system with at least one tunable dipole element with a length adjustable conductive member disposed. The element is made of two longitudinally aligned, hollow support arms made of non-conductive material. Disposed longitudinally inside each element is a length adjustable conductive member electrically connected at one end. Each conductive member is stored on a spool that is selectively rotated to extend the conductive member into the support arm. The support arms are affixed at one end to a rigid housing. During use, the conductive members are adjusted in length to tune the element to a desired frequency. The antenna can be optimally tuned at a specific frequency for maximum gain, maximum front-to-back ratio, as a bi-directional antenna, and to provide a desired feed point impedance. An electronic control system allows the length of the conductive members to be manually or automatically adjusted to a desired frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventors: Michael E. Mertel, Clayton B. Curtiss, James E. Thomas
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Patent number: 6677914Abstract: An antenna system with at least one tunable dipole element with a length adjustable conductive member disposed therein that enables the antenna to be used over a wide range of frequencies. The element is made of two longitudinally aligned, hollow support arms made of non-conductive material. Disposed longitudinally inside each element is a length adjustable conductive member electrically connected at one end. In the preferred embodiment, each conductive member is stored on a spool that is selectively rotated to precisely extend the conductive member into the support arm. The support arms, which may be fixed or adjustable in length, are affixed at one end to a rigid housing. During use, the conductive members are adjusted in length to tune the element to a desired frequency.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Inventor: Michael E. Mertel
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Publication number: 20020171598Abstract: An antenna system with at least one tunable dipole element with a length adjustable conductive member disposed therein that enables the antenna to be used over a wide range of frequencies. The element is made of two longitudinally aligned, hollow support arms made of non-conductive material. Disposed longitudinally inside each element is a length adjustable conductive member electrically connected at one end. In the preferred embodiment, each conductive member is stored on a spool that is selectively rotated to precisely extend the conductive member into the support arm. The support arms, which may be fixed or adjustable in length, are affixed at one end to a rigid housing. During use, the conductive members are adjusted in length to tune the element to a desired frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2002Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventor: Michael E. Mertel
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Patent number: 4855581Abstract: Scanned barcodes represented by an electrical signal are preprocessed in a PLA and delivered to a microprocessor in a form that permits efficient final processing of the data. High speed edge detection produce edge markers for the control logic and counting circuits coupled with a Johnson state counter to logically sequence the processor. Logarithmic conversion compresses the counted time interval to a single data word that can most efficiently be processed by the host microprocessor. Logic between the preprocessor and the microprocessor transfer digital representations of each bar and space to preassigned respective areas in the microprocessor memory. Bar/space margin detection performs a ratiometric comparison of each bar and space to determine every occurrence of 10:1 ratios and both bar/space and space/bar. Pointer signal information is transferred to the microprocessor indicating precisely where in memory each 10:1 margin ratio is located.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1988Date of Patent: August 8, 1989Assignee: Microscan Systems IncorporatedInventors: Michael E. Mertel, James E. Thomas
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Patent number: RE42087Abstract: An antenna system with at least one tunable dipole element with a length adjustable conductive member disposed therein that enables the antenna to be used over a wide range of frequencies. The element is made of two longitudinally aligned, hollow support arms made of non-conductive material. Disposed longitudinally inside each element is a length adjustable conductive member electrically connected at one end. In the preferred embodiment, each conductive member is stored on a spool that is selectively rotated to precisely extend the conductive member into the support arm. The support arms, which may be fixed or adjustable in length, are affixed at one end to a rigid housing. During use, the conductive members are adjusted in length to tune the element to a desired frequency.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Fluid Motion, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Mertel