Patents by Inventor Michael H. Thursby

Michael H. Thursby 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: 7084823
    Abstract: A radio frequency transmitting and receiving apparatus comprising a filter and an antenna, wherein the input reactance of the antenna is substantially equal in magnitude and opposite in sign to the output reactance of the filter. This reactance relationship permits the antenna and filter to be collocated and avoids transformation of the input and output impedances to the conventional 50 ohms such that the filter and antenna can be connected with a conventional 50 ohm transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank M. Caimi, John Charles Farrar, Kerry Lane Greer, Michael H. Thursby, Donald A. Innis
  • Patent number: 6888510
    Abstract: An antenna providing circular polarization for received and transmitted signals. The antenna comprises a vertical conductive surfaces oriented to form a closed structure and horizontal conductive surfaces forming a top face of the closed structure. Connection of selected vertical panels to a feed and ground, causes current flow in the vertical and horizontal surfaces that results in a circular polarized signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Min Jo, Michael H. Thursby, Frank M. Caimi, Kerry L. Greer, Mark D. Nelson, John C. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6842148
    Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline loaded antenna formed by applying a conductive ink or other conductive material to a flexible substrate. The substrate is then shaped by removing regions and folding other regions along perforated or scored lines to fit the antenna within the available space of a wireless device. In lieu of folding regions of a planar substrate to form a three-dimensional structure, the substrate can be vacuum formed over a mandrel after the antenna elements have been formed thereon. The antenna can also be formed by printing on existing enclosure surfaces of a wireless device or on the surfaces of components within the device. Thus the advantages offered by a meanderline antenna where the effective electrical length is greater than the actual physical length are achieved in conjunction with a space-saving physical structure for the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Hendler, Floyd A. Asbury, Frank M. Caimi, Michael H. Thursby, Kerry L. Greer
  • Publication number: 20040227683
    Abstract: A radio frequency transmitting and receiving apparatus comprising a filter and an antenna, wherein the input reactance of the antenna is substantially equal in magnitude and opposite in sign to the output reactance of the filter. This reactance relationship permits the antenna and filter to be collocated and avoids transformation of the input and output impedances to the conventional 50 ohms such that the filter and antenna can be connected with a conventional 50 ohm transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Frank M. Caimi, John Charles Farrar, Kerry Lane Greer, Michael H. Thursby, Donald A. Innis
  • Publication number: 20040090389
    Abstract: An antenna providing circular polarization for received and transmitted signals. The antenna comprises a vertical conductive surfaces oriented to form a closed structure and horizontal conductive surfaces forming a top face of the closed structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Young-Min Jo, Michael H. Thursby, Frank M. Caimi, Kerry L. Greer, Mark D. Nelson, John C. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6597321
    Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline-loaded antenna comprising a ground plane, a non-driven element affixed substantially perpendicular to the ground plane, a driven element affixed substantially perpendicular to the ground plane and a horizontal conductor or radiating element electrically connected between the driven and the non-driven elements and disposed substantially parallel to the ground plane. The non-driven and the driven elements comprise meanderline-loaded couplers that are electrically connected between to the radiating element. A mechanically deformable material is disposed between the radiating element and the ground plane such that in response to an externally generated voltage the mechanically deformable material alters the distance between the ground plane and the radiating element to allow the antenna to adapt to changes in its environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Thursby, Kerry L. Greer
  • Publication number: 20030085843
    Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline-loaded antenna comprising a ground plane, a non-driven element affixed substantially perpendicular to the ground plane, a driven element affixed substantially perpendicular to the ground plane and a horizontal conductor or radiating element electrically connected between the driven and the non-driven elements and disposed substantially parallel to the ground plane. The non-driven and the driven elements comprise meanderline-loaded couplers that are electrically connected between to the radiating element. A mechanically deformable material is disposed between the radiating element and the ground plane such that in response to an externally generated voltage the mechanically deformable material alters the distance between the ground plane and the radiating element to allow the antenna to adapt to changes in its environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Michael H. Thursby, Kerry L. Greer
  • Patent number: 6489925
    Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline-loaded antenna comprising a ground plane, a non-driven element affixed thereto, a driven or receiving element affixed thereto and a horizontal element between the driven and the non-driven elements. The non-driven and the driven elements comprise meanderline-loaded couplers that are oriented parallel to the ground plane and the horizontal element so as to present a low-profile meanderline-loaded antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Thursby, Kerry L. Greer, Young-Min Jo, Young-Ki Kim, Jay A. Kralovec
  • Patent number: 6486844
    Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline loaded antenna comprising a ground plane, a non-driven vertical element affixed thereto, a driven vertical element and a shaped top radiating element conductively connected between the driven and non-driven vertical elements. One or more segments or regions of the top plate are resonant depending on the input signal frequency. Since top plate presents several such segments or portions, several different resonant frequencies (a band of closely spaced resonant frequencies or multiple bands of disparate resonant frequencies) are presented to the antenna driving signal, thus allowing the antenna to resonate at several different frequencies and bands. In another embodiment, the antenna comprises a plurality of top radiating elements in parallel spaced relation or in a single plane, wherein each top radiating element is resonant at a different frequency, when considered with the effective lengths of the other antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Thursby, Sean F. Sullivan, Floyd A. Asbury
  • Patent number: 6469675
    Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline loaded antenna comprising a ground plane, two vertical elements orthogonally affixed thereto, and a horizontal element between the two vertical elements. A meanderline coupler interconnects the horizontal element, at each of its ends, to the vertical elements. The antenna further includes an additional radiating element extending from the horizontal element in approximately planer relationship therewith. Additionally, the antenna includes a tuning element extending from the horizontal element and forming an acute angle with the adjacent vertical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: ViaTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Min Jo, Michael H. Thursby, Sean F. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20020149521
    Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline loaded antenna formed by applying a conductive ink or other conductive material to a flexible substrate. The substrate is then shaped by removing regions and folding other regions along perforated or scored lines to fit the antenna within the available space of a wireless device. In lieu of folding regions of a planar substrate to form a three-dimensional structure, the substrate can be vacuum formed over a mandrel after the antenna elements have been formed thereon. The antenna can also be formed by printing on existing enclosure surfaces of a wireless device or on the surfaces of components within the device. Thus the advantages offered by a meanderline antenna where the effective electrical length is greater than the actual physical length are achieved in conjunction with a space-saving physical structure for the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Jason M. Hendler, Floyd A. Asbury, Frank M. Caimi, Michael H. Thursby, Kerry L. Greer
  • Publication number: 20020122008
    Abstract: An integrated antenna and filter. Integrating and collocating the antenna element and a signal filter eliminates the affects of interfering signals that are induced in the transmission line between the antenna and the receiver/transmitter. The use of fiber optic transmission line cable for connecting the receiver/transmitter and the antenna reduces spurious radio frequency emissions from the transmission line that can cause interference to other nearby receiver/transmitter systems and prevents spurious interfering signals from entering the transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Frank M. Caimi, Michael H. Thursby, Kerry L. Greer, Donald A. Innis
  • Patent number: 6429820
    Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline loaded antenna comprising a ground plane, a plurality of vertical elements orthogonally affixed thereto, a driven vertical element affixed thereto and a horizontal element between the vertical elements. All but one of the plurality of vertical elements have an effective electrical length that is a quarter wavelength of the antenna operating frequency. Thus, these vertical elements represent an open and do not effect the antenna performance characteristics. One of the plurality of vertical elements will be operative and therefore the antenna length comprises the length of the operative element, the length of the driven element, and the length of the top plate therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Thursby, Kerry L. Greer, Sean F. Sullivan, Young-Min Jo
  • Publication number: 20020024473
    Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline-loaded antenna comprising a ground plane, a non-driven element affixed thereto, a driven or receiving element affixed thereto and a horizontal element between the driven and the non-driven elements. The non-driven and the driven elements comprise meanderline-loaded couplers that are oriented parallel to the ground plane and the horizontal element so as to present a low-profile meanderline-loaded antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Michael H. Thursby, Kerry L. Greer, Young-Min Jo, Young-Ki Kim, Jay A. Kralovec
  • Publication number: 20020024472
    Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline loaded antenna comprising a ground plane, a non-driven vertical element affixed thereto, a driven vertical element and a shaped top radiating element conductively connected between the driven and non-driven vertical elements. One or more segments or regions of the top plate are resonant depending on the input signal frequency. Since top plate presents several such segments or portions, several different resonant frequencies (a band of closely spaced resonant frequencies or multiple bands of disparate resonant frequencies) are presented to the antenna driving signal, thus allowing the antenna to resonate at several different frequencies and bands. In another embodiment, the antenna comprises a plurality of top radiating elements in parallel spaced relation or in a single plane, wherein each top radiating element is resonant at a different frequency, when considered with the effective lengths of the other antenna elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Michael H. Thursby, Sean F. Sullivan, Floyd A. Asbury
  • Patent number: 5155493
    Abstract: Single or multiple players of electrically insulating tape have adhesive applied to one surface for the dielectric of the patch antenna. Electrically conductive foil tape with adhesive applied to one surface is used to create the radiating element and the ground plane. The antenna structure can then be mounted to the desired surface by means of structural tape adhesives. The resultant sandwich structure forms a highly flexible, low profile, low cost, rugged conformal antenna for radiating radio frequency energy. Modification and control of the electrical and performance characteristics of the antenna can be accomplished by non-uniform thickness of the dielectric, using insulating tape sections which differ in dielectric constant, incorporating PIN diodes with optical of electrical control, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Michael H. Thursby, Barry G. Grossman, Wesley W. Shleton, Robert A. Murphey, G. Edward Keller, Jr.