Patents by Inventor Michael L. Tracy

Michael L. Tracy 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: 9147549
    Abstract: Various crossed-field amplifiers (CFAs) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the geometry of the cathode and/or the anode reduces the velocity of the electrons as they travel near the anode drift block to increase the distribution of the electrons in the drift gap. In another embodiment, an abrupt geometric change to the cathode at the beginning or the end of the anode drift block can disperse the electrons, thereby increasing the rate of mixing and diffusion. By increasing the distribution of the electrons, the peak amplitude of spurious emissions produced by a CFA can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Communications & Power Industries LLC
    Inventor: Michael L. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20120242224
    Abstract: Various crossed-field amplifiers (CFAs) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the geometry of the cathode and/or the anode reduces the velocity of the electrons as they travel near the anode drift block to increase the distribution of the electrons in the drift gap. In another embodiment, an abrupt geometric change to the cathode at the beginning or the end of the anode drift block can disperse the electrons, thereby increasing the rate of mixing and diffusion. By increasing the distribution of the electrons, the peak amplitude of spurious emissions produced by a CFA can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: CPI Beverly Microwave Division
    Inventor: Michael L. Tracy
  • Patent number: 6740858
    Abstract: A microwave applicator for heating a moving fluid includes a heating chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and through which the fluid to be heated flows. The applicator also includes a microwave energy source and a microwave circuit having at least one wave-guide element. The microwave circuit transforms microwave energy from the microwave source into a cylindrical wave-guide mode within the heating chamber for uniformly heating fluid flowing through the heating chamber. This technology is also applied as a method for applying microwave energy for heating a moving fluid. This method includes passing a fluid from a fluid inlet, through a heating chamber, and out a fluid outlet; and applying a microwave energy source through a microwave circuit including at least one wave-guide element to transform microwave energy from the microwave energy source into a cylindrical wave-guide mode within the heating chamber to uniformly heat the fluid flowing through the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Communications and Power Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Tracy, Dennis R. Gautreau, Todd A. Treado
  • Publication number: 20020179596
    Abstract: A microwave applicator for heating a moving fluid includes a heating chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and through which the fluid to be heated flows. The applicator also includes a microwave energy source and a microwave circuit having at least one wave-guide element. The microwave circuit transforms microwave energy from the microwave source into a cylindrical wave-guide mode within the heating chamber for uniformly heating fluid flowing through the heating chamber. This technology is also applied as a method for applying microwave energy for heating a moving fluid. This method includes passing a fluid from a fluid inlet, through a heating chamber, and out a fluid outlet; and applying a microwave energy source through a microwave circuit including at least one wave-guide element to transform microwave energy from the microwave energy source into a cylindrical wave-guide mode within the heating chamber to uniformly heat the fluid flowing through the heating chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Michael L. Tracy, Dennis R. Gautreau, Todd A. Treado
  • Patent number: 6236161
    Abstract: A crossed-field device such as a crossed-field amplifier or magnetron has a generally peripheral cathode body portion and an anode which cooperates with a crossed magnetic field to maintain emitted electrons on cycloidal and amplify an rf input signal as it travels to an rf outlet. A control electrode positioned generally at a drift region away from the crossed-field amplification region interrupts the sustained electron emission to shut down the device between working cycles, and an auxiliary electrode positioned internally of the cathode diverts electrons into a gap proximally of the control electrode to reduce the control electrode energy requirements. The cathode is carried by a support structure, and the auxiliary electrode may be a rod axially extending in a counter-bore in the support structure. The auxiliary electrode is dc biased and may advantageously operate at anode potential, thereby obviating the need for any additional power source for the auxiliary electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Communications & Power Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Tracy, Carl D. Morrill, Hunter L. McDowell
  • Patent number: 5916074
    Abstract: A window guard (10) is shown for mounting in or on a window to protect children and objects from falling out. The window guard (10) has a pair of mounting brackets (12), (14) for mounting to the window. End caps (36), (38) are interconnected to a first wire subassembly (32) and second wire subassembly (34) respectively. The end caps (36), (38) are removeably attached to the first and second mounting brackets (12),(14). The first wire subassembly (32) and second wire subassembly (34) are slideably interconnected allowing the window guard (10) to fit many different sized openings. At least one emergency release button (60) mounted on the first mounting bracket (12) and engaging the end cap (36) allows for disassembly of the window guard (10) in emergency exit situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Michael L. Tracy