Patents by Inventor Robert G. Ford

Robert G. Ford 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: 11276939
    Abstract: A phased array antenna system includes a plurality of radio frequency (RF) tile sub-arrays. Each RF tile sub-array includes a multiplicity of RF elements, a tile control integrated circuit, a multiplicity of RF integrated circuits and a configuration storage device. The configuration storage device stores data including calibration and configuration information that is unique to the RF tile sub-array and the tile control integrated circuit. The multiplicity of RF integrated circuits, the multiplicity of RF elements, and the configuration storage device are disposed on a single associated RF tile sub-array. The system also includes an antenna controller configured to process data for steering or tracking one or more RF beams by the multiplicity of RF elements. The calibration and configuration information that is unique to the RF tile sub-array is downloaded from the configuration storage device through the tile control integrated circuit to an RF element compensation table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Ford, Frank R. Brogden, Jay W. Clement, Rodney K. Bonebright
  • Publication number: 20190181561
    Abstract: A phased array antenna system includes a plurality of radio frequency (RF) tile sub-arrays. Each RF tile sub-array includes a multiplicity of RF elements, a tile control integrated circuit, a multiplicity of RF integrated circuits and a configuration storage device. The configuration storage device stores data including calibration and configuration information that is unique to the RF tile sub-array and the tile control integrated circuit. The multiplicity of RF integrated circuits, the multiplicity of RF elements, and the configuration storage device are disposed on a single associated RF tile sub-array. The system also includes an antenna controller configured to process data for steering or tracking one or more RF beams by the multiplicity of RF elements. The calibration and configuration information that is unique to the RF tile sub-array is downloaded from the configuration storage device through the tile control integrated circuit to an RF element compensation table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Robert G. Ford, Frank R. Brogden, Jay W. Clement, Rodney K. Bonebright
  • Patent number: 10243276
    Abstract: A phased array antenna system includes a plurality of radio frequency (RF) tile sub-arrays. Each RF tile sub-array includes a multiplicity of RF elements, a tile control integrated circuit, a multiplicity of RF integrated circuits and a configuration storage device. The configuration storage device stores data including calibration and configuration information that is unique to the RF tile sub-array and the tile control integrated circuit. The multiplicity of RF integrated circuits, the multiplicity of RF elements, and the configuration storage device are disposed on a single associated RF tile sub-array. The system also includes an antenna controller configured to process data for steering or tracking one or more RF beams by the multiplicity of RF elements. The calibration and configuration information that is unique to the RF tile sub-array is downloaded from the configuration storage device through the tile control integrated circuit to an RF element compensation table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Ford, Frank R. Brogden, Jay W. Clement, Rodney K. Bonebright
  • Patent number: 9878959
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for coating a substrate in a rotating drum, wherein a pocket is created in a substrate bed into which pocket coating materials are delivered. Also provided is a controlled release product produced according to this process, and an apparatus for carrying out the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Agrium Inc.
    Inventors: Boazhong Xing, Lawrence A. Wilms, Nick P. Wynnyk, Robert G. Ford, Nicolette M. Babiak, J. David Eastham
  • Publication number: 20170104268
    Abstract: A phased array antenna system may include a plurality of radio frequency (RF) tile sub-arrays arranged in a certain pattern to define an RF aperture. Each RF tile sub-array may include a multiplicity of RF elements and each RF element may be separately controlled for steering or tracking an RF beam generated or received by the RF element. The phased array antenna system may also include an antenna controller configured to process data for steering or tracking one or more RF beams by the multiplicity of RF elements. The antenna controller may additionally include a plurality of aperture state machines. An aperture state machine may be associated with each RF tile sub-array for controlling operation of the associated RF tile sub-array. The phased array antenna system may further include a plurality of RF tile buses. One RF tile bus operatively couples each aperture state machine to the RF tile sub-array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Robert G. Ford, Frank R. Brogden, Jay W. Clement, Rodney K. Bonebright
  • Publication number: 20150376078
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for coating a substrate in a rotating drum, wherein a pocket is created in a substrate bed into which pocket coating materials are delivered. Also provided is a controlled release product produced according to this process, and an apparatus for carrying out the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Boazhong Xing, Lawrence A. Wilms, Nick P. Wynnyk, Robert G. Ford, Nicolette M. Babiak, J. David Eastham
  • Patent number: 7647206
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a structure for damage is provided. The method includes stimulating a sensor in a sensor array to generate a plurality of waves. The sensor array includes one or more quadrants, wherein each quadrant includes one or more sensors. Sensor data from all sensors are acquired in each quadrant in parallel. The sensor data wave characteristics is processed for analysis. The processed sensor data wave characteristics are compared with threshold values to determine the presence of damage to the structure. If the presence of damage is determined, a corrective system is notified for corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert G. Ford
  • Publication number: 20090192727
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a structure for damage is provided. The method includes stimulating a sensor in a sensor array to generate a plurality of waves. The sensor array includes one or more quadrants, wherein each quadrant includes one or more sensors. Sensor data from all sensors are acquired in each quadrant in parallel. The sensor data wave characteristics is processed for analysis. The processed sensor data wave characteristics are compared with threshold values to determine the presence of damage to the structure. If the presence of damage is determined, a corrective system is notified for corrective action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Robert G. Ford
  • Patent number: 7434410
    Abstract: A reversible ice chest is shown having oppositely arranged, hinged lids. The lids allow the ice chest to be open and filled from either of two opposite directions. This allows a user to, for example, place drinks to be cooled on top of ice in a half filled chest. The chest would then be turned upside down, thereby covering the drinks with ice. The drinks could be accessed through the lid which is now facing up toward the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Robert G. Ford