Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Cwik

Thomas A. Cwik 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: 10276926
    Abstract: A deployable reflectarray antenna stowable in a 6U CubeSat volume is deployed through tape deployers and quartz cables. The telescoping waveguide is attached to the horn with a threaded insert. The reflectarray antenna has, at 37.75 GHz, a directivity of 48.5 dBi, a gain of 47.8 dBi, and an aperture efficiency of 42%. Hinges with a ball-end screw enable precise control of deployment angle of adjacent panels in the reflectarray antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Thomas A. Cwik, Nacer E. Chahat, Jonathan Sauder, Manan Arya, Ellen Thiel
  • Publication number: 20180254547
    Abstract: A deployable reflectarray antenna stowable in a 6U CubeSat volume is deployed through tape deployers and quartz cables. The telescoping waveguide is attached to the horn with a threaded insert. The reflectarray antenna has, at 37.75 GHz, a directivity of 48.5 dBi, a gain of 47.8 dBi, and an aperture efficiency of 42%. Hinges with a ball-end screw enable precise control of deployment angle of adjacent panels in the reflectarray antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas A. CWIK, Nacer E. CHAHAT, Jonathan SAUDER, Manan ARYA, Ellen THIEL
  • Patent number: 9476612
    Abstract: The present invention relates to concentrating solar-power systems and, more particularly, beam-forming concentrating solar thermal array power systems. A solar thermal array power system is provided, including a plurality of solar concentrators arranged in pods. Each solar concentrator includes a solar collector, one or more beam-forming elements, and one or more beam-steering elements. The solar collector is dimensioned to collect and divert incoming rays of sunlight. The beam-forming elements intercept the diverted rays of sunlight, and are shaped to concentrate the rays of sunlight into a beam. The steering elements are shaped, dimensioned, positioned, and/or oriented to deflect the beam toward a beam output path. The beams from the concentrators are converted to heat at a receiver, and the heat may be temporarily stored or directly used to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Thomas A. Cwik, Paul E. Dimotakis, Daniel J. Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20120228883
    Abstract: The present invention relates to concentrating solar-power systems and, more particularly, beam-forming concentrating solar thermal array power systems. A solar thermal array power system is provided, including a plurality of solar concentrators arranged in pods. Each solar concentrator includes a solar collector, one or more beam-forming elements, and one or more beam-steering elements. The solar collector is dimensioned to collect and divert incoming rays of sunlight. The beam-forming elements intercept the diverted rays of sunlight, and are shaped to concentrate the rays of sunlight into a beam. The steering elements are shaped, dimensioned, positioned, and/or oriented to deflect the beam toward a beam output path. The beams from the concentrators are converted to heat at a receiver, and the heat may be temporarily stored or directly used to generate electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Thomas A. Cwik, Paul E. Dimotakis, Daniel J. Hoppe