Patents by Inventor Thomas Merk

Thomas Merk 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).

  • Publication number: 20230403035
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a four-port diplexer device which includes a first port configured to pass signals within a first frequency band and to block signals within a second frequency band; a second port configured to pass signals within the second frequency band and to block signals within the first frequency band; a third port configured to transmit a first signal portion of a combination of the signals received from the first port and the signals received from the second port; and a fourth port configured to transmit a second signal portion of the combination of the signals received from the first port and the signals received from the second port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: LISA DRÄXLMAIER GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas MERK, Ievgen BILOGUROV
  • Publication number: 20230268657
    Abstract: A horn antenna element includes a septum polarizer configured to transform a linear polarized input signal into a circular polarized output signal at a common port, and a horn radiator. The horn radiator includes an input geometry formed as a quad-ridge waveguide to receive the circular polarized output signal at the common port and an aperture grid to radiate a grid-based circular polarized output signal. The septum polarizer is embedded in the quad-ridge waveguide at the common port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: LISA DRÄXLMAIER GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas MERK, Ievgen BILOGUROV
  • Patent number: 10050340
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cover for an antenna for electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength. The antenna includes an array of radiating elements, such as a plurality of horn antennas. The cover comprises a layer of cellular embossments, an upper side, and a lower side. The distance between the upper side and the lower side is approximately ¼ of the wavelength. The upper side of the layer comprises the area within an upper side of the embossments, the lower side of the layer comprises the area surrounding the embossments, and the lower side of the layer is arranged in a spaced relationship from the antenna in a radiating direction of the antenna. The antenna is mounted on a portable satellite terminal operating in the X band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Merk
  • Patent number: 10044083
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a device for correcting the polarization twist of two linearly polarized signals using two polarization converters connected in series, wherein the second polarization converter can be rotated about an axis. In this way, the skew angle of an antenna can be compensated with respect to a satellite using a rotatable waveguide circuit. By converting the polarization from linear to circular, it is easier to rotate the now circularly polarized signals, using a second polarization converter, which reestablishes a linear polarization for the circularly polarized signals. Given the dual-channel signal outcoupling, the PCU may allow two orthogonal linear polarizations to be corrected at the same time using a simpler mechanical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Haeussler, Thomas Merk
  • Patent number: 9859618
    Abstract: A radiating element may comprise an antenna element, a radiating element edge, and a corrugation. The antenna element may have an aperture that extends into the antenna element, and an aperture side defining an aperture area of the antenna element. The radiating element edge may surround the antenna element on the aperture side. The corrugation may be configured to separate, at least on the aperture side, the antenna element and the surrounding radiating element edge. The radiating element edge may be connected to the antenna element at a distance greater than zero from the aperture side of the antenna element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Lisa Draeximaier GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Merk
  • Patent number: 9761955
    Abstract: A feed network for an antenna system having a waveguide is disclosed. The waveguide has broad sides facing each other and narrow sides facing each other. The feed network includes a first microstrip conductor including a first conductor loop and a second microstrip conductor including a second conductor loop. The first and second conductor loops each extend into the waveguide from one of the narrow sides and are each electrically coupled to one of the broad sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Merk
  • Publication number: 20170222310
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cover for an antenna for electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength. The antenna includes an array of radiating elements, such as a plurality of horn antennas. The cover comprises a layer of cellular embossments, an upper side, and a lower side. The distance between the upper side and the lower side is approximately ¼ of the wavelength. The upper side of the layer comprises the area within an upper side of the embossments, the lower side of the layer comprises the area surrounding the embossments, and the lower side of the layer is arranged in a spaced relationship from the antenna in a radiating direction of the antenna. The antenna is mounted on a portable satellite terminal operating in the X band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Merk
  • Publication number: 20160344083
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for correcting the polarization twist of two linearly polarized signals by way of two polarization converters connected in series, wherein the second polarization converter can be rotated about the axis thereof. In this way, the skew angle of an antenna can be compensated with respect to a satellite by way of a rotatable waveguide circuit. By converting the polarization from linear to circular, it is easier to rotate the now circularly polarized signals, which is carried out in a second polarization converter, which again establishes a linear polarization for the circularly polarized signals. Given the dual-channel signal outcoupling, the PCU introduced here allows two orthogonal linear polarizations to be corrected at the same time using a relatively simple mechanical composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Christoph HAEUSSLER, Thomas MERK
  • Publication number: 20160072190
    Abstract: A radiating element may comprise an antenna element, a radiating element edge, and a corrugation. The antenna element may have an aperture that extends into the antenna element, and an aperture side defining an aperture area of the antenna element. The radiating element edge may surround the antenna element on the aperture side. The corrugation may be configured to separate, at least on the aperture side, the antenna element and the surrounding radiating element edge. The radiating element edge may be connected to the antenna element at a distance greater than zero from the aperture side of the antenna element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas MERK
  • Publication number: 20160064796
    Abstract: A feed network for an antenna system having a waveguide is disclosed. The waveguide has broad sides facing each other and narrow sides facing each other. The feed network includes a first microstrip conductor including a first conductor loop and a second microstrip conductor including a second conductor loop. The first and second conductor loops each extend into the waveguide from one of the narrow sides and are each electrically coupled to one of the broad sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas MERK
  • Patent number: 7942059
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for detecting objects, includes an ultrasonic sensor and an optical sensor integrated into the ultrasonic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Leuze electronic GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Patz, Thomas Merk
  • Publication number: 20090084186
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for detecting objects, includes an ultrasonic sensor and an optical sensor integrated into the ultrasonic sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Leuze electronic GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Patz, Thomas Merk
  • Patent number: 7417498
    Abstract: An amplifier, in particular for RF-applications, comprises a circuit board (2), at least one amplifier stage with at least one transistor package (8) arranged on the circuit board (2), and a feedback path (12) around the at least one transistor package (8), said feedback path (12) comprising a feedback element (15) with at least one capactive (C) element for blocking the flow of direct current through the feedback path (12) and preferably further comprising at least one inductive (L) and/or resistive element (R). In order to reduce negative effects on the performance of the amplifier due to long printed feedback lines, the feedback path (12) in an amplifier according to the invention is formed of a feedback bridge (9) comprising two feedback lines (13, 14) extending out of the plane of the circuit board (2) from two contact flags (10, 11) of the transistor package (8), and the feedback element (15) bridging over the transistor package (8) between the two feedback lines (13, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Dirk Wiegner, Thomas Merk
  • Patent number: 7388428
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power amplifier for amplifying an electronic input signal (51) and a multi-band capable frontend with such power amplifier. The power amplifier comprises an amplifier transistor stage (1) having an input (52) and an output (53) and a feedback loop (4) placed between the output (53) and the input (52) of the amplifier transistor stage (1). The feedback loop (4) comprises a capacitor (41) and a resistive element (44) in a RF path and an inductive element (42) in a DC feed path, wherein said resistive element comprises a feedback transistor (45) arranged as variable resistor within the feedback loop, and a bias control circuit (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: ALCATEL
    Inventors: Dirk Wiegner, Thomas Merk
  • Publication number: 20070013442
    Abstract: An amplifier, in particular for RF-applications, comprises a circuit board (2), at least one amplifier stage with at least one transistor package (8) arranged on the circuit board (2), and a feedback path (12) around the at least one transistor package (8), said feedback path (12) comprising a feedback element (15) with at least one capactive (C) element for blocking the flow of direct current through the feedback path (12) and preferably further comprising at least one inductive (L) and/or resistive element (R). In order to reduce negative effects on the performance of the amplifier due to long printed feedback lines, the feedback path (12) in an amplifier according to the invention is formed of a feedback bridge (9) comprising two feedback lines (13, 14) extending out of the plane of the circuit board (2) from two contact flags (10, 11) of the transistor package (8), and the feedback element (15) bridging over the transistor package (8) between the two feedback lines (13, 14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Dirk Wiegner, Thomas Merk
  • Publication number: 20060114059
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power amplifier for amplifying an electronic input signal (51) and a multi-band capable frontend with such power amplifier. The power amplifier comprises an amplifier transistor stage (1) having an input (52) and an output (53) and a feedback loop (4) placed between the output (53) and the input (52) of the amplifier transistor stage (1). The feedback loop (4) comprises a capacitor (41) and a resistive element (44) in a RF path and an inductive element (42) in a DC feed path, wherein said resistive element comprises a feedback transistor (45) arranged as variable resistor within the feedback loop, and a bias control circuit (46).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Dirk Wiegner, Thomas Merk