Patents by Inventor William K. Sones

William K. Sones 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: 3931623
    Abstract: A reliable earth terminal for satellite communications systems capable of unattended operation for extended periods of time is disclosed. The terminal includes an antenna with a single fixed reflector which can provide multiple beams, each of which can be positioned by small feed motion. The transmitter is of a modular construction, using a relatively low power traveling wave tube power amplifier for each increment in the operating band. The transmitting chains are designed to carry voice, data, or television signals to a satellite and include a modulator, IF amplifier, band-limiting filter, frequency converter, and power amplifier. Each amplifier is capable of operating over the full operating band; however, operation of each amplifier is limited to an assigned increment through the use of band-limiting filters. A single, redundant high power amplifier is provided and may be remotely switched into any one of the transmitting chains in the event of a failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1976
    Assignee: Communications Satellite Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Sones, Laurence F. Gray, Louis Pollack