Reflector Or Director Patents (Class 343/912)
  • Patent number: 12132253
    Abstract: A metasurface includes a dielectric material, a ground plane on a back side of the dielectric material; and at least one conductive element on a top surface of the dielectric material, wherein the at least one conductive element includes at least one of a ground-backed dipole or a slot array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Rail GTS Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Alon Ion Green, Peter Timmermans, Walter Kinio, Alex M. H. Wong, Philip Christian, George V. Eleftheriades
  • Patent number: 12088007
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are described herein for compactable antennas and methods of making such an antenna. Exemplary compactable antennas include a support structure and a reflector surface. The support structure may directly or indirectly define the reflector shape. Exemplary embodiments comprise deployable support structures to permit the compactable antenna to have a smaller volume stowed configuration and a larger volume deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: L'Garde, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Libornio Palisoc, Linden Bolisay
  • Patent number: 12074379
    Abstract: A pedestal includes a supporter having an azimuth axis and a pivot on the azimuth axis, and a tracker connected to the pivot and configured to track an object within a field of view, wherein the azimuth axis is tilted with respect to a reference plane on which the supporter is installed in a direction away from a zenith line joining the pivot with a zenith within the field of view, and a tilt angle between the azimuth axis and the reference plane is set to correspond to an orbital angle of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: INTELLIAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Hyun Uk Lee
  • Patent number: 11923617
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising at least one movable reflective surface configured to reflect electromagnetic waves and at least one actuator coupled with the at least one movable reflective surface, wherein said at least one actuator is configured to at least temporarily drive a movement of said at least one reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Mohammed Alloulah, Zoran Radivojevic, Howard Huang, Fahim Kawsar
  • Patent number: 11876288
    Abstract: A mobile communications station may include a supporting frame including an interface for mechanical coupling to a vehicle for transporting the mobile communications station, wherein the interface includes fastening points for attachment of a three-point hitch; a first antenna mounted on the supporting frame to facilitate communication with mobile devices; and a second antenna mounted on the supporting frame to facilitate communication with a distant location, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are to facilitate a bidirectional communication link between the mobile devices and the distant location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Johannes Bosch, Gerhard Huber, Jonas Schimpf, Susanne Brickenstein
  • Patent number: 11827389
    Abstract: A satellite is disclosed, including a body and a communication device attached to the body. The body has an additively manufactured external wall structure at least partially forming an enclosed compartment, and the communication device is configured to receive and transmit data while in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard W. Aston, Christopher David Joe, Nicole Marie Hastings, Nicole Diane Schoenborn, Rachel Elizabeth Zilz, Arjun Sharma
  • Patent number: 11710905
    Abstract: The disclosed method may include (1) determining a current physical state regarding an antenna assembly that includes (a) a sub-reflector that receives a wireless signal and reflects the wireless signal to a feed structure for processing, (b) a continuous antenna reflector that receives the wireless signal at a reflecting surface that reflects the wireless signal to the sub-reflector, where the current physical state is indicative of a current surface error over the reflecting surface relative to the sub-reflector, and (c) a backing structure coupled to a back surface of the continuous antenna reflector opposite the reflecting surface and having a plurality of actuators distributed over, and coupled to, the back surface, (2) operating each of the plurality actuators in a manner that reduces the current surface error based on the current physical state. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Booen, Wilhelmus Hendrikus Theunissen
  • Patent number: 11699860
    Abstract: A satellite-communications gateway includes a hub and an antenna configured for satellite communications. The antenna is mounted to the hub and supported by the hub. The antenna includes a plurality of panels forming a parabolic dish. The panels are carbon fiber-reinforce polymer. The parabolic dish has a diameter in a range of 9 to 13 meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Hughes Network Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Scott
  • Patent number: 11677141
    Abstract: Base station antennas, and components for base station antennas, such as reflectors, feeder components, frames, and column components. A base station antenna may include a reflector; a first radiator located at the front side of the reflector; mutually parallel first and second ground plates extending backward from the reflector and basically perpendicular to the reflector; and a first conductor strip extending between the first and second ground plates and configured to feed power to the first radiator. The first conductor strip and the first and second ground plates may be configured as a first stripline transmission line. The reflector and the first and second ground plates may be configured as one piece so that the reflector is grounded via the first and second ground plates without soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: YueMin Li, Long Shan, Yabing Liu, Yan Wang, Junfeng Yu, Hangsheng Wen
  • Patent number: 11664596
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are antenna boards, antenna modules, and communication devices. For example, in some embodiments, an antenna module may include: an antenna patch support including a flexible portion; an integrated circuit (IC) package coupled to the antenna patch support; and an antenna patch coupled to the antenna patch support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sidharth Dalmia, Trang Thai, William James Lambert, Zhichao Zhang, Jiwei Sun
  • Patent number: 11652285
    Abstract: A cover for at least one antenna emitting and/or sensing electromagnetic radiation in at least one first frequency band includes at least one first surface facing the antenna and at least one second surface averted to the antenna, and at least one first carrier layer into which hat least one heating element is embedded, the heating element being connected to a terminal at least partly extending from the first surface and/or being at least partly located on the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Garry Gordon Leslie Fimeri, Dean Caruso
  • Patent number: 11575196
    Abstract: An antenna device includes a dielectric substrate, a ground plate arranged on a first surface of the dielectric substrate, an antenna part arranged on a second surface of the dielectric substrate, and a reflecting part. The reflecting part is arranged around the antenna part and has a plurality of conductor patches each functioning as a reflecting plate. The plurality of conductor patches form a plurality of blocks aligned along a predetermined block arrangement direction. The plurality of blocks are configured such that phases of reflected waves at an operating frequency are different for each of the blocks and phase differences of reflected waves between adjacent blocks are non-uniformly different for each of the adjacent blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Kazushi Kawaguchi, Kazumasa Sakurai, Toshiya Sakai, Asahi Kondo
  • Patent number: 11522297
    Abstract: A deployable antenna structure is provided that, in one embodiment, implements an offset feed, cylindrical parabolic antenna. The antenna structure employs a semi-rigid panel that can transition from a stowed state characterized by the retention of substantial strain energy to a deployed state characterized by less strain energy than in the stowed state but more than if the panel were in a strain-free state and a portion of the panel having a shape that closely conforms to a cylindrical parabolic shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: M.M.A. Design, LLC
    Inventor: Lyn Eric Ruhl
  • Patent number: 11473855
    Abstract: Passive radiative cooling structures and apparatus manufactured with such cooling structures conserve energy needs. A flexible film transparent to visible light incorporates particles at a volume percentage larger than 25% so as to absorb and emit infrared radiation at wavelengths where Earth's atmosphere is transparent. Another film transparent to visible light is thin and flexible and configured to absorb and emit infrared radiation at wavelengths where Earth's atmosphere is transparent, wherein etchings or depositions are present on one or both surfaces. A high efficiency cooling structure has an emissive layer sandwiched between a waveguide layer and a thermal conductive layer. A solar cell panel is covered by a transparent passive radiative cooling film. A container housing an active cooling unit incorporates passive radiative cooling structures on one or more exterior surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Romy M. Fain
  • Patent number: 11469514
    Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing a composite article with tuned impedance and refractive-index in three dimensions. The method includes providing a ferrite feedstock. The ferrite feedstock is loaded with ferrite particles. The method further includes depositing and curing the ferrite feedstock. Therein a composite article is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: VADIENT OPTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Peter G Hugger, Chad N Teters, Ernst Adrian Henle, Thomas Leonard Allen, John Paul Harmon, Samuel Peter Grimm, Edward Whitney Elliott, III, Peter Jon Polesnak
  • Patent number: 11458662
    Abstract: A method produces plastic/metal hybrid components, in particular for the automotive field. A plastic compound is injected into a tool mold, and the tool mold has a core onto which a metal is injected. The plastic compound is then injected into the tool mold such that the metal is back-molded with the plastic compound and is fixed to the plastic in order to produce a blank. The tool mold is used to produce at least one depression in the surface of the blank, the depression being at least partly filled with a metal as part of a first additional processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: LEONI Bordnetz-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Dehn, Andreas Kremling
  • Patent number: 11381001
    Abstract: Deployable reflectors and antennas and spacecraft using such reflectors are disclosed. An example disclosed reflector includes: a hub having a cross-section formed in a circular, elliptical or polygonal shape; a plurality of ribs, each rib having an inner side surface facing an outer peripheral side of the hub when folded, and an outer side surface that is a surface opposite to the inner side surface, the plurality of ribs being folded to be wound around an outer periphery of the hub such that the inner side surface of each rib and the outer side surface of its adjacent rib partially face each other or the outer side surface of each rib and the inner side surface of its adjacent rib partially face each other, each rib being deployed in a parabolic shape; and a sheet installed across each of the plurality of ribs and capable of reflecting radio waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Onishi, Tetsuo Yasaka, Kazuo Kuno, Yohei Koga
  • Patent number: 11228115
    Abstract: Apparatus for Manufacture and In-Space Assembly of Antennas comprising: a prefabricated primary reflector center section; a trusselator truss assembler; a phased feed array; wherein said prefabricated reflector center section, trusselator, and phased feed array are fixedly connected to one another; a self-positioning and orienting tool; a truss extending from said trusselator; a secondary reflector attached to said truss; robotic arms; a nibbler end effector mounted on one of said robotic arms; a grapple end effector mounted on one of said robotic arms; a mold for casting a piece of a primary reflector; a power cube; a solar array providing power to said power cube; refabricator plus; and an ESPA ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Tethers Unlimited Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hoyt
  • Patent number: 11201415
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a technology for designing a transmitarray antenna based on the mode and incidence angle of feed radio waves. The transmitarray antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of transmitting surface unit cells having different surface structures and different longitudinal lengths located in a plurality of regions, wherein the transmitting surface unit cells are arranged in a mixed manner in the regions based on the different longitudinal lengths and the phase of a transmission coefficient determined based on an input phase and an output phase based on the mode and incidence angle of radio waves transmitted from a feed antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: Hongik University Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation, UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY COOPERATION GROUP OF KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jeong Hae Lee, Bomson Lee, Chang Hyeon Lee
  • Patent number: 11063356
    Abstract: A deployable reflectarray has a plurality of strips arranged in quadrants forming the reflectarray. The copper ground plane and the copper dipoles are supported by facesheets made of epoxy reinforced by quartz fibers. The copper ground plane is separated from the copper dipoles by S-shaped springs made of epoxy reinforced by quartz fibers, which allow folding and deployment of the reflectarray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Manan Arya, Jonathan Sauder, Richard E. Hodges, Sergio Pellegrino
  • Patent number: 11009695
    Abstract: An occulter petal unfurling system including occulter petal unfurler disposed to rotate in relation to an occulter to unfurl a plurality of petals which in an unfurled condition can be used to block or suppress incoming light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: TENDEG LLC
    Inventors: Gregg E. Freebury, William H. Francis, Neal J Beidleman
  • Patent number: 10938116
    Abstract: Techniques related to a 5th generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system to support higher data rates after a 4th generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE) ae provided. A reflector is provided that is configured to change a direction of a beam incident in a first direction to a second direction different from the first direction, so that a receiving entity positioned in a shadow area caused by an object can receive the beam. Therefore, the reflector removes the shadow area at which the beam does not arrive in a 5G wireless communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jungyub Lee, Junsig Kum, Yoongeon Kim, Byungchul Kim, Youngju Lee
  • Patent number: 10783760
    Abstract: A surveillance apparatus, a corresponding method, surveillance radar apparatus, computer program, and non-transitory computer-readable recordable recording medium, the surveillance apparatus including an optical camera that captures images based on received light, the optical camera having a first field of view, a radar sensor that emits and receives electromagnetic radiation, the radar sensor having a second field of view, and wherein the first field of view is variable with respect to the second field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcel Blech, Ralf Böhnke, Furkan Dayi
  • Patent number: 10644401
    Abstract: Low-band radiators of an ultra-wideband dual-band dual-polarization cellular basestation antenna and ultra-wideband dual-band dual-polarization cellular base-station antennas are provided. The dual bands comprise low and high bands. The low-band radiator comprises a dipole comprising two dipole arms adapted for the low band and for connection to an antenna feed. At least one dipole arm of the dipole comprises at least two dipole segments and at least one radiofrequency choke. The choke is disposed between the dipole segments. Each choke provides an open circuit or a high impedance separating adjacent dipole segments to minimize induced high band currents in the low-band radiator and consequent disturbance to the high band pattern. The choke is resonant at or near the frequencies of the high band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Chunhui Shang, Bevan Beresford Jones, Ozgur Isik
  • Patent number: 10616456
    Abstract: A system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus which includes a pole, top mount, at least one cage bar, a base mount and assembly. The system pairs with a 3D camera, keeping the camera safely in place while allowing the camera to move and rotate as designed. The system allows for a user to control the camera via the system from above by lowering the camera and system into a manhole or septic tank, allowing a camera to take pictures from the lowest desired point all the way up to the top of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventor: John Hubbard
  • Patent number: 10254114
    Abstract: A terrain sensor node system and method are provided herein. The terrain sensor node can be employed without hands on placement. Solar power is facilitated and contributes to service life and reliability. A robust housing is capable of aerial drop installation. A domed top and a rounded weighted bottom combine to form a housed sensor that is capable of righting itself after landing. A transparency in the upper housing enables the harnessing of solar power in a righted sensor. An antenna withstands aerial sensor deployment and rotates to a workable orientation without user intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Williams RDM, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D Walters
  • Patent number: 10157524
    Abstract: A surveillance apparatus, a corresponding method, surveillance radar apparatus, computer program, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, the surveillance apparatus including an optical camera that captures images based on received light, the optical camera having a first field of view, a radar sensor that emits and receives electromagnetic radiation, the radar sensor having a second field of view, and wherein the first field of view is variable with respect to the second field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcel Blech, Ralf Boehnke, Furkan Dayi
  • Patent number: 10135151
    Abstract: A segmented structure includes at least two panels, a first panel, called the main panel, a second panel, called the secondary panel. The structure further includes at least one deployment device configured to move secondary panel into a storage position or a deployed position. The deployment device has a translation system having an assembly with articulated arms, wherein the translation system is able to generate a movement of the secondary panel in translation in relation to the main panel. The translation system is connected to the secondary panel by an outer end. A rotation system is able to generate a rotation of the translation system and of the secondary panel connected to the translation system, in relation to the main panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: ArianeGroup SAS
    Inventor: Francis Grangerat
  • Patent number: 10101492
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns an electromagnetic logging tool for recording the electromagnetic properties of a subterranean rock formation. One version of the disclosure includes an electromagnetic transmitter that transmits an electromagnetic signal into a downhole formation, an electromagnetic receiver that receives the electromagnetic signal formation; and a cavity antenna in which the interior of the cavity contains a metamaterial made up of a plurality of unit cells that include split ring resonators or other devices such as electric-LC resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Fouda, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 9912079
    Abstract: A distributed broadband, omni-dual-band monopole antenna system for use in a Wi-Fi access point. The distributed omni-dual-band antenna system may include an antenna array that includes 4, 6, or 8 monopole antennas arranged in a circular array fashion along the perimeter of the access point. Each monopole antenna may be associated with a single Wi-Fi radio of the access point, and each of the antennas for the different radios are interleaved in order to provide omni-coverage with minimal distortion; that is, each antenna of the access point is alternated with antennas for different radios. A broadband printed omni-dual-band monopole antenna comprising three horizontal radiating elements arranged in an S-shape and a single vertical radiating element connected to the bottom-most horizontal radiating element is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Xirrus, Inc.
    Inventor: Abraham Hartenstein
  • Patent number: 9759844
    Abstract: A film mirror having a metal reflective layer formed on a resin substrate may include, closer to a light incident side than the metal reflective layer, an interface reflective layer having at least one set of a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer that are adjacent to each other. At least one of the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer may include a water soluble polymer and metal oxide particles. A method for manufacturing the film mirror may include forming the interface reflective layer by simultaneous multilayer coating of materials of the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Adachi
  • Patent number: 9673522
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a reconfigurable faceted reflector for producing a plurality of antenna patterns. The reconfigurable reflector includes a backing structure, a plurality of adjusting mechanisms mounted to the backing structure, and a plurality of reflector facets. Each of the plurality of reflector facets is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms for adjusting the position of the reflector facet with which it is coupled. The reflector facets are arranged to produce a first antenna pattern of the plurality of antenna patterns. By adjusting the plurality of adjusting mechanisms, the position of each of the reflector facets coupled to the respective one of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms is adjusted so that the reflector facets are arranged to produce a second antenna pattern of the plurality of antenna patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Orbital Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Yi, Joseph Christopher Cardoso, Martin Edwards
  • Patent number: 9627771
    Abstract: A method is provided which includes: defining at least one radiofrequency performance objective to be produced on a selected coverage area on the ground; producing a rigid shell having a predefined profile; producing a reflecting flexible membrane; determining, by successive iterations, N optimum local deformations to be applied at N different points of the flexible membrane; producing N rigid supporting bars of different lengths corresponding to the optimum local deformations to be applied to the flexible membrane; and positioning and rigidly fixing the flexible membrane onto the rigid shell via the N supporting bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Ludovic Schreider, Philippe Lepeltier, Isabelle Faro, Serge Depeyre, Jean-Philippe Taisant
  • Patent number: 9608333
    Abstract: A reflector system includes a hoop assembly, a collapsible mesh reflector surface and an extendible mast assembly. The hoop assembly includes a plurality of link members extending between a plurality of hinge members and the hoop assembly is moveable between a collapsed configuration wherein the link members extend substantially parallel to one another and an expanded configuration wherein the link members define a circumferential hoop. The reflector surface is secured to the hoop assembly and collapses and extends therewith. The hoop is secured by cords relative to top and bottom portions of a mast that maintains the hoop substantially in a plane. The mast is stored on a spool and extends to release the hoop, pull the mesh reflector surface into a shape that is intended to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern, and tension the cords that locate the hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Gustavo A. Toledo, Dana Monnier, Jessica Beahn, Michael R. Winters, Ryan Whitney, Robert M. Taylor, Jonathan Boyles
  • Patent number: 9577344
    Abstract: Apparatus for improving the performance and allowing increased directionality of reflecting-type antenna systems by varying the geometry of the reflecting surface. A reflecting surface is composed of an array of actuated pins which are capable of extending or retracting to alter the overall pattern. An actuator controlling unit has the address of each actuator and is able to extend or retract the pins to the desired degree. The specific pattern which the actuator control unit realizes is determined by the iterative position calculator which utilizes directional inputs from the user and/or inputs from a system which determines the effectiveness of previous pin movements. The apparatus attempts to maximize the received signal by assessing amplitude changes over time and utilizing that information to direct alteration in the reflecting surface for optimal performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of Americ as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Daniel W. Stambovsky
  • Patent number: 9525943
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure or housing panel that is used as part of an acoustic system. The panel is divided into several sub-panels. For each sub-panel, the device includes one or more actuators attached to vibrate the sub-panel. The actuator and its attached sub-panel convert an audio signal to acoustic output. Each actuator and sub-panel combination may receive a separate audio signal. The device includes a digital signal processor for controlling each of the sub-panel driving audio signals. The device may further include one or more backing frames that are attached to the panel to provide boundary conditions to the sub-panels. The boundary conditions define a resonance frequency for each sub-panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Donarski, Daniel K. Boothe, Justin D. Crosby, Mitchell R. Lerner
  • Patent number: 9484636
    Abstract: A reflector assembly includes a frame centered about a longitudinal axis, a first curved body extending from the frame, and a second curved body extending from the frame and connected to the first curved body for supporting the first curved body. A reflective mesh has an electromagnetically reflective surface and a support structure secures the reflective mesh to the first curved body and spaces the reflective mesh away from the first body towards the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systesms Corportion
    Inventor: Mehran Mobrem
  • Patent number: 9472856
    Abstract: A compact antenna that includes a power feeding waveguide, a sub reflection mirror, and a main reflection mirror. Radio waves comprised of a vertical polarized wave and a horizontal polarized wave are transmitted to the power feeding waveguide. The sub reflection mirror is disposed to face an opening of the power feeding waveguide and reflects the radio wave radiated from the opening. The main reflection mirror is disposed to face the sub reflection mirror and outwardly radiates the radio wave reflected by the sub reflection mirror. A front surface of the main reflection mirror has a shape formed by rotating a line reaching one side and the other side of a predetermined parabola curve at least once, around a rotational axis. A front surface of the sub reflection mirror has a shape formed by rotating either one of a stepped line and a wavy line around the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohji Yano
  • Publication number: 20150070246
    Abstract: A reflectarray reflects an incident wave in a desired direction, and the reflectarray includes a plurality of elements arranged in a first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The elements reflect the incident wave. A phase of a reflected wave by one element among the plurality of elements differs from a phase of the reflected wave by an element adjacent to the one element in the first direction by a predetermined value, and the phase of the reflected wave by the one element is equal to a phase of the reflected wave by an element adjacent to the one element in the second direction. Gap sizes between patches of a predetermined plural number of elements arranged in the first direction vary from a smallest value to a largest value. Here, an oblique TM incidence is utilized at a spurious resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventors: Tamami Maruyama, Yasuhiro Oda, Jiyun Shen, Ngoc Hao Tran
  • Publication number: 20150061966
    Abstract: A reflectarray reflects an incident wave in a desired direction. The reflectarray includes a substrate including a surface which is perpendicular to a predetermined axis; and at least first and second element groups, wherein the first and second element groups are disposed on the substrate, and include elements that reflect a radio wave. The first element group and the second element group reflect the radio wave with corresponding reflection phases which are different from each other. The radio wave enters while forming an angle other than 0 degrees with respect to the predetermined axis. The elements included in the first element group reflect the radio wave with a first reflection phase, and the elements included in the second element group reflect the radio wave with a second reflection phase, wherein the second reflection phase is different from the first reflection phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventors: Tamami Maruyama, Yasuhiro Oda, Hidetoshi Kayama, Ngoc Hao Tran, Jiyun Shen
  • Patent number: 8952866
    Abstract: A dove tail device for adjusting tilting angle of an antenna by rotating an arm member using a motion member which moves linearly is disclosed. The dove tail device in an antenna includes a guide and a motion member configured to move on the guide. Here, the motion member is combined with a rotation arm of a phase shifter, the rotation arm rotates according as the motion member moves on the guide, and an arm member of the phase shifter rotates in response to rotation of the rotation arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ace Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gun-Seok Oh, Byung-Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20150029070
    Abstract: A device includes a dielectric, wherein a front and a back of the dielectric for reflecting and transmitting an electromagnetic wave are defined by a first surface and a second surface, the first or second surface forming a half mirror, the first surface has a height that changes in spiral as leaving from the second surface, and the second surface has a height that changes in spiral as leaving from the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Takenori OHSHIMA, Yoji OHASHI, Yukio TAKEDA, Kazumi KASAI
  • Publication number: 20150022414
    Abstract: A method of designing a reflectarray including a substrate having a surface perpendicular to a predetermined axis, wherein elements are disposed on the substrate. The method obtains a reflection phase of the elements as a function of a design parameter such as element spacing, when a radio wave enters the arranged elements, and stores a relationship between the reflection phase and the design parameter in a memory. Here, the design parameter is equally set for the elements. The method repeatedly determines, for each of the elements, the design parameter of a specific element in accordance with the relationship. The function of the design parameter has a range of almost 360 degrees with respect to a range of the design parameter. The reflection phase is the continuous function of the element spacing such that two resonant points occur at which the reflection phase becomes zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventors: Tamami Maruyama, Yasuhiro Oda, Hidetoshi Kayama, Ngoc Hao Tran, Jiyun Shen
  • Publication number: 20150015455
    Abstract: A reflectarray reflects an incident wave in a desired direction. The reflectarray includes a substrate including a surface which is perpendicular to a predetermined axis, and elements disposed on the substrate. A specific element among the elements reflects the incident wave with a specific reflection phase among a plurality of reflection phases. Each of the elements has an element structure including, at least, a patch and a ground plate. Element spacing of first neighboring elements is different from element spacing of second neighboring elements, and a length of a gap between patches of the first neighboring elements is equal to a length of a gap between patches of the second neighboring elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventors: Tamami Maruyama, Yasuhiro Oda, Hidetoshi Kayama, Jiyun Shen, Ngoc Hao Tran
  • Publication number: 20150002368
    Abstract: An modular reflector assembly may include a shell and a support frame. The modular reflector assembly may also include a plurality of support links that mechanically couple the shell to the support frame. The shell may be thermally decoupled from the support frame by the plurality of support links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jerry Douglas Macfarlane, Joel Mendoza, Ray Amoranto, Brian E. Park, Nicholas James Smith, Mark E. Ankrom, Jeffrey Wallace, David B. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140375528
    Abstract: A first spatial crossbar may transmit data to a second spatial crossbar via a first millimeter wave beam between the first spatial crossbar and the second spatial crossbar. The first spatial crossbar may also transmit data to a third spatial crossbar via a second millimeter wave beam between the first spatial crossbar and the second spatial crossbar. The first millimeter wave beam may emanate from the first spatial crossbar at a first angle and be redirected toward the second spatial crossbar by a reflective surface. The second millimeter wave beam may emanate from the first spatial crossbar at a second angle and be redirected toward the third spatial crossbar by a reflective surface. The transmission to the second spatial crossbar may be concurrent with the transmission to the third spatial crossbar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Curtis Ling
  • Publication number: 20140354501
    Abstract: A method is provided which includes: defining at least one radiofrequency performance objective to be produced on a selected coverage area on the ground; producing a rigid shell having a predefined profile; producing a reflecting flexible membrane; determining, by successive iterations, N optimum local deformations to be applied at N different points of the flexible membrane; producing N rigid supporting bars of different lengths corresponding to the optimum local deformations to be applied to the flexible membrane; and positioning and rigidly fixing the flexible membrane onto the rigid shell via the N supporting bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Ludovic SCHREIDER, Philippe LEPELTIER, Isabelle FARO, Serge DEPEYRE, Jean-Philippe TAISANT
  • Publication number: 20140354513
    Abstract: Substrates and methods to fabricate and use millimeter wave Sievenpiper EBG structures such that the conductive portions are internal to an LTCC package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: DEEPUKUMAR M. NAIR, Michael Arnett Smith, James M Parisi, Elizabeth D. Hughes, William E. Mckinzie, III
  • Publication number: 20140347238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflector for an antenna comprising a first reflector assembly and at least one second reflector assembly, the first reflector assembly having a first reflector structure adapted for a first antenna frequency band ƒ1 and at least one second antenna frequency band ƒ2; the at least one second reflector assembly having a second reflector structure adapted for the first antenna frequency band ƒ1 and at least one third antenna frequency band ƒ3; and wherein the first reflector assembly and the at least one second reflector assembly are electrically coupled so that the first reflector assembly and the at least one second reflector assembly together form a common reflector structure adapted for the first ƒ1, at least one second and at least one third ƒ3 antenna frequency bands. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a multi band antenna comprising at least one such reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: POWERWAVE TECHNOLOGIES S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: MICHAEL BEAUSANG
  • Patent number: 8878745
    Abstract: A mobile-beam antenna mounting comprises a supporting base, at least one reflector and a transmission and/or reception feed. The feed is mounted in the mounting so as to be immobile relative to the supporting base and the mounting also comprises a mobile support bearing the reflector, the mobile support being mounted on the supporting base with link means suitable for displacing it about at least one fixed displacement axis passing through the phase center of the feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Gilles Navarre, Philippe Lepeltier, Pierre Bosshard