Collapsible, Foldable Or Adjustable Patents (Class 343/915)
  • Patent number: 12235376
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for wireless communication. In an aspect, a position estimation entity determines a set of position estimates associated with a set of user equipments (UEs), obtains first measurement information associated with a set of signals as reflected off of a target intelligent reflecting surface (IRS), determines a position estimate of the target IRS based on the set of position estimates and the first measurement information, and determines an orientation, relative to a common orientation reference frame, of the target IRS based on the set of position estimates and at least the first measurement information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mehmet Izzet Gurelli, Qiang Wu, Junyi Li, Tao Luo, Wooseok Nam, Yucheng Dai, Navid Abedini, Ozge Koymen
  • Patent number: 12228843
    Abstract: A portable photography studio system and method of configuration that includes a portable light diffuser assembly and light diffuser wall that is selectively extendable and retractable to a desired height, a portable background assembly and a background wall (or backdrop) that is selectively extendable and retractable to a desired height, and two portable light diffuser assemblies with a wall that is selectively extendable and retractable to a desired height and has two opposing sides, one with a reflective surface and one with a non-reflective surface. The light diffuser wall is configured to be in front of a light source, like an LED spotlight, wherein the subject being photographed is interposed between the light diffuser wall, the background wall, and the walls of each of the two portable light diffuser assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Inventor: Tomas Munoz
  • Patent number: 12227313
    Abstract: A satellite includes a first radiator panel with first heat-generating components attached to its surface and a second radiator panel with second heat-generating components attached to its surface. One or more actuators are configured to deploy the first and second radiator panels from a compact configuration in which the first and second radiator panels are overlapping to a deployed configuration in which the first and second radiator panels are non-overlapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Maxar Space LLC
    Inventors: Michael Freestone, Joel Boccio
  • Patent number: 12217508
    Abstract: The present invention provides a processing system (20) including an image capturing unit (21) that captures an image of a person passing through a first area and generates a person image indicating an appearance of the person, an electromagnetic wave transmission/reception unit (22) that emits an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of 30 micrometers or more and 1 meter or less toward the person passing through the first area, and receives a reflected wave, a determination unit (23) that determines whether the person possesses a pre-designated object, based on a signal of the received reflected wave, and a registration unit (24) that registers, in a first list, the person image of the person determined to possess the pre-designated object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Ariyoshi, Kazumine Ogura, Tatsuya Sumiya, Toshiyuki Nomura, Shingo Yamanouchi
  • Patent number: 12212076
    Abstract: A phased array antenna comprises an array of reflective cells, each cell being defined by a wall positioned within the array the wall arranged to define a waveguide, and having a moveable reflector positioned within the wall. Each reflector is arranged such that it is not in electrical contact with its respective wall and such that, in use it can be moved to tune the antenna. A feed and subreflector are positioned within the array and arranged to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals to and/or from the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: TTP PLC
    Inventors: Vlad Lenive, Michael Lukin, Adrian Hillier
  • Patent number: 12206473
    Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a sensing unit that detects an obstacle currently present between a transmitting station and a receiving station. There is an environment memory that stores information on a detection result of the sensing unit, an environment prediction unit that predicts a variation in a radio wave propagation environment between the transmitting station and the receiving station from the information stored in the environment memory. There is further a simulation calculation unit that simulates an environment in which a communication path between the receiving station and a reflector and a communication path between the transmitting station and the reflector are a line-of-sight environment on the basis of a prediction result of the environment prediction unit and calculates a control parameter of the reflector that achieves the environment. Further, a reflector control unit controls the reflector in accordance with the control parameter calculated by the simulation calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Riku Omiya, Tomoaki Ogawa, Tomoki Murakami, Yasushi Takatori
  • Patent number: 12173934
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for directing radiant energy to permanently shadowed or occasionally shadowed regions such as on the floors of craters or in valleys in lunar polar regions to provide illumination, thermal power, electricity, communications, and other services. Embodiments of the systems include reflector elements to provide diffuse illumination, focused illumination, and thermal power, structures to support the reflectors and other elements, communications devices for varied signal types, and methods for installing the system. The structure can be compactly folded and delivered to be automatically installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Trans Astronautica Corporation
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Craig Peterson, Anthony Longman
  • Patent number: 12164050
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for positioning. The method may comprise receiving a first radio signal of a terminal device located in the area from a line of sight (LOS) path between the antenna array and the terminal device; receiving a second radio signal of the terminal device located in the area from at least one path reflected by the reflector; determining respective angles of arrival of the LOS path and the at least one path reflected by the reflector; and determining a location of the terminal device by using triangulation based on the respective angles of arrival.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolagget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Yi Geng, Cuichun Xia, Jianxiang Zhao, Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 12142833
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a deployable reflector system. The methods comprising: causing a proximal end of a first link element (LE) located at a first end of a scissoring rib assembly (SRA) to slidingly engage a hub; allowing a proximal end of a second LE of SRA to pivot relative to the hub so as to cause scissor motion of SRA while the first LE is slidingly engaging the hub; causing a distal end of a third LE located at a second end of SRA to pivot relative to the edge member during the scissor motion of SA; allowing the edge member to slidingly engage a fourth LE located at the second end of SRA during pivotal motion of the third LE; and using the edge member to cause vertical movement of a peripheral edge of a reflector relative to the hub while the edge member slidingly engages the fourth LE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: EAGLE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Richard I. Harless
  • Patent number: 12110082
    Abstract: An expandable flat-pack membrane-based float for use with a floating solar PV array, including: a float formed from a flexible membrane; and an expansion structure that is deployed to support the float in the inflated position without the need for compressed air. The expansion structure may be an expandable structure that is positioned within the float, or around an exterior surface of the float and increases in size when deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: NORIA ENERGY
    Inventors: Alex Mayer, James Raiford, Brian Atchley, Jason King, Ralf Schulze, Leslie Arciniega, Becca Suchower
  • Patent number: 12113276
    Abstract: A transparent broadband antenna has two conductive leaves that are configured to be axially symmetric about two orthogonal axes. The transparent broadband antenna is designed as having two back-to-back Vivaldi radiators and four identically curved outer corners. The back-to-back Vivaldi radiators provide high performance from 617 MHz through 7 GHz while preventing return waves that may cause impedance mismatch. The antenna further comprises a feed structure that enables direct coupling from an RF cable to the two conductive leads, obviating the need for a matching circuit and subsequent bandwidth limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Lance Bamford, Jeremy Benn
  • Patent number: 12099219
    Abstract: A doubly curved reflector for compact storage in a folded state includes a plurality of gores, each gore having on either long side a gore side curve. At least one hinge is mechanically coupled between each adjacent gore, the at least one hinge including a fold roll hinge or a living hinge. In a stowed doubly curved reflector state each gore folds about the at least one hinge when folded closed such that a face surface of each gore folds against an adjacent face surface of another gore into a substantially cylindrical structure. In a deployed doubly curved reflector state, each hinge. A doubly curved reflector for compact storage in a folded state and a locked open state, a method of manufacture, and a method for designing a substantially wrinkle free doubly curved foldable reflector having gores of a composite material are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Opterus Research and Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Murphey, Patrick A. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 12088008
    Abstract: An electromagnetic reflector composed of a non-knitted, non-metallic carbon-based material mesh, antenna system incorporating the reflector and method for fabrication are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignees: Rochester Institute of Technology, Eagle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Puchades, Brian Landi, Ian D. Peterson, Rodney S. Sorrell, Stephen R. Landers, Andrew Bucossi
  • Patent number: 12057634
    Abstract: An electronic device according to certain embodiments, comprises a bracket defining a portion of a surface of the electronic device, the bracket including metal and having a recess formed therein, wherein the recess is formed by an inner wall including a resting region and an inclined region facing a different direction from the inner wall; and an antenna substrate including a conductive pattern, a first surface including a radiation area configured to radiate an RF signal from the conductive pattern, and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the antenna substrate is disposed in an interior of the recess such that the first surface faces an opened portion of the recess, the second surface faces the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seunggil Jeon
  • Patent number: 12031572
    Abstract: A deformable boom device includes a pair of shells, each shell of a substantially same arc length. A pair of hinges is mechanically coupled to the pair of shells to join the pair of shells into an open cross section as deployed in an extended state, and into about a flat structure in a flattened state. At least one of the pair of shells can include an about semi-circular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Opterus Research and Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Murphey
  • Patent number: 12027767
    Abstract: An antenna may include rigid antenna ribs, a flexible antenna reflector layer, and a flexible support member extending behind the flexible antenna reflector layer between adjacent antenna ribs and having first and second sets of openings therein. A drawstring may extend through the first set of openings between adjacent ribs and a rear support cord is behind the flexible support member between adjacent ribs. Tie cords may extend between the flexible antenna reflector layer and the rear support cord and pass through respective ones of the second set of openings. A biasing member may maintain tension in the drawstring as adjacent antenna ribs move between first and second positions so that the flexible support member defines a pleated support body for the flexible antenna reflector layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: EAGLE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Wilson, Crystal Wolfe, James Cornett, John Evans
  • Patent number: 11973272
    Abstract: A spacecraft includes: a main-reflection unit configured to reflect and emit a radio wave outside, a sub-reflection unit configured to face the main-reflection unit, a radiator arranged to face the sub-reflection unit and configured to radiate the radio wave in a direction of the sub-reflection unit, a main body configured to be able to accommodate at least one part of the sub-reflection unit therein, and a delivery device connected to the sub-reflection unit and configured to deliver the sub-reflection unit, at least one part of which is accommodated in the main body, to a position where the sub-reflection unit is able to reflect the radio wave radiated from the radiator to the main-reflection unit and cause the main-reflection unit to radiate the radio wave outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Onishi, Tetsuo Yasaka, Kazuo Kuno, Masahiko Uetsuhara, Yohei Koga, Shinji Ito, Yonosuke Ichiki, Kazuo Kiso, Mutsuhito Tobo
  • Patent number: 11967763
    Abstract: Spacecraft and antenna apparatus that can be more easily deployed from a stored state can include: a main-reflection unit including a plurality of ribs formed to be deployable in a stored state in which the ribs are folded and a sheet body provided between a plurality of the ribs and configured to be capable of reflecting a radio wave radiated from a radiator and emitting the radio wave outside, and a restriction member configured to restrict deployment of the plurality of ribs in the stored state, and release the restriction by operation of a restriction release member different from the main-reflection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Onishi, Tetsuo Yasaka, Kazuo Kuno, Masahiko Uetsuhara, Yohei Koga, Shinji Ito, Yonosuke Ichiki, Kazuo Kiso, Mutsuhito Tobo
  • Patent number: 11956066
    Abstract: A high throughput fractionated satellite (HTFS) system and method where the functional capabilities of a conventional monolithic spacecraft are distributed across many small or very small satellites and a central command and relay satellite, the satellites are separated and flight in carefully design formations that allows the creation of very large aperture or apertures in space drastically reducing cost and weight and enabling high throughput capabilities by spatially reuse spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: AST & Science, LLC
    Inventors: Abel Avellan, Sriram Jayasimha
  • Patent number: 11955715
    Abstract: A satellite system can include one or more satellites that orbit the Earth. The one or more satellites may have satellite buses that support antenna arrays. The antenna arrays may include space fed arrays. Each space fed array may have an antenna feed array and an inner array that is coupled to a direct radiating array. The direct radiating array may operate in the same satellite band as the space fed array, or upconversion and downconversion circuitry may be used to communicatively couple a direct radiating array that operates in a different satellite band to the space fed array. The satellites may have peripheral walls with corner fittings that can be selected to provide the satellite bus with particular leg strengths. This can reduce overall mass of the satellites in a payload fairing while accommodating different types of antenna arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventors: Chris Cosner, Ying Feria, Raenaurd Turpin, Andre Houle, Richard Aston, Brett Cope, Ricardo Leon
  • Patent number: 11955714
    Abstract: An antenna diameter adjustment method for adjusting an antenna diameter by changing a distance between a part of each of a plurality of reflectors at which the radio signal is reflected, the plurality of reflectors each being configured to reflect radio signals emitted from a plurality of radiators from a center of a circle along a radial direction thereof and to radiate the radio signal toward an opposite antenna apparatus, and the center of the circle along the radial direction of the circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11929549
    Abstract: Provided is a deployable reflector that includes a reflector, a tensioning frame with a deploying ring including upper booms and lower booms, sections composed of lower rods and upper rods and including pantograph levers, stanchions mounted between the upper booms and the lower booms, scissors-like levers located at an intersection of the pantograph levers, first sleeves put on the pantograph levers, second sleeves disposed on the lower rods and the upper rods, cylindrical joints disposed on the second sleeves, an expansion ring for connecting the upper rods and the lower rods, a reflector fixing mesh having triangular cells composed of elastic rods, an upper concave mesh and a lower convex mesh fastened with peripheral units and composed of triangular shape cells, where the reflector is attached to the upper concave mesh directly or is fastened to the upper concave mesh with a spatial shape gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PIPL LIMITED
    Inventors: Maxym Polyakov, Elguja Medzmariashvili
  • Patent number: 11929559
    Abstract: A system includes one or more antennas; and a processor to control a directionality of the antennas in communication with a predetermined target using 5G protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Bao Tran
  • Patent number: 11901605
    Abstract: The invention is directed to deployable reflectarray antenna structure. In one embodiment, the deployable reflectarray antenna structure includes a pair of flexible electrical elements, a feed antenna, and a deployment mechanism that employs a plurality of tapes to respectively transition the pair of flexible electrical elements from an undeployed state in which the elements are folded towards a deployed state in which the deployment mechanism and electrical elements cooperate to form a reflectarray and a subreflector of a reflectarray antenna structure. Further, the deployment mechanism also operates to position the reflectarray and subreflector relative to one another and to the feed antenna so as to realize a reflectarray antenna structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: M.M.A. Design, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Harvey, Toby J. Harvey, Leslie A. Seal
  • Patent number: 11901629
    Abstract: Deployable reflector system includes a support structure and a reflector surface secured to the support structure. The support structure transition from a compact stowed configuration to a larger deployed configuration to deploy the reflector surface. The reflector surface is comprised of a carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet. The sheet is intricately folded in accordance with a predetermined folding pattern to define a compact folded state. This predetermined folding pattern is configured to permit automatic extension of the CNT sheet from a compact folded state to a fully unfolded state. The unfolding operation occurs when a tension force is applied to at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the CNT sheet. In some scenarios, the support structure can comprise a circumferential hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Eagle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Peterson, Andrew Bucossi
  • Patent number: 11892661
    Abstract: A doubly curved reflector for compact storage in a folded state includes a plurality of gores, each gore having on either long side a gore side curve. At least one hinge is mechanically coupled between each adjacent gore, the at least one hinge including a fold roll hinge or a living hinge. In a stowed doubly curved reflector state each gore folds about the at least one hinge when folded closed such that a face surface of each gore folds against an adjacent face surface of another gore into a substantially cylindrical structure. In a deployed doubly curved reflector state, each hinge. A doubly curved reflector for compact storage in a folded state and a locked open state, a method of manufacture, and a method for designing a substantially wrinkle free doubly curved foldable reflector having gores of a composite material are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Opterus Research and Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Murphey, Patrick Alexander Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11878816
    Abstract: A reusable modular spacecraft has a spacecraft bus structure configured to support spacecraft subsystems, at least one interchangeable housing component configured to be interchangeably received and supported by the bus structure, and a wireless system configured to permit wireless communication between the at least one interchangeable housing component and spacecraft subsystems supported by the bus structure. In embodiments of the spacecraft, the wireless system includes a wireless hub and a wireless coordinator for wireless transmission of data between the at least one interchangeable housing component and the spacecraft subsystems. An electrical/power transfer interface unit is provided to the at least one interchangeable housing component for transferring electricity, power, data and/or providing thermal management and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventors: Scott Weintraub, Nolan Coulter
  • Patent number: 11870154
    Abstract: A circuit has at least one amplifier and a signal routing device such as one or more switches, and an array of antenna elements from which some subset must be enabled and processed at a time. The antenna elements can be grouped in accordance with an organization scheme (e.g., rows, columns) to enable more flexibility in selecting and routing the signals. The system is used to create one or more beams, which can be pointed (steered) to a wide range of directions by means of selecting one or more feed antennas in a switched-feed antenna without including full receive and transmit circuitry (DSP, frequency conversion) for each feed in the array. In this case, minimizing the number of DSP chains is desirable to reduce the cost, power, and complexity of the antenna. The resulting beam(s) can be combined and manipulated to support multiple users, track several targets, increase operational range, increase radar resolution, or data-rate in communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: All.Space Networks Limited
    Inventors: Sebastian Diebold, Vikas Sharma, Brian Murphy Billman, Jeremiah P. Turpin
  • Patent number: 11862840
    Abstract: Perimeter truss reflector includes a perimeter truss assembly (PTA) comprised of a plurality of battens, each having an length which traverses a PTA thickness as defined along a direction aligned with a reflector central axis. A collapsible mesh reflector surface is secured to the PTA such that when the PTA is in a collapsed configuration, the reflector surface is collapsed for compact stowage and when the PTA is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a predetermined pattern. Each of the one or more longerons extend around at least a portion of a periphery of the PTA. These longerons each comprise a storable extendible member (SEM) which can be flattened and rolled around a spool, but exhibits beam-like structural characteristics when unspooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: EAGLE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Taylor, Philip J. Henderson
  • Patent number: 11837781
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an antenna using a radome (10) comprising a front portion (30) and a rear portion (20), the front and rear portions (20, (30) configured to define an interior cavity in which an antenna arrangement is received, the method comprising placing an antenna panel on an inside of one of the front and rear portions, and bringing the portions together, whereby the front portion (30) includes a peripheral channel region (31) configured to contain an adhesive sealant (60) and receive a peripheral edge (21) of the rear portion (20) that is partially submerged in the adhesive sealant (60) before it cures. Additional mechanical fastening clip engagement members (23; 33) are provided inside both the front and rear portions (20; 30) that engage with one another and mechanically secure the radome front and rear portions (20; 30) to each other, in addition to the adhesive joint provided by the adhesive sealant (60) once cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: NetComm Wireless Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Paul Mathieu
  • Patent number: 11791561
    Abstract: A computer assisted method for manufacturing a foldable paraboloid antenna includes election of a two-dimensional radial Origami pattern with triangular cells and election of a paraboloid surface. The Origami pattern is projected from the paraboloid surface focus onto the paraboloid surface to print the Origami pattern on the paraboloid surface, obtaining triangles with curved sides. A pattern with triangles with straight sides on the paraboloid surface is obtained by joining vertices of the projected curved-sided triangles. The method includes scaling and calculating centroids of the triangles, to reduce each triangle referenced on the corresponding centroid and to determine spacing, obtaining a mesh with segments and triangular cells delimited by the segments. The triangular cells have triangles of reflective rigid material. The mesh is flexible, so each segment width is at least the sum of the thicknesses of two adjacent rigid triangles, and periphery cells have a rounded outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE S.A.
    Inventors: Alfonso Parra Rubio, Álvaro Jara Rodelgo, Carlos Enrique Montesano Benito
  • Patent number: 11784415
    Abstract: A deployable assembly for antennae includes a structure having a reflective surface and n pairs of segments, each pair of segments corresponding to one side of a deployed polygonal shape. N hinge joints are between the two segments of a side. N hinged angular links are between every two adjacent sides. The structure is changeable from a stowed substantially cylindrical shape into a deployed substantially planar polygonal shape with n sides. A deployable boom is between two segments. The boom lays stowed between the two segments before deployment and ends in a feeder electromagnetically feeding the antenna and includes a clamping element for keeping the structure closed when stowed. The feeder acts as structural support element when stowed and electromagnetic feeder for the antenna when deployed. A cable network shapes the reflective surface, with corresponding cables held by tensor elements protruding from the back of the segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE S.A.
    Inventors: José Luis Mora Plaza, Fernando José Cespedosa Castán
  • Patent number: 11757197
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrical addressing for an antenna (e.g., a metamaterial radio-frequency (RF) antenna are described. In one embodiment antenna comprising: a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) radiating antenna elements located in a plurality of rings; and matrix drive circuitry coupled to the plurality of RF radiating antenna elements to drive the antenna elements, wherein the matrix drive circuitry to uniquely address each of the antenna elements using a matrix of a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns with a non-grid-based addressing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Kymeta Corporation
    Inventors: Cagdas Varel, Steven Howard Linn
  • Patent number: 11721909
    Abstract: An antenna structure may include a solid antenna structure and a mesh antenna structure. The mesh antenna structure may be coupled to an outer edge of the solid antenna structure through two or more ribs. The two or more ribs may be configured to extend away from the solid antenna structure to expand the mesh antenna structure and increase a surface area of the antenna structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Jack Yi
  • Patent number: 11704929
    Abstract: An optical structure is provided. The optical structure includes an optical element and a plurality of protrusions. The optical element has a planarized top surface. The plurality of protrusions are disposed on the planarized top surface, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions independently has a size in the subwavelength dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: VISERA TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Chin-Chuan Hsieh, Yueh-Ching Cheng, Shih-Yu Ho
  • Patent number: 11688932
    Abstract: An antenna includes ribs that have been folded to fit within a frame, a conductive mesh coupled to the ribs, an arm that has been folded to fit within the frame, and a feed disposed at a distal end of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: HEDRON SPACE INC.
    Inventors: Hayden Burgoyne, Weston Alan Marlow, Joseph Atkinson
  • Patent number: 11677133
    Abstract: A deployable structure for use in establishing a reflectarray antenna is provided that includes a flexible reflectarray and a deployment structure that includes an endless pantograph for deploying the flexible reflectarray from a folded, undeployed state towards a deployed state in which the flexible reflectarray is substantially planar. In a particular embodiment, the deployment structure includes a plurality of tapes that engage the endless pantograph and are used to establish a positional relationship between the deployed reflectarray and another component of the reflectarray antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: M.M.A. Design, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Harvey, Toby J. Harvey, Mitchell T. Wiens, Mark A. Bailey, Shane E. Stamm, Christopher A. Pelzmann
  • Patent number: 11658424
    Abstract: A deployable reflector for an antenna is disclosed. The deployable reflector comprises a deployable membrane configured to adopt a pre-formed shape in a deployed configuration, and an electrically conductive mesh disposed on a surface of the membrane wherein the electrically conductive mesh is configured to permit relative lateral movement between the electrically conductive mesh and the membrane during deployment of the reflector. In the deployed configuration, the conductive mesh adopts the shape of the membrane and forms a reflective surface of the reflector. A method of manufacturing the deployable reflector is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Oxford Space Systems Limited
    Inventors: Richard Bracey, Juan Reveles
  • Patent number: 11646491
    Abstract: A system includes one or more antennas; and a processor to control a directionality of the antennas in communication with a predetermined target using 5G protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Bao Tran
  • Patent number: 11611392
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a satellite communication system includes a satellite constellation including a plurality of satellites in non-geosynchronous orbit (non-GEO), wherein at least some of the plurality of satellites travel in a first orbital path at a first inclination, and an end point terminal having an earth-based geographic location, the end point terminal having an antenna system defining a field of regard for communicating with the satellite constellation, wherein the field of regard is a limited field of regard, wherein the field of regard is tilted from a non-tilted position to a tilted position, and wherein the tilt angle of the tilted position is a function of the latitude of the geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Duncan E. Adams, David Milroy, Jonathan François Cornelis Herman, Jessica D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11568501
    Abstract: In particular, a method performed by one or more devices is disclosed, the method comprising: obtaining a first intensity information item (210) representative of a spectral image (208) resulting from an soiling (202, 302) of a textile (200, 304); obtaining a second intensity information item (212, 214) representative of a spectral image (216) characteristic of at least one property of at least one part of the textile (200, 304); determining at least one treatment parameter, wherein the determination of the treatment parameter takes place dependent both on the composition of the soiling (202, 302) from the first intensity information item (210) and on the at least one property of at least the part of the textile (200, 304) from the second Intensity information item (212, 214); and outputting or triggering an outputting of the at least one treatment parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Lars Zuechner, Peter Schmiedel, Christina Roeleke
  • Patent number: 11539128
    Abstract: A 2.2M offset antenna includes a reflector hub; a positioner for supporting the reflector hub; a plurality of reflector panels including a first plurality of side panels and a second plurality of side panels, the first plurality of side panels and the second plurality of side panels each being selectively securable to the reflector hub; each side panel of the first plurality of side panels being uniquely sized relative to the other side panels of the first plurality of side panels such that the first plurality of side panels may be nested together in a stacked configuration when separated from reflector hub; and each side panel of the second plurality of side panels being uniquely sized relative to the other side panels of the second plurality of side panels such that the second plurality of side panels may be nested together in a stacked configuration when separated from reflector hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Wilde, Alan Eugene Ellis
  • Patent number: 11505340
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing in space a rigid structure having a lattice is disclosed. The method includes creating of at least two framework elements from a coil of metal strip or wire, and creating of the lattice by cold-connecting the framework elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
    Inventors: Delphine Carponcin, Christophe Figus
  • Patent number: 11414217
    Abstract: A large reflector inflatable telescope. The telescope has an inflatable hull with a conical lower portion and a hemispherical upper portion. The conical portion is transparent to electromagnetic waves so that radio or light waves can reach an inner reflector, which is interposed between the conical portion and the hemispherical portion. The presence of the inner reflector allows the conical portion and the hemispherical portion to be inflated at different pressures such that the reflector becomes spherical or parabolic. If desired, the reflector can be made adjustable with a membrane behind the reflector that provides electro-static force to shape the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: William Dean Perry, Ira Steve Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11223139
    Abstract: An expandable antenna includes: a plurality of ribs arranged with a regulated angular pitch at an outer circumferential portion of a hub; and a metal mesh installed between the plurality of adjacent ribs, wherein each of the plurality of ribs is formed in a horizontally elongated thin flat plate shape with elasticity, and a segment to which the metal mesh is attached is formed in a parabolic shape. A flat plane of each of the plurality of ribs is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to a central axis of the hub. The object of the present invention is to provide the expandable antenna which can be easily expanded in outer space with a simple structure and can realize a desired shape after expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: INSTITUTE FOR Q-SHU PIONEERS OF SPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Onishi, Tetsuo Yasaka, Kazuo Kuno, Yohei Koga
  • Patent number: 11183768
    Abstract: A method for deploying a trough structure. The methods comprise: causing a first telescoping segment to move in a first direction away from a proximal end of a telescoping boom; and transiting a flexible element from an untensioned state to a tensioned state as the first telescoping segment is moved in the first direction. The flexible element is coupled to a distal end of the first telescoping segment by a first bulkhead and is coupled to a distal end of a second telescoping segment by a second bulkhead. The first telescoping segment is coupled to the second telescoping segment of the boom when the first telescoping segment reaches an extended position. The flexible element has a parabolic trough shape when in the tensioned state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: EAGLE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Taylor, David Lopez, Timothy L. Fetterman, Stephen Jenkins, Christopher Rose, Philip J. Henderson
  • Patent number: 11081775
    Abstract: A deployable structure includes a plurality of interconnected elongated support members, deployed from a stowed state to an expanded state in which the support members are arranged in a ring. Each support member is provided with a connector (28) for longitudinal movement during deployment with respect to the support member. An actuating support member (27) has a drive member (50) for longitudinal movement with respect to the actuating support member, and an electromagnetic device arranged to drive the drive member in one direction with respect to the actuating support member. The drive member is connected to the connector by a lost motion connector, thus the connector is capable of moving in said one direction even if the drive member is not moved by the electromechanical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: OXFORD SPACE SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Juan Reveles-Wilson, Vincent Fraux, Martin Humphries
  • Patent number: 11014828
    Abstract: An inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator based concentrating solar thermal and photovoltaic system powered water desalination system comprises a concentrating electricity and heat cogeneration subsystem, a battery storage subsystem, a thermal storage subsystem with electric heater, a thermal power regeneration subsystem, and a water distillation system with electric heater. The inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator makes the concentrating system substantially low cost, and the hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic panels used to construct the cogeneration receiver make the system ultra-high efficient. The cogenerated thermal energy is stored in a thermal storage and the cogenerated electric energy is stored in a battery storage to heat the stored thermal energy to pre-set high temperature for thermal power regeneration. The thermal energy after thermal power generation is used to desalinize water with assistance of electric heater powered by the stored electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: Yonghua Wang
  • Patent number: 10916859
    Abstract: An inflatable antenna is disclosed herein that is capable of being deployed in space and other suitable environments and configured to improve RF performance and mechanical stability. Related methods for manufacturing and deploying such inflatable antennas are also described. The inflatable antenna can be configured to form a Gregorian dual reflector confocal parabolic antenna system when inflated. Various antenna structures, mechanisms, and manufacturing and deployment techniques are also disclosed herein that improve the precision and accuracy of RF reflective surfaces of the primary and secondary reflectors, confocal alignment of the primary and secondary reflectors, mechanical stability, and/or to improve the range of RF operation. The inflatable antenna can be manufactured and deployed with less complexity and more precision than existing inflatable antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Alan J. Fenn, Jesse Mills, Frank Robey, James W. Finnell, Jr., Bakari Hassan, Sean Crowley
  • Patent number: 10847892
    Abstract: An antenna having a feed horn assembly, a parabolic reflector assembly, and a mounting bracket assembly. The feed horn assembly has a circuit board housing having first and second molded housing halves and a main support arm. The feed horn assembly is adjustable, whereby the main support arm is adjusted from a collapsed configuration to an elongated configuration and vice-versa. The feed horn assembly further has a printed circuit board, a coaxial feed cable, an arm holder, and a coaxial radio frequency connector. The printed circuit board is triangular in shape. The circuit board housing houses the printed circuit board. The main support arm has a plurality of arm adjustment holes and extends from the arm holder to the circuit board housing. From the collapsed configuration to the elongated configuration there are intermediate configurations. The antenna has single polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Antenna World Inc.
    Inventor: Raul J. Pla