Search Patents
  • Beam-forming antenna with amplitude-controlled antenna elements
    Patent number: 8456360
    Abstract: A beam-forming antenna for transmission and/or reception of an electromagnetic signal having a given wavelength in a surrounding medium includes a transmission line electromagnetically coupled to an array of individually controllable antenna elements, each of which is oscillated by the signal with a controllable amplitude. The oscillation amplitude of each of the individual antenna elements is controlled by a switch. The antenna elements are arranged in various shapes such as a parabolic arc, a circular arc, a cylindrical surface or a conic surface. The antenna elements have various spacing such as uniform, parabolic, circular, or raised cosine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimir A. Manasson, Lev S. Sadovnik
  • Method for fusing multiple GPS measurement types into a weighted least squares solution
    Patent number: 7683832
    Abstract: A method of calculating position data for an airborne aircraft using a GPS-based airborne navigation system includes the processing of a position component of a relative state function by fusing a plurality of different types of measurement data available in the GPS-based system into a weighted least squares algorithm to determine an appropriate covariance matrix for the plurality of different types of measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph H. Hansen, Jr., William G. Wright
  • Extended range communications for ultra-wideband network nodes
    Patent number: 10263661
    Abstract: A system is provided that can introduce data redundancy into wireless communications, and in particular ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communications to increase the communication range when transmitting data that has low transmission rates. Multipath degradation, introduced by the extended communications range, can be mitigated by frequency hopping between the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed symbols of the ultra-wideband waveform. Frequency hopping can place adjacent symbols in different frequency channels for filtering. Data redundancy can be expanded in the time domain and/or the frequency domain, resulting in extended range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Rasmussen
  • Unified communication gateway systems
    Patent number: 11695738
    Abstract: A communication system utilizing unified gateways bridges communication gaps between data transmitters having differing transmission, security, data format, overhead restrictions and performance metrics by dynamically determining optimal data paths for the data being routed. The unified gateways can also dynamically alter data packages to upgrade/downgrade security standards, alter transmission networks, translate data to match recipient requirements and split/combine data to optimize data throughput using disparate systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Shepard, Kevin Jeffrey Streander, Peter Fischer
  • Unified communication gateway systems
    Patent number: 10979399
    Abstract: A communication system utilizing unified gateways bridges communication gaps between data transmitters having differing transmission, security, data format, overhead restrictions and performance metrics by dynamically determining optimal data paths for the data being routed. The unified gateways can also dynamically alter data packages to upgrade/downgrade security standards, alter transmission networks, translate data to match recipient requirements and split/combine data to optimize data throughput using disparate systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Shepard, Kevin Jeffrey Streander, Peter Fischer
  • FULL BAND ORTHOMODE TRANSDUCERS
    Publication number: 20210050641
    Abstract: A full band waveguide orthomode transducer (OMT) includes first, second, and third waveguide sections coupled to one another, the first, second, and third waveguide sections respectively having a first port, a second port, and a third port. A first wire grid polarizer in the first waveguide section is transparent to electromagnetic signals having a first polarization and reflective of electromagnetic signals having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. A second wire grid polarizer in the second waveguide section is transparent to electromagnetic signals having the second polarization and reflective of electromagnetic signals having the first polarization. The third waveguide section is configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals having the first polarization and/or the second polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Aramais Avakian
  • Beam-forming antenna with amplitude-controlled antenna elements
    Patent number: 8976066
    Abstract: A beam-forming antenna for transmission and/or reception of an electromagnetic signal having a given wavelength in a surrounding medium includes a transmission line electromagnetically coupled to an array of individually controllable antenna elements, each of which is oscillated by the signal with a controllable amplitude. The oscillation amplitude of each of the individual antenna elements is controlled by a switch. The antenna elements are arranged in various shapes such as a parabolic arc, a circular arc, a cylindrical surface or a conic surface. The antenna elements have various spacing such as uniform, parabolic, circular, or raised cosine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimir A. Manasson, Lev S. Sadovnik
  • Extended range communications for ultra-wideband network nodes
    Patent number: 10541720
    Abstract: A system is provided that can introduce data redundancy into wireless communications, and in particular ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communications to increase the communication range when transmitting data that has low transmission rates. Multipath degradation, introduced by the extended communications range, can be mitigated by frequency hopping between the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed symbols of the ultra-wideband waveform. Frequency hopping can place adjacent symbols in different frequency channels for filtering. Data redundancy can be expanded in the time domain and/or the frequency domain, resulting in extended range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Donald Rasmussen
  • Extended range communications for ultra-wideb and network nodes
    Patent number: 10637531
    Abstract: A system is provided that can introduce data redundancy into wireless communications, and in particular ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communications to increase the communication range when transmitting data that has low transmission rates. Multipath degradation, introduced by the extended communications range, can be mitigated by frequency hopping between the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed symbols of the ultra-wideband waveform. Frequency hopping can place adjacent symbols in different frequency channels for filtering. Data redundancy can be expanded in the time domain and/or the frequency domain, resulting in extended range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Donald Rasmussen
  • LOW-GRAVITY WATER CAPTURE DEVICE
    Publication number: 20200147535
    Abstract: An apparatus to separate water droplets from an air stream includes an elongated tube having a first end and a second end. The elongated tube includes an opening at a first end of the elongated tube, the opening may be positioned to accept the air stream. A reservoir is positioned at a second end of the elongated tube. A helix structure is positioned within the elongated tube. The helix structure includes an upper surface, a lower surface arranged opposite the upper surface, an outer edge, and a variable pitch along a length of the elongated tube. The variable pitch may provide a variable interior angle between an inner wall of the elongated tube and the upper surface of the helix structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Michael Hoerr, Ross Remiker, Michael Peterson, Zachary James Setmire, Mark Milton Weislogel, Andrew Wollman
  • Full band orthomode transducers
    Patent number: 11177545
    Abstract: A full band waveguide orthomode transducer (OMT) includes first, second, and third waveguide sections coupled to one another, the first, second, and third waveguide sections respectively having a first port, a second port, and a third port. A first wire grid polarizer in the first waveguide section is transparent to electromagnetic signals having a first polarization and reflective of electromagnetic signals having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. A second wire grid polarizer in the second waveguide section is transparent to electromagnetic signals having the second polarization and reflective of electromagnetic signals having the first polarization. The third waveguide section is configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals having the first polarization and/or the second polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventor: Aramais Avakian
  • FULL BAND ORTHOMODE TRANSDUCERS
    Publication number: 20220102827
    Abstract: A full band waveguide orthomode transducer (OMT) includes first, second, and third waveguide sections coupled to one another, the first, second, and third waveguide sections respectively having a first port, a second port, and a third port. A first wire grid polarizer in the first waveguide section is transparent to electromagnetic signals having a first polarization and reflective of electromagnetic signals having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. A second wire grid polarizer in the second waveguide section is transparent to electromagnetic signals having the second polarization and reflective of electromagnetic signals having the first polarization. The third waveguide section is configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals having the first polarization and/or the second polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Aramais Avakian
  • Solar array system and method of manufacturing
    Patent number: 10770606
    Abstract: A space-grade solar array includes relatively small cells with integrated wiring embedded into or incorporated directly onto a printed circuit board. The integrated wiring provides an interface for solar cells having back side electrical contacts. The single side contacts enable the use of pick and place (PnP) technology in manufacturing the space-grade solar array. The solar cell is easily and efficiently packaged and electrically interconnected with other solar cells on a solar panel such as by using PnP process. The back side contacts are matched from a size and positioning standpoint to corresponding contacts on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Anthony, Rodney Dobson, Matthew Johnson, Scott Christiansen, L. Eric Ruhl
  • Live virtual constructive gateway systems and methods
    Patent number: 11620919
    Abstract: A live virtual constructive (LVC) gateway system is configured to transparently separate, merge, and route data traffic between operator systems, live tactical Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) systems, and simulated tactical LRU systems. The LVC gateway is configured to receive LRU commands from an operator system, parse, the commands, and reconstruct the commands suitable for transmission to live or simulated tactical LRU systems. The LVC gateway is also configured to receive live and simulated status and target data from live tactical LRU and simulated tactical LRU systems, respectively, and merge the data for transmission to an operator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon Boldenow, Peter Fischer, Nathan Gang, Maxwell O. Greenstein, Sarah Kooiman, Daniel Payne, Christopher Poupore, Kyle P. Werner
  • STEERABLE BEAM ANTENNA
    Publication number: 20220190481
    Abstract: A steerable beam antenna includes a plurality of semiconductor chips arranged along a longitudinal axis. Each of the chips has a ground plane on its upper surface, and is doped to form an array of semiconductor switches arranged along the longitudinal axis. A corresponding array of scattering elements, each having a first leg and a second leg, is mounted on each chip along the longitudinal axis. A first electrode of each switch is configured for connection to a control circuit, a second electrode is connected to the ground plane, and a third electrode is connected to the first leg of one of the array of scattering elements, the second leg of which is connected to the ground plane. A dielectric element is mounted on the antenna chips along the longitudinal axis above the arrays of switches and scattering elements and is separated from the scattering elements by an air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vladimir A. Manasson, Lev S. Sadovnik
  • Systems and methods for power distribution in a drone aircraft
    Patent number: 11939075
    Abstract: Systems and methods are configured for power distribution in a hybrid fixed-wing VTOL drone aircraft. A drone aircraft includes two modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the internal combustion engine is shut off while an electric motor-based VTOL system provides lift and thrust. In a second mode of operation, an internal combustion engine provides thrust while a set of fixed wings provide lift. In the second mode of operation, mechanical power from the internal combustion engine provides for power generation to charge an electrical battery to power the electric motor-based VTOL system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventors: Hannan Parvizian, Manuel Lopez, Guangyuan Zheng
  • Steerable beam antenna
    Patent number: 11888223
    Abstract: A steerable beam antenna includes a plurality of semiconductor chips arranged along a longitudinal axis. Each of the chips has a ground plane on its upper surface, and is doped to form an array of semiconductor switches arranged along the longitudinal axis. A corresponding array of scattering elements, each having a first leg and a second leg, is mounted on each chip along the longitudinal axis. A first electrode of each switch is configured for connection to a control circuit, a second electrode is connected to the ground plane, and a third electrode is connected to the first leg of one of the array of scattering elements, the second leg of which is connected to the ground plane. A dielectric element is mounted on the antenna chips along the longitudinal axis above the arrays of switches and scattering elements and is separated from the scattering elements by an air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimir A Manasson, Lev S. Sadovnik
  • Bi-directional data security for supervisor control and data acquisition networks
    Patent number: 9531669
    Abstract: A cyber-security device provides secure communications bi-directionally between an external network and an internal network including a supervisor control and data acquisition (SCADA) device. The device includes a processor in data communication with the external and internal networks, the processor being programmed with a rule-set establishing validation criteria configured to validate data received from the external and internal networks. The processor is operable in an operational mode to pass between the external and internal networks only data that are compliant with the validation criteria. The processor is re-programmable with a new rule-set only in a programming mode. The device includes a switch that is manually operable to switch the processor from the operational mode to the programming mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Fischer, Andrew Feldkamp, Nelson Rodriguez, Joshua Edwards
  • LIVE VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTIVE GATEWAY SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20200258414
    Abstract: A live virtual constructive (LVC) gateway system is configured to transparently separate, merge, and route data traffic between operator systems, live tactical Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) systems, and simulated tactical LRU systems. The LVC gateway is configured to receive LRU commands from an operator system, parse, the commands, and reconstruct the commands suitable for transmission to live or simulated tactical LRU systems. The LVC gateway is also configured to receive live and simulated status and target data from live tactical LRU and simulated tactical LRU systems, respectively, and merge the data for transmission to an operator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon Boldenow, Peter Fischer, Nathan Gang, Maxwell O. Greenstein, Sarah Kooiman, Daniel Payne, Christopher Poupore, Kyle P. Werner
  • Projectile for delivering an incapacitating agent
    Patent number: 8171853
    Abstract: A projectile for delivering an incapacitating agent through a barrier includes a canister containing the agent and having a closure. The canister is retained in a holder to which is fixed a sleeve formed of a plurality of axial fingers configured to spread radially outward upon impact with the barrier. A ballistic body, configured to penetrate the barrier and having a dispersion port, is connected to the holder forward of the canister so as to be axially movable from a forward position to a rearward position upon impact with the barrier, the ballistic body including a closure-breaching member located so as to breach the closure as the ballistic body moves rearward, thereby placing the canister in fluid communication with the dispersion port. The fingers spread radially against the surface of the barrier opposite the dispersion port so as to lodge the projectile in the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Purvis
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