Abstract:
A geosynchronous, multi-beam phased array satellite system (20) transmits to and receives from the earth radio frequency signals. The satellite system (20) has transmit (28) and receive phased arrays (29), beamformers (26 and 27), switch matrices (24 and 25), a switch controller (23) and a communications payload (22). The beam coverage of the phased array satellite system (20) is reconfigurable while the satellite (20) is its geosynchronous orbit. The geosynchronous multi-beam phased-array satellite system (20) provides a more cost effective and weight effective way of providing communications for geosynchronous satellite applications.
Abstract:
The invention is embodied in a digital direction finding receiver having N frequency channels (50a, 50e) spanning a frequency band of the receiver and capable of receiving signals simultaneously from a plurality of antennas (30a, 30e) spaced from one another, one of the antennas including a reference location antenna. The receiver of the invention includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (32a, 32e) having their analog inputs connected to respective ones of the antennas, a reference source (58) capable of outputting a reference digital signal containing at least a local frequency component within a selected one of the N frequency channels, a plurality of digital down converter modules (50a, 50e), each one of the digital down converter modules having a reference input connected to the reference source and a signal input connected to the digital output of a respective one of the analog-to-digital converters, each the digital down converter modules including a multiplier (56a, 56e) for producing at an output of the digital down converter a product of the reference signal and the signal from the respective one of the antennas, and a digital phase detector (35) having plural phase detector signals inputs connected to the outputs of remaining ones of the digital down converters, the phase detector detecting phase angles of the signals on each of the phase detector signal inputs relative to a corresponding signal received at the reference antenna.
Abstract:
A gas burner having a flame keeper cell and a sensor positioned in the flame keeper cell to assure that a no flame signal is sent to the control system for the burner only when the burner flame is completely extinguished. During initial lighting of the burner or after the burner flame is completely extinguished, the control system attempts ignition only a limited number of times or during a limited time period and then the flow of gas to the burner is stopped thereby presenting excessive gas discharge into the atmosphere.
Abstract:
The invention is embodied in a parameter encoder for identifying selected parameters of a digitally sampled incoming signal lying within a receiver bandwidth, wherein the receiver bandwidth is divided into plural contiguous frequency channels, each channel having a channel bandwidth, whereby the incoming signal is divided into plural channelized signals lying in respective ones of the plural frequency channels, the parameter encoder includes plural channel processors connected to receive respective ones of the channelized signals, each of the channel processors including Fourier transform apparatus for producing a frequency value and an amplitude value for each sample of the respective channelized signal. The parameter encoder embodying the invention further includes a channel arbitrator including comparator apparatus for comparing the amplitude value with a predetermined threshold, comparing the amplitude value with the corresponding amplitude values of adjacent ones of the channels and comparing the frequency value with corresponding frequency values of adjacent ones of the channels, and processor apparatus for sensing whether a detected signal lies in the respective channel based upon at least one of: (a) determination of a corresponding amplitudes values of the respective channel and its adjacent neighbor channels relative to the predetermined threshold, (b) determination of predominance of the frequency value over corresponding frequency values of adjacent neighbor channels, (c) determination of a difference between the frequency value and that one of an adjacent neighbor channel exceeding a predetermined frequency threshold.
Abstract:
A piezoelectric fluid control valve includes an upper metering element (100) and a lower metering element (116). Each metering element (100, 116) has an anchored end affixed to the walls of a chamber (16). The anchored end of the upper metering element (100) is provided with an inlet channel (122) and that of the lower metering element (116) with an outlet channel (123). A metering orifice (124, 126) is provided within each metering element (100, 116). A cantilevered spring valve (128, 130) is positionable within the associated metering orifice (124, 126). Each cantilevered spring valve (128, 130) is continuously displaceable between an opened position and a normally closed position. Each one of the cantilevered spring valves (128, 130) has sharp metering edges (131, 133) that cooperate with the metering elements (100, 116) to provide the associated metering orifices (124, 126), the edges (131, 133) blocking fluid when the cantilevered spring valves (128, 130) are closed. Positioned between the cantilevered spring valves (128, 130) is a polymorph (132) which is in operative communication with the metering elements (110, 116). When a potential difference is applied, the polymorph (132) becomes deflected and opens one of the cantilevered spring valves (128, 130). Each cantilevered spring valve (128, 130) has three sides so that each valve (128, 130) effectively acts as a single piece flapper.
Abstract:
Un élément émetteur-récepteur agit sur la phase d'un signal micro-onde qui le traverse. L'élément émetteur-récepteur comprend une pluralité de moyens commutateurs agencés de façon à diriger un signal de fréquence micro-onde fourni par un système radar, à travers un déphaseur non-réciproque à un réseau d'antennes en phase pendant le mode de transmission, et à diriger un signal de fréquence micro-onde reçu par le réseau d'antennes en phase au système radar, à travers le déphaseur non-réciproque, pendant le mode de réception. Le signal de fréquence micro-onde traverse le déphaseur dans le même sens, aussi bien pendant le mode de transmission que pendant le mode de réception. Un ensemble de signaux de commande est fourni à ces moyens commutateurs et au déphaseur de l'élément émetteur-récepteur afin d'obtenir des rayons dirigés et alignés d'énergie à micro-onde pendant les modes de transmission et de réception.