US4090198A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Passive reflectance modulator
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1964-08-31
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Granted: 1978-05-16
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Expires: 1984-08-31
Abstract
Abstract 1. A reflectance modulator exhibiting an omni-azimuttal reflectance pattern comprising a microwave lens for focusing electromagnetic energy, a plurality of reflector means positioned on a focal surface of said lens and including a gaseous plasma, means for sequentially controlling the ionization level of said plasma to modulate the reflectance of said energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene T. Canty
- 👤 Russell P. Tow
- 👤 Frank J. Spayth
- 👤 Richard A. Morrow
- 👤 Charlie B. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/74; G01S13/75; G01S13/751; G01S13/756; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q15/00; H01Q15/23; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A reflectance modulator exhibiting an omni-azimuthal reflectance pattern comprising a microwave lens for focusing electromagnetic energy, a plurality of reflector means positioned on a focal surface of said lens and including a gaseous plasma, means for sequentially controlling the ionization level of said plasma to modulate the reflectance of said energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
A reflectance modulator exhibiting an omni-azimuthal reflectance pattern comprising a microwave lens for focusing electromagnetic energy, a plurality of reflector means positioned on a focal surface of said lens and including a gaseous plasma, means for sequentially controlling the ionization level of said plasma to modulate the reflectance of said energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A reflectance modulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gaseous plasma is argon gas and mercury.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A reflectance modulator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said microwave lens is a Luneberg lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A reflectance modulating device exhibiting an omni-azimuthal reflectance pattern comprising a spherical Luneberg lens, a plurality of plasma containers encompassing the lower hemisphere of said lens, said sections being formed to the spherical contour of said lens and spaced so that the contained plasma is placed at a focal surface of the lens, means for sequentially ionizing the plasma to provide amplitude modulation of reflected electromagnetic waves impinging upon said device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A reflectance modulating device exhibiting an omni-azimuthal reflectance pattern comprising a spherical Luneberg lens, a plurality of plasma containers encompassing the lower hemisphere of said lens, said sections being formed to the spherical contour of said lens and spaced so that the contained plasma is placed at a focal surface of the lens, means for sequentially ionizing the plasma to provide amplitude modulation of reflected electromagnetic waves impinging upon said device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A reflectance modulating device comprising a spherical Luneberg lens, a plurality of enclosures housing a gaseous plasma, each of said enclosures being formed to the spherical contour of said lens and positioned on said lens in the path of electromagnetic energy impinging upon said lens, means providing a modulated electrical signal, means for selectively applying said signal to the plasma in said enclosures for controlling the ionization thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A reflectance modulating device comprising a spherical Luneberg lens, a plurality of enclosures housing a gaseous plasma, each of said enclosures being formed to the spherical contour of said lens and positioned on said lens in the path of electromagnetic energy impinging upon said lens, means providing a modulated electrical signal, means for selectively applying said signal to the plasma in said enclosures for controlling the ionization thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
A reflectance modulating device comprising a spherical microwave lens for focusing electromagnetic energy, first, second and third enclosures having a gaseous plasma, each of said enclosures being formed to the spherical contour of said lens and positioned on said lens to cover substantially one/third of the surface thereof between the equator and a predetermined latitude on one hemisphere of said lens, means for sequentially ionizing the plasma in each of said enclosures to provide amplitude modulation of reflected electromagnetic waves impinging upon said device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
A reflectance modulating device comprising a spherical microwave lens for focusing electromagnetic energy, first, second and third enclosures having a gaseous plasma, each of said enclosures being formed to the spherical contour of said lens and positioned on said lens to cover substantially one/third of the surface thereof between the equator and a predetermined latitude on one hemisphere of said lens, means for sequentially ionizing the plasma in each of said enclosures to provide amplitude modulation of reflected electromagnetic waves impinging upon said device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
A reflectance modulating device comprising a spherical Luneberg lens, first, second and third enclosures having a gaseous plasma, each of said enclosures being formed to the spherical contour of said lens and positioned on said lens to cover one/third of the surface thereof between the equator and 60° south latitude on said lens, means for sequentially ionizing the plasma in each of said enclosures to provide amplitude modulation of reflected electromagnetic waves impinging upon said device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A reflectance modulating device comprising a spherical Luneberg lens, first, second and third enclosures having a gaseous plasma, each of said enclosures being formed to the spherical contour of said lens and positioned on said lens to cover one/third of the surface thereof between the equator and 60° south latitude on said lens, means for sequentially ionizing the plasma in each of said enclosures to provide amplitude modulation of reflected electromagnetic waves impinging upon said device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2580921A
Cited
DE1107300B
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-15 | 1981-11-14 | 1982-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-15 | 1985-11-14 | 1986-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-15 | 1989-11-14 | 1990-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |