General Atomics had four patents in robotics during Q1 2024. General Atomics has filed a patent for increasing the range of energy transmissions using multiple sources, such as high power microwave (HPM) directed energy weapons, with precise timing accuracy achieved by placing an HPM source, ultra-stable clock, and laser pulse detector on each platform. Another patent describes fuel isolation systems to prevent fuel from passing the firewall in the event of an engine fire by introducing fluid from a separate source into the fuel line. GlobalData’s report on General Atomics gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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General Atomics grant share with robotics as a theme is 25% in Q1 2024. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Recent Patents
Application: Synchronization of high power radiofrequency sources (Patent ID: US20240035781A1)
The patent filed by General Atomics describes a system for synchronizing high power radio frequency sources to increase the range of energy transmissions or bursts, such as high power microwave directed energy weapons. The system involves using multiple sources that are fired at precise times to efficiently generate electromagnetic pulses and accurately add waveform peaks on the target. This is achieved by placing an HPM source, ultra-stable clock, and a laser pulse detector on each HPM weapon platform, allowing for sub-nanosecond timing accuracy. The system involves triggering the array by firing a laser pulse at the target from one platform and timing the firing of each HPM source based on when the reflected laser pulse arrives at each platform, measured by the clock, to ensure the HPM pulses arrive on target more accurately and simultaneously.
The system includes multiple high power radio frequency platforms, each with synchronized clocks, emission sources, photon detectors, and triggering systems to measure time differences and generate trigger signals for firing the emission sources. The system also incorporates sensor data to reduce timing errors, communication interfaces for synchronization information exchange, and platform control computers with delay generators to ensure accurate timing. The method for synchronization involves directing a pulse of photons at the target, generating periodic clock signals, measuring time differences, and generating trigger signals for firing the emission sources to constructively interfere at the target. The method can be applied to stationary or moving targets, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, motor vehicles, or boats, and involves using a laser as the directional photon source for synchronization.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
