Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Covington

Bruce A. Covington has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10996542
    Abstract: An infrared imaging system is provided with a shutter assembly having an integrated thermistor. In one example, a device includes a shutter assembly. The shutter assembly includes a paddle configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The paddle is configured to block external infrared radiation from reaching a focal plane array (FPA) in a closed position, and pass the external infrared radiation to the FPA in an open position. The shutter assembly also includes an embedded thermistor configured to sense a temperature of the paddle when the paddle is in the open position. In another example, an infrared sensor assembly includes a first set of mechanically engageable electrical contacts for engaging with a second set of mechanically engageable electrical contacts of a shutter assembly electrically coupled with a thermistor through a conductive path. Additional devices and related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Bruce A. Covington, Marcel Tremblay, Theodore R. Hoelter, Pierre M. Boulanger
  • Patent number: 10491787
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided to facilitate electrostatic discharge mitigation for imaging devices. In one example, an imaging device includes an imager assembly. The imaging device further includes a lens holder. The lens holder includes a receiving interface configured to receive a lens assembly therein. The lens holder further includes an alignment pin including electrically conductive material and coupled to the imager assembly to provide an electrostatic discharge path via the imager assembly, where a first portion of the alignment pin has the electrically conductive material exposed and a second portion of the alignment pin has an insulating layer disposed thereon. Related methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark V. Mullenary, Thad Lieb, Bruce A. Covington
  • Publication number: 20190339589
    Abstract: An infrared imaging system is provided with a shutter assembly having an integrated thermistor. In one example, a device includes a shutter assembly. The shutter assembly includes a paddle configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The paddle is configured to block external infrared radiation from reaching a focal plane array (FPA) in a closed position, and pass the external infrared radiation to the FPA in an open position. The shutter assembly also includes an embedded thermistor configured to sense a temperature of the paddle when the paddle is in the open position. In another example, an infrared sensor assembly includes a first set of mechanically engageable electrical contacts for engaging with a second set of mechanically engageable electrical contacts of a shutter assembly electrically coupled with a thermistor through a conductive path. Additional devices and related methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Bruce A. Covington, Marcel Tremblay, Theodore R. Hoelter, Pierre M. Boulanger
  • Patent number: 10230909
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided to implement a modular infrared imager assembly configured to interface with supporting electronics provided, for example, by a third party. In one example, a system includes an imager assembly comprising a focal plane array configured to capture thermal image data from a scene and output the thermal image data, a printed circuit board assembly, and processing electronics communicatively connected to the focal plane array through the printed circuit board assembly and configured to receive and process the thermal image data. The system further includes a connector communicatively connected to the imager assembly and configured to interface with supporting electronics configured to receive and additionally process the thermal image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Bruce Covington, Chris Posch, Wayne Patterson, Charles Handley, Dan Walker, Vu L. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20190045096
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided to facilitate electrostatic discharge mitigation for imaging devices. In one example, an imaging device includes an imager assembly. The imaging device further includes a lens holder. The lens holder includes a receiving interface configured to receive a lens assembly therein. The lens holder further includes an alignment pin including electrically conductive material and coupled to the imager assembly to provide an electrostatic discharge path via the imager assembly, where a first portion of the alignment pin has the electrically conductive material exposed and a second portion of the alignment pin has an insulating layer disposed thereon. Related methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Mark V. Mullenary, Thad Lieb, Bruce A. Covington
  • Patent number: 10182195
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a focal plane array configured to capture thermal image data from a scene. The embodiments may further include a sensor window displaced a first distance from the focal plane array. The embodiments may also include a protective window displaced a second distance greater than the first distance from the focal plane array, wherein the second distance causes damage or debris incident on the protective window to be out of focus in the thermal image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Bruce Covington, Chris Posch
  • Publication number: 20170195584
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided to implement a modular infrared imager assembly configured to interface with supporting electronics provided, for example, by a third party. In one example, a system includes an imager assembly comprising a focal plane array configured to capture thermal image data from a scene and output the thermal image data, a printed circuit board assembly, and processing electronics communicatively connected to the focal plane array through the printed circuit board assembly and configured to receive and process the thermal image data. The system further includes a connector communicatively connected to the imager assembly and configured to interface with supporting electronics configured to receive and additionally process the thermal image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Bruce Covington, Chris Posch, Wayne Patterson, Charles Handley, Dan Walker, Vu L. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20160088240
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a focal plane array configured to capture thermal image data from a scene. The embodiments may further include a sensor window displaced a first distance from the focal plane array. The embodiments may also include a protective window displaced a second distance greater than the first distance from the focal plane array, wherein the second distance causes damage or debris incident on the protective window to be out of focus in the thermal image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Bruce Covington, Chris Posch
  • Patent number: D875153
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Jared A. Faraudo, Dan S. Walker, Alan D. Kathman, Marcel Tremblay, Thad Lieb, Bruce A. Covington