Patents by Inventor Daniel Potrepka

Daniel Potrepka 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).

  • Ferroelectric radiation detector employing frequency modulated readout
    Patent number: 8143578
    Abstract: A detector for electromagnetic radiation such as millimeter wave and infrared employs a ring-shaped ferroelectric element having a temperature affected by an absorber for the radiation. The dielectric constant of the ferroelectric material is a strong function of the temperature near its Curie temperature. The resonant frequency of the ferroelectric element is detected by applying a swept-frequency signal to the circuit and detecting the frequency which enhances the energy of the pulse. A two-dimensional camera for the radiation employs a two-dimensional array of these ferroelectric resonant circuits and a system for rapidly interrogating their resonant frequencies on a sequential basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Steven C. Tidrow, Frank Crowne, Daniel Potrepka, Bernard J. Rod
  • Ferroelectric Radiation Detector Employing Frequency Modulated Readout
    Publication number: 20100264325
    Abstract: A detector for electromagnetic radiation such as millimeter wave and infrared employs a ring-shaped ferroelectric element having a temperature affected by an absorber for the radiation. The dielectric constant of the ferroelectric material is a strong function of the temperature near its Curie temperature. The resonant frequency of the ferroelectric element is detected by applying a swept-frequency signal to the circuit and detecting the frequency which enhances the energy of the pulse. A two-dimensional camera for the radiation employs a two-dimensional array of these ferroelectric resonant circuits and a system for rapidly interrogating their resonant frequencies on a sequential basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Steven C. Tidrow, Frank Crowne, Daniel Potrepka, Bernard J. Rod