Patents by Inventor David Hice

David Hice 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).

  • Shutter for fiber optic systems
    Patent number: 6614570
    Abstract: A light shutter for controlling a light signal between occluded and uninterrupted states. The shutter has a frame which mounts a beam under compression so that it assumes either of two bi-stable buckled positions. An occluder is mounted on the beam, A shape memory alloy actuator is provided which applies a force transverse on the beam as the actuator is heated to its shape change transition temperature. The transverse force bends the beam, causing it to buckle to the opposite bi-stable position. This moves the occluder into or out of the path of the light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: TiNi Alloy Company
    Inventors: A. David Johnson, David Hice
  • Shutter for fiber optic systems
    Publication number: 20020071167
    Abstract: A light shutter for controlling a light signal between occluded and uninterrupted states. The shutter has a frame which mounts a beam under compression so that it assumes either of two bi-stable buckled positions. An occluder is mounted on the beam, A shape memory alloy actuator is provided which applies a force transverse on the beam as the actuator is heated to its shape change transition temperature. The transverse force bends the beam, causing it to buckle to the opposite bi-stable position. This moves the occluder into or out of the path of the light signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: A. David Johnson, David Hice