Patents by Inventor David Welford
David Welford 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).
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Publication number: 20230238766Abstract: A handheld LIBS device and method includes a laser assembly producing two pulsed single spatial mode output beams and a focusing optic which combines the two pulsed single spatial mode output beams at a focal point at a sample. The laser assembly includes a laser assembly housing with an output coupler window for the two pulsed single spatial mode output beams, a gain medium in the laser assembly housing between the output coupler window and an adjustable prism mount in the laser assembly housing holding a prism configured to establish two light paths through the gain medium, a source in the laser assembly housing providing pump energy to the gain medium, and a Q-switch positioned between the prism and the gain medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: David Welford, David R. Day, Richard P. Mitrano
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Patent number: 11367990Abstract: In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a light source configured to emit light at one or more wavelengths between 1200 nm and 1400 nm. The lidar system also includes a scanner configured to scan the emitted light across a field of regard of the lidar system and a receiver configured to detect a portion of the emitted light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system further includes a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time for the portion of the emitted light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Luminar, LLCInventors: Jason M. Eichenholz, Laurance S. Lingvay, David Welford
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Patent number: 10965091Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel stand-off distance chemical detector system such as can be used, for example, for standoff detection of explosives. Instead of a conventional lasing medium, a Pr:YAG or Pr:BYF based UV laser is used which can be advantageously implemented in Raman spectroscopy.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Alakai Defense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert Douglas Waterbury, Darius Vunck, Robert Dean Babnick, Timothy Molner, Hunter Hardy, Ed Dottery, Robert McKinney, David Welford
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Publication number: 20200076152Abstract: In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a light source configured to emit light at one or more wavelengths between 1200 nm and 1400 nm. The lidar system also includes a scanner configured to scan the emitted light across a field of regard of the lidar system and a receiver configured to detect a portion of the emitted light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system further includes a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time for the portion of the emitted light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Jason M. Eichenholz, Laurance S. Lingvay, David Welford
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Patent number: 10418776Abstract: A lidar system can include a solid-state laser to emit pulses of light. The solid-state laser can include a Q-switched laser having a gain medium and a Q-switch. The lidar system can also include a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system can also include a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time of flight for an emitted pulse of light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Luminar Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David Welford, Martin A. Jaspan, Jason M. Eichenholz, Scott R. Campbell, Lane A. Martin, Matthew D. Weed
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Patent number: 10340653Abstract: A lidar system can include a solid-state laser to emit pulses of light. The solid-state laser can include a Q-switched laser having a gain medium and a Q-switch. The lidar system can also include a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system can also include a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time of flight for an emitted pulse of light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Luminar Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David Welford, Martin A. Jaspan, Jason M. Eichenholz, Scott R. Campbell, Lane A. Martin, Matthew D. Weed
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Publication number: 20190109431Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel stand-off distance chemical detector system such as can be used, for example, for standoff detection of explosives. Instead of a conventional lasing medium, a Pr:YAG or Pr:BYF based UV laser is used which can be advantageously implemented in Raman spectroscopy.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Robert Douglas Waterbury, Darius Vunck, Robert Dean Babnick, Timothy Molner, Hunter Hardy, Ed Dottery, Robert McKinney, David Welford
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Publication number: 20180269646Abstract: A lidar system can include a solid-state laser to emit pulses of light. The solid-state laser can include a Q-switched laser having a gain medium and a Q-switch. The lidar system can also include a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system can also include a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time of flight for an emitted pulse of light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: David Welford, Martin A. Jaspan, Jason M. Eichenholz, Scott R. Campbell, Lane A. Martin, Matthew D. Weed
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Patent number: 9905992Abstract: In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a self-Raman laser that includes a Raman-active gain medium and a Q-switch. The self-Raman laser is configured to: produce Q-switched pulses of light at a lasing wavelength of the self-Raman laser; Raman-shift, in the Raman-active gain medium, at least a portion of the Q-switched pulses to produce Raman-shifted pulses of light, where the Raman-shifted pulses have a Raman-shifted wavelength that is longer than the lasing wavelength; and emit at least a portion of the Raman-shifted pulses. The lidar system further includes a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system also includes a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: LUMINAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: David Welford, Martin A. Jaspan, Jason M. Eichenholz, Scott R. Campbell, Lane A. Martin, Matthew D. Weed
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Patent number: 9810775Abstract: In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a Q-switched laser configured to emit pulses of light, where the Q-switched laser includes a gain medium and a Q-switch. The lidar system further includes a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system also includes a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time of flight for an emitted pulse of light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Luminar Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David Welford, Martin A. Jaspan, Jason M. Eichenholz, Scott R. Campbell, Lane A. Martin, Matthew D. Weed
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Patent number: 9810786Abstract: In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a pump laser configured to produce pulses of light at a pump wavelength. The lidar system further includes an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with an OPO medium configured to: receive the pump pulses from the pump laser; convert at least part of the received pump pulses into pulses of light at a signal wavelength and pulses of light at an idler wavelength; and emit at least a portion of the signal pulses. The lidar system also includes a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system also includes a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Luminar Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David Welford, Martin A. Jaspan, Jason M. Eichenholz, Scott R. Campbell, Lane A. Martin, Matthew D. Weed
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Patent number: 9478940Abstract: The invention relates to optical system including light sources that amplify light using a gain medium. Systems and method of the invention are provided for amplifying light while inhibiting reflections at a peak gain of the gain medium, thereby suppressing parasitic lasing. This allows a system to use a broad range of wavelengths without parasitic lasing, thereby increasing the useable range of a tunable optical filter. In this manner, light at wavelengths not at a peak gain can be used effectively, and the gain medium of an optical amplifier does not limit use of a system to a narrow range of wavelengths associated with a peak gain of the gain medium. A single optical system according to the invention can thus be used for applications that require a broad range of wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Volcano CorporationInventors: David Welford, Badr Elmaanaoui
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Patent number: 9383263Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and systems for narrowing a wavelength emission of light. In certain aspects, methods of the invention involve transmitting light through a filter and passing a portion of the filtered light through a gain chip assembly at least two times before that portion of light passes again through the filter.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Volcano CorporationInventors: David Welford, Badr Elmaanaoui
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Publication number: 20140178026Abstract: This invention generally relates to devices and methods for protecting an optical fiber during assembly of an optical system. In certain aspect, the invention provides an optical fiber protector. The optical fiber protector includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to contact and couple to an optical fiber connector. The second portion is configured to couple to an optical component. The optical fiber protector further includes a bore for receiving at least a portion of an optical fiber there through.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: VOLCANO CORPORATIONInventor: David Welford
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Publication number: 20140177237Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and systems for narrowing a wavelength emission of light. In certain aspects, methods of the invention involve transmitting light through a filter and passing a portion of the filtered light through a gain chip assembly at least two times before that portion of light passes again through the filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: VOLCANO CORPORATIONInventor: David Welford
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Publication number: 20140177660Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to feedback loops for wavelength stabilization. According to certain aspects, a method of the invention includes filtering light through a tunable filter configured to deliver a target wavelength of light, measuring the wavelength of the filtered light, detecting a change between the target wavelength and the filtered wavelength, and adjusting the tunable filter based on the detected change so that the filtered wavelength matches the target wavelength.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: VOLCANO CORPORATIONInventor: David Welford
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Publication number: 20140098099Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for three dimensional imaging of tissue. The invention provides systems and methods to provide a representation of tissue from three-dimensional data in the form of a montage of images having an indication of a spatial registration among the images.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: VOLCANO CORPORATIONInventor: David Welford
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Publication number: 20140098412Abstract: The invention relates to optical system including light sources that amplify light using a gain medium. Systems and method of the invention are provided for amplifying light while inhibiting reflections at a peak gain of the gain medium, thereby suppressing parasitic lasing. This allows a system to use a broad range of wavelengths without parasitic lasing, thereby increasing the useable range of a tunable optical filter. In this manner, light at wavelengths not at a peak gain can be used effectively, and the gain medium of an optical amplifier does not limit use of a system to a narrow range of wavelengths associated with a peak gain of the gain medium. A single optical system according to the invention can thus be used for applications that require a broad range of wavelengths.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: VOLCANO CORPORATIONInventor: David Welford
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Patent number: 7839290Abstract: A safety device which emits sounds that guide rescuers to people trapped in collapsed structures.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Inventors: David Welford Chidakel, William Harris Groves, Jr., Paul A. Boduch, Michael Ellsworth Beach
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Publication number: 20100149222Abstract: The invention relates to light sources and displays incorporating blue laser pumped light sources that provide green light. According to a first aspect of the invention, a green light source includes a semiconductor diode laser emitting light in an optical path having a dominant wavelength within the blue spectral region, a substrate positioned in the optical path of the semiconductor diode laser, and a material coupled to the substrate. The material is selected to absorb light emitted by the semiconductor diode laser and, in response, to emit light having a dominant wavelength within the green spectral region. According to a second aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a lighting module for a display, the lighting module includes an array of red laser light sources, an array of blue laser light sources, and an array of green light sources according to the first aspect of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: Corporation for Laser Optics ResearchInventors: David Welford, Masayuki Karakawa