Patents by Inventor Eric Fiveland

Eric Fiveland 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).

  • Optically controlled MEMS switch and method of using the same
    Patent number: 8749237
    Abstract: The present embodiments are directed towards the optical control of switching an electrical assembly. For example, in an embodiment, an electrical package is provided. The electrical package generally includes a micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) device configured to interface with an electrical assembly, the MEMS device being operable to vary the electrical assembly between a first electrical state and a second electrical state, a MEMS device driver in communication with the MEMS device and being operable to produce high voltage switching logic from an electrical signal, and an optical detector in communication with the MEMS device driver and configured to produce the electrical signal from an optical signal produced by a light source in response to an applied current-based electrical control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph Alfred Iannotti, Eric Fiveland, William Platt
  • OPTICALLY CONTROLLED MEMS SWITCH AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20120176135
    Abstract: The present embodiments are directed towards the optical control of switching an electrical assembly. For example, in an embodiment, an electrical package is provided. The electrical package generally includes a micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) device configured to interface with an electrical assembly, the MEMS device being operable to vary the electrical assembly between a first electrical state and a second electrical state, a MEMS device driver in communication with the MEMS device and being operable to produce high voltage switching logic from an electrical signal, and an optical detector in communication with the MEMS device driver and configured to produce the electrical signal from an optical signal produced by a light source in response to an applied current-based electrical control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph Alfred Iannotti, Eric Fiveland, William Platt