Patents by Inventor Frank T Cianciotto

Frank T Cianciotto 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: 7603017
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a multi-color curved multi-light generating apparatus comprises a first input component adapted to receive a first input light beam, a second input component adapted to receive a second input light beam, a third input component adapted to receive a third input light beam, and an output component adapted to provide an output light beam. The input components and the output component are joined together to combine the input light beams and form the output light beam. In various implementations, each of the input components and the output component comprise a hollow tube with a polygonal cross-section, such as a hexagonal cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Frank T Cianciotto, George H Butler, III
  • Publication number: 20080292259
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a multi-color curved multi-light generating apparatus comprises a first input component adapted to receive a first input light beam, a second input component adapted to receive a second input light beam, a third input component adapted to receive a third input light beam, and an output component adapted to provide an output light beam. The input components and the output component are joined together to combine the input light beams and form the output light beam. In various implementations, each of the input components and the output component comprise a hollow tube with a polygonal cross-section, such as a hexagonal cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Frank T. Cianciotto, George H. Butler, III
  • Patent number: 7443591
    Abstract: An optical homogenizing and combining apparatus, comprises a one piece, hollow, tubular body having a first input leg, a second input leg and an output leg, each leg having a polygonal cross-section and highly reflective interior surfaces in accordance with an embodiment. The body has a shape corresponding to first and second bent tubes, the tubes being truncated along a plane and joined at a junction lying in the plane. The a first end of the first tube defines the first input leg, a first end of the second tube defines the second input leg, and a second end of the first tube and a second end of the second tube define the output leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Frank T. Cianciotto, George H. Butler, III
  • Publication number: 20080247047
    Abstract: An optical homogenizing and combining apparatus, comprises a one piece, hollow, tubular body having a first input leg, a second input leg and an output leg, each leg having a polygonal cross-section and highly reflective interior surfaces in accordance with an embodiment. The body has a shape corresponding to first and second bent tubes, the tubes being truncated along a plane and joined at a junction lying in the plane. The a first end of the first tube defines the first input leg, a first end of the second tube defines the second input leg, and a second end of the first tube and a second end of the second tube define the output leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Frank T. Cianciotto, George H. Butler
  • Patent number: 7414793
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes a hollow tubular body with a polygonal cross-section and a highly reflective interior surface, a first filter, and a second filter. The body includes an input end portion configured to receive and reflect white light having a Gaussian profile to produce a homogenized input beam, a first output leg portion configured to receive and reflect a first reflected beam to produce a first homogenized output beam having a first wavelength characteristic and a top hat profile, and a second output leg portion configured to receive and reflect a second reflected beam to produce a second homogenized output beam having a second wavelength characteristic and a top hat profile. The first filter is configured to receive the homogenized input beam and produce the first reflected beam and a first transmitted beam. The second filter is configured to receive the first transmitted beam and produce the second reflected beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Frank T. Cianciotto
  • Patent number: 7386214
    Abstract: An optical homogenizing and combining apparatus includes a one piece hollow tubular body having a first and second input legs and an output leg, each leg having a polygonal cross-section and a highly reflective interior surface, the first input leg being configured to receive a first light beam having a first intensity and spectral content that is reflected within the first leg to provide a first leg output beam, the second input leg being configured to receive a second light beam having a second intensity and spectral content that is reflected within the second leg to provide a second leg output beam, the first and second leg output beams being combined and reflected in the third leg to provide an output beam that is a combination of the first intensity and spectral content and the second intensity and spectral content and having a top hat profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Frank T. Cianciotto
  • Publication number: 20080123196
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes a hollow tubular body with a polygonal cross-section and a highly reflective interior surface, a first filter, and a second filter. The body includes an input end portion configured to receive and reflect white light having a Gaussian profile to produce a homogenized input beam, a first output leg portion configured to receive and reflect a first reflected beam to produce a first homogenized output beam having a first wavelength characteristic and a top hat profile, and a second output leg portion configured to receive and reflect a second reflected beam to produce a second homogenized output beam having a second wavelength characteristic and a top hat profile. The first filter is configured to receive the homogenized input beam and produce the first reflected beam and a first transmitted beam. The second filter is configured to receive the first transmitted beam and produce the second reflected beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Frank T. Cianciotto
  • Patent number: 7324731
    Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing signals communicated on fiber optic transmission lines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic communications system includes a transmitter operable to transmit an optical signal, and at least one receiver operable to receive an optical signal. A fiber optic splitter assembly includes a first optic fiber coupled to the transmitter and one or more second optic fibers adjacent to the first optic fiber and coupled to the one or more receivers. The respective terminal ends of the first optic fiber and the one or more second optic fibers are spaced apart from a concave optical reflector that is operable to receive optical signals from the first optical fiber and to reflect the optical signals towards the one or more second optic fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Frank T. Cianciotto
  • Patent number: 7265906
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a light mixing and homogenizing apparatus includes a tubular member and a dividing member. The tubular member has a reflective interior surface and a polygonal cross section. The tubular member has a first end configured to receive a plurality of incoming light beams and a second end configured to output mixed and homogenized light from the plurality of incoming light beams. The dividing member has a reflective surface and is located within the tubular member first end. The dividing member is configured to separate the plurality of incoming light beams from each other prior to mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Frank T. Cianciotto
  • Patent number: 7182495
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a light mixing and homogenizing apparatus includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The first tubular member has a reflective interior surface, a polygonal cross section with a first maximum diameter, and a first number of sides. The first tubular member has a first end and a second end with the first end configured to receive a plurality of incoming light beams. The second tubular member has a reflective interior surface, a polygonal cross section with a second maximum diameter smaller than the first maximum diameter, and a second number of sides that is different from the first number of sides. The second tubular member has a first end disposed adjacent to a first tubular member second end. The second tubular member second end is configured to output a homogeneous light beam comprising a mixture of the plurality of incoming light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Frank T. Cianciotto, George H. Butler, III
  • Patent number: 7173775
    Abstract: A light mixing apparatus and method for mixing two Gaussian profile input light beams of different frequencies to form a third, homogenized output light beam having a top hat profile. The apparatus includes a first homogenizer tube having interfaced to it a second homogenizer tube. The second homogenizer tube includes an outer tubular portion which receives inside of it a tubular subassembly having an optical element at one end. The optical element is positioned to reside within the first homogenizer tube at a 45° angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the first homogenizer tube. The optical element is transmissive on one surface and on the opposite surface includes a reflective surface for reflecting light traveling through the second homogenizer tube along the longitudinal axis of the first homogenizer tube. The apparatus forms a robust yet efficient means for mixing Gaussian profile light beams of different wavelengths to produce an output light beam having a top hat profile and a desired color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Frank T Cianciotto, George H Butler