Patents by Inventor Kevin Boulais
Kevin Boulais 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: 10852475Abstract: A light transmission system is provided for operating an optically responsive circuit. The system includes a light guide film (LGF) to transmit light emitted from its edge, and a scattering node for directing the light to the circuit. The circuit is disposed on a proximate face of the LGF. The scattering node is disposed on a distal face of the LGF opposite the circuit. The circuit can be an integrated circuit, a light detection sensor or a photovoltaic cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Michael H. Fugate, Simin Feng, Walter D. Sessions, Robert B. Nichols, Victor H. Gehman, Jr.
-
Patent number: 10734732Abstract: An optically tunable metamaterial unit cell is provided for photonic switching. The cell is optically tunable and includes a dielectric substrate with upper and lower surfaces. The cell further includes arrays of metamaterial elements and a layer of photo-capacitive material. The arrays are disposed the upper surface of the dielectric substrate. The metamaterial is capable of reflecting electromagnetic radiation. The layer of photo-capacitive material overlaps the arrays of metamaterial elements. The photo-capacitive material is optically tunable.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2020Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Simin Feng, Kevin A. Boulais, Walter D. Sessions, Pearl Rayms-Keller, Robert B. Nichols, William F. Smith, Karen J. Long, Michael S. Lowry
-
Patent number: 10615506Abstract: A control device is provided for photonic switching. The device includes an optically tunable metamaterial unit cell. This structure includes a dielectric substrate; at least two arrays of metamaterial elements located on the top surface thereof, the metamaterial being capable of reflecting electromagnetic radiation, and a layer of photo-capacitive material overlapping the at least two arrays of metamaterial elements, the photo-capacitance of the photo-capacitive material being optically tunable; and a reflectarray or phased array system containing the unit cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Simin Feng, Kevin A. Boulais, Walter D. Sessions, Pearl Rayms-Keller, Robert B. Nichols, William F. Smith, Karen J. Long, Michael S. Lowry
-
Patent number: 10230170Abstract: A metal lens is provided for length compacting a horn antenna across a frequency bandwidth. The metal lens includes a feed guide segment having an input cross-section, an intermediate segment, and an exit segment. The feed guide segment receives a signal from the horn antenna along a carry direction; an intermediate segment that expands from the input cross-section laterally to the carry direction. The intermediate segment incorporates an intermediate split vane perpendicular to the carry direction to divide the signal along the carry direction. The exit segment incorporates a plurality of terminating split vanes lateral to the carry direction for transmitting the output signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy.Inventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Walter D. Sessions, Reniery Cevallos, Sarah C. Weston, Lucas R. Hale
-
Patent number: 10185911Abstract: A radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag is provided for receiving and reflecting electromagnetic energy at select frequency bands of visible and infrared wavelengths. The RFID tag includes an electrically conductive backplane; a dielectric substrate disposed on the backplane; a light guide film (LGF) disposed on the substrate, and metamaterial elements. The LGF has an exposed surface segregated into domains. The metamaterial devices are disposed on a domain. Each device is tuned to respond to a corresponding frequency among the select frequency bands.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2018Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Simin Feng, Kevin A. Boulais, Robert B. Nichols, Victor H. Gehman, Jr.
-
Patent number: 10186767Abstract: A metamaterial cloak is provided for extending deflection of an electromagnetic beam for a vertical beam angle other than bore sight. The cloak deflects an electromagnetic beam from a source in an environment and includes a laminate structure and an electromagnetic guide. The structure includes a plurality of conductive metal plates and metamaterial layers sandwiched therebetween within a planar shape. The electromagnetic guide is disposed around the laminate structure to provide a frontal face to the source. The guide matches impedance of the laminate structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Kevin A. Boulais
-
Publication number: 20180203189Abstract: A light transmission system is provided for operating an optically responsive circuit. The system includes a light guide film (LGF) to transmit light emitted from its edge, and a scattering node for directing the light to the circuit. The circuit is disposed on a proximate face of the LGF. The scattering node is disposed on a distal face of the LGF opposite the circuit. The circuit can be an integrated circuit, a light detection sensor or a photovoltaic cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2016Publication date: July 19, 2018Applicant: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Michael H. Fugate, Simin Feng, Walter D. Sessions, Robert B. Nichols, Victor H. Gehman, JR.
-
Patent number: 10014587Abstract: Chaff is provided for deployment from an aerial platform for retro-reflecting electromagnetic radiation projected to the platform. The chaff includes a plurality of retro-reflecting particles, with each particle being a retro-reflector. The plurality forms a cloud having aerial buoyancy. The particles can be a corner reflector with adjacent sides substantially perpendicular to one another, and in particular a trihedral corner reflector. Alternatively, the particles can be lens reflectors, such as a cat's eye. In addition, chaff is provided for deployment from an aerial platform for retro-reflecting electromagnetic radiation projected to the platform. The chaff includes a plurality of retro-reflecting particles and a substrate. Each particle of the plurality is a retro-reflector. The substrate attaches the plurality of particles.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Thomas L. Wilson
-
Publication number: 20180166596Abstract: A photoconductive device is provided for changing dielectric properties in response to select electromagnetic radiation. The device includes an optical core, an optical filter disposed on the core, and an optically clear insulator disposed on the filter. One example core is a quantum dot. Another example core is an optically clear core overlaid by a photoconductive coating disposed thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Michael S. Lowry, Simin Feng, Robert B. Nichols, Mark E. Preddy
-
Patent number: 9753185Abstract: A metamaterial control device is provided for controlling electromagnetic radiation. The device uses a light-guide film (LGF), with the LGF being capable of receiving light emission along an edge. The device includes a substrate disposed on a non-edges surface of the LGF, electromagnetic cellular structures that are controllable, and an optically sensitive component within some or all cells. The substrate is composed of metamaterial and having an interface that corresponds to an extractor on the non-edge surface for scattering light therefrom. Alternatively, the substrate can constitute the LGF itself. The cell structure is disposed around the extractor. The optically sensitive component is disposed to cover the extractor. The component changes in response to receiving the light from the extractor and changes in response to intensity of the light.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Francisco Santiago, Charles E. Mannix
-
Publication number: 20170075038Abstract: A metamaterial control device is provided for controlling electromagnetic radiation. The device uses a light-guide film (LGF), with the LGF being capable of receiving light emission along an edge. The device includes a substrate disposed on a non-edges surface of the LGF, electromagnetic cellular structures that are controllable, and an optically sensitive component within some or all cells. The substrate is composed of metamaterial and having an interface that corresponds to an extractor on the non-edge surface for scattering light therefrom. Alternatively, the substrate can constitute the LGF itself. The cell structure is disposed around the extractor. The optically sensitive component is disposed to cover the extractor. The component changes in response to receiving the light from the extractor and changes in response to intensity of the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Francisco Santiago, Charles E. Mannix
-
Patent number: 9524809Abstract: A dielectric composite material is provided for switch control by optical stimulus. The material includes a plurality of photo-conductive particulates; and a transparent binder for containing the plurality of particulates to form a photo-conductive pigment based matrix. The pigment based matrix is disposed on to overlap first and second separate electrodes to produce an electrical junction. Capacitance of the pigment based matrix changes from a first value absent the optical stimulus to a second value in response to illumination at a specific electromagnetic frequency and intensity by the optical stimulus.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Simin Feng, Pearl Rayms-Keller, Michael S. Lowry, Francesco Santiago
-
Patent number: 9515390Abstract: An electromagnetic reflector for reflecting an electromagnetic signal is provided based on meta-surface phase control using photo-capacitive materials, varactors or other tuning means. The shape of the metamaterial unit cell enhances the resonance and phase shift. The reflector includes first and second cells having respective first and second phase states, along with a switch for selecting between the first and second cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Simin Feng, Kevin A. Boulais, Frank L. Wallace, Blaise L. Corbett, Victor H. Gehman, Jr.
-
Patent number: 9095043Abstract: A cloak is provided for concealing an object to an electromagnetic field. A first vane encloses the object and a second vane encloses the first vane. The distance between the first and second vanes varies relative to the object, so as to conceal the object to the electromagnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Walter D. Sessions, Francisco Santiago, Pearl Rayms-Keller, Lucas R. Hale, Craig Andrew Calcagno
-
Publication number: 20140203819Abstract: A cloaked field sensor apparatus and system using a cloaking barrier sheath to substantially enclose the surface of a transmitter conduit exposed to an electromagnetic field being measured to reduce the field sensor's interference with the electromagnetic field being measured. Multiple cloaked field sensor apparatuses may be aligned in an array and use identical or different cloaking barrier sheaths.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2011Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Walter D. Sessions, Kevin A. Boulais, Jennifer K. Roames
-
Patent number: 8784704Abstract: A material is provided for switching dielectric constant between distinct first and second values responsive to electromagnetic radiation having a specified energy. The material includes a medium transparent to the radiation and a plurality of particulates. Each particulate has a dipole that assumes one of distinct first and second parameters that correspond to the first and second values. The particulates are suspended within the medium. The parameters are either dipole span or charge strength. The dipole of each particulate sets to the first parameter by default and sets to the second parameter in response to the radiation. The particulates can be composed from undoped semi-insulating gallium arsenide. The medium can be polymethylmethacrylate, for example.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Pearl Rayms-Keller, Michael S. Lowry, Francisco Santiago, Karen J. Long, Walter D. Sessions, Natasha Laguodas Wilkerson, Reniery Cevallos
-
Publication number: 20140145870Abstract: A continuous wave electromagnetic apparatus is provided for emitting electronic interference against a target. The apparatus includes a several magnetrons that connect in series. The magnetrons are tuned to frequencies distinguishable from each other. Each magnetron generates a corresponding continuous wave signal at a corresponding wavelength. A multiplexer connects to the several magnetrons to concatenate each the signal into a combination signal. An emitter device connects to the multiplexer to discharge the combination signal towards the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2012Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Kevin A. Boulais
-
Publication number: 20140061507Abstract: A material is provided for switching dielectric constant between distinct first and second values responsive to electromagnetic radiation having a specified energy. The material includes a medium transparent to the radiation and a plurality of particulates. Each particulate has a dipole that assumes one of distinct first and second parameters that correspond to the first and second values. The particulates are suspended within the medium. The parameters are either dipole span or charge strength. The dipole of each particulate sets to the first parameter by default and sets to the second parameter in response to the radiation. The particulates can be composed from undoped semi-insulating gallium arsenide. The medium can be polymethylmethacrylate, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: United States Government, as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Alfredo N. Rayms-Keller, Michael S. Lowry, Francisco Santiago, Karen J. Long, Walter D. Sessions, Natasha Laguodas Wilkerson, Reniery Cevallos
-
Patent number: 8519382Abstract: A photocapacitor device is provided for responding to a photon having at least a specified energy. The photocapacitive device includes a first portion composed of a photocapacitive material; a second portion composed of a non-photocapacitive material; and a depletion region disposed between the first and second portions. The photocapacitive and non-photocapacitive materials respectively have first and second Fermi-energy differences, with the second Fermi-energy difference being higher than the first Fermi-energy difference.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Donald W. Rule, Karen J. Long, Francisco Santiago, Pearl Rayms-Keller, Victor H. Gehman, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20130076556Abstract: A millimeter wave method and apparatus for detecting objects on humans, for example, that might be hidden, for example, under the human's clothing includes an active w-band radiation source to illuminate the human subject; a diffuser on the active illumination source; a receiver to acquire an active mode and a passive mode image; apparatus and methods to minimize background environmental millimeter waves; and a device to form and display a differential image. The resulting differential image may show contraband at high resolution while avoiding display of the human anatomy.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Edward R. Huber, Eric B. McDaniel, Jennifer K. Roames, Nancy A. Breaux, John Thaddeus Seeberger