Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Whiteaker

Kevin L. Whiteaker 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: 11949456
    Abstract: A system for communication is provided. The system includes an emitter transmitting a first code of a first wavelength. The system includes a filter or variable waveplate receiving the first code. The system includes a receiver sensor receiving the filtered first code. The system includes the emitter transmitting a second code of a second wavelength. The system includes the variable waveplate or other filter receiving the second signal. The system includes the receiver sensor receiving the filtered second code. The first and second codes may be used for communication, synchronizing the emitter, and other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald P. Earhart, Kevin L. Whiteaker
  • Patent number: 11796827
    Abstract: A Lidar system is provided. The Lidar system includes a laser emitter transmitting a first signal of a first wavelength. The Lidar system includes a filter receiving the first signal. The Lidar system includes a first dichroic filter switch filtering the first signal received by the variable waveplate or other filter. The Lidar system includes a receiver sensor receiving the filtered first signal. The Lidar system includes the laser emitter transmitting a second signal of a second wavelength. The Lidar system includes the variable waveplate or other filter receiving the second signal. The Lidar system includes the first dichroic filter switch filtering the second signal. The Lidar system includes the receiver sensor receiving the filtered second signal. A processor determines a distance of a target based on the received filtered first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald P. Earhart, Kevin L. Whiteaker
  • Publication number: 20220376793
    Abstract: A system for communication is provided. The system includes an emitter transmitting a first code of a first wavelength. The system includes a filter or variable waveplate receiving the first code. The system includes a receiver sensor receiving the filtered first code. The system includes the emitter transmitting a second code of a second wavelength. The system includes the variable waveplate or other filter receiving the second signal. The system includes the receiver sensor receiving the filtered second code. The first and second codes may be used for communication, synchronizing the emitter, and other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald P. Earhart, Kevin L. Whiteaker
  • Patent number: 9535258
    Abstract: Methods and systems for correcting chromatic aberrations in a telescope incorporating a diffractive primary optical element are provided. In particular, a corrective optic assembly that includes a corrector diffractive optical element (DOE) is described. The corrective optic assembly provides light to the corrector DOE at a high incidence angle. Moreover, light is reflected from the corrector DOE at a high exit angle comprising a cylindrical Littrow configuration allowing for greater bandwidth and smaller size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Whiteaker