Patents by Inventor Leslie Charles Laycock
Leslie Charles Laycock 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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Patent number: 8519315Abstract: A mirror structure is provided in which at least a portion of a wavefront sensor is integrated with a mirror. In particular, a mirror structure is provided in which a Hartmann mask or a microlens array of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is integrated with a mirror to provide a very compact wavefront detector/corrector in a single device. Such a mirror structure may be used with a tip-tilt stage in a laser cavity to provide much simplified adaptive optics in the cavity. Furthermore, a Hartmann Mask may be integrated with self deforming mirror comprising an active PZT layer bonded to a passive mirror substrate, wherein the Hartmann Mask comprises an array of apertures formed through the active PZT layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: BAE Systems PLCInventors: Michael Stewart Griffith, Leslie Charles Laycock, Peter Blyth
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Publication number: 20120075732Abstract: Fluid pressure, applied e.g. via an electrorheological fluid is used to control and/or support the shape of a self-deformable mirror during manufacture, use or transportation. For transportation, the mirror is supported beforehand by pressure fluid in a flexible container. The fluid is withdrawn after transportation to permit release of the mirror. The transportation aspect of the invention is applicable also to other fragile structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventors: Michael Stewart Griffith, Leslie Charles Laycock, Martin Green
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Patent number: 8129670Abstract: Improved optical vector matrix multipliers are disclosed. The multipliers comprise: a plurality of light sources, each operable to radiate light of intensity ui; fan-out optics arranged to expand the light radiated by the light sources in one dimension; a spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of light modulating zones, each zone receiving light from one of the light sources and being operable to modulate the intensity of said received light by a factor of vij; and fan-in optics arranged to focus the modulated light onto a plurality of light detectors. The fan out optics, spatial light modulator, and fan-in optics are arranged such that an intensity of light proportional to ? i ? ? u i ? v ij is received at each light detector; and the fan-out optics comprise guided-wave optical components. Specific embodiments are disclosed in which the fanout optics comprise optical splitters, or a partially guiding wedge prism.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2011Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: BAE Systems PLCInventors: Leslie Charles Laycock, Vincent Andrei Henderek
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Patent number: 8110791Abstract: An imaging device, particularly but not exclusively for use in a targeting sensor for missile seekers. The imaging device including at least one lens; a substantially planar sensor having a plurality of pixels; a light guiding arrangement for directing light received via said lenses toward said sensor; in which said light guiding arrangement includes a plurality of light guides.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: BAE Systems plcInventors: Leslie Charles Laycock, Vincent Andrei Handerek
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Publication number: 20110317152Abstract: A mirror structure is provided in which at least a portion of a wavefront sensor is integrated with a mirror. In particular, a mirror structure is provided in which a Hartmann mask or a microlens array of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is integrated with a mirror to provide a very compact wavefront detector/corrector in a single device. Such a mirror structure may be used in a laser cavity to simplify adaptive optics in the cavity. Furthermore, a Hartmann Mask may be integrated with self deforming mirror comprising an active PZT layer bonded to a passive mirror substrate, wherein the Hartmann Mask comprises an array of apertures formed through the active PZT layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2009Publication date: December 29, 2011Inventors: Michael Stewart Griffith, Leslie Charles Laycock, Peter Blyth
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Publication number: 20110282621Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring, remotely, information relating to the motion of at least one moving object. The apparatus comprises: means for illuminating a retro-reflective data carrier mounted on each moving object, in particular when the moving object is located at a predetermined monitoring position; means for detecting, in optical signals returned by the retro-reflective data carrier, data representing a timing trigger and data representing an identifier for the at least one moving object; timer means responsive to a timing trigger detected at the predetermined monitoring position to trigger a timer associated with a detected identifier; and an output to provide timing information associated with the detected identifier, and hence relating to the at least one moving object at the predetermined monitoring position. The timing information may be used to derive relative ordering, relative timing or speeds of moving objects, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2009Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventors: Alexander George Simpson, Vincent Andrei Handerek, Leslie Charles Laycock, Hywel John Mcardle, Andrew Graham McCarthy, Christophe Arthur Paul Boulet
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Publication number: 20110222177Abstract: A passive suspension for a bimorph or other self-deforming mirror includes elements, e.g., of herringbone shape, extending between an edge of the mirror substrate and a support structure. The elements have portions directed transversely (e.g. obliquely) relative to a direction of relative movement between the mirror edge and the support structure, so as to accommodate the movement by bending.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2009Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventors: Michael Stewart Griffith, Leslie Charles Laycock, Nicholas John Archer
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Publication number: 20110215229Abstract: An identification device 10 comprises a retroreflector 12 for receiving an incident beam of radiation 14 from a detection unit 15 remote from the device and selectively retroreflecting the incident beam back to the detection unit. The retroflector 12 comprises a substantially spherical graded refractive index lens 16 and a reflective part 18 for reflecting the incident beam of radiation passing through the lens. In a first condition, or mode, of the retroreflector, the lens 16 and the reflective part 18 are located relative to each other so that the incident beam of radiation 14 is retroreflected back to the detection unit. In a second condition, or mode, of the retroreflector 12, the lens 16 and the reflective part 18 are located relative to each other so that the reflected beam of radiation 22 is directed away from the detection unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2009Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventors: Leslie Charles Laycock, Michael Stewart Griffith, Hywel Jhon. Mcardle
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Publication number: 20110211190Abstract: A mirror structure is provided in which at least a portion of a wavefront sensor is integrated with a mirror. In particular, a mirror structure is provided in which a Hartmann mask or a microlens array of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is integrated with a mirror to provide a very compact wavefront detector/corrector in a single device. Such a mirror structure may be used with a tip-tilt stage in a laser cavity to provide much simplified adaptive optics in the cavity. Furthermore, a Hartmann Mask may be integrated with self deforming mirror comprising an active PZT layer bonded to a passive mirror substrate, wherein the Hartmann Mask comprises an array of apertures formed through the active PZT layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2009Publication date: September 1, 2011Inventors: Michael Stewart Griffith, Leslie Charles Laycock, Peter Blyth
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Publication number: 20110095692Abstract: A camouflage panel arranged to be attachable to an outer area of a submarine is disclosed. The panel comprises a light emitter operable such that light is emitted from a surface of the panel. The intensity and colour of the emitted light being controllable in response to a control signal received from a sensor arranged to sense the intensity and colour of light in the region of the submarine. Apparatus comprising a number of such panels is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS PLCInventors: Leslie Charles Laycock, Andrew Graham McCarthy, John Martin Bagshaw
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Patent number: 7832879Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in thermal management in deformable mirrors. In particular, this invention relates to a deformable mirror comprising a heat spreader used to distribute thermal energy evenly across the mirror. Diamond material 104, on account of its extremely high thermal conductivity, is a preferred choice of heat spreader which permits build up of thermal energy in the mirror 100 to be quickly and evenly distributed across the entire mirror surface, increasing the working life of the mirror.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2005Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Bae Systems PLCInventors: Michael Stewart Griffith, Leslie Charles Laycock
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Patent number: 7780328Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus which is, under a range of atmospheric conditions, capable of maintaining the emission of light at a point remote from a light source. Notably, the apparatus is able to heat and distribute a fluid, and by doing so, prevents condensation and ice from forming which could hamper the emission of light. The apparatus comprises a light source and a light emitter, with a light conduit and a fluid conduit running between. A method for using such apparatus is also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: BAE Systems PlcInventors: Peter David Foote, Christopher Stace, Leslie Charles Laycock
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Publication number: 20100200736Abstract: An imaging device, particularly but not exclusively for use in a targeting sensor for missile seekers. The imaging device including at least one lens; a substantially planar sensor having a plurality of pixels; a light guiding arrangement for directing light received via said lenses toward said sensor; in which said light guiding arrangement includes a plurality of light guides.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2008Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Leslie Charles Laycock, Vincent Andrei Handerek
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Publication number: 20100165432Abstract: Improved optical vector matrix multipliers are disclosed. The multipliers comprise: a plurality of light sources, each operable to radiate light of intensity ui; fan-out optics arranged to expand the light radiated by the light sources in one dimension; a spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of light modulating zones, each zone receiving light from one of the light sources and being operable to modulate the intensity of said received light by a factor of vij; and fan-in optics arranged to focus the modulated light onto a plurality of light detectors. The fan out optics, spatial light modulator, and fan-in optics are arranged such that an intensity of light proportional to ? i ? ? u i ? v ij is received at each light detector; and the fan-out optics comprise guided-wave optical components. Specific embodiments are disclosed in which the fanout optics comprise optical splitters, or a partially guiding wedge prism.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventors: Leslie Charles Laycock, Vincent Andrei Henderek
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Publication number: 20100157438Abstract: A fluidic lens includes a cavity 16 containing an optically transparent liquid and bounded by optically transparent walls 10, 32 arranged such that light may pass into the fluid via one wall and exit from the fluid via another wall, at least one said wall including at least one optically transparent piezoelectric element which is deformable so as to change the shape of the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventors: Michael S. GRIFFITH, Leslie Charles Laycock
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Patent number: 7708415Abstract: This invention concerns improvements relating to a deformable-mirror holder for holding a mirror in a desired position, to within accepted tolerances, even whilst the mirror is deforming or in a deformed state. More particularly but not exclusively, this invention relates to a holder for a bimorph mirror. A deformable mirror holder (31) is provided comprising a body with a receiving portion for receiving a deformable mirror (30), and wherein the receiving portion is defined by a passive flexible support structure (41) such that, in use, to the support structure provides a supporting surface to the mirror. This invention extends to a deformable mirror and a deformable mirror holder as described above.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: BAE Systems PLCInventors: Michael Stewart Griffith, Leslie Charles Laycock, Nicholas John Archer, Andrew Graham McCarthy
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Publication number: 20090279323Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus which is, under a range of atmospheric conditions, capable of maintaining the emission of light at a point remote from a light source. Notably, the apparatus is able to heat and distribute a fluid, and by doing so, prevents condensation and ice from forming which could hamper the emission of light. The apparatus comprises a light source and a light emitter, with a light conduit and a fluid conduit running between. A method for using such apparatus is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2007Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventors: Peter David Foote, Christopher Stace, Leslie charles Laycock
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Patent number: 7170688Abstract: A retroreflective device comprising a substantially spherical graded refractive index lens, referred to as a GRIN-sphere lens (2), a reflective part for retroreflecting (6) a radiation beam (B) passing through the graded refractive index lens and, at least partially surrounding the lens, a transparent material (4) having a substantially uniform refractive index.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: BAE Systems PLCInventors: Vincent Andrei Handerek, Leslie Charles Laycock