Patents by Inventor Michael Scott Kranz
Michael Scott Kranz 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: 7748272Abstract: The MEMS Sensor Suite on a Chip provides the capability, monolithically integrated onto one MEMS chip, to sense temperature, humidity, and two axes of acceleration. The device incorporates a MEMS accelerometer, a MEMS humidity sensor, and a MEMS temperature sensor on one chip. These individual devices incorporate proof masses, suspensions, humidity sensitive capacitors, and temperature sensitive resistors (thermistors) all fabricated in a common fabrication process that allows them to be integrated onto one micromachined chip. The device can be fabricated in a simple micromachining process that allows its size to be miniaturized for embedded and portable applications. During operation, the sensor suite chip monitors temperature levels, humidity levels, and acceleration levels in two axes. External circuitry allows sensor readout, range selection, and signal processing.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Morgan Research CorporationInventors: Michael Scott Kranz, Robert Faye Elliot, Michael Ray Whitley, Marty Ray Williams, Philip John Reiner
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Patent number: 7605923Abstract: The present invention provides the capability of ascertaining, through a quick and simple measurement, locations on a structure that may have experienced damage that could result in reduced structure lifetime, strength, or reliability. The sensing element is a connectorized section of polarization maintaining (“PM”) optical fiber, where a length of PM fiber represents a fully distributed sensor array. Stress-induced changes to the sensor are measured through white-light Polarimetric interferometry. The output of the measurement is a data array representing the stress concentration magnitude at an array of locations along the length of the sensor. In an application, the knowledge of the optical fiber position on the structure, coupled with the measurement of stress locations along the fiber length, allows the user to determine locations on the structure with large stress concentrations. These locations may signify structural damage.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Morgan Research CorporationInventors: Jeffery Lee Williams, Michael Scott Kranz, Larry Christopher Heaton
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Patent number: 7474405Abstract: The Miniature Fourier Transform Spectrophotometer provides the capability, in a miniaturized device, of determining the light absorption/transmission spectra of a collected sample of gas or liquid though Fourier Transform spectroscopy techniques. The device takes an optical input from an optical fiber, manipulates that light through miniature optical components, and launches it into a miniaturized Michelson interferometer with a scanning mirror that acquires the interferogram of the optical input. The interferogram can be processed to retrieve the spectrum of the input light. A novel multi-stepped micro-mirror operates as the optical path length modulator in the miniaturized interferometer. A unique monolithic beamsplitter/mirror combination provides for accurate alignment of the components and greatly simplifies product integration. The device is designed to cover various optical spectra of interest.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Morgan Research CorporationInventors: Michael Scott Kranz, Larry Christopher Heaton, Calvin Wayne Long
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Publication number: 20080198388Abstract: The Miniature Fourier Transform Spectrophotometer provides the capability, in a miniaturized device, of determining the light absorption/transmission spectra of a collected sample of gas or liquid though Fourier Transform spectroscopy techniques. The device takes an optical input from an optical fiber, manipulates that light through miniature optical components, and launches it into a miniaturized Michelson interferometer with a scanning mirror that acquires the interferogram of the optical input. The interferogram can be processed to retrieve the spectrum of the input light. A novel multi-stepped micro-mirror operates as the optical path length modulator in the miniaturized interferometer. A unique monolithic beamsplitter/mirror combination provides for accurate alignment of the components and greatly simplifies product integration. The device is designed to cover various optical spectra of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: MORGAN RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Scott Kranz, Larry Christopher Heaton, Calvin Wayne Long
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Publication number: 20080163687Abstract: The MEMS Sensor Suite on a Chip provides the capability, monolithically integrated onto one MEMS chip, to sense temperature, humidity, and two axes of acceleration. The device incorporates a MEMS accelerometer, a MEMS humidity sensor, and a MEMS temperature sensor on one chip. These individual devices incorporate proof masses, suspensions, humidity sensitive capacitors, and temperature sensitive resistors (thermistors) all fabricated in a common fabrication process that allows them to be integrated onto one micromachined chip. The device can be fabricated in a simple micromachining process that allows its size to be miniaturized for embedded and portable applications. During operation, the sensor suite chip monitors temperature levels, humidity levels, and acceleration levels in two axes. External circuitry allows sensor readout, range selection, and signal processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2008Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: Morgan Research CorporationInventors: Michael Scott Kranz, Robert Faye Elliott, Michael Ray Whitley, Marty Ray Williams, Philip John Reiner
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Patent number: 7368312Abstract: The MEMS Sensor Suite on a Chip provides the capability, monolithically integrated onto one MEMS chip, to sense temperature, humidity, and two axes of acceleration. The device incorporates a MEMS accelerometer, a MEMS humidity sensor, and a MEMS temperature sensor on one chip. These individual devices incorporate proof masses, suspensions, humidity sensitive capacitors, and temperature sensitive resistors (thermistors) all fabricated in a common fabrication process that allows them to be integrated onto one micromachined chip. The device can be fabricated in a simple micromachining process that allows its size to be miniaturized for embedded and portable applications. During operation, the sensor suite chip monitors temperature levels, humidity levels, and acceleration levels in two axes. External circuitry allows sensor readout, range selection, and signal processing.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Morgan Research CorporationInventors: Michael Scott Kranz, Robert Faye Elliott, Michael Ray Whitley, Marty Ray Williams, Philip John Reiner
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Patent number: 7359058Abstract: The Miniature Fourier Transform Spectrophotometer provides the capability, in a miniaturized device, of determining the light absorption/transmission spectra of a collected sample of gas or liquid though Fourier Transform spectroscopy techniques. The device takes an optical input from an optical fiber, manipulates that light through miniature optical components, and launches it into a miniaturized Michelson interferometer with a scanning mirror that acquires the interferogram of the optical input. The interferogram can be processed to retrieve the spectrum of the input light. A novel multi-stepped micro-mirror operates as the optical path length modulator in the miniaturized interferometer. A unique monolithic beamsplitter/mirror combination provides for accurate alignment of the components and greatly simplifies product integration. The device is designed to cover various optical spectra of interest.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Morgan Research CorporationInventors: Michael Scott Kranz, Larry Christopher Heaton, Calvin Wayne Long
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Patent number: 7239064Abstract: The Resettable Latching MEMS Temperature Sensor provides the capability of recording external temperature extremes without consuming electrical power. The device incorporates a thermal bimorph, contacts, latches, and actuators for device reset. The device can be designed, hardwired, or programmed to trigger at various temperature levels. The device can be fabricated in a simple micromachining process that allows its size to be miniaturized for embedded and portable applications. During operation, the device consumes no quiescent power. The device can be configured to close a circuit, switch an interrupt signal, or switch some other electrical trigger signal between devices at the time of a temperature extreme being reached, or it can be configured to latch and be polled at some time after the temperature limit has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Morgan Research CorporationInventors: Arthur Anthony Jenkins, Michael Scott Kranz, Marty Ray Williams