Patents by Inventor Steven J. Byrnes
Steven J. Byrnes 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: 11953625Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a light source and an arrayed micro-optic configured to receive light from the light source so as to produce and project a two-dimensional array of light spots on a scene. The LiDAR system also includes receiver optics having an array of optical detection sites configured so as to be suitable for establishing a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two-dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics. The LiDAR system further includes a beamsplitter and a lens. The LiDAR system may also include a mask placed in the light path between the beamsplitter and the receiver optics. Alternatively, the LiDAR system may include a controller programmed to activate or deactivate each optical detection site.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Michael G. Moebius, Lucas D. Benney, Steven J. Spector, Steven J. Byrnes
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Patent number: 11947040Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a light source and an arrayed micro-optic configured to receive light from the light source so as to produce and project a two-dimensional array of light spots on a scene. The LiDAR system also includes receiver optics having an array of optical detection sites configured so as to be suitable for establishing a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two-dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics. The LiDAR system further includes a birefringent prism and a lens. The LiDAR system may also include a mask placed in the light path between the birefringent prism and the receiver optics. Alternatively, the LiDAR system may include a controller programmed to activate or deactivate each optical detection site.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Michael G. Moebius, Lucas D. Benney, Steven J. Spector, Steven J. Byrnes
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Publication number: 20240075770Abstract: Systems are provided for an axle housing for a vehicle. In one example, system includes a differential housing comprising a modular Salisbury style center section comprising tube mounts configured to receive tube assemblies via a press fit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2022Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Scott L. STEWARD JR., Steven Thomas BYRNE, Ryan W. LASKEY, David G. MOSES, Benjamin J. PASSINO
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Patent number: 11762062Abstract: A LiDAR system emits single mode light from a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) and is capable of receiving a different mode light, or multiple modes of light, into the PIC. Objects in the LiDAR's field of view may reflect light with a mode different from the mode of the light that illuminated the objects. Thus, in some embodiments, a single-mode optical waveguide, a single-mode-multi-mode optical junction, a multi-mode optical waveguide and an array of optical emitters on the PIC are configured to emit into free space light of a single mode from each optical emitter of the array of optical emitters. The multi-mode optical waveguide and the array of optical emitters are configured to receive from the free space light of a mode different from the single mode, or multiple modes, and to couple the light of the different mode or multiple modes into the multi-mode optical waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Byrnes, Michael G. Moebius, Steven J. Spector
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Patent number: 11688995Abstract: A grating emitter method and system for modulating the polarization of an optical beam, such as one for transmission through free-space or use in an atomic clock.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Spector, Steven J. Byrnes, Robert Lutwak
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Publication number: 20230079911Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a light source and an arrayed micro-optic configured to receive light from the light source so as to produce and project a two-dimensional array of light spots on a scene. The LiDAR system also includes receiver optics having an array of optical detection sites configured so as to be suitable for establishing a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two-dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics. The LiDAR system further includes a birefringent prism and a lens. The LiDAR system may also include a mask placed in the light path between the birefringent prism and the receiver optics. Alternatively, the LiDAR system may include a controller programmed to activate or deactivate each optical detection site.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Michael G. MOEBIUS, Lucas D. BENNEY, Steven J. SPECTOR, Steven J. BYRNES
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Patent number: 11579253Abstract: A LiDAR system has a field of view and includes a polarization-based waveguide splitter. The splitter includes a first splitter port, a second splitter port and a common splitter port. A laser is optically coupled to the first splitter port via a single-polarization waveguide. An objective lens optically couples each optical emitter of an array of optical emitters to a respective unique portion of the field of view. An optical switching network is coupled via respective dual-polarization waveguides between the common splitter port and the array of optical emitters. An optical receiver is optically coupled to the second splitter port via a dual-polarization waveguide and is configured to receive light reflected from the field of view. A controller, coupled to the optical switching network, is configured to cause the optical switching network to route light from the laser to a sequence of the optical emitters according to a temporal pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Byrnes, Steven J. Spector, Michael G. Moebius
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Patent number: 11550037Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a light source and an arrayed micro-optic configured to receive light from the light source so as to produce and project a two-dimensional array of light spots on a scene. The LiDAR system also includes receiver optics having an array of optical detection sites configured so as to be suitable for establishing a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two-dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics. The LiDAR system further includes a birefringent prism and a lens. The LiDAR system may also include a mask placed in the light path between the birefringent prism and the receiver optics. Alternatively, the LiDAR system may include a controller programmed to activate or deactivate each optical detection site.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Michael G. Moebius, Lucas D. Benney, Steven J. Spector, Steven J. Byrnes
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Patent number: 11340513Abstract: An electro-holographic light field generator device is disclosed. The light field generator device has an optical substrate with a waveguide face and an exit face. One or more surface acoustic wave (SAW) optical modulator devices are included within each light field generator device. The SAW devices each include a light input, a waveguide, and a SAW transducer, all configured for guided mode confinement of input light within the waveguide. A leaky mode deflection of a portion of the waveguided light, or diffractive light, impinges upon the exit face. Multiple output optics at the exit face are configured for developing from each of the output optics a radiated exit light from the diffracted light for at least one of the waveguides. An RF controller is configured to control the SAW devices to develop the radiated exit light as a three-dimensional output light field with horizontal parallax and compatible with observer vertical motion.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Ian W. Frank, Steven J. Byrnes, Juha-Pekka J. Laine, Gregg E. Favalora, Joseph J. Register, Dennis M. Callahan, Michael G. Moebius
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Patent number: 11243450Abstract: A light field generator system including a leaky-mode SAW modulator is disclosed. The modulator incorporates at least one optical power component, such as a concave mirror or volume grating having a non-zero diopter rating. In some embodiments, the system incorporates the at least one optical power component by embedding the optical power component within a substrate of the SAW modulator and/or by placing the optical power component upon a surface of the SAW modulator.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Gregg E. Favalora, Michael G. Moebius, Steven J. Byrnes
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Publication number: 20210349186Abstract: A LiDAR system emits single mode light from a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) and is capable of receiving a different mode light, or multiple modes of light, into the PIC. Objects in the LiDAR's field of view may reflect light with a mode different from the mode of the light that illuminated the objects. Thus, in some embodiments, a single-mode optical waveguide, a single-mode-multi-mode optical junction, a multi-mode optical waveguide and an array of optical emitters on the PIC are configured to emit into free space light of a single mode from each optical emitter of the array of optical emitters. The multi-mode optical waveguide and the array of optical emitters are configured to receive from the free space light of a mode different from the single mode, or multiple modes, and to couple the light of the different mode or multiple modes into the multi-mode optical waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Steven J. Byrnes, Michael G. Moebius, Steven J. Spector
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Publication number: 20210341585Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a light source and an arrayed micro-optic configured to receive light from the light source so as to produce and project a two-dimensional array of light spots on a scene. The LiDAR system also includes receiver optics having an array of optical detection sites configured so as to be suitable for establishing a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two-dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics. The LiDAR system further includes a birefringent prism and a lens. The LiDAR system may also include a mask placed in the light path between the birefringent prism and the receiver optics. Alternatively, the LiDAR system may include a controller programmed to activate or deactivate each optical detection site.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2020Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Michael G. Moebius, Lucas D. Benney, Steven J. Spector, Steven J. Byrnes
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Patent number: 11119383Abstract: Acousto-optical modulators, such as a SAW modulators, with telescope arrays and superimposed volume gratings for light field generation are disclosed. These devices can employ pixelated demagnification and have layers of output optics, such as reflective gratings and/or arrays of transmissive refractive or diffractive lenses that manipulate the light emitted by the SAW modulator. In other cases, superimposed volume gratings are used, in which pixilation occurs in angle space.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Byrnes, Gregg E. Favalora, Ian Ward Frank, Joseph J. Register, Michael G. Moebius
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Patent number: 11092427Abstract: A system and method for metrology and profilometry using a light field generator are disclosed. For this purpose, a system such as an optical analysis system scans a sample using light, and detects light reflected off a sample in various ways. The system operates different operational modes including a backscatter intensity, a triangulation, and an interferometric mode. For this purpose, the optical analysis system includes one or more optical angle modulation systems, such as surface acoustic wave (SAW) modulators, that emit light, a sample holder, and a scanning system that scans the one or more SAW modulators relative to the sample holder. The system performs tomographic reconstructions of information generated by the scans to create 3D maps/volume datasets of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Byrnes, Jeffrey A. Korn, Gregg E. Favalora, Juha-Pekka J. Laine, Michael G. Moebius
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Publication number: 20210231780Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a light source and an arrayed micro-optic configured to receive light from the light source so as to produce and project a two-dimensional array of light spots on a scene. The LiDAR system also includes receiver optics having an array of optical detection sites configured so as to be suitable for establishing a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two-dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics. The LiDAR system further includes a beamsplitter and a lens. The LiDAR system may also include a mask placed in the light path between the beamsplitter and the receiver optics. Alternatively, the LiDAR system may include a controller programmed to activate or deactivate each optical detection site.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Michael G. Moebius, Lucas D. Benney, Steven J. Spector, Steven J. Byrnes
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Patent number: 11054676Abstract: A system and method for improving spatial light modulator (SLM) devices such as Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) modulators are disclosed. The SAW modulators can improved angular bandwidth and suppress unwanted diffractive orders. In one example, a coating layer(s) is applied to a proximal face of the SAW modulator to improve coupling of guided modes into leaky modes. Additionally, applying coating layers(s) such as a hybrid anti-reflective/highly reflective coating to an exit face of the SAW modulator can suppress transmission of undesired diffractive order(s).Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Ian Ward Frank, Jeffrey A. Korn, Steven J. Byrnes, Dennis M. Callahan, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210119410Abstract: A grating emitter method and system for modulating the polarization of an optical beam, such as one for transmission through free-space or use in an atomic clock.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Steven J. Spector, Steven J. Byrnes, Robert Lutwak
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Patent number: 10935868Abstract: A light steeling system and method for diffractive steering of electromagnetic radiation such as visible light is disclosed. Embodiments of the light steering system include leaky-mode SAW modulators as light modulator devices. The SAW modulators preferably include reflective diffractive gratings. The gratings are mounted to/patterned upon an exit face that opposes an exit surface of the SAW modulator, in one example. Steering of light signals emitted from the SAW modulators in these systems can be accomplished by varying wavelength of light signals introduced to the SAW modulators, and/or by varying frequency of RF drive signals applied to the SAW modulators. In addition, light field generators that incorporate SAW modulators of the proposed light steering system within displays of the light field generators are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Byrnes, Gregg E. Favalora, Ian Ward Frank, Anthony Kopa, Jeffrey A. Korn, Michael G. Moebius
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Patent number: 10938430Abstract: A communication system for a hypersonic vehicle uses a distributed antenna system, an impedance matching circuit that provides impedance matching between a transmitter and/or receiver and the selected one or more antennas of the distributed antennas system and a surrounding plasma sheath, near-field probes to determine impedance of the plasma sheath adjacent to each of the probes and thus predict behavior of the respective antennas near the probes, and a control system that selectively connects a transmitter and/or receiver to one or more of the antennas based upon the antennas that are seeing the most favorable transmission or reception characteristics and controlling the impedance matching is to provide impedance matching for the selected antennas.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Korn, Steven J. Byrnes, Baturalp R. Arslan
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Publication number: 20210033943Abstract: An electro-holographic light field generator device is disclosed. The light field generator device has an optical substrate with a waveguide face and an exit face. One or more surface acoustic wave (SAW) optical modulator devices are included within each light field generator device. The SAW devices each include a light input, a waveguide, and a SAW transducer, all configured for guided mode confinement of input light within the waveguide. A leaky mode deflection of a portion of the waveguided light, or diffractive light, impinges upon the exit face. Multiple output optics at the exit face are configured for developing from each of the output optics a radiated exit light from the diffracted light for at least one of the waveguides. An RF controller is configured to control the SAW devices to develop the radiated exit light as a three-dimensional output light field with horizontal parallax and compatible with observer vertical motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Ian W. Frank, Steven J. Byrnes, Juha-Pekka J. Laine, Gregg E. Favalora, Joseph J. Register, Dennis M. Callahan, Michael G. Moebius