Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Houy

Thomas J. Houy 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: 5113131
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring an unknown voltage using electro-optic materials includes a beam transmitter, voltage sensor, and a receiver. The beam transmitter generates an electro-magnetic beam directed at an electro-optic material in the sensor. The electro-optic material has a voltage gradient across it due to the unknown voltage. The beam is such that it has components both parallel and perpendicular to the direction of the voltage gradient so that passing through the electro-optic material creates a phase difference between the parallel and perpendicular components. This beam with the phase difference passes to the receiver where the beam passes through a compensator formed by another electro-optic material subjected to a voltage gradient from a measurable voltage. The measurable voltage is controlled to produce another relative phase retardation which compensates for the phase retardation produced at the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Southern California Edison Company
    Inventors: David E. Cooper, Thomas J. Houy