Patents Assigned to BRIDGER PHOTONICS, INC
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Publication number: 20200149883Abstract: Measurement approaches and data analysis methods are disclosed for combining 3D topographic data with spatially-registered gas concentration data to increase the efficiency of gas monitoring and leak detection tasks. Here, the metric for efficiency is defined as reducing the measurement time required to achieve the detection, or non-detection, of a gas leak with a desired confidence level. Methods are presented for localizing and quantifying detected gas leaks. Particular attention is paid to the combination of 3D spatial data with path-integrated gas concentration measurements acquired using remote gas sensing technologies, as this data can be used to determine the path-averaged gas concentration between the sensor and points in the measurement scene.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Thorpe, Aaron Kreitinger, Stephen Crouch
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Publication number: 20200011994Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) light detection and ranging (LiDAR). Examples are provided where high-closed-loop bandwidth, active feedback applied to laser frequency chirps may provide increases in the free-running laser coherence length for long-range FMCW distance measurements. Examples are provided that use an asymmetric sideband generator within an active feedback loop for higher closed-loop bandwidth. Examples of using a single shared reference interferometer within multiple active feedback loops that may be used for increasing the coherence length of multiple chirped lasers are described. Example calibrators are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2018Publication date: January 9, 2020Applicant: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Michael James Thorpe, Jason Kenneth Brasseur, Peter Aaron Roos, Nathan Joseph Greenfield, Aaron Thomas Kreitinger
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Patent number: 10527412Abstract: Measurement approaches and data analysis methods are disclosed for combining 3D topographic data with spatially-registered gas concentration data to increase the efficiency of gas monitoring and leak detection tasks. Here, the metric for efficiency is defined as reducing the measurement time required to achieve the detection, or non-detection, of a gas leak with a desired confidence level. Methods are presented for localizing and quantifying detected gas leaks. Particular attention is paid to the combination of 3D spatial data with path-integrated gas concentration measurements acquired using remote gas sensing technologies, as this data can be used to determine the path-averaged gas concentration between the sensor and points in the measurement scene.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Thorpe, Aaron Kreitinger, Stephen Crouch
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Publication number: 20190383596Abstract: Length metrology apparatuses and methods are disclosed for measuring both specular and non-specular surfaces with high accuracy and precision, and with suppressed phase induced distance errors. In one embodiment, a system includes a laser source exhibiting a first and second laser outputs with optical frequencies that are modulated linearly over large frequency ranges. The system further includes calibration and signal processing portions configured to determine a calibrated distance to at least one sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Thorpe, Aaron Kreitinger, Randy Reibel
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Publication number: 20190285409Abstract: Measurement apparatuses and methods are disclosed for generating high-precision and -accuracy gas concentration maps that can be overlaid with 3D topographic images by rapidly scanning one or several modulated laser beams with a spatially-encoded transmitter over a scene to build-up imagery. Independent measurements of the topographic target distance and path-integrated gas concentration are combined to yield a map of the path-averaged concentration between the sensor and each point in the image. This type of image is particularly useful for finding localized regions of elevated (or anomalous) gas concentration making it ideal for large-area leak detection and quantification applications including: oil and gas pipeline monitoring, chemical processing facility monitoring, and environmental monitoring.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Thomas Kreitinger, Michael James Thorpe
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Patent number: 10415953Abstract: Length metrology apparatuses and methods are disclosed for measuring both specular and non-specular surfaces with high accuracy and precision, and with suppressed phase induced distance errors. In one embodiment, a system includes a laser source exhibiting a first and second laser outputs with optical frequencies that are modulated linearly over large frequency ranges. The system further includes calibration and signal processing portions configured to determine a calibrated distance to at least one sample.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Thorpe, Aaron Kreitinger, Randy Reibel
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Patent number: 10337859Abstract: Measurement apparatuses and methods are disclosed for generating high-precision and -accuracy gas concentration maps that can be overlaid with 3D topographic images by rapidly scanning one or several modulated laser beams with a spatially-encoded transmitter over a scene to build-up imagery. Independent measurements of the topographic target distance and path-integrated gas concentration are combined to yield a map of the path-averaged concentration between the sensor and each point in the image. This type of image is particularly useful for finding localized regions of elevated (or anomalous) gas concentration making it ideal for large-area leak detection and quantification applications including: oil and gas pipeline monitoring, chemical processing facility monitoring, and environmental monitoring.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Kreitinger, Michael Thorpe
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Publication number: 20190170500Abstract: A system is provided for measuring distance or displacement, comprising: first and second laser sources configured to provide first and second laser outputs; a beam combiner configured to receive and combine at least part of the first and second laser outputs into a combined laser output; a signal calibrator configured to receive at least part of the first laser output, the second laser output, or the combined laser output, and output a calibration signal; a plurality of optical paths, including a first optical path, a second optical path, the plurality of optical paths being configured to direct at least part of the combined beam onto an optical detector to produce an interference signal; and a signal processor configured to receive the interference signal and determine a pathlength difference between the first and second optical paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Peter Roos, Michael Thorpe, Jason Brasseur
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Patent number: 10247538Abstract: A system is provided for measuring distance or displacement, comprising: first and second laser sources configured to provide first and second laser outputs; a beam combiner configured to receive and combine at least part of the first and second laser outputs into a combined laser output; a signal calibrator configured to receive at least part of the first laser output, the second laser output, or the combined laser output, and output a calibration signal; a plurality of optical paths, including a first optical path, a second optical path, the plurality of optical paths being configured to direct at least part of the combined beam onto an optical detector to produce an interference signal; and a signal processor configured to receive the interference signal and determine a pathlength difference between the first and second optical paths.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Peter Roos, Michael Thorpe, Jason Brasseur
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Publication number: 20180216932Abstract: Measurement apparatuses and methods are disclosed for generating high-precision and -accuracy gas concentration maps that can be overlaid with 3D topographic images by rapidly scanning one or several modulated laser beams with a spatially-encoded transmitter over a scene to build-up imagery. Independent measurements of the topographic target distance and path-integrated gas concentration are combined to yield a map of the path-averaged concentration between the sensor and each point in the image. This type of image is particularly useful for finding localized regions of elevated (or anomalous) gas concentration making it ideal for large-area leak detection and quantification applications including: oil and gas pipeline monitoring, chemical processing facility monitoring, and environmental monitoring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Applicant: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Kreitinger, Michael Thorpe
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Patent number: 9970756Abstract: Measurement apparatuses and methods are disclosed for generating high-precision and -accuracy gas concentration maps that can be overlaid with 3D topographic images by rapidly scanning one or several modulated laser beams with a spatially-encoded transmitter over a scene to build-up imagery. Independent measurements of the topographic target distance and path-integrated gas concentration are combined to yield a map of the path-averaged concentration between the sensor and each point in the image. This type of image is particularly useful for finding localized regions of elevated (or anomalous) gas concentration making it ideal for large-area leak detection and quantification applications including: oil and gas pipeline monitoring, chemical processing facility monitoring, and environmental monitoring.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Kreitinger, Michael Thorpe
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Publication number: 20170343333Abstract: Length metrology apparatuses and methods are disclosed for measuring both specular and non-specular surfaces with high accuracy and precision, and with suppressed phase induced distance errors. In one embodiment, a system includes a laser source exhibiting a first and second laser outputs with optical frequencies that are modulated linearly over large frequency ranges. The system further includes calibration and signal processing portions configured to determine a calibrated distance to at least one sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Thorpe, Aaron Kreitinger, Randy Reibel
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Patent number: 9784560Abstract: Length metrology apparatuses and methods are disclosed for measuring both specular and non-specular surfaces with high accuracy and precision, and with suppressed phase induced distance errors. In one embodiment, a system includes a laser source exhibiting a first and second laser outputs with optical frequencies that are modulated linearly over large frequency ranges. The system further includes calibration and signal processing portions configured to determine a calibrated distance to at least one sample.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Thorpe, Aaron Kreitinger, Randy Reibel
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Patent number: 9559486Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including a laser with a plurality of internal or external actuators for affecting an optical frequency of light output by the laser, wherein the plurality of actuators have a corresponding plurality of different frequency response bands for changing optical properties of the laser and a corresponding plurality of actuation ranges of optical frequencies affected. Also included is an optical detector, and a plurality of optical paths configured to direct light output by the laser onto the detector. A laser controller is configured to provide a plurality of inputs to the plurality of actuators based on a detector signal output from the optical detector and the corresponding frequency response bands and actuation ranges.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignees: Montana State University, Bridger Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Peter A. Roos, Randy R. Reibel, Brant Kaylor, Zeb Barber, William Randall Babbitt
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Publication number: 20150071315Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including a laser with a plurality of internal or external actuators for affecting an optical frequency of light output by the laser, wherein the plurality of actuators have a corresponding plurality of different frequency response bands for changing optical properties of the laser and a corresponding plurality of actuation ranges of optical frequencies affected. Also included is an optical detector, and a plurality of optical paths configured to direct light output by the laser onto the detector. A laser controller is configured to provide a plurality of inputs to the plurality of actuators based on a detector signal output from the optical detector and the corresponding frequency response bands and actuation ranges.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicants: BRIDGER PHOTONICS, INC., MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITYInventors: Peter A. Roos, Randy R. Reibel, Brant Kaylor, Zeb Barber, William Randall Babbitt
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Publication number: 20120106579Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable storage medium are described for a tunable laser source that produces a desired frequency modulated optical waveform with a precision within 0.01 percent over a bandwidth greater than about 50 gigaHertz. An apparatus includes a tunable laser having one or more drive inputs for affecting an optical frequency of light output by the laser; and an optical detector. Multiple optical paths are configured to direct light output by the laser onto the optical detector. A laser controller is configured to provide to a drive input a loopback signal based on a measured or predetermined difference in optical dispersion among the plurality of optical paths and a detector signal output from the optical detector. In some embodiments, a ranging device includes the tunable laser source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicants: BRIDGER PHOTONICS, INC, MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITYInventors: Peter A. Roos, Randy R. Reibel, Brant Kaylor, Zeb Barber, William Randall Babbitt