Patents by Inventor Blake Crowther

Blake Crowther 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: 9366853
    Abstract: An opto-mechanical deployable telescope includes a hub, at least one deployable multiple petal primary mirror mounted to the hub, a deployment assembly, a secondary optic assembly, and a deployment engine assembly. The deployment assembly is operable to move the at least one primary mirror between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployment engine assembly is operable to power the deployment assembly using stored mechanical energy. The deployment assembly includes a kinematic or semi-kinematic interface between the hub and the at least one primary mirror to hold petals of the at least one primary mirror in alignment relative to each other in the deployed position. The secondary optic assembly comprising a secondary optical member and is operable to axially position the secondary optical member relative to the primary mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Trent Newswander, Blake Crowther, James Champagne, Kendall B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150146288
    Abstract: An opto-mechanical deployable telescope includes a hub, at least one deployable multiple petal primary mirror mounted to the hub, a deployment assembly, a secondary optic assembly, and a deployment engine assembly. The deployment assembly is operable to move the at least one primary mirror between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployment engine assembly is operable to power the deployment assembly using stored mechanical energy. The deployment assembly includes a kinematic or semi-kinematic interface between the hub and the at least one primary mirror to hold petals of the at least one primary mirror in alignment relative to each other in the deployed position. The secondary optic assembly comprising a secondary optical member and is operable to axially position the secondary optical member relative to the primary mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Trent Newswander, Blake Crowther, James Champagne, Kendall B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8947777
    Abstract: An opto-mechanical deployable telescope includes a hub, at least one deployable multiple petal primary mirror mounted to the hub, a deployment assembly, and a deployment engine assembly. The deployment assembly is operable to move the at least one primary mirror between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployment engine assembly is operable to power the deployment assembly using stored mechanical energy. The deployment assembly includes a kinematic or semi-kinematic interface between the hub and the at least one primary mirror to hold petals of the at least one primary mirror in alignment relative to each other in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Trent Newswander, Blake Crowther, James Champagne, Adam Norris
  • Patent number: 8792191
    Abstract: A two-axis, optical mount provides two flexural elements monolithically and homogeneously formed of a single material with, and interconnecting, three rigid segments. Between each pair of rigid segments, beginning with the first and second, a set of extensions is formed to have a cross section that permits simple, easy, independent adjustment therebetween. Likewise, a flexural element exists between the second and third rigid elements. Meanwhile, the rigid elements have section moduli sufficiently great as to be orders of magnitude larger than the flexural stiffness or section modulus of the flexural elements, thus providing flexures that operate in the elastic mode and introduce no joint type accuracy errors in adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory Hopkins, Blake Crowther, Kendall Johnson, Vaughn A. Griffiths
  • Patent number: 8705025
    Abstract: For transferring optical energy, a first multimode wave guide transmits radiant energy with a homogenized beam to a first plurality of optical sensors of an array of optical sensors. The array measures the homogenized radiant energy. Each optical sensor of the first plurality of optical sensors measures a pixelized portion of the homogenized radiant energy. A method and system also perform the functions of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Blake Crowther, James Peterson
  • Patent number: 8542450
    Abstract: A two-axis, optical mount provides two sets of flexural elements monolithically and homogeneously formed of a single material with, and interconnecting, three rigid segments. Between each pair of rigid segments, beginning with the first and second, a set of extensions is formed to have a cross section that permits simple, easy, independent adjustment therebetween. Likewise, a flexural set exists between the second and third rigid elements. Meanwhile, the rigid elements have section moduli sufficiently great as to be orders of magnitude larger than the flexural stiffness or section modulus of the flexures, thus providing flexures that operate in the elastic mode and introduce no joint type accuracy errors in adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory Hopkins, Blake Crowther, Kendall Johnson, Vaughn A. Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20130242419
    Abstract: A two-axis, optical mount provides two flexural elements monolithically and homogeneously formed of a single material with, and interconnecting, three rigid segments. Between each pair of rigid segments, beginning with the first and second, a set of extensions is formed to have a cross section that permits simple, easy, independent adjustment therebetween. Likewise, a flexural element exists between the second and third rigid elements. Meanwhile, the rigid elements have section moduli sufficiently great as to be orders of magnitude larger than the flexural stiffness or section modulus of the flexural elements, thus providing flexures that operate in the elastic mode and introduce no joint type accuracy errors in adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory Hopkins, Blake Crowther, Kendall Johnson, Vaughn A. Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20130229709
    Abstract: An opto-mechanical deployable telescope includes a hub, at least one deployable multiple petal primary mirror mounted to the hub, a deployment assembly, and a deployment engine assembly. The deployment assembly is operable to move the at least one primary mirror between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployment engine assembly is operable to power the deployment assembly using stored mechanical energy. The deployment assembly includes a kinematic or semi-kinematic interface between the hub and the at least one primary mirror to hold petals of the at least one primary mirror in alignment relative to each other in the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Trent Newswander, Blake Crowther, James Champagne, Adam Norris
  • Publication number: 20120200947
    Abstract: A two-axis, optical mount provides two sets of flexural elements monolithically and homogeneously formed of a single material with, and interconnecting, three rigid segments. Between each pair of rigid segments. beginning with the first and second, a set of extensions is formed to have a cross section that permits simple, easy, independent adjustment therebetween. Likewise, a flexural set exists between the second and third rigid elements. Meanwhile, the rigid elements have section moduli sufficiently great as to be orders of magnitude larger than the flexural stiffness or section modulus of the flexures, thus providing flexures that operate in the elastic mode and introduce no joint type accuracy errors in adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory Hopkins, Blake Crowther, Kendall Johnson, Vaughn A. Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20120147362
    Abstract: For transferring optical energy, a first multimode wave guide transmits radiant energy with a homogenized beam to a first plurality of optical sensors of an array of optical sensors. The array measures the homogenized radiant energy. Each optical sensor of the first plurality of optical sensors measures a pixelized portion of the homogenized radiant energy. A method and system also perform the functions of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Blake Crowther, James Peterson
  • Patent number: 7014113
    Abstract: A graphical code reader is disclosed. The graphical code reader includes an image sensor. A first lens is provided for focusing light reflected from a graphical code to form a first image on a first region of the image sensor. A second lens is provided for focusing light reflected from the graphical code to form a second image on a second region of the image sensor. The first lens is separated from the image sensor by a first distance, and the second lens is separated from the image sensor by a second distance. The first distance is greater than the second distance. A decoder is also provided for processing image data to obtain information contained in the graphical code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: George Powell, Blake Crowther, Ryan Hyde, Mark Wenzel, Paul J. Hepworth, Morgan Taylor
  • Publication number: 20060017928
    Abstract: The present invention features a fiber optic imaging system for generating a customized spectral response comprising (a) an optional optical source for generating optical energy, (b) an optical system for focusing multi spectral optical energy to form a focal surface; (b) a fiber optic element for conveying the optical energy, wherein the fiber optic element has an input end optically coupled to the focal surface to receive the optical energy and an output end to transmit the conveyed optical energy; and (c) a spectral filter optically coupled to at least one of the input and output ends of the fiber optic element, wherein the spectral filter has a filter passband configured to provide the fiber optic element with a pre-determined wavelength transmittance capacity, such that only pre-determined wavelengths of the optical energy are transmitted through the output end, thus achieving a customized spectral response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventor: Blake Crowther
  • Patent number: 6736320
    Abstract: A graphical code reader is disclosed. The graphical code reader includes control circuitry for the graphical code reader and a multi-functional optical element in electronic communication with the control circuitry. The multi-functional optical element includes a support structure and a monolithic imaging lens and target generating mechanism operably connected to the support structure. The imaging lens and target generating mechanism includes a lens and targeting structures for generating converging offset beams to feedback proper target distance. Laser diodes are positioned by the support structure such that laser light from the diodes is directed through the targeting structures to generate the converging offset beams. An imaging board is connected to the support structure. An imager is mounted to the imaging board and positioned to obtain an image from the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: Blake Crowther, Ryan Hyde, Collin Lewis, George Powell
  • Patent number: 6619547
    Abstract: A graphical code reader is disclosed. The graphical code reader includes control circuitry for the graphical code reader and a multi-functional optical element in electronic communication with the control circuitry. The multi-functional optical element includes a support structure and a monolithic imaging lens and target generating mechanism operably connected to the support structure. The imaging lens and target generating mechanism includes a lens and targeting structures for generating converging offset beams to feedback proper target distance. Laser diodes are positioned by the support structure such that laser light from the diodes is directed through the targeting structures to generate the converging offset beams. An imaging board is connected to the support structure. An imager is mounted to the imaging board and positioned to obtain an image from the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: Blake Crowther, Ryan Hyde, Collin Lewis, George Powell
  • Publication number: 20020170965
    Abstract: A graphical code reader is disclosed. The graphical code reader includes control circuitry for the graphical code reader and a multi-functional optical element in electronic communication with the control circuitry. The multi-functional optical element includes a support structure and a monolithic imaging lens and target generating mechanism operably connected to the support structure. The imaging lens and target generating mechanism includes a lens and targeting structures for generating converging offset beams to feedback proper target distance. Laser diodes are positioned by the support structure such that laser light from the diodes is directed through the targeting structures to generate the converging offset beams. An imaging board is connected to the support structure. An imager is mounted to the imaging board and positioned to obtain an image from the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: Blake Crowther, Ryan Hyde, Collin Lewis, George Powell