Patents by Inventor Brian Monroe McMaster

Brian Monroe McMaster 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: 12078936
    Abstract: A magnification adjustable projection system is provided that includes an imaging system having an object or image space, a first deformable lens plate located within the object or image space for contributing a first magnification power to the imaging system as a function of an amount of curvature of the first deformable lens plate, and a second deformable lens plate located within the object or image space for contributing a second magnification power to the imaging system as a function of an amount of curvature of the second deformable lens plate. The projection system also has first and second bending apparatuses that adjust the curvature of the first and second deformable lens plate through a range of curvature variation for adjusting the magnification power of the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Grejda, Brian Monroe McMaster, Paul Francis Michaloski
  • Publication number: 20240151929
    Abstract: A method of connecting an optical element to a mount, the method including attaching a connector to an optical element with a first solder and heating the first solder with an ultrasonic heater to form a first soldering bond between the connector and the optical element, aligning the optical element within an inner opening of a mount, and attaching the connector to the mount with a second bond, wherein the first soldering bond is a polymer-free bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventor: Brian Monroe McMaster
  • Publication number: 20240111117
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus for aligning components of an optical assembly include a chuck configured to support the optical assembly thereon, and an adjustable flexure assembly disposed around the chuck. The adjustable flexure assembly includes a plurality of flexures. The plurality of flexures are positioned relative to the chuck such that each of the plurality of flexures contact the optical assembly when the optical assembly is positioned on the chuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Grejda, Kevin John Magierski, Brian Monroe McMaster, Todd Robert McMichael
  • Patent number: 11886031
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus for aligning components of an optical assembly include a chuck configured to support the optical assembly thereon, and an adjustable flexure assembly disposed around the chuck. The adjustable flexure assembly includes a plurality of flexures. The plurality of flexures are positioned relative to the chuck such that each of the plurality of flexures contact the optical assembly when the optical assembly is positioned on the chuck. Adjustment of a position of one or more flexures of the plurality of flexures adjusts an alignment of an optical axis of an optical component of the optical assembly when the optical assembly is positioned on the chuck, wherein the alignment apparatus is configured to align optical axes of the optical component to an angle of deviation of less than about 1,000 ?rad and provide an extinction ratio within the optical assembly of greater than or equal to 1000:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Grejda, Kevin John Magierski, Brian Monroe McMaster, Todd Robert McMichael
  • Publication number: 20230393366
    Abstract: An assembly for fixing an optical element in a manner that decouples the optical element from mechanical stresses and thermal strains while providing freedom to facilitate alignment of the optical element, and while also eliminating polymers that can cause contamination problems including a mount configured for attachment to an optical system; a plurality of flexible metal members, each flexible member having a first end affixed to or integrally extending from the mount, and a free end defining a bearing surface for supporting an optical element; and an inorganic adhesive joining a surface of the optical member to the bearing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventor: Brian Monroe McMaster
  • Publication number: 20230077090
    Abstract: A magnification adjustable projection system is provided that includes an imaging system having an object or image space, a first deformable lens plate located within the object or image space for contributing a first magnification power to the imaging system as a function of an amount of curvature of the first deformable lens plate, and a second deformable lens plate located within the object or image space for contributing a second magnification power to the imaging system as a function of an amount of curvature of the second deformable lens plate. The projection system also has first and second bending apparatuses that adjust the curvature of the first and second deformable lens plate through a range of curvature variation for adjusting the magnification power of the imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Grejda, Brian Monroe McMaster, Paul Francis Michaloski
  • Patent number: 11311965
    Abstract: A method for aligning multiple optical components in an optical system including placing a sphere at a first position that is at a center of curvature of a first optical component, and aligning a focus of a first reference signal with the sphere at the first position. Then, moving the sphere along an axis of optical symmetry to a second position that is at a center of curvature of a second optical component, and aligning a focus of a second reference signal with the sphere at the second position. The first optical component is aligned with the first reference signal and fixing the first optical component, and the second optical component is aligned with the second reference signal and fixing the second optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: David Richard Bonin, Joshua Monroe Cobb, Brian Monroe McMaster
  • Patent number: 11280978
    Abstract: The method of aligning a cylindrical lens in a lens assembly includes attaching the cylindrical lens to a lens fixture and interfacing the lens fixture to a support structure in which the cylindrical lens can be placed in a frontwards and backwards orientation. The method also includes capturing respective first and second line images of respective first and second focus lines as formed by the cylindrical lens in the forwards and backwards orientations. The method further includes establishing a relative orientation of the first and second line images and using the established relative orientation to determine an amount of angular misalignment of the cylindrical lens relative to a reference direction provided by the support structure. The method can include rotating the cylindrical lens relative to the lens fixture to reduce the amount of angular misalignment to be within an angular alignment tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Morgan Dunn, Kevin John Magierski, Brian Monroe McMaster, Paul Francis Michaloski, Duncan Christopher Spaulding
  • Publication number: 20210157085
    Abstract: An optical mount includes a support substrate defining an aperture configured to receive an optical element. A support assembly is positioned proximate a perimeter of the aperture. The support assembly includes a resilient member configured reflects in response to relative motion between the optical element and the support substrate. A support plate is positioned on the resilient member and is in contact with the optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Grejda, Keith Ernest Hanford, Brian Monroe McMaster, Todd Robert McMichael, Matthew Ronald Millecchia, James Edward Platten
  • Publication number: 20210055498
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus for aligning components of an optical assembly include a chuck configured to support the optical assembly thereon, and an adjustable flexure assembly disposed around the chuck. The adjustable flexure assembly includes a plurality of flexures. The plurality of flexures are positioned relative to the chuck such that each of the plurality of flexures contact the optical assembly when the optical assembly is positioned on the chuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Grejda, Kevin John Magierski, Brian Monroe McMaster, Todd Robert McMichael
  • Patent number: 10895711
    Abstract: An assembly for fixing an optical element in a manner that decouples the optical element from mechanical stresses and thermal strains while providing freedom to facilitate alignment of the optical element, and while also eliminating polymers that can cause contamination problems including a mount configured for attachment to an optical system; a plurality of flexible members each having a first end affixed to or integrally extending from the mount, and a free end defining a bearing surface for supporting an optical element; and a polymer free bonding agent forming a hydroxide-catalyzed bond joining a surface of the optical member to the bearing surface. The optical element may be aligned with the flexible members without resting on the flexible members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Monroe McMaster, Todd Robert McMichael, Glenn A Parker
  • Publication number: 20210008659
    Abstract: A method for aligning multiple optical components in an optical system including placing a sphere at a first position that is at a center of curvature of a first optical component, and aligning a focus of a first reference signal with the sphere at the first position. Then, moving the sphere along an axis of optical symmetry to a second position that is at a center of curvature of a second optical component, and aligning a focus of a second reference signal with the sphere at the second position. The first optical component is aligned with the first reference signal and fixing the first optical component, and the second optical component is aligned with the second reference signal and fixing the second optical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: David Richard Bonin, Joshua Monroe Cobb, Brian Monroe McMaster
  • Publication number: 20200103612
    Abstract: The method of aligning a cylindrical lens in a lens assembly includes attaching the cylindrical lens to a lens fixture and interfacing the lens fixture to a support structure in which the cylindrical lens can be placed in a frontwards and backwards orientation. The method also includes capturing respective first and second line images of respective first and second focus lines as formed by the cylindrical lens in the forwards and backwards orientations. The method further includes establishing a relative orientation of the first and second line images and using the established relative orientation to determine an amount of angular misalignment of the cylindrical lens relative to a reference direction provided by the support structure. The method can include rotating the cylindrical lens relative to the lens fixture to reduce the amount of angular misalignment to be within an angular alignment tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Morgan Dunn, Kevin John Magierski, Brian Monroe McMaster, Paul Francis Michaloski, Duncan Christopher Spaulding
  • Publication number: 20190004275
    Abstract: An assembly for fixing an optical element in a manner that decouples the optical element from mechanical stresses and thermal strains while providing freedom to facilitate alignment of the optical element, and while also eliminating polymers that can cause contamination problems including a mount configured for attachment to an optical system; a plurality of flexible members each having a first end affixed to or integrally extending from the mount, and a free end defining a bearing surface for supporting an optical element; and a polymer free bonding agent forming a hydroxide-catalyzed bond joining a surface of the optical member to the bearing surface. The optical element may be aligned with the flexible members without resting on the flexible members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Brian Monroe McMaster, Todd Robert McMichael, Glenn A. Parker
  • Publication number: 20180239102
    Abstract: An optical mount includes a support substrate defining an aperture configured to receive an optical element. A support assembly is positioned proximate a perimeter of the aperture. The support assembly includes a resilient member configured reflects in response to relative motion between the optical element and the support substrate. A support plate is positioned on the resilient member and is in contact with the optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Grejda, Keith Ernest Hanford, Brian Monroe McMaster, Todd Robert McMichael, Matthew Roland Millecchia, James Edward Platten
  • Publication number: 20170363833
    Abstract: An assembly for fixing an optical element in a manner that decouples the optical element from mechanical stresses and thermal strains while providing freedom to facilitate alignment of the optical element, and while also eliminating polymers that can cause contamination problems including a mount configured for attachment to an optical system; a plurality of flexible metal members, each flexible member having a first end affixed to or integrally extending from the mount, and a free end defining a bearing surface for supporting an optical element; and an inorganic adhesive joining a surface of the optical member to the bearing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Brian Monroe McMaster
  • Patent number: 8830581
    Abstract: A polarization switching apparatus has a first birefringent polarizer formed as a composite prism and disposed to direct incident light of a first polarization along a first optical path and light of a second polarization along a second optical path, wherein the second optical path is oblique to the first optical path. A beam redirector is disposed to redirect the first optical path from the first birefringent polarizer toward an input face of a second birefringent polarizer; wherein the second birefringent polarizer is also formed as a composite prism and is disposed to combine incident light of the first and second polarizations onto a common output path. A shutter apparatus is actuable to selectively block light of the first polarization or light of the second polarization from the input face of the second birefringent polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul G Dewa, Michael M Dunn, Stephen K Mack, Brian Monroe McMaster, Robert L Michaels, Paul Francis Michaloski
  • Publication number: 20140240859
    Abstract: An optic obscuration assembly, a system and method for working on an optical element, and the resulting optical element are described herein. In one example, the system and related components (e.g., optic obscuration assembly, positioning system, and coating system) allow the accurate placement of a very round thin metal obscuration (e.g., thin metal disk) in the center of a front surface of the optical element before a high reflective thin film coating is applied to the front surface. Once, the optical element has had the high reflective thin film coating applied thereto then the thin metal obscuration is removed to reveal a transmissive aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Glenn A. Parker, Kevin J. Magierski, Brian Monroe McMaster
  • Publication number: 20130070331
    Abstract: A polarization switching apparatus has a first birefringent polarizer formed as a composite prism and disposed to direct incident light of a first polarization along a first optical path and light of a second polarization along a second optical path, wherein the second optical path is oblique to the first optical path. A beam redirector is disposed to redirect the first optical path from the first birefringent polarizer toward an input face of a second birefringent polarizer; wherein the second birefringent polarizer is also formed as a composite prism and is disposed to combine incident light of the first and second polarizations onto a common output path. A shutter apparatus is actuable to selectively block light of the first polarization or light of the second polarization from the input face of the second birefringent polarizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Paul G. Dewa, Michael M. Dunn, Stephen K. Mack, Brian Monroe McMaster, Robert L. Michaels, Paul Francis Michaloski
  • Patent number: 6520415
    Abstract: A code scanner includes a laser beam generating a flying spot across a read axis of a code. The flying spot generates modulated reflected illumination that is detected by a photodetector assembly. The photodetector assembly includes a lenticular array with a plurality of lens elements and a mask with a plurality of horizontal mask space regions bounded by opaque regions to block a portion of ambient illumination and improve a signal to noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: PSC Scanning, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Monroe McMaster