Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Koontz

Christopher R. Koontz 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: 11953765
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating one or more one solid-state electro-optic device to provide an electrically switching shutter. The method includes forming an alternating stack of first semiconductor layers having a first dopant and second semiconductor layers having a second dopant to form at least one superlattice semiconductor device. The method further includes applying to the at least one superlattice semiconductor device a first voltage to induce a transparent state of the alternating stack such that light is transmitted through the alternating stack, and applying to the at least one superlattice semiconductor device a second voltage different from the first voltage to induce an opaque state of the alternating stack such that light is inhibited from passing through the alternating stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Jamal I. Mustafa, Justin Gordon Adams Wehner, Christopher R. Koontz
  • Publication number: 20230244096
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating one or more one solid-state electro-optic device to provide an electrically switching shutter. The method includes forming an alternating stack of first semiconductor layers having a first dopant and second semiconductor layers having a second dopant to form at least one superlattice semiconductor device. The method further includes applying to the at least one superlattice semiconductor device a first voltage to induce a transparent state of the alternating stack such that light is transmitted through the alternating stack, and applying to the at least one superlattice semiconductor device a second voltage different from the first voltage to induce an opaque state of the alternating stack such that light is inhibited from passing through the alternating stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Jamal I. Mustafa, Justin Gordon Adams Wehner, Christopher R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 11650438
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating one or more one solid-state electro-optic device to provide an electrically switching shutter. The method includes forming an alternating stack of first semiconductor layers having a first dopant and second semiconductor layers having a second dopant to form at least one superlattice semiconductor device. The method further includes applying to the at least one superlattice semiconductor device a first voltage to induce a transparent state of the alternating stack such that light is transmitted through the alternating stack, and applying to the at least one superlattice semiconductor device a second voltage different from the first voltage to induce an opaque state of the alternating stack such that light is inhibited from passing through the alternating stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Jamal I. Mustafa, Justin Gordon Adams Wehner, Christopher R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 11248953
    Abstract: A broadband calibrator assembly is provided and includes a medium/long wave infrared (MW/LW IR) assembly and multiple ultraviolet (UV)/visible and near IR (VNIR)/short wave IR (SWIR) assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Chow, Edward Ward, Jr., Christopher R. Koontz, Hans P. Naepflin, Steven E. Persh, Stephen J. Schiller, Stephanie Lin
  • Patent number: 11231239
    Abstract: A threaded cooling apparatus includes a head having a heat exchanger and a shaft having a threaded section configured to mechanically fasten the head to a structure. The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat with a coolant flowing through the head. The shaft also includes first and second cooling channels. The first cooling channel is configured to deliver the coolant to the heat exchanger, and the second cooling channel is configured to exhaust the coolant from the heat exchanger. The apparatus may also include a first seal between the head and the structure that is configured to reduce or prevent coolant loss. The apparatus may further include a second seal that is configured to reduce or prevent coolant flow between the first and second cooling channels that bypasses the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher R. Koontz, Scott T. Johnson, Shadi S. Merhi
  • Publication number: 20210315132
    Abstract: A system includes a pair of chassis, a housing, and a cooling module. Each chassis including multiple rails with adjacent rails defining card slots. The housing connected to the chassis in first card slots on the pair of chassis and formed to contain electronic components including a heat generating component. The cooling module connected to the chassis in second card slots on the pair of chassis and formed to contact the heat generating component through an aperture in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Tuan L. Duong, Kyle L. Jones, Eric B. Swanson, Christopher R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 11114813
    Abstract: A system includes a master oscillator configured to generate a low-power optical beam. The system also includes a planar waveguide (PWG) amplifier having one or more laser diode pump arrays, a planar waveguide, and a light pipe. The one or more laser diode pump arrays are configured to generate pumplight. The planar waveguide is configured to generate a high-power optical beam using the low-power optical beam and the pumplight. The light pipe is configured to substantially homogenize the pumplight and to inject the homogenized pumplight into the planar waveguide. The light pipe is also configured to inject the low-power optical beam into the planar waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: David M. Filgas, Stephen H. McGanty, Makan Mohageg, Christopher R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 11092392
    Abstract: In one aspect, a transparent heat exchanger includes a first transparent substrate optically attached to a heat source, one or more fins to transfer heat from the heat source, the one or more fins comprising transparent material and further comprising one of a manifold coupled to the first transparent substrate or a facesheet coupled to the first transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher R. Koontz, David Filgas
  • Publication number: 20210072074
    Abstract: A broadband calibrator assembly is provided and includes a medium/long wave infrared (MW/LW IR) assembly and multiple ultraviolet (UV)/visible and near IR (VNIR)/short wave IR (SWIR) assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: James R. Chow, Edward Ward, JR., Christopher R. Koontz, Hans P. Naepflin, Steven E. Persh, Stephen J. Schiller, Stephanie Lin
  • Publication number: 20210033893
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating one or more one solid-state electro-optic device to provide an electrically switching shutter. The method includes forming an alternating stack of first semiconductor layers having a first dopant and second semiconductor layers having a second dopant to form at least one superlattice semiconductor device. The method further includes applying to the at least one superlattice semiconductor device a first voltage to induce a transparent state of the alternating stack such that light is transmitted through the alternating stack, and applying to the at least one superlattice semiconductor device a second voltage different from the first voltage to induce an opaque state of the alternating stack such that light is inhibited from passing through the alternating stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Jamal I. Mustafa, Justin Gordon Adams Wehner, Christopher R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 10777959
    Abstract: This disclosure provides planar waveguides with enhanced support and/or cooling. One or more endcaps could be disposed between coating/cladding layers at one or more ends of a core region, where the core region is doped with at least one active ion species and each endcap is not doped with any active ion species that creates substantial absorption at pump and signal wavelengths. A core region could include at least one crystal or crystalline material, and at least one cladding layer could include at least one glass. Different types of coolers could be disposed on or adjacent to different coating/cladding layers. Side claddings could be disposed on opposite sides of a planar waveguide, where the opposite sides represent longer sides of the waveguide. Endcaps and one or more coolers could be sealed to a housing, and coolant can flow through a substantially linear passageway along a length of the waveguide. One side of a planar waveguide could be uncooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen H. McGanty, David M. Filgas, Christopher R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 10763633
    Abstract: This disclosure provides planar waveguides with enhanced support and/or cooling. One or more endcaps could be disposed between coating/cladding layers at one or more ends of a core region, where the core region is doped with at least one active ion species and each endcap is not doped with any active ion species that creates substantial absorption at pump and signal wavelengths. A core region could include at least one crystal or crystalline material, and at least one cladding layer could include at least one glass. Different types of coolers could be disposed on or adjacent to different coating/cladding layers. Side claddings could be disposed on opposite sides of a planar waveguide, where the opposite sides represent longer sides of the waveguide. Endcaps and one or more coolers could be sealed to a housing, and coolant can flow through a substantially linear passageway along a length of the waveguide. One side of a planar waveguide could be uncooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen H. McGanty, David M. Filgas, Christopher R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 10630039
    Abstract: This disclosure provides planar waveguides with enhanced support and/or cooling. One or more endcaps could be disposed between coating/cladding layers at one or more ends of a core region, where the core region is doped with at least one active ion species and each endcap is not doped with any active ion species that creates substantial absorption at pump and signal wavelengths. A core region could include at least one crystal or crystalline material, and at least one cladding layer could include at least one glass. Different types of coolers could be disposed on or adjacent to different coating/cladding layers. Side claddings could be disposed on opposite sides of a planar waveguide, where the opposite sides represent longer sides of the waveguide. Endcaps and one or more coolers could be sealed to a housing, and coolant can flow through a substantially linear passageway along a length of the waveguide. One side of a planar waveguide could be uncooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen H. McGanty, David M. Filgas, Christopher R. Koontz
  • Publication number: 20200049429
    Abstract: A threaded cooling apparatus includes a head having a heat exchanger and a shaft having a threaded section configured to mechanically fasten the head to a structure. The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat with a coolant flowing through the head. The shaft also includes first and second cooling channels. The first cooling channel is configured to deliver the coolant to the heat exchanger, and the second cooling channel is configured to exhaust the coolant from the heat exchanger. The apparatus may also include a first seal between the head and the structure that is configured to reduce or prevent coolant loss. The apparatus may further include a second seal that is configured to reduce or prevent coolant flow between the first and second cooling channels that bypasses the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher R. Koontz, Scott T. Johnson, Shadi S. Merhi
  • Publication number: 20190331440
    Abstract: In one aspect, a transparent heat exchanger includes a first transparent substrate optically attached to a heat source, one or more fins to transfer heat from the heat source, the one or more fins comprising transparent material and further comprising one of a manifold coupled to the first transparent substrate or a facesheet coupled to the first transparent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher R. Koontz, David Filgas
  • Patent number: 10401099
    Abstract: In one aspect, a transparent heat exchanger includes a first transparent substrate optically attached to a heat source, one or more fins to transfer heat from the heat source, the one or more fins comprising transparent material and further comprising one of a manifold coupled to the first transparent substrate or a facesheet coupled to the first transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher R. Koontz, David Filgas
  • Publication number: 20180261972
    Abstract: A system includes a master oscillator configured to generate a low-power optical beam. The system also includes a planar waveguide (PWG) amplifier having one or more laser diode pump arrays, a planar waveguide, and a light pipe. The one or more laser diode pump arrays are configured to generate pumplight. The planar waveguide is configured to generate a high-power optical beam using the low-power optical beam and the pumplight. The light pipe is configured to substantially homogenize the pumplight and to inject the homogenized pumplight into the planar waveguide. The light pipe is also configured to inject the low-power optical beam into the planar waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: David M. Filgas, Stephen H. McGanty, Makan Mohageg, Christopher R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 10069270
    Abstract: This disclosure provides planar waveguides with enhanced support and/or cooling. One or more endcaps could be disposed between coating/cladding layers at one or more ends of a core region, where the core region is doped with at least one active ion species and each endcap is not doped with any active ion species that creates substantial absorption at pump and signal wavelengths. A core region could include at least one crystal or crystalline material, and at least one cladding layer could include at least one glass. Different types of coolers could be disposed on or adjacent to different coating/cladding layers. Side claddings could be disposed on opposite sides of a planar waveguide, where the opposite sides represent longer sides of the waveguide. Endcaps and one or more coolers could be sealed to a housing, and coolant can flow through a substantially linear passageway along a length of the waveguide. One side of a planar waveguide could be uncooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen H. McGanty, David M. Filgas, Christopher R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 10044161
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a heat exchanger with a body having a passage through the body. The passage defines apertures on multiple sides of the body, and the passage is configured to allow optical signals to pass through the body. One or more tapered edges are at least partially around one or more of the apertures, and each tapered edge is configured to reflect optical radiation inward into the passage. One or more absorptive surfaces are within the passage, and the one or more absorptive surfaces configured to absorb the reflected optical radiation. The heat exchanger is configured to convert the absorbed optical radiation into heat, and the body further includes one or more cooling channels configured to receive coolant that absorbs the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher R. Koontz, Reynaldo Cabrera
  • Patent number: 9972960
    Abstract: An active optical planar waveguide apparatus includes a planar core layer comprising an active laser ion; one or more cladding layers in optical contact with at least one surface of the planar core layer; a metallic binder layer chemically bonded to an outermost cladding layer of the one or more cladding layers; a metallic adhesion layers disposed on the metallic binder layer; a heatsink for dissipating heat from the planar waveguide; and a metallic thermal interface material (TIM) layer providing a metallurgical bond between the metallic adhesion layer and the heatsink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher R. Koontz, David M. Filgas, Kurt S. Ketola, Carl W. Townsend