Patents by Inventor Colin Anthony Minor Diehl

Colin Anthony Minor Diehl 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: 11385384
    Abstract: A dielectric lens is disclosed comprising a center portion that extends along a cylinder having a central axis and a plurality of spoke portions that are attached to the center portion and extend to a spherical perimeter region in a radial direction from the center portion. The plurality of spoke portions includes at least a first monolithic spoke portion extending from the center portion to the spherical perimeter region and the center portion and the plurality of spoke portions define a plurality of cavity regions among the plurality of spoke portions. The center portion, the cylinder, the plurality of spoke portions, and the plurality of cavity regions are included in a gradient index (GRIN) dielectric lens having a plurality of relative permittivities that are based on a radial distance from the center portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Colin Anthony Minor Diehl, Corey McKinney Thacker
  • Publication number: 20210356629
    Abstract: A dielectric lens is disclosed comprising a center portion that extends along a cylinder having a central axis and a plurality of spoke portions that are attached to the center portion and extend to a spherical perimeter region in a radial direction from the center portion. The plurality of spoke portions includes at least a first monolithic spoke portion extending from the center portion to the spherical perimeter region and the center portion and the plurality of spoke portions define a plurality of cavity regions among the plurality of spoke portions. The center portion, the cylinder, the plurality of spoke portions, and the plurality of cavity regions are included in a gradient index (GRIN) dielectric lens having a plurality of relative permittivities that are based on a radial distance from the center portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Colin Anthony Minor Diehl, Corey McKinney Thacker
  • Patent number: 10931858
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for image sensing. Embodiments include a first plurality of light-sensing elements arranged in a first plurality of rows and a first plurality of columns in a first image sensing plane. Embodiments include a first lens element disposed within a position in a central row of the first plurality of rows and in a central column of the first plurality of columns. Embodiments include a second plurality of light-sensing elements arranged in a second plurality of rows in a second image sensing plane, different from the first image sensing plane. In certain embodiments, the first lens element is configured to redirect incident light reflected from a destination onto the second plurality of light-sensing elements in the second image sensing plane for use in guiding a steerable object toward the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Colin Anthony Minor Diehl, David Keith Mefford
  • Publication number: 20200344389
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for image sensing. Embodiments include a first plurality of light-sensing elements arranged in a first plurality of rows and a first plurality of columns in a first image sensing plane. Embodiments include a first lens element disposed within a position in a central row of the first plurality of rows and in a central column of the first plurality of columns. Embodiments include a second plurality of light-sensing elements arranged in a second plurality of rows in a second image sensing plane, different from the first image sensing plane. In certain embodiments, the first lens element is configured to redirect incident light reflected from a destination onto the second plurality of light-sensing elements in the second image sensing plane for use in guiding a steerable object toward the destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Colin Anthony Minor DIEHL, David Keith MEFFORD
  • Patent number: 10746903
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a center portion and a plurality of spoke portions that are in contact with the center portion and that extend to a perimeter region. The plurality of spoke portions include at least a first monolithic spoke portion extending from the center portion to the perimeter region, and the center portion and the plurality of spoke portions define a plurality of cavity regions among the plurality of spoke portions. The center portion, the plurality of spoke portions, and the plurality of cavity regions are included in a gradient index (GRIN) lens having a plurality of effective dielectric constants that are based on a radial distance from the center portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Colin Anthony Minor Diehl, Corey McKinney Thacker
  • Publication number: 20190086581
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a center portion and a plurality of spoke portions that are in contact with the center portion and that extend to a perimeter region. The plurality of spoke portions include at least a first monolithic spoke portion extending from the center portion to the perimeter region, and the center portion and the plurality of spoke portions define a plurality of cavity regions among the plurality of spoke portions. The center portion, the plurality of spoke portions, and the plurality of cavity regions are included in a gradient index (GRIN) lens having a plurality of effective dielectric constants that are based on a radial distance from the center portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Colin Anthony Minor Diehl, Corey McKinney Thacker