Patents by Inventor Craig T. Walters

Craig T. Walters 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: 11531184
    Abstract: A laser beam alignment system includes at least one mirror with a surface pattern configured to receive and reflect a laser beam, at least one detector configured to detect a deflected portion of a laser beam from the mirror, and at least one controller configured to communicate with the at least one mirror and the at least one detector and to control the mirror position on the basis of the deflected portion of the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, William C. Flannigan
  • Patent number: 11359994
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for use with a laser processing system that includes a laser for generating a non-stationary laser beam and a work plane positioned at a working distance relative to the non-stationary laser beam, wherein the testing apparatus includes a support tube; a protective window mounted in the support tube for protecting components mounted within the support tube; a reimaging lens mounted in the support tube for enlarging the non-stationary laser beam for characterization thereof; a pin-hole defining structure mounted in the support tube for receiving laser light generated by the laser beam, wherein the pin-hole is located at a predetermined distance from the reimaging lens; a fiber optic cable disposed within the pin-hole defining structure that has a proximal end at which the laser light is received through the pin-hole and a distal end to which the laser light is delivered; and a photodetector located at the distal end of the fiber optic cable that converts the laser light delivered to the phot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Jacob Hay
  • Publication number: 20220134440
    Abstract: A feed head apparatus for laser additive manufacturing, comprising an optical housing configured to receive a laser beam and a feedstock therein, wherein the feedstock is for use in an additive manufacturing process that includes a build plate or other additive manufacturing work surface; a first reflective optic for receiving and reflecting the laser beam; and a second reflective optic for receiving laser light reflected by the first reflective optic, wherein the second reflective includes a first region of curvature for directing a portion of the laser light received from the first reflective optic onto the feedstock in a cylindrical configuration such that the feedstock and the cylinder of laser light are coaxial with regard to one another; and a second region of curvature for directing a portion of the laser light received from the first reflective optic onto the build or surface only in a ring-shaped configuration, wherein the ring of laser light surrounds the feedstock and the cylinder of laser light an
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Jacob Hay
  • Publication number: 20210372881
    Abstract: Systems, methods and device provided for combining or splitting laser beams, including a plurality of optical fibers for providing laser beams, an image relay lens for each of the plurality of optical fibers, positioning a prism beam combiner or splitter after the image relay lenses for combining or splitting the laser beams. According to another aspect, the a prism beam combiner or splitter may include a flattened tip to transmit a portion of an input laser beam, a position sensitive detector to receive the transmitted portion of the input laser beam to track a beam axis motion and provide feedback alignment error signals based on the beam axis motion, and a driver to receive the feedback alignment error signals and to drive a motor or piezo actuated beam steering minor based on the feedback alignment error signals, wherein a laser bond inspection method implements the described systems and methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: LSP Technologies, inc.
    Inventors: Craig T. Walters, David Sokol
  • Publication number: 20210223140
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for use with a laser processing system that includes a laser for generating a non-stationary laser beam and a work plane positioned at a working distance relative to the non-stationary laser beam, wherein the testing apparatus includes a support tube; a protective window mounted in the support tube for protecting components mounted within the support tube; a reimaging lens mounted in the support tube for enlarging the non-stationary laser beam for characterization thereof; a pin-hole defining structure mounted in the support tube for receiving laser light generated by the laser beam, wherein the pin-hole is located at a predetermined distance from the reimaging lens; a fiber optic cable disposed within the pin-hole defining structure that has a proximal end at which the laser light is received through the pin-hole and a distal end to which the laser light is delivered; and a photodetector located at the distal end of the fiber optic cable that converts the laser light delivered to the phot
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Jacob Hay
  • Publication number: 20210191072
    Abstract: A laser beam alignment system includes at least one mirror with a surface pattern configured to receive and reflect a laser beam, at least one detector configured to detect a deflected portion of a laser beam from the mirror, and at least one controller configured to communicate with the at least one mirror and the at least one detector and to control the mirror position on the basis of the deflected portion of the laser beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, William C. Flannigan
  • Patent number: 10976219
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for use with a laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing device that includes a laser for generating a non-stationary laser beam and a build plane positioned at a predetermined location relative to the non-stationary laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Paul Boulware, Jacob Hay
  • Publication number: 20210060861
    Abstract: A feed head apparatus for use in laser wire additive manufacturing, comprising an optical housing adapted to receive a laser beam therein and a wire therein, wherein the wire is adapted for use in additive manufacturing; a first reflective optic for receiving and reflecting the laser beam; and a second reflective optic for receiving laser light reflected by the first reflective optic, wherein the second reflective optic directs the laser light received from the first reflective optic onto the wire in a cylindrical configuration such that the wire and the cylinder of laser light are coaxial with regard to one another within a portion of the optical housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Jacob Hay
  • Publication number: 20200209107
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for use with a laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing device that includes a laser for generating a non-stationary laser beam and a build plane positioned at a predetermined location relative to the non-stationary laser beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Paul Boulware, Jacob Hay
  • Patent number: 10627311
    Abstract: A testing apparatus adapted to be placed within a laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing device that includes a laser for generating a non-stationary laser beam and a build plane positioned at a predetermined location relative to the non-stationary laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Edison Welding Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Paul Boulware, Jacob Hay
  • Publication number: 20190391363
    Abstract: A laser beam alignment system includes at least one mirror with a surface pattern configured to receive and reflect a laser beam, at least one detector configured to detect a deflected portion of a laser beam from the mirror, and at least one controller configured to communicate with the at least one mirror and the at least one detector and to control the mirror position on the basis of the deflected portion of the laser beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, William C. Flannigan
  • Publication number: 20190301970
    Abstract: A testing apparatus adapted to be placed within a laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing device that includes a laser for generating a non-stationary laser beam and a build plane positioned at a predetermined location relative to the non-stationary laser beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Paul Boulware, Jacob Hay
  • Patent number: 9375974
    Abstract: A system for removing a coating from a surface is provided. This system includes a laser scanner, wherein the laser scanner further includes at least one laser source, wherein the at least one laser source is operative to generate at least one laser beam, and wherein the laser beam is directed onto a work surface by the laser scanner; and a controller for operating the laser scanner. The controller further includes an imaging device for imaging the work surface; a lighting device for illuminating the work surface and overwhelming light generated by the interaction of the laser beam with the work surface; and a processor for processing information collected by the imaging device and adjusting the power output of the at least one laser source, if and when desirable or necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Edison Welding Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters
  • Patent number: 8481886
    Abstract: A laser scanner system for removing a coating from a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Edison Welding Institute
    Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters
  • Patent number: 8225664
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed for the use of Lamb waves in laser bond inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: LSP Technologies
    Inventors: David W. Sokol, Craig T. Walters, Kevin R. Housen, Richard H. Bossi, Steven M. Toller
  • Publication number: 20120145685
    Abstract: A system for removing a coating from a surface is provided. This system includes a laser scanner, wherein the laser scanner further includes at least one laser source, wherein the at least one laser source is operative to generate at least one laser beam, and wherein the laser beam is directed onto a work surface by the laser scanner; and a controller for operating the laser scanner. The controller further includes an imaging device for imaging the work surface; a lighting device for illuminating the work surface and overwhelming light generated by the interaction of the laser beam with the work surface; and a processor for processing information collected by the imaging device and adjusting the power output of the at least one laser source, if and when desirable or necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: EDISON WELDING INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Stanley L. REAM, Craig T. WALTERS
  • Patent number: 8156811
    Abstract: A diagnostic means to enable real-time inspection of bonded structures. The disclosed apparatus detects bond failure stress waves on-axis from the front side (beam application side). Pi-box and pi-rail EMAT gauges can be used with the disclosed apparatus. An inductively coupled EMAT may also be employed. An improved means to remotely deliver an interrogating laser beam to a surface is provided. The process head may utilize a water column or a water film. The water film process head may include the use of either a single water film or two spaced apart water films. The disclosed apparatus can be used with bonded composite structures, bonded structures using various materials, and to determine the dynamic strength of unbonded solid materials. The apparatus may also be used in other applications that require remote flexible delivery of a localized stress wave to a material and/or diagnosis of the resultant stress waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: LSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Toller, Craig T. Walters
  • Publication number: 20110147354
    Abstract: A laser scanner system for removing a coating from a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: EDISON WELDING INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Stanley L. REAM, Craig T. WALTERS
  • Patent number: 7775122
    Abstract: Tape overlays for use in laser bond inspection are provided, as well as laser bond inspection systems and methods utilizing tape overlays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: LSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Toller, David W. Sokol, Craig T. Walters
  • Patent number: 7772520
    Abstract: A hand-held apparatus is disclosed, where that hand-held apparatus comprises a hand piece having an output end, a switch disposed on that hand piece, wherein that switch includes “on” position and an “off” position, and wherein a laser beam is directed outwardly from the output end of the hand piece when the switch is disposed in the “on” position. In certain embodiments, a lasing device is disposed within the hand piece. In other embodiments, a lasing device is disposed external to the hand piece, wherein that lasing device is interconnected with the hand piece by a fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Climax Molybdenum Company
    Inventors: Frederick N. Bushroe, Mohamed H. Khan, Craig T. Walters