Patents by Inventor David G. Anthony
David G. Anthony 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).
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Patent number: 9423277Abstract: An optical position sensing system and method for sensing a gimbal position in a gimbal-based optical system. One example of an optical position sensing system includes an off-gimbal light source that generates a position sensing light beam and transmits the position sensing light beam along an optical coude path of the optical system, and an on-gimbal optical element that causes a change in an intensity of the position sensing light beam based on rotation of the gimbal about the axis. The system further includes an off-gimbal detector configured to receive the position sensing light beam returned from the optical element and to detect the change in the intensity of the position sensing light beam, and a controller coupled to the detector and configured to determine the gimbal position based on a correlation between the change in the intensity of the position sensing light beam and the gimbal position.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANYInventors: David G. Anthony, Elka E. Koehler, Byron B. Taylor, Robert Rinker
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Publication number: 20160161293Abstract: An optical position sensing system and method for sensing a gimbal position in a gimbal-based optical system. One example of an optical position sensing system includes an off-gimbal light source that generates a position sensing light beam and transmits the position sensing light beam along an optical coude path of the optical system, and an on-gimbal optical element that causes a change in an intensity of the position sensing light beam based on rotation of the gimbal about the axis. The system further includes an off-gimbal detector configured to receive the position sensing light beam returned from the optical element and to detect the change in the intensity of the position sensing light beam, and a controller coupled to the detector and configured to determine the gimbal position based on a correlation between the change in the intensity of the position sensing light beam and the gimbal position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: David G. Anthony, Elka E. Koehler, Byron B. Taylor, Robert Rinker
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Patent number: 8817352Abstract: An optical switching assembly having an optical path therethrough includes an optical element, a base frame, an optical support that supports the optical element and is pivotably mounted to the base frame, and a linkage. The linkage interconnects the base frame and the optical support to effect movement of the optical support between an aligned position where the optical element is in the optical path and a non-aligned position removed from the aligned position. The linkage has two over-center positions that respectively correspond to the aligned position and the non-aligned position. No additional energy is required to hold the linkage in the over-center positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: David G. Anthony, Robert Stein
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Publication number: 20140063581Abstract: An optical switching assembly having an optical path therethrough includes an optical element, a base frame, an optical support that supports the optical element and is pivotably mounted to the base frame, and a linkage. The linkage interconnects the base frame and the optical support to effect movement of the optical support between an aligned position where the optical element is in the optical path and a non-aligned position removed from the aligned position. The linkage has two over-center positions that respectively correspond to the aligned position and the non-aligned position. No additional energy is required to hold the linkage in the over-center positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANYInventors: David G. Anthony, Robert Stein
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Patent number: 7929125Abstract: Embodiments of a gimbaled system with an optical coudé path and method for transferring data are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the gimbaled system includes optical coudé path to provide a data communication path with a gimbaled payload, an on-gimbal communication laser to transmit modulated camera data via the coudé path, and an off-gimbal communication detector to detect the camera data received via the coudé path. In some embodiments, the optical coudé path may include at least two mirrors to provide a bi-directional communication path through an azimuth axis and an elevation axis of the gimbaled payload.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Frederick B. Koehler, William D. Werries, David J. Markason, David G. Anthony, Robert Rinker, Thomas E. Roberts
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Publication number: 20100128244Abstract: Embodiments of a gimbaled system with an optical coudé path and method for transferring data are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the gimbaled system includes optical coudé path to provide a data communication path with a gimbaled payload, an on-gimbal communication laser to transmit modulated camera data via the coudé path, and an off-gimbal communication detector to detect the camera data received via the coudé path. In some embodiments, the optical coudé path may include at least two mirrors to provide a bi-directional communication path through an azimuth axis and an elevation axis of the gimbaled payload.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Frederick B. Koehler, William D. Werries, David J. Markason, David G. Anthony, Robert Rinker, Thomas E. Roberts
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Patent number: 7667190Abstract: A control mechanism pins an optical fiber assembly on and off gimbal and between gimbals to route the assembly from an off-gimbal optical source across the gimbal axis/axes to an on-gimbal optical element so that the fiber assembly moves with the rotation of the gimbals. To accommodate a relatively large range of motion, the control mechanism is suitably configured to route the fiber assembly in a “U-shaped” loop with one end pinned off-gimbal in a stationary guide track and the other end pinned on-gimbal point in a rotating guide track so that the loose fiber assembly is constrained in the concentric tracks on and off gimbal. As the gimbal rotates, the loop seats onto one guiding track and peels off of the other guiding track while always maintaining its U shape.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: James P. Mills, David G. Garrett, Wayne L. Sunne, David J. Knapp, Daniel W. Brunton, David G. Anthony, Emmet R. Anderson, Daniel C. Harrison, Frank E. Smith, III, Jim R. Hicks
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Publication number: 20090250597Abstract: A control mechanism pins an optical fiber assembly on and off gimbal and between gimbals to route the assembly from an off-gimbal optical source across the gimbal axis/axes to an on-gimbal optical element so that the fiber assembly moves with the rotation of the gimbals. To accommodate a relatively large range of motion, the control mechanism is suitably configured to route the fiber assembly in a “U-shaped” loop with one end pinned off-gimbal in a stationary guide track and the other end pinned on-gimbal point in a rotating guide track so that the loose fiber assembly is constrained in the concentric tracks on and off gimbal. As the gimbal rotates, the loop seats onto one guiding track and peels off of the other guiding track while always maintaining its U shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2007Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: JAMES P. MILLS, DAVID G. GARRETT, WAYNE L. SUNNE, DAVID J. KNAPP, DANIEL W. BRUNTON, DAVID G. ANTHONY, EMMET R. ANDERSON, DANIEL C. HARRISON, FRANK E. SMITH, III, JIM R. HICKS
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Patent number: 7304296Abstract: A control mechanism pins an optical fiber assembly on and off gimbal and between gimbals to route the assembly from an off-gimbal optical source across the gimbal axis/axes to an on-gimbal optical element so that the fiber assembly moves with the rotation of the gimbals. To accommodate a relatively large range of motion, the control mechanism is suitably configured to route the fiber assembly in a “U-shaped” loop with one end pinned off-gimbal in a stationary guide track and the other end pinned on-gimbal point in a rotating guide track so that the loose fiber assembly is constrained in the concentric tracks on and off gimbal. As the gimbal rotates, the loop seats onto one guiding track and peels off of the other guiding track while always maintaining its U shape.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: James P. Mills, David G. Garrett, Wayne L. Sunne, David J. Knapp, Daniel W. Brunton, David G. Anthony, Emmet R. Anderson, Daniel C. Harrison, Frank E. Smith, III, Jim R. Hicks