Patents by Inventor Erik J. Spahr

Erik J. Spahr 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: 10720753
    Abstract: A mount connects a light emitting device, such as a laser diode assembly, to an optical bench. The mount may include a thermoelectrical module coupled to a sub-element of a heat exchanger extending through an opening formed in the optical bench. The thermoelectrical module acts as a heat sink to draw heat outwardly from the laser diode and cool the same. The heat sink enables the laser diode to transmit heat thereto such that substantially all of the heat generated by the laser diode sinks to the heat exchanger. As such, the laser diode transfers virtually no heat to the optical bench so the optical bench is free of deflections or distortions resultant from the heat generated during generation of the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Belley, Erik J. Spahr
  • Publication number: 20200052461
    Abstract: A mount connects a light emitting device, such as a laser diode assembly, to an optical bench. The mount may include a thermoelectrical module coupled to a sub-element of a heat exchanger extending through an opening formed in the optical bench. The thermoelectrical module acts as a heat sink to draw heat outwardly from the laser diode and cool the same. The heat sink enables the laser diode to transmit heat thereto such that substantially all of the heat generated by the laser diode sinks to the heat exchanger. As such, the laser diode transfers virtually no heat to the optical bench so the optical bench is free of deflections or distortions resultant from the heat generated during generation of the laser beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: David B. Belley, Erik J. Spahr
  • Publication number: 20200041758
    Abstract: An optical assembly is part of an optical system such as a laser communication system on a moveable platform that operates in a range of temperature extremes. The optical assembly has a mount with a plurality of supports that couple an optical mirror to a frame or chassis of the optical system. The supports may be selectively heated or cooled in accordance with their respective coefficients of thermal expansion to reduce, minimize, or eliminate angular drift of the mounted optic or mount. The supports expand or contract to correct for misalignments of the beam reflection angle to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the optical system without significantly increasing size, weight, and power of the optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventor: Erik J. Spahr
  • Patent number: 10520393
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for verifying a diopter setting and range of an optical system eyepiece by utilizing an image sensor to view and analyze test patterns of spots displayed within the optical system eyepiece and calculating the diopter setting and range of the optical system eyepiece from an observed change in the test pattern at different diopter settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Erik J. Spahr, David L. Masters
  • Publication number: 20190368969
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for verifying a diopter setting and range of an optical system eyepiece by utilizing an image sensor to view and analyze test patterns of spots displayed within the optical system eyepiece and calculating the diopter setting and range of the optical system eyepiece from an observed change in the test pattern at different diopter settings
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Erik J. Spahr, David L. Masters
  • Patent number: 8148031
    Abstract: A proton conductor system includes a solid oxide having at least one hydrogen vibrational mode defined by a bandwidth and resonance frequency. A light source irradiates the solid oxide with infrared light in a wavelength band having a center frequency matching the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: College of William and Mary
    Inventors: Gunter Luepke, Erik J. Spahr
  • Publication number: 20100119889
    Abstract: A proton conductor system includes a solid oxide having at least one hydrogen vibrational mode defined by a bandwidth and resonance frequency. A light source irradiates the solid oxide with infrared light in a wavelength band having a center frequency matching the resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY
    Inventors: Gunter Luepke, Erik J. Spahr