Patents by Inventor Howard M. De Ruyter

Howard M. De Ruyter 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: 9024253
    Abstract: A calibration system and method for calibrating a detector are disclosed. In one example, the calibration system comprises a plurality of radiation sources configured to emit electromagnetic radiation, a positioning mechanism disposed opposite the plurality of radiation sources, having a single degree of freedom with respect to the plurality of radiation sources, and an optical element coupled to the positioning mechanism, and configured to rotate to a plurality of calibration positions, the optical element in each of the plurality of calibration positions being configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from a corresponding radiation source and to reflect the electromagnetic radiation to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Howard M. De Ruyter, James Steven Blackmon
  • Patent number: 8716651
    Abstract: A calibration system for a detector includes a base member, a plurality of radiation sources fixedly attached to the base member, and a positioning mechanism attached to the base member. Each radiation source is maintained at a different temperature and is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation. The positioning mechanism includes a movable member having a single degree of freedom with respect to the base member, and a plurality of optical elements arranged on the movable member. Each optical element corresponds to one of the radiation sources and each optical element is configured to at least be movable between a calibration position and a non-calibration position. When the optical element is in the calibration position, the optical element is configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from its corresponding radiation source and to reflect the electromagnetic radiation to a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Howard M. De Ruyter
  • Publication number: 20130043390
    Abstract: A calibration system for a detector includes a base member, a plurality of radiation sources fixedly attached to the base member, and a positioning mechanism attached to the base member. Each radiation source is maintained at a different temperature and is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation. The positioning mechanism includes a movable member having a single degree of freedom with respect to the base member, and a plurality of optical elements arranged on the movable member. Each optical element corresponds to one of the radiation sources and each optical element is configured to at least be movable between a calibration position and a non-calibration position. When the optical element is in the calibration position, the optical element is configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from its corresponding radiation source and to reflect the electromagnetic radiation to a detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Howard M. DE RUYTER
  • Patent number: 7592588
    Abstract: Provided is a calibration source IR assembly for an IR detector including an IR focal plane. The calibration assembly includes a rotatable spectral filter wheel optically coupled to an IR focal plane of the detector, the filter wheel having a plurality of areas each of at least a minimum size. At least one area being a calibration area, the calibration area including: a substrate having a first side facing the IR focal plane and a second side opposite from the first side; a light transmitting edge section disposed between the first side and the second side; and at least one light redirector disposed at least partially within the substrate, the light redirector structured and arranged to receive light from the edge and to redirect the light out the first side. A light source optically coupled to the edge section. An IR detector including the improvement of such a calibration source IR assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Eric M. Moskun, Lacy G. Cook, Howard M. De Ruyter
  • Publication number: 20090108201
    Abstract: Provided is a calibration source IR assembly for an IR detector including an IR focal plane. The calibration assembly includes a rotatable spectral filter wheel optically coupled to an IR focal plane of the detector, the filter wheel having a plurality of areas each of at least a minimum size. At least one area being a calibration area, the calibration area including: a substrate having a first side facing the IR focal plane and a second side opposite from the first side; a light transmitting edge section disposed between the first side and the second side; and at least one light redirector disposed at least partially within the substrate, the light redirector structured and arranged to receive light from the edge and to redirect the light out the first side. A light source optically coupled to the edge section. An IR detector including the improvement of such a calibration source IR assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Eric M. Moskun, Lacy G. Cook, Howard M. De Ruyter