Patents by Inventor James R. Schaffer, Jr.

James R. Schaffer, Jr. 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: 5017771
    Abstract: An optical position sensor is provided for sensing the position of an object movable along a motion axis. The sensor comprises a light source, a support member, a beamsplitter, a variable filter, and a processor. The light source produces an optical beam that is directed to the beamsplitter. The beamsplitter is fixedly coupled to the support member and optically coupled to the light source, and converts the optical beam into a reference beam and a subject beam. The beamsplitter projects the subject beam along a beam axis fixed relative to the support member. The variable filter is positioned along the beam axis, it is coupled to the object, and it is movably coupled to the support member to be movable along the motion axis in coordination with movement of the object for modulating the subject beam. The transmissivity of the variable filter is nonuniform along the motion axis to attenuate the subject beam in accordance with the position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard D. Bartholomew, Stephen K. Pitalo, James R. Schaffer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4917490
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for static and dynamic testing of the boresight alignment of an electro-optic system, the system having a line-of-sight sensor responsive to first radiation from a target for sensing the location of the target and setting the direction of a target vector to correspond to the location of the target, and having a line-of-sight illuminator for directing an illumination beam of second radiation at the located target. The apparatus comprises a main optic for receiving the second radiation from the electro-optic system and focusing the second radiation about a focal point in a focal plane substantially perpendicular to a principal radiation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James R. Schaffer, Jr., Stephen K. Pitalo, Henry P. Lay
  • Patent number: 4524406
    Abstract: An eye-safe compact laser simulator for simulating a laser spot on or off axis. The simulator used to test laser range and spot receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James R. Schaffer, Jr.