Patents by Inventor Jason R. Lavine

Jason R. Lavine 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: 11902637
    Abstract: An apparatus includes imaging optics having an objective lens configured to focus electromagnetic radiation to an intermediate image plane and one or more optical devices configured to generate an optical beam from the electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus also includes at least one imaging sensor configured to capture an image from the optical beam. The apparatus further includes a beam generator configured to generate and transmit an HEL beam through the imaging optics. In addition, the apparatus includes an intermediate alignment target configured to be moveably positioned at the intermediate image plane. The intermediate alignment target includes a first-wavelength target configured to reflect a first spectral band of the HEL beam to a first of the at least one imaging sensor (the first imaging sensor configured to capture a first-wavelength infrared image of the first spectral band) and transmit remaining spectral portions of the HEL beam towards the objective lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Liam T. Skoyles
  • Patent number: 11788822
    Abstract: A laser sensor system including a common optical bench that is configured to receive and process different beams of a high energy laser (HEL). The common optical bench is configured to handle the different beams using a modular set of optical components. Optical components of the common optical bench include a filtering device configured to reduce the power of the beams, a common collecting optical element that is configured to set an imaging position and focal length for the beams, a position sensitive detector (PSD) arrangement that is configured to measure angular and positional errors in the beams, and various compaction optical elements, such as mirrors, that are configured to enable compaction of the laser sensor system by increasing the focal length of the beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Stephen F. Sagan, Brian M. Graue, Justin Paul
  • Publication number: 20220337763
    Abstract: An apparatus includes imaging optics having an objective lens configured to focus electromagnetic radiation to an intermediate image plane and one or more optical devices configured to generate an optical beam from the electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus also includes at least one imaging sensor configured to capture an image from the optical beam. The apparatus further includes a beam generator configured to generate and transmit an HEL beam through the imaging optics. In addition, the apparatus includes an intermediate alignment target configured to be moveably positioned at the intermediate image plane. The intermediate alignment target includes a first-wavelength target configured to reflect a first spectral band of the HEL beam to a first of the at least one imaging sensor (the first imaging sensor configured to capture a first-wavelength infrared image of the first spectral band) and transmit remaining spectral portions of the HEL beam towards the objective lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Liam T. Skoyles
  • Patent number: 11385383
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical device that includes a substrate, a first layer of material over the substrate, and a second layer of material comprising an optical coating over the first layer of material. The first layer of material creates a first stress within the optical device that counteracts a second stress within the optical device created by the second layer of material. The optical device may also include a third layer of material positioned between the substrate and the first layer of material. In some cases, the second layer of material creates a compressive stress within the optical device, and the first layer of material creates a tensile stress within the optical device that counteracts the compressive stress within the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Shu-Chung Chiao, Robert K. Bratton
  • Publication number: 20220163762
    Abstract: An adjustable optical mount is disclosed. The adjustable optical mount can include a base. The adjustable optical mount can also include a rotatable frame rotatably coupled to the base about an axis. The rotatable frame can be operable to support an optical element. Additionally, the adjustable optical mount can include a ramp operably coupled to the rotatable frame such that translational movement of the ramp relative to the rotatable frame causes rotation of the rotatable frame about the axis to facilitate adjustment of the optical element in a rotational degree of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Steven Palomino
  • Publication number: 20220163296
    Abstract: A beam director system for a high-energy laser (HEL) weapon includes correction sensors that are able detect misalignments in optical elements throughout the entire optical path traversed by the high-energy laser. The system includes beam correction sensors that sense misalignments in a first part of the optical path, and high-speed track sensors that sense misalignments in a second part of the optical path, with the first part and the second part overlapping. This allows all optics to be sensed by the beam correction sensors and/or the high-speed track sensors. The system can accommodate a wide variety of lasers for the HEL, preferably including a co-boresighted and aligned alignment laser. By having the track sensors further downstream on the optical path than in prior devices, the acquisition and track sensor fields of view of the system may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Justin T. Martin, Liam Skoyles
  • Patent number: 11342721
    Abstract: A beam director system for a high-energy laser (HEL) weapon includes correction sensors that are able detect misalignments in optical elements throughout the entire optical path traversed by the high-energy laser. The system includes beam correction sensors that sense misalignments in a first part of the optical path, and high-speed track sensors that sense misalignments in a second part of the optical path, with the first part and the second part overlapping. This allows all optics to be sensed by the beam correction sensors and/or the high-speed track sensors. The system can accommodate a wide variety of lasers for the HEL, preferably including a co-boresighted and aligned alignment laser. By having the track sensors further downstream on the optical path than in prior devices, the acquisition and track sensor fields of view of the system may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Justin T. Martin, Liam Skoyles
  • Patent number: 11243082
    Abstract: A cardan joint includes a cross-elevation assembly comprising a cross-elevation housing, a roll-elevation assembly comprising a roll-elevation housing, a payload interface assembly comprising a payload interface housing, and a suspension interface yoke comprising a suspension interface that couples the suspension interface yoke to one or more suspension bars. The roll-elevation assembly is rotatably connected to the cross-elevation assembly along a first rotation axis via a radial roller bearing and a thrust roller bearing. The payload interface assembly is rotatably connected to the roll-elevation assembly along a second rotation axis via a radial roller bearing and a thrust roller bearing. The suspension interface yoke is rotatably connected to the cross-elevation assembly along a third rotation axis via one or more radial roller bearings and one or more thrust roller bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Kirk A. Miller, Jason R. Lavine
  • Publication number: 20220035149
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a deformable mirror. The deformable mirror includes a reflective surface configured to reflect a high-energy laser (HEL) beam and to focus the HEL beam on a target. The deformable mirror also includes multiple actuators configured to adjust a shape of the reflective surface in order to maintain focus of the HEL beam on the target over a specified range of distances between the deformable mirror and the target. At least one portion of the reflective surface is configured to be adjusted by the actuators and obtain convex, flat, and concave shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Elizabeth S. Goodwin, Steven A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20220026182
    Abstract: A laser sensor system including a common optical bench that is configured to receive and process different beams of a high energy laser (HEL). The common optical bench is configured to handle the different beams using a modular set of optical components. Optical components of the common optical bench include a filtering device configured to reduce the power of the beams, a common collecting optical element that is configured to set an imaging position and focal length for the beams, a position sensitive detector (PSD) arrangement that is configured to measure angular and positional errors in the beams, and various compaction optical elements, such as mirrors, that are configured to enable compaction of the laser sensor system by increasing the focal length of the beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Stephen F. Sagan, Brian M. Graue, Justin Paul
  • Publication number: 20220013976
    Abstract: A high-energy laser (HEL) element is provided and includes a non-conductive substrate layer assembly, a reflector layer assembly and a thermally conductive carbon layer. The thermally conductive carbon layer is at least partially interposed between the non-conductive substrate layer assembly and the reflector layer assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventor: Jason R. Lavine
  • Patent number: 11073420
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a reflector having one or more reflective faces and an opening. The reflector is selectively movable into and out of an optical path of an alignment beam. When the reflector is located within the optical path of the alignment beam, (i) the one or more reflective faces are configured to reflect a first portion of the alignment beam and (ii) the opening is configured to allow passage of a second portion of the alignment beam through the reflector. The reflector may include a retro-reflector, the retro-reflector may include multiple reflective faces, and the multiple reflective faces may be positioned around the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Jason R. Lavine
  • Publication number: 20210190500
    Abstract: A cardan joint includes a cross-elevation assembly comprising a cross-elevation housing, a roll-elevation assembly comprising a roll-elevation housing, a payload interface assembly comprising a payload interface housing, and a suspension interface yoke comprising a suspension interface that couples the suspension interface yoke to one or more suspension bars. The roll-elevation assembly is rotatably connected to the cross-elevation assembly along a first rotation axis via a radial roller bearing and a thrust roller bearing. The payload interface assembly is rotatably connected to the roll-elevation assembly along a second rotation axis via a radial roller bearing and a thrust roller bearing. The suspension interface yoke is rotatably connected to the cross-elevation assembly along a third rotation axis via one or more radial roller bearings and one or more thrust roller bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Kirk A. Miller, Jason R. Lavine
  • Patent number: 10713919
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate and first and second electrical connectors. The apparatus also includes at least one first conductive trace positioned in, on, or over the substrate. The at least one first conductive trace forms an electrical connection between the first and second electrical connectors. The at least one first conductive trace is configured to be damaged by laser energy to break the electrical connection between the first and second electrical connectors. The apparatus further includes an indicator electrically coupled to the at least one first conductive trace. The indicator is configured to generate feedback based on whether the electrical connection between the first and second electrical connectors has been broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Liam T. Skoyles
  • Publication number: 20200160689
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate and first and second electrical connectors. The apparatus also includes at least one first conductive trace positioned in, on, or over the substrate. The at least one first conductive trace forms an electrical connection between the first and second electrical connectors. The at least one first conductive trace is configured to be damaged by laser energy to break the electrical connection between the first and second electrical connectors. The apparatus further includes an indicator electrically coupled to the at least one first conductive trace. The indicator is configured to generate feedback based on whether the electrical connection between the first and second electrical connectors has been broken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Liam T. Skoyles
  • Publication number: 20200150315
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical device that includes a substrate, a first layer of material over the substrate, and a second layer of material comprising an optical coating over the first layer of material. The first layer of material creates a first stress within the optical device that counteracts a second stress within the optical device created by the second layer of material. The optical device may also include a third layer of material positioned between the substrate and the first layer of material. In some cases, the second layer of material creates a compressive stress within the optical device, and the first layer of material creates a tensile stress within the optical device that counteracts the compressive stress within the optical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Jason R. Lavine, Shu-Chung Chiao, Robert K. Bratton
  • Publication number: 20200141795
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a reflector having one or more reflective faces and an opening. The reflector is selectively movable into and out of an optical path of an alignment beam. When the reflector is located within the optical path of the alignment beam, (i) the one or more reflective faces are configured to reflect a first portion of the alignment beam and (ii) the opening is configured to allow passage of a second portion of the alignment beam through the reflector. The reflector may include a retro-reflector, the retro-reflector may include multiple reflective faces, and the multiple reflective faces may be positioned around the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventor: Jason R. Lavine