Patents by Inventor John H. Hunter
John H. Hunter 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: 11239626Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-pass etalon-based optical filter in which input light once reflected from the etalon is returned back to the etalon for a second reflection to enhance etalon contrast. The external mirror may be tilted relative to the etalon so that two planes of incidence are orthogonal. The multi-pass etalon-based optical filter may be used to clean scattered light from an excitation wavelength in Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: LightMachinery Inc.Inventors: John H. Hunter, Hubert Jean-Ruel, Ian J. Miller
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Patent number: 10996109Abstract: Conventional etalon based spectrometers have either a limited range of evaluation wavelengths or require continuous scanning of the etalon. Conventional etalon based spectrometers also have limited contrast between the peak transmission of a frequency on resonance and the minimum transmission of a frequency off resonance. An improved optical spectrometer includes a cylindrical lens configured to converge the input beam of light in only one direction, whereby the input beam of light is focused along a focal line. Accordingly, a first etalon receives the input beam of light, and transmits a series of sub-beams, each sub-beam transmitted at a different angle from the normal, and each sub-beam including multiple frequencies based on the FSR, whereby a secondary dispersive element receives each sub-beam, and disperses each sub-beam into individual frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: LightMachinery Inc.Inventors: Hubert Jean-Ruel, Jesse Dean, John H. Hunter, Ian J. Miller, Edward S. Williams
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Publication number: 20210116302Abstract: Conventional etalon based spectrometers have either a limited range of evaluation wavelengths or require continuous scanning of the etalon. Conventional etalon based spectrometers also have limited contrast between the peak transmission of a frequency on resonance and the minimum transmission of a frequency off resonance. An improved optical spectrometer includes a cylindrical lens configured to converge the input beam of light in only one direction, whereby the input beam of light is focused along a focal line. Accordingly, a first etalon receives the input beam of light, and transmits a series of sub-beams, each sub-beam transmitted at a different angle from the normal, and each sub-beam including multiple frequencies based on the FSR, whereby a secondary dispersive element receives each sub-beam, and disperses each sub-beam into individual frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Hubert Jean-Ruel, Jesse Dean, John H. Hunter, Ian J. Miller, Edward S. Williams
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Patent number: 10908023Abstract: A conventional spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHS) comprises a beam splitter and a pair of diffraction gratings, one in each arm of the SHS. The beam splitter separates an input beam of light into first and second sub-beams for transmission to a respective diffraction grating, and then recombines the diffracted sub-beams for focusing onto a camera. A field widened SHS enables much larger range of input angles of the original beam to be focused onto the camera, so that a broader range of wavelengths may be collected. Increasing the range of wavelengths may be provided by one or more of the following: combining the beam splitter with a field widening prism, making one diffraction grating farther from the beam splitter than the other, and placing a plurality of diffraction gratings in each arm of the SHS.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: LightMachinery Inc.Inventors: John H. Hunter, Ian J. Miller, Hubert Jean-Ruel, Edward S. Williams
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Publication number: 20210003450Abstract: A conventional spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHS) comprises a beam splitter and a pair of diffraction gratings, one in each arm of the SHS. The beam splitter separates an input beam of light into first and second sub-beams for transmission to a respective diffraction grating, and then recombines the diffracted sub-beams for focusing onto a camera. A field widened SHS enables much larger range of input angles of the original beam to be focused onto the camera, so that a broader range of wavelengths may be collected. Increasing the range of wavelengths may be provided by one or more of the following: combining the beam splitter with a field widening prism, making one diffraction grating farther from the beam splitter than the other, and placing a plurality of diffraction gratings in each arm of the SHS.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: John H. Hunter, Ian J. Miller, Hubert Jean-Ruel, Edward S. Williams
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Patent number: 10495513Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-resolution optical spectrometer that employs two output lenses of different focal length to provide a broad wavelength range, coarse resolution spectral measurement and a high resolution, lower range spectral measurement. Light dispersed by a virtual image phase array followed by a diffraction grating in two different dispersion orders may be separately focused by the two lenses upon to 2D detector array to provide the two measurements.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: LightMachinery Inc.Inventors: Hubert Jean-Ruel, John Reid, John H. Hunter, Jesse Dean, Edward S. Williams, Ian J. Miller
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Publication number: 20190257990Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-pass etalon-based optical filter in which input light once reflected from the etalon is returned back to the etalon for a second reflection to enhance etalon contrast. The external mirror may be tilted relative to the etalon so that two planes of incidence are orthogonal. The multi-pass etalon-based optical filter may be used to clean scattered light from an excitation wavelength in Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: John H. Hunter, Hubert Jean-Ruel, Ian J. Miller
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Patent number: 10162186Abstract: A virtual image phase array (VIPA) includes two parallel surfaces, a first highly-reflective surface with a highly-reflective coating, and a second partially-reflective surface. The first highly-reflective surface also requires an input zone with an anti-reflection coating, which abuts the highly-reflective coating, with a transition zone therebetween. Light enters the VIPA through the input zone, and reflects back and forth between the highly and partially reflective surfaces, gradually leaking out through the partially reflective surface. To minimize the transition zone and thereby minimize the input angle of incidence and maximize the number of reflections per unit of length, the substrate coated with the highly-reflective coating is subsequently polished at an acute angle resulting in the transition zone having the same sharp angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: LightMachinery Inc.Inventors: John H. Hunter, Ian J. Miller, Shane Boisclair, Edward S. Williams, Chris Wimperis, Vaz Zastera
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Publication number: 20180202862Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-resolution optical spectrometer that employs two output lenses of different focal length to provide a broad wavelength range, coarse resolution spectral measurement and a high resolution, lower range spectral measurement. Light dispersed by a virtual image phase array followed by a diffraction grating in two different dispersion orders may be separately focused by the two lenses upon to 2D detector array to provide the two measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Hubert JEAN-RUEL, John Reid, John H. Hunter, Jesse Dean, Edward S. Willilams, Ian J. Miller
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Patent number: 9478934Abstract: The disclosure relates to the removal of hydrogen fluoride (HF) from an excimer laser either in operation or in standby using a metal halide salt reactor. Removal of HF is desirable because the contaminant not only absorbs laser emission, thus reducing laser power, but it is also chemically reactive, and degrades the lifetime of internal laser components. The metal halide salt reactor may be provided either in the laser vessel or in an external conduit loop.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: LightMachinery Inc.Inventors: Adam Donaldson, Edward S. Williams, John H. Hunter, Tekai Akuetteh, Ian J. Miller
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Publication number: 20150316764Abstract: A virtual image phase array (VIPA) includes two parallel surfaces, a first highly-reflective surface with a highly-reflective coating, and a second partially-reflective surface. The first highly-reflective surface also requires an input zone with an anti-reflection coating, which abuts the highly-reflective coating, with a transition zone therebetween. Light enters the VIPA through the input zone, and reflects back and forth between the highly and partially reflective surfaces, gradually leaking out through the partially reflective surface. To minimize the transition zone and thereby minimize the input angle of incidence and maximize the number of reflections per unit of length, the substrate coated with the highly-reflective coating is subsequently polished at an acute angle resulting in the transition zone having the same sharp angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: John H. Hunter, Ian J. MILLER, Shane BOISCLAIR, Edward S. WILLIAMS, Chris WIMPERIS, Vaz ZASTERA
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Patent number: 8929419Abstract: An excimer laser system in which the expensive noble gases are reclaimed, while the halogen gas is sacrificed, and the impurities developed during operation of the excimer laser are removed. In the approach disclosed a multi-stage gas purifier is used with a single, premix gas bottle containing a halogen-rich laser gas mixture comprising noble, buffer and halogen gas, to maintain the optimum halogen content of the laser, while also maintaining a consistent ratio of noble, buffer and halogen gases without complicated control apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: LightMachinery Inc.Inventors: Jesse Dean, Ian J. Miller, Edward S. Williams, John H. Hunter
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Patent number: 8355207Abstract: A beamsplitter includes a bifurcated frame, which rotates about a vertical axis, enabling the transmissive properties of an optical element, e.g. etalon, mounted on one arm of the frame, to be tuned as the angle of the optical element is rotated relative to an incoming optical beam. A mirror is mounted on the other arm of the frame intersecting light reflected from the optical element and redirecting the reflected light along a path, which is constant relative to the incoming optical beam.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: LightMachinery Inc.Inventors: John H. Hunter, Ian J. Miller
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Publication number: 20120057241Abstract: A beamsplitter includes a bifurcated frame, which rotates about a vertical axis, enabling the transmissive properties of an optical element, e.g. etalon, mounted on one arm of the frame, to be tuned as the angle of the optical element is rotated relative to an incoming optical beam. A mirror is mounted on the other arm of the frame intersecting light reflected from the optical element and redirecting the reflected light along a path, which is constant relative to the incoming optical beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Inventors: John H. Hunter, Ian J. Miller
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Patent number: 7749049Abstract: Fluid jet polishing (FJP) is a method of contouring and polishing a surface of a component by aiming a jet of a slurry of working fluid from a nozzle at the component and eroding the surface to create a desired shape. During erosion, the end of the nozzle and the component are submerged within the working fluid, whereby air is not introduced into the closed loop of working fluid slurry. Any bubbles that are present in the system simply bubble to an air pocket at the top of the erosion chamber and are not re-circulated, thereby producing surfaces with very smooth surface finishes.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Lightmachinery Inc.Inventors: John H. Hunter, Ian J. Miller, John Nilson, Gregg Senechal, Jeff Wimperis
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Patent number: 7455573Abstract: The invention relates to fluid jet polishing machine including a pump that maintains a constant pressure in the polishing fluid during each pass of a nozzle over a component. Fluid actuated diaphragms expand and contract the volume of a pair of pump chambers, thereby eliminating the need for high-speed shafts or components in contact with the abrasive slurry.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: LightMachinery Inc.Inventors: Zhi Huang, John H. Hunter, Graham Malcove, Ian J. Miller, Gregg Senechal
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Publication number: 20080057840Abstract: The invention relates to fluid jet polishing machine including a pump that maintains a constant pressure in the polishing fluid during each pass of a nozzle over a component. Fluid actuated diaphragms expand and contract the volume of a pair of pump chambers, thereby eliminating the need for high-speed shafts or components in contact with the abrasive slurry.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Zhi Huang, John H. Hunter, Graham Malcove, Ian J. Miller, Gregg Senechal
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Publication number: 20080038991Abstract: Fluid jet polishing (FJP) is a method of contouring and polishing a surface of a component by aiming a jet of a slurry of working fluid from a nozzle at the component and eroding the surface to create a desired shape. During erosion, the end of the nozzle and the component are submerged within the working fluid, whereby air is not introduced into the closed loop of working fluid slurry. Any bubbles that are present in the system simply bubble to an air pocket at the top of the erosion chamber and are not re-circulated, thereby producing surfaces with very smooth surface finishes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: John H. Hunter, Ian J. Miller, John Nilson, Gregg Senechal, Jeff Wimperis
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Patent number: 6601782Abstract: A disposable synthetic resin spray nozzle assembly for spraying reactive multi-component liquid mixtures includes a static mixer and an air or gas manifold. The static mixer has an elongated mixing tube containing a mixing element, and a liquid dispensing nozzle is formed at the downstream end of the mixing tube. A one-piece manifold has an inner wall which includes a mixer support section sealingly mounted around the static mixer, an air inlet section for receiving an air supply through a conduit, and an air dispensing section which, together with the outer wall of the liquid dispensing nozzle, forms an air dispensing nozzle. The reactive liquid mixture is atomized by air that supplied through the air dispensing nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Plas-Pak Industries, Inc.Inventors: Albert E. Sandholm, Richard W. Clemens, John H Hunter
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Patent number: D462269Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Russell-Stanley CorporationInventors: John H. Hunter, Carlos Garcia