Patents by Inventor Kenenth G. Preston

Kenenth G. Preston 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: 8324543
    Abstract: A semi-active laser (SAL) sensing system is provided that uses a lightpipe to pass received reflected laser light from an aperture to a detector. The lightpipe facilitates further miniaturization of the SAL sensing system by taking the place of a larger lens system that would otherwise be required. For example, the use of the lightpipe in a missile or guided projectile can facilitate the placement of the SAL sensing system with other sensors in the limited available space at the front of the missile. In one embodiment, the lightpipe is formed from cladded optical fibers that are bundled together, shaped, and fused together. The core material from the optical fibers are then dissolved away, leaving the outer cladding. This remaining outer cladding remains fused together, and maintains its shape, thus forming a lightpipe that can be used in a SAL sensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Richard Dryer, Kenenth G. Preston