Patents by Inventor Kevin Spahr

Kevin Spahr 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: 11675027
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a rotary contactless potentiometer device, which includes one or more sensors, such as a Hall Effect sensor. The sensors are mounted on one or more substrates, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). In examples, each sensor channel is electrically isolated on the substrate. The sensors are arranged within range of a magnetic field, such as from a magnet rotatable about a shaft. The potentiometer device is housed in a frame to reduce stray magnetic interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Zenon Szulyk, David M. Thunga, Kirill Goldin, Kevin Spahr
  • Publication number: 20210199731
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a rotary contactless potentiometer device, which includes one or more sensors, such as a Hall Effect sensor. The sensors are mounted on one or more substrates, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). In examples, each sensor channel is electrically isolated on the substrate. The sensors are arranged within range of a magnetic field, such as from a magnet rotatable about a shaft. The potentiometer device is housed in a frame to reduce stray magnetic interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Zenon Szulyk, David M. Thunga, Kirill Goldin, Kevin Spahr
  • Patent number: 7373047
    Abstract: Waveguide devices and schemes for fabricating waveguide devices useful in applications requiring modulation, attenuation, polarization control, and switching of optical signals are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabricating an integrated optical device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Optimer Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Nippa, Steven M. Risser, Richard W. Ridgway, Tim L. Shortridge, Vincent McGinniss, Kevin Spahr
  • Publication number: 20080004415
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a hyperpolarizable organic chromophore. The chromophore is a nonlinear optically active compound that includes a ?-donor conjugated to a ?-acceptor through a ?-electron conjugated bridge. In other aspects of the invention, donor structures and acceptor structures are provided. In another aspect of the invention, a chromophore-containing polymer is provided. In one embodiment, the chromophore is physically incorporated into the polymer to provide a composite. In another embodiment, the chromophore is covalently bonded to the polymer, either as a side chain polymer or through crosslinking into the polymer. In other aspects, the present invention also provides a method for making the chromophore, a method for making the chromophore-containing polymer, and methods for using the chromophore and chromophore-containing polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Optimer Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent McGinniss, Steven Risser, Elizabeth Drotleff, Edward Jiang, Kevin Spahr
  • Publication number: 20060182401
    Abstract: Broadly, then, one aspect of the present invention is a functional optical material composed of a liquid crystal (LC) evidencing a pair of refractive indices (RI's) and a polymer in which the LC is dispersed. The refractive index (RI) of said polymer may be outside of the L C RI's by at least about 0.03. Another aspect of the present invention is a functional optical material composed of a liquid crystal (LC) and a polymer in which the LC is dispersed, wherein said LC is less than about 5% miscible in said polymer. A further aspect of the present invention is a functional optical material composed of a liquid crystal (LC) and a polymer in which the LC is dispersed, wherein the cladding contains not more than about 20 wt-% LC. In all of these embodiments, the functional optical material can be clad to an optical waveguide and can optionally contain a chromophore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Risser, Vincent McGinnis, Kevin Spahr, Richard Higgins, Richard Ridgway, Zhihua Huang, Edward Jiang
  • Publication number: 20060175585
    Abstract: The present invention provides both polymer systems and electrooptic (EO) chromophores that form the components of optical devices such as optical switches and other devices useful in an optical waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Elizabeth Drotleff, Vincent McGinniss, Steven Risser, Kevin Spahr
  • Publication number: 20060106262
    Abstract: Disclosed is a series of materials, which exhibit large birefringence under the influence of an applied electric field. These materials are capable of switching this large birefringence with a characteristic time on the order of 1 microsecond or less. In addition, these materials have good optical loss at this wavelength, and are stable under irradiation. These materials are suitable for fabrication of optical devices such a variable optical attenuators, switches, and modulators that respond in these time frames or slower. These materials are also suitable for use across a wide range of wavelengths. As a second component of this invention, some of these novel materials exhibit these desired optical properties (large birefringence, low loss, stability under illumination) at wavelengths as short as about 400 nm. These materials are suitable for fabrication of optical devices operating at or about 405 nm, where conventional EO materials strongly absorb and/or quickly degrade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Vincent McGinniss, Steven Risser, Kevin Spahr
  • Publication number: 20050040377
    Abstract: Functional optical materials for optical systems that are typically useful in optical waveguides, optical switching systems, optical modulators, optical computing systems and the like. Included are polymer systems and electrooptical chromophores. Polymers are thermoplastic and/or thermosetting polymers and are blended or co-polymerized with the electrooptic chromophore. Methods for improving adhesion promotion for the various novel materials are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Elizabeth Drotleff, Vincent McGinniss, Steven Risser, Kevin Spahr
  • Publication number: 20040131303
    Abstract: Waveguide devices and schemes for fabricating waveguide devices useful in applications requiring modulation, attenuation, polarization control, and switching of optical signals are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabricating an integrated optical device is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: David W. Nippa, Steven M. Risser, Richard W. Ridgway, Tim L. Shortridge, Vincent McGinniss, Kevin Spahr