Patents by Inventor Larry Christopher Heaton

Larry Christopher Heaton 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).

  • Publication number: 20090296746
    Abstract: A fiber laser thermal coil form and related manufacturing techniques that are substantially suitable for automation. The fiber laser thermal coil form including a thermally conductive substrate to support a fiber placed thereon and to dissipate a heat of the fiber, and a fiber guide groove defined in a surface of the substrate to guide the fiber and dimensioned to partially enclose the fiber and to enhance a thermal contact of the fiber and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Morgan Research Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Christopher Heaton, Jeff Williams
  • Patent number: 7605923
    Abstract: The present invention provides the capability of ascertaining, through a quick and simple measurement, locations on a structure that may have experienced damage that could result in reduced structure lifetime, strength, or reliability. The sensing element is a connectorized section of polarization maintaining (“PM”) optical fiber, where a length of PM fiber represents a fully distributed sensor array. Stress-induced changes to the sensor are measured through white-light Polarimetric interferometry. The output of the measurement is a data array representing the stress concentration magnitude at an array of locations along the length of the sensor. In an application, the knowledge of the optical fiber position on the structure, coupled with the measurement of stress locations along the fiber length, allows the user to determine locations on the structure with large stress concentrations. These locations may signify structural damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Morgan Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Lee Williams, Michael Scott Kranz, Larry Christopher Heaton
  • Patent number: 7474405
    Abstract: The Miniature Fourier Transform Spectrophotometer provides the capability, in a miniaturized device, of determining the light absorption/transmission spectra of a collected sample of gas or liquid though Fourier Transform spectroscopy techniques. The device takes an optical input from an optical fiber, manipulates that light through miniature optical components, and launches it into a miniaturized Michelson interferometer with a scanning mirror that acquires the interferogram of the optical input. The interferogram can be processed to retrieve the spectrum of the input light. A novel multi-stepped micro-mirror operates as the optical path length modulator in the miniaturized interferometer. A unique monolithic beamsplitter/mirror combination provides for accurate alignment of the components and greatly simplifies product integration. The device is designed to cover various optical spectra of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Morgan Research Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Scott Kranz, Larry Christopher Heaton, Calvin Wayne Long
  • Publication number: 20080198388
    Abstract: The Miniature Fourier Transform Spectrophotometer provides the capability, in a miniaturized device, of determining the light absorption/transmission spectra of a collected sample of gas or liquid though Fourier Transform spectroscopy techniques. The device takes an optical input from an optical fiber, manipulates that light through miniature optical components, and launches it into a miniaturized Michelson interferometer with a scanning mirror that acquires the interferogram of the optical input. The interferogram can be processed to retrieve the spectrum of the input light. A novel multi-stepped micro-mirror operates as the optical path length modulator in the miniaturized interferometer. A unique monolithic beamsplitter/mirror combination provides for accurate alignment of the components and greatly simplifies product integration. The device is designed to cover various optical spectra of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: MORGAN RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Scott Kranz, Larry Christopher Heaton, Calvin Wayne Long
  • Patent number: 7359058
    Abstract: The Miniature Fourier Transform Spectrophotometer provides the capability, in a miniaturized device, of determining the light absorption/transmission spectra of a collected sample of gas or liquid though Fourier Transform spectroscopy techniques. The device takes an optical input from an optical fiber, manipulates that light through miniature optical components, and launches it into a miniaturized Michelson interferometer with a scanning mirror that acquires the interferogram of the optical input. The interferogram can be processed to retrieve the spectrum of the input light. A novel multi-stepped micro-mirror operates as the optical path length modulator in the miniaturized interferometer. A unique monolithic beamsplitter/mirror combination provides for accurate alignment of the components and greatly simplifies product integration. The device is designed to cover various optical spectra of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Morgan Research Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Scott Kranz, Larry Christopher Heaton, Calvin Wayne Long