Patents by Inventor Loucas Tsakalakos
Loucas Tsakalakos 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: 11921204Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system includes light sources configured to generate separate beams of light, a lens array configured to receive the separate beams of light from the light sources and to collimate the separate beams of light into collimated outgoing light that is directed toward an examined area of interest, a light sensitive detector configured to sense reflection of at least part of the collimated outgoing light, and one or more processors configured to determine a distance to one or more objects off which the at least part of the collimated outgoing light was reflected toward the light sensitive detector. The one or more processors are configured to determine the distance based on the reflection of the at least part of the collimated outgoing light.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Marshall Meyers, Michael Feldmann, Loucas Tsakalakos
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Publication number: 20220035032Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system includes light sources configured to generate separate beams of light, a lens array configured to receive the separate beams of light from the light sources and to collimate the separate beams of light into collimated outgoing light that is directed toward an examined area of interest, a light sensitive detector configured to sense reflection of at least part of the collimated outgoing light, and one or more processors configured to determine a distance to one or more objects off which the at least part of the collimated outgoing light was reflected toward the light sensitive detector. The one or more processors are configured to determine the distance based on the reflection of the at least part of the collimated outgoing light.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Marshall Meyers, Michael Feldmann, Loucas Tsakalakos
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Patent number: 10908282Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system includes light sources configured to generate separate beams of light, a lens array configured to receive the separate beams of light from the light sources and to collimate the separate beams of light into collimated outgoing light that is directed toward an examined area of interest, a light sensitive detector configured to sense reflection of at least part of the collimated outgoing light, and one or more processors configured to determine a distance to one or more objects off which the at least part of the collimated outgoing light was reflected toward the light sensitive detector. The one or more processors are configured to determine the distance based on the reflection of the at least part of the collimated outgoing light.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mark Marshall Meyers, Michael Feldmann, Loucas Tsakalakos
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Patent number: 10606052Abstract: A lighting system for a navigational system of a vehicle includes a scanning unit and one or more lighting assemblies. Each lighting assembly includes one or more laser diodes configured to emit light, a lens array including one or more lens elements, and a controller electrically coupled with each of the laser diodes. The lens array receives incoming light from the laser diodes and direct the incoming light from the lens array as a collimated beam. The controller individually controls a power level of each of the laser diodes. The laser diodes, the lens array, and the controller are disposed on a substrate and disposed in a common housing. Each lighting assembly is arranged in an arc relative to the scanning unit. The scanning unit receives the collimated beam from each lighting assembly and directs the collimated beam from each lighting assembly in two orthogonal directions.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Loucas Tsakalakos, Chen-Po Chen, Binoy M. Shah
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Patent number: 10578274Abstract: A lens array assembly includes plural lens elements each configured to receive incoming light from one or more light sources. The lens elements include biconic refractive elements on first sides of the lens elements and including diffractive elements on opposite, second sides of the lens elements. The lens elements are configured to change directions of the incoming light received from the one or more light sources such that outgoing light emanating from the lens elements is collimated in a first direction but diverges along a different, second direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Marshall Meyers, Loucas Tsakalakos
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Publication number: 20200057287Abstract: A lighting system for a navigational system of a vehicle includes a scanning unit and one or more lighting assemblies. Each lighting assembly includes one or more laser diodes configured to emit light, a lens array including one or more lens elements, and a controller electrically coupled with each of the laser diodes. The lens array receives incoming light from the laser diodes and direct the incoming light from the lens array as a collimated beam. The controller individually controls a power level of each of the laser diodes. The laser diodes, the lens array, and the controller are disposed on a substrate and disposed in a common housing. Each lighting assembly is arranged in an arc relative to the scanning unit. The scanning unit receives the collimated beam from each lighting assembly and directs the collimated beam from each lighting assembly in two orthogonal directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Loucas Tsakalakos, Chen-Po Chen, Binoy M. Shah
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Patent number: 10443812Abstract: A laser navigational system for a vehicle having a lighting assembly configured for emission of light. A lens array assembly receives incoming light from the lighting assembly and changes the direction of the incoming light received from the lighting assembly such that the outgoing light emanating from the lens array assembly is collimated in a first direction but diverges along a different, second direction. A scanning unit aligns with the lighting assembly to direct the collimated beam in two orthogonal directions. The lighting assembly, the lens array assembly and the scanning unit are configured to direct the light to form a visual beacon that guides navigation of the vehicle to a location.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mark Marshall Meyers, Loucas Tsakalakos
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Patent number: 10120102Abstract: A fluid sensor cable assembly and method uses one or more conductive bodies extending along an elongated core body for conducting a heating current to heat the cable assembly. The one or more conductive bodies also are configured to conduct an interrogation signal and to conduct reflections of the interrogation signal. One or more optical fibers extend along the length of the core body and include temperature sensitive elements at different locations along the length of the core body. The temperature sensitive elements measure heat flux out of the cable assembly at the different locations subsequent to heating the cable assembly and communicate the heat flux to a computer acquisition system.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Loucas Tsakalakos, Slawomir Rubinsztajn, Renato Guida, Mahadevan Balasubramaniam, Boon Kwee Lee, Brian Magann Rush, Faisal Razi Ahmad, Sudeep Mandal, David Sirda Shanks
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Publication number: 20180292532Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system includes light sources configured to generate separate beams of light, a lens array configured to receive the separate beams of light from the light sources and to collimate the separate beams of light into collimated outgoing light that is directed toward an examined area of interest, a light sensitive detector configured to sense reflection of at least part of the collimated outgoing light, and one or more processors configured to determine a distance to one or more objects off which the at least part of the collimated outgoing light was reflected toward the light sensitive detector. The one or more processors are configured to determine the distance based on the reflection of the at least part of the collimated outgoing light.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2017Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Mark Marshall Meyers, Michael Feldmann, Loucas Tsakalakos
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Publication number: 20170358220Abstract: A laser navigational system for a vehicle having a lighting assembly configured for emission of light. A lens array assembly receives incoming light from the lighting assembly and changes the direction of the incoming light received from the lighting assembly such that the outgoing light emanating from the lens array assembly is collimated in a first direction but diverges along a different, second direction. A scanning unit aligns with the lighting assembly to direct the collimated beam in two orthogonal directions. The lighting assembly, the lens array assembly and the scanning unit are configured to direct the light to form a visual beacon that guides navigation of the vehicle to a location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Mark Marshall Meyers, Loucas Tsakalakos
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Publication number: 20170356621Abstract: A lens array assembly includes plural lens elements each configured to receive incoming light from one or more light sources. The lens elements include biconic refractive elements on first sides of the lens elements and including diffractive elements on opposite, second sides of the lens elements. The lens elements are configured to change directions of the incoming light received from the one or more light sources such that outgoing light emanating from the lens elements is collimated in a first direction but diverges along a different, second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Mark Marshall Meyers, Loucas Tsakalakos
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Publication number: 20170123103Abstract: A fluid sensor cable assembly and method uses one or more conductive bodies extending along an elongated core body for conducting a heating current to heat the cable assembly. The one or more conductive bodies also are configured to conduct an interrogation signal and to conduct reflections of the interrogation signal. One or more optical fibers extend along the length of the core body and include temperature sensitive elements at different locations along the length of the core body. The temperature sensitive elements measure heat flux out of the cable assembly at the different locations subsequent to heating the cable assembly and communicate the heat flux to a computer acquisition system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Loucas Tsakalakos, Slawomir Rubinsztajn, Renato Guida, Mahadevan Balasubramaniam, Boon Kwee Lee, Brian Magann Rush, Faisal Razi Ahmad, Sudeep Mandal, David Sirda Shanks
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Publication number: 20150160531Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an article including a nanostructured functional coating disposed on a substrate is described. The functional coating is characterized by both anti-reflection properties and down-converting properties. Related optoelectronic devices are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: FIRST SOLAR, INC.Inventors: Loucas Tsakalakos, Eric Gardner Butterfield, Alok Mani Srivastava, Bastiaan Arie Korevaar
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Patent number: 8933526Abstract: An article including a nanostructured functional coating disposed on a substrate is described. The functional coating is characterized by both anti-reflection properties and down-converting properties. Related optoelectronic devices are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2009Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: First Solar, Inc.Inventors: Loucas Tsakalakos, Eric Gardner Butterfield, Alok Mani Srivastava, Bastiaan Arie Korevaar
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Publication number: 20130153003Abstract: Photovoltaic devices are provided that include: a transparent substrate; a plurality of thin film layers on the glass substrate; and, a first lead connected to one of the photovoltaic cells. An encapsulation substrate can be positioned on the plurality of thin film layers, and defines a connection aperture through which the first lead extends. The connection aperture generally has a perimeter defined by an aperture wall of the encapsulation substrate. An adhesive plug can be positioned within the connection aperture to mechanically support the transparent substrate in the area of the connection aperture. A back plate or back washer can also be bonded to the adhesive plug and/or back surface of the encapsulation substrate to help dissipate energy in and/or provide support to the encapsulation substrate. Methods are also provided for mechanically supporting a transparent substrate in an area opposite to a connection aperture defined in an encapsulation substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: PRIMESTAR SOLAR, INC.Inventors: Troy Alan Berens, Bradley Crume, Loucas Tsakalakos, Jeffrey Scott Erlbaum, Max William Reed
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Publication number: 20130153004Abstract: Photovoltaic devices are generally provided that can include, in one particular embodiment, a transparent substrate; a plurality of thin film layers defining a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series to each other on the transparent substrate; a first lead connected to one of the photovoltaic cells; and, an encapsulation substrate on the plurality of thin film layers. The encapsulation substrate can generally define a back surface and a connection aperture through which the first lead extends. A junction box can be positioned over the connection aperture and connected to the first lead. The junction box generally comprises a support member extending through the connection aperture to mechanically support the transparent substrate in an area opposite to the connection aperture. Methods and kits are also generally provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: PRIMESTAR SOLAR, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey Todd Knapp, Max William Reed, Loucas Tsakalakos, Jeffrey Scott Erlbaum
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Publication number: 20130153002Abstract: Photovoltaic devices that include a transparent substrate; a plurality of thin film layers defining a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series to each other on the transparent substrate; a first lead connected to one of the photovoltaic cells; and an encapsulation substrate on the plurality of thin film layers are provided. The encapsulation substrate defines a connection aperture through which the first lead extends. A support insert, which defines a plug portion and a flange, can be positioned within the connection aperture such that the flange extends over the back surface of the encapsulation substrate. The support insert can be configured to mechanically support the transparent substrate in an area opposite to the connection aperture while still enabling the first lead to extend through the connection aperture while the support insert is in place within the connection aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: PrimeStar Solar, Inc.Inventors: Max William Reed, Bradley Crume, Loucas Tsakalakos, Jeffrey Scott Erlbaum, Troy Alan Berens, Jeffrey Todd Knapp
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Publication number: 20130153029Abstract: Methods are generally provided for adhering a support insert within a connection aperture defined in an encapsulating substrate of a photovoltaic device that has a first lead. The connection aperture generally has a perimeter defined by an aperture wall of the encapsulating substrate. The method can, in one particular embodiment, include threading the first lead through the connection aperture; and positioning a support insert within the connection aperture such that the first lead is still able to extend through the connection aperture. The support insert can generally define a channel within its construction that extends from a channel opening in the support insert to an exit port. An adhesive composition can be injected into the channel opening such that a first amount of the adhesive composition flows through the channel and out of the exit port to bond the support insert within the connection aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: PRIMESTAR SOLAR, INC.Inventors: Bradley Crume, Max William Reed, Loucas Tsakalakos, Jeffrey Scott Erlbaum, Troy Alan Berens, Jeffrey Todd Knapp, Venkata Sai Rahul Chandra Abbaraju
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Patent number: 8435825Abstract: A photovoltaic device that includes a substrate and a nanowall structure disposed on the substrate surface. The device also includes at least one layer conformally deposited over the nanowall structure. The conformal layer(s) is at least a portion of a photoactive junction. A method for making a photovoltaic device includes generating a nanowall structure on a substrate surface and conformally depositing at least one layer over the nanowall structure thereby forming at least one photoactive junction. A solar panel includes at least one photovoltaic device based on a nanowall structure. The solar panel isolates such devices from its surrounding atmospheric environment and permits the generation of electrical power. Optoelectronic device may also incorporate a photovoltaic device based on a nanowall structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bastiaan Arie Korevaar, Loucas Tsakalakos, Joleyn Eileen Brewer
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Patent number: 8258047Abstract: A method for depositing nanowires is disclosed. The method includes depositing multiple nanowires onto a surface of a liquid. The method also includes partially compressing the nanowires. The method also includes dipping a substrate into the liquid. The method further includes pulling the substrate out of the liquid at a controlled speed. The method also includes transferring the nanowires onto the substrate parallel to a direction of the pulling.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Loucas Tsakalakos, Joleyn Eileen Balch