Patents by Inventor Michael L. MENENDEZ

Michael L. MENENDEZ 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: 10048121
    Abstract: Calibration devices, systems, and methods for calibrating a sensor. In one example a calibrator includes a housing, a dual-axis mirror positioning mechanism disposed within the housing, and a single calibration mirror coupled to the dual-axis mirror positioning mechanism and disposed within the housing, the dual-axis mirror positioning mechanism being configured to rotate the calibration mirror about a first axis to move the calibration mirror from a stowed position into a deployed position and, when the calibration mirror is in the deployed position, to rotate the calibration mirror about a second axis into a plurality of calibration positions, the first and second axes being orthogonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Zimmerman, Susan B. Spencer, Michael L. Menendez
  • Publication number: 20180058921
    Abstract: Calibration devices, systems, and methods for calibrating a sensor. In one example a calibrator includes a housing, a dual-axis mirror positioning mechanism disposed within the housing, and a single calibration mirror coupled to the dual-axis mirror positioning mechanism and disposed within the housing, the dual-axis mirror positioning mechanism being configured to rotate the calibration mirror about a first axis to move the calibration mirror from a stowed position into a deployed position and, when the calibration mirror is in the deployed position, to rotate the calibration mirror about a second axis into a plurality of calibration positions, the first and second axes being orthogonal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew J. Zimmerman, Susan B. Spencer, Michael L. Menendez
  • Patent number: 9772466
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system for moving optical elements. The system includes a first rotor and a second rotor configured to rotate in opposite directions. The system further includes a first plurality of paddles coupled to the first rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a first optical element, and a second plurality of paddles coupled to the second rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a second optical element. The first rotor and the second rotor are configured to move the first optical element between a retracted position and a desired position and to move the second optical element between the desired position and a retracted position substantially simultaneously such that a reaction torque of the first rotor cancels a reaction torque of the second rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: John P. Harrell, Michael L. Menendez, Geoffrey A. Long
  • Publication number: 20140368942
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system for moving optical elements. The system includes a first rotor and a second rotor configured to rotate in opposite directions. The system further includes a first plurality of paddles coupled to the first rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a first optical element, and a second plurality of paddles coupled to the second rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a second optical element. The first rotor and the second rotor are configured to move the first optical element between a retracted position and a desired position and to move the second optical element between the desired position and a retracted position substantially simultaneously such that a reaction torque of the first rotor cancels a reaction torque of the second rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: John P. Harrell, Michael L. Menendez, Geoffrey A. Long
  • Patent number: 8853906
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system for moving optical elements. The system includes a first rotor and a second rotor configured to rotate in opposite directions. The system further includes a first plurality of paddles coupled to the first rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a first optical element, and a second plurality of paddles coupled to the second rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a second optical element. The first rotor and the second rotor are configured to move the first optical element between a retracted position and a desired position and to move the second optical element between the desired position and a retracted position substantially simultaneously such that a reaction torque of the first rotor cancels a reaction torque of the second rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: John P. Harrell, Geoffrey A. Long, Michael L. Menendez
  • Publication number: 20120120516
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system for moving optical elements. The system includes a first rotor and a second rotor configured to rotate in opposite directions. The system further includes a first plurality of paddles coupled to the first rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a first optical element, and a second plurality of paddles coupled to the second rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a second optical element. The first rotor and the second rotor are configured to move the first optical element between a retracted position and a desired position and to move the second optical element between the desired position and a retracted position substantially simultaneously such that a reaction torque of the first rotor cancels a reaction torque of the second rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: John P. HARRELL, Geoffrey A. LONG, Michael L. MENENDEZ