Patents by Inventor Norris Earl Lewis

Norris Earl Lewis 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).

  • Fiber optic rotary joint
    Patent number: 6104849
    Abstract: Unidirectional and bi-directional fiber optic rotary joints are disclosed for coupling at least one optical signal across a rotary interface. The unidirectional joint includes a stator having a waveguide. A rotor is rotatable through a full 360.degree. revolution and is concentric to the stator. Light transmitters are positioned on a first circumference and connected to one of the stator and the rotor. Each of the transmitters emits an optical signal. Light receivers are positioned on a second circumference and connected to the other one of the stator and the rotor. Each of the transmitted optical signals is emitted tangentially into the waveguide and is reflected in short chordal lengths along the waveguide. Each optical signal is received by at least one of the second plurality of light receivers through the full 360.degree. revolution of the rotor. The number of light receivers is greater than the number of light transmitters. Certain receivers do not receive an optical signal during a portion of the 360.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Norris Earl Lewis, Anthony Lee Bowman, Robert Thomas Rogers, Sr., Michael P. Duncan
  • Fiber optic rotary joint
    Patent number: 5991478
    Abstract: Unidirectional and bidirectional fiber optic rotary joints are disclosed for coupling at least one optical signal across a rotary interface. The unidirectional joint includes a stator having a waveguide. A rotor is rotatable through a full 360.degree. revolution and is concentric to the stator. Light transmitters are positioned on a first circumference and connected to one of the stator and the rotor. Each of the transmitters emits an optical signal. Light receivers are positioned on a second circumference and connected to the other one of the stator and the rotor. Each of the transmitted optical signals is emitted tangentially into the waveguide and is reflected in short chordal lengths along the waveguide. Each optical signal is received by at least one of the second plurality of light receivers through the full 360.degree. revolution of the rotor. The number of light receivers is greater than the number of light transmitters. Certain receivers do not receive an optical signal during a portion of the 360.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Incorporated
    Inventors: Norris Earl Lewis, Anthony Lee Bowman, Robert Thomas Rogers, Sr., Michael P. Duncan