Patents by Inventor Ralph W. Donaldson

Ralph W. Donaldson 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).

  • Dual mode laser velocimeter
    Patent number: 4697922
    Abstract: A laser velocimeter (12) has a laser beam generator (18) for generating first and second laser beams (20, 22) having a waist (40) of reduced cross-section area. A first focusing lens (28) has a first focal length F1 for focusing the first and second laser beams (20, 22) so that their waists focused by the lens (28) intersect at a focal point (26) at which a measurement is to be made. A second focusing lens (30) is positioned between the laser beam generator (18) and the first focusing lens (28). The second focusing lens (30) has a second focal length F2. The second focusing lens (30) is positioned from the first focusing lens (28) at a distance corresponding to a sum of the first and the second focal lengths F1 and F2. A third focusing lens (36) having a third focal length F3 is positioned between the laser beam generator (18) and the second lens (30). The third lens (36) is positioned from the second lens (30) a distance corresponding to the sum of the second and third focal lengths F3 and F2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: William D. Gunter, Jr., Ralph W. Donaldson, Alma G. Anderson, Jr.