Patents by Inventor Richard C. Pitwon

Richard C. Pitwon 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: 11280962
    Abstract: A waveguide includes a segment with a substantially uniform cure profile and related methods and systems for making and using the same. The waveguide is formed by modifying a laser beam used to write the waveguide to provide a substantially uniform cure profile in the waveguide. A marker characteristic of laser writing may be present in the waveguide. A method or system modifies an intensity profile or a shape profile of a laser beam to proactively compensate for exposure convolution based on the characteristics of the laser beam spot profile. A convolution compensator is positioned in the path of the laser beam to modify the beam spot profile during writing to form the one or more segments of the waveguide in a photo-curable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Richard C. A. Pitwon
  • Patent number: 10928601
    Abstract: An apparatus and system that includes a plurality of data devices, a network module, and a chassis. The network module may include an interface defining couplings and channels extending between the couplings defining a network topology for interconnecting data devices. The chassis may be configured to receive data devices and the network module to operably couple the received data devices via the interconnect topology defined by the network module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. A. Pitwon, Alexander C. Worrall
  • Patent number: 10895684
    Abstract: A method, and apparatus provided thereby, includes providing a substrate and placing an integrated laser on the substrate. A first cladding layer surrounds the integrated laser and includes a laser optical coupler aligned with an output of the laser. The laser optical coupler includes silicon and the laser includes a III-V compound semiconductor. The output of the laser is spaced apart from the laser optical coupler by a gap of less than or equal to 500 nanometers. An optical waveguide is positioned on the first cladding layer and in optical communication with the laser optical coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Gubbins, Richard C. A. Pitwon, Aidan D. Goggin, Marcus B. Mooney, Reyad Mehfuz, Fadi El Hallak, Paula F. McElhinney, Brendan Lafferty, Kelly E. Callan
  • Publication number: 20200400884
    Abstract: A method, and apparatus provided thereby, includes providing a substrate and placing an integrated laser on the substrate. A first cladding layer surrounds the integrated laser and includes a laser optical coupler aligned with an output of the laser. The laser optical coupler includes silicon and the laser includes a III-V compound semiconductor. The output of the laser is spaced apart from the laser optical coupler by a gap of less than or equal to 500 nanometers. An optical waveguide is positioned on the first cladding layer and in optical communication with the laser optical coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Mark A. Gubbins, Richard C.A. Pitwon, Aidan D. Goggin, Marcus B. Mooney, Reyad Mehfuz, Fadi El Hallak, Paula F. McElhinney, Brendan Lafferty, Kelly E. Callan
  • Patent number: 10732360
    Abstract: Optical connectors may include various portions, or structures, to provide a plurality of degrees of movement to optical ferrules. The optical ferrules may be linearly movable along one or more axes and rotationally moveable about one or more axes for alignment and coupling to corresponding optical ferrules. The optical connectors may be integrated with, or in conjunction with, other non-optical connectors such as electrical connectors, e.g., located on a drive carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. A. Pitwon, Alexander C. Worrall, Myles E. R. Spence, Alistair Allen Miller
  • Patent number: 10698157
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of making a planar optical waveguide, the method including depositing an uncured waveguide material on a substrate, the uncured waveguide material having a first temperature when deposited and the uncured waveguide material having a density dependent on the temperature thereof; changing the temperature of at least a portion of the uncured waveguide material to a second temperature before curing, after curing, during curing or any combination thereof; and curing the uncured waveguide material to form the planar optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Richard C.A. Pitwon
  • Publication number: 20190324204
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of making a planar optical waveguide, the method including depositing an uncured waveguide material on a substrate, the uncured waveguide material having a first temperature when deposited and the uncured waveguide material having a density dependent on the temperature thereof; changing the temperature of at least a portion of the uncured waveguide material to a second temperature before curing, after curing, during curing or any combination thereof; and curing the uncured waveguide material to form the planar optical waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventor: Richard C.A. Pitwon
  • Publication number: 20190258011
    Abstract: An apparatus and system that includes a plurality of data devices, a network module, and a chassis. The network module may include an interface defining couplings and channels extending between the couplings defining a network topology for interconnecting data devices. The chassis may be configured to receive data devices and the network module to operably couple the received data devices via the interconnect topology defined by the network module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Richard C.A. Pitwon, Alexander C. Worrall
  • Publication number: 20190235167
    Abstract: A waveguide includes a segment with a substantially uniform cure profile and related methods and systems for making and using the same. The waveguide is formed by modifying a laser beam used to write the waveguide to provide a substantially uniform cure profile in the waveguide. A marker characteristic of laser writing may be present in the waveguide. A method or system modifies an intensity profile or a shape profile of a laser beam to proactively compensate for exposure convolution based on the characteristics of the laser beam spot profile. A convolution compensator is positioned in the path of the laser beam to modify the beam spot profile during writing to form the one or more segments of the waveguide in a photo-curable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventor: Richard C.A. Pitwon
  • Patent number: 10288808
    Abstract: A waveguide includes multiple segments having different bend radii with substantially consistent cure profiles and related methods and systems for making and using the same. The waveguide is formed by modifying a laser beam used to write the waveguide to provide the consistent cure profile in the multiple segments. A marker characteristic of laser writing may be present in the waveguide. A method or system modifies an intensity profile or a shape profile of a laser beam to proactively compensate for exposure convolution based on the geometry of each waveguide segment. A convolution compensator is positioned in the path of the laser beam to modify the beam spot profile during writing to form the multiple segments of the waveguide in a photo-curable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Richard C. A. Pitwon
  • Patent number: 10261257
    Abstract: A waveguide includes a segment with a substantially uniform cure profile and related methods and systems for making and using the same. The waveguide is formed by modifying a laser beam used to write the waveguide to provide a substantially uniform cure profile in the waveguide. A marker characteristic of laser writing may be present in the waveguide. A method or system modifies an intensity profile or a shape profile of a laser beam to proactively compensate for exposure convolution based on the characteristics of the laser beam spot profile. A convolution compensator is positioned in the path of the laser beam to modify the beam spot profile during writing to form the one or more segments of the waveguide in a photo-curable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Richard C. A. Pitwon
  • Patent number: 10164709
    Abstract: A system includes a first optical communication interface and a second optical communication interface optically coupled via a free-space communication channel. The interfaces are spaced at variable distances. Each interface includes an optical source to provide a beam of electromagnetic energy and an optical receiver to receive the beam to bi-directionally communicate with the other interface via the channel. The first optical communication interface may be coupled to a sub-chassis. The second optical communication interface may be coupled to a device frame. The device frame may be movably coupled to the chassis. Communication may utilize multi-input, multi-output processing configured by a calibration matrix. A shutter may be positioned to receive the beam or be positioned clear of the beam depending on the distance between the interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. A. Pitwon, David Michael Davis
  • Publication number: 20180335578
    Abstract: Optical connectors may include various portions, or structures, to provide a plurality of degrees of movement to optical ferrules. The optical ferrules may be linearly movable along one or more axes and rotationally moveable about one or more axes for alignment and coupling to corresponding optical ferrules. The optical connectors may be integrated with, or in conjunction with, other non-optical connectors such as electrical connectors, e.g., located on a drive carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Richard C.A. Pitwon, Alexander C. Worrall, Myles E.R. Spence, Alistair Allen Miller
  • Publication number: 20180294878
    Abstract: A system includes a first optical communication interface and a second optical communication interface optically coupled via a free-space communication channel. The interfaces are spaced at variable distances. Each interface includes an optical source to provide a beam of electromagnetic energy and an optical receiver to receive the beam to bi-directionally communicate with the other interface via the channel. The first optical communication interface may be coupled to a sub-chassis. The second optical communication interface may be coupled to a device frame. The device frame may be movably coupled to the chassis. Communication may utilize multi-input, multi-output processing configured by a calibration matrix. A shutter may be positioned to receive the beam or be positioned clear of the beam depending on the distance between the interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Richard C.A. Pitwon, David Michael Davis
  • Patent number: 10042125
    Abstract: Optical connectors may include various portions, or structures, to provide a plurality of degrees of movement to optical ferrules. The optical ferrules may be linearly movable along one or more axes and rotationally moveable about one or more axes for alignment and coupling to corresponding optical ferrules. The optical connectors may be integrated with, or in conjunction with, other non-optical connectors such as electrical connectors, e.g., located on a drive carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Richard C. A. Pitwon, Alexander C. Worrall, Myles E. R. Spence, Alistair Allen Miller
  • Publication number: 20180100968
    Abstract: A waveguide includes a segment with a substantially uniform cure profile and related methods and systems for making and using the same. The waveguide is formed by modifying a laser beam used to write the waveguide to provide a substantially uniform cure profile in the waveguide. A marker characteristic of laser writing may be present in the waveguide. A method or system modifies an intensity profile or a shape profile of a laser beam to proactively compensate for exposure convolution based on the characteristics of the laser beam spot profile. A convolution compensator is positioned in the path of the laser beam to modify the beam spot profile during writing to form the one or more segments of the waveguide in a photo-curable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventor: Richard C.A. Pitwon
  • Patent number: 9864139
    Abstract: A waveguide includes a segment with a substantially uniform cure profile and related methods and systems for making and using the same. The waveguide is formed by modifying a laser beam used to write the waveguide to provide a substantially uniform cure profile in the waveguide. A marker characteristic of laser writing may be present in the waveguide. A method or system modifies an intensity profile or a shape profile of a laser beam to proactively compensate for exposure convolution based on the characteristics of the laser beam spot profile. A convolution compensator is positioned in the path of the laser beam to modify the beam spot profile during writing to form the one or more segments of the waveguide in a photo-curable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Richard C. A. Pitwon
  • Patent number: 9759634
    Abstract: The exemplary systems, apparatus, structures, and methods may include an assembly including substrate, an optical waveguide, and an optical access associated with the optical waveguide. Light from the optical access may be measured along the optical waveguide. The coupling loss of the optical waveguide may be determined based on at least the light measurements from the optical access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Richard C. A. Pitwon
  • Patent number: 9753217
    Abstract: Electro-optical circuit boards may include one or more recesses to provide stress relief between multiple layers of the electro-optical circuit boards during variations in applied temperature. The one or more recesses may be included in the substrate and/or the optical layer of the electro-optical circuit boards. The one or more recesses may also contain a compliant material disposed therein to improve the flexibility of the substrate and/or the optical layer. For example, the compliant material may disperse thermal expansion stress within the electro-optical circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: XYRATEX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard C. A. Pitwon
  • Patent number: 9711930
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a curved multimode polymer waveguide having at least one inflection point and a doped region being doped with an amplifying dopant. An optical pump source or electrical pump source is configured to excite the doped region and amplify the optical signal transmitting along the curved multimode polymer waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. A. Pitwon, Alexander C. Worrall