Patents by Inventor Robert F. Stiffler

Robert F. Stiffler 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: 9923334
    Abstract: A high-power laser system includes a plurality of cascaded diode drivers, a pump source, and a laser element. The diode drivers are configured to generate a continuous driver signal. The pump source is configured to generate radiated energy in response to the continuous driver signal. The laser element is disposed downstream from the pump source and is configured to generate a laser beam in response to stimulation via the radiated energy. The high-power laser system further includes an electronic controller configured to output at least one driver signal that operates the plurality of diode drivers at a fixed frequency. The at least one driver signal operates a first cascade diode driver among the plurality of diode drivers 90 degrees out of phase with respect to a second cascade diode driver among the plurality of diode drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert F. Stiffler, Joe A. Ortiz, Philip C. Todd, James Lazar
  • Patent number: 9748734
    Abstract: A multi-stage laser drive circuit includes a variable common potential source, a PA light-emitting array between a storage capacitor and a current node, first and second low-side linear current sinks in electrical communication with the current node, and a second master oscillator (MO) light-emitting array in electrical communication between the current node and the first low side linear current sink. A trickle current circuit drives a low-value trickle current through the arrays, and a sense circuit senses the trickle current. Also, the headroom voltage across a pass element in the first low-side linear constant current sink is monitored and adjusted for maximum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robert F. Stiffler, Michael S. Lackey, Thomas H. Alford
  • Publication number: 20170163007
    Abstract: A high-power laser system includes a plurality of cascaded diode drivers, a pump source, and a laser element. The diode drivers are configured to generate a continuous driver signal. The pump source is configured to generate radiated energy in response to the continuous driver signal. The laser element is disposed downstream from the pump source and is configured to generate a laser beam in response to stimulation via the radiated energy. The high-power laser system further includes an electronic controller configured to output at least one driver signal that operates the plurality of diode drivers at a fixed frequency. The at least one driver signal operates a first cascade diode driver among the plurality of diode drivers 90 degrees out of phase with respect to a second cascade diode driver among the plurality of diode drivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Robert F. Stiffler, Joe A. Ortiz, Philip C. Todd, James Lazar
  • Patent number: 9601904
    Abstract: A high-power laser system includes a plurality of cascaded diode drivers, a pump source, and a laser element. The diode drivers are configured to generate a continuous driver signal. The pump source is configured to generate radiated energy in response to the continuous driver signal. The laser element is disposed downstream from the pump source and is configured to generate a laser beam in response to stimulation via the radiated energy. The high-power laser system further includes an electronic controller configured to output at least one driver signal that operates the plurality of diode drivers at a fixed frequency. The at least one driver signal operates a first cascade diode driver among the plurality of diode drivers 90 degrees out of phase with respect to a second cascade diode driver among the plurality of diode drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert F. Stiffler, Joe A. Ortiz, Philip C. Todd, James Lazar
  • Publication number: 20150263485
    Abstract: Provided are assemblies and processes for activating light emitting devices. A first current sink is in electrical communication with a common source through a current node and configured to draw a first current through the current node in response to a respective control signal. A second current sink is also provided in electrical communication with the current node and in parallel with the first current sink, also configured to draw a second current through the current node in response to a respective control signal. An aggregate current is drawn through the array, determined as a combination of the first and second currents. A commanded current from the first current sink can be shunted around the second array and the second current sink, providing a capability to series both the first and second laser diode light-emitting arrays, while simultaneously drawing different current amplitudes through each array from a common potential source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael S. Lackey, Thomas H. Alford, Robert F. Stiffler, David Filgas
  • Patent number: 9001857
    Abstract: Provided are assemblies and processes for activating light emitting devices. A first current sink is in electrical communication with a common source through a current node and configured to draw a first current through the current node in response to a respective control signal. A second current sink is also provided in electrical communication with the current node and in parallel with the first current sink, also configured to draw a second current through the current node in response to a respective control signal. An aggregate current is drawn through the array, determined as a combination of the first and second currents. A commanded current from the first current sink can be shunted around the second array and the second current sink, providing a capability to series both the first and second laser diode light-emitting arrays, while simultaneously drawing different current amplitudes through each array from a common potential source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Lackey, Thomas H. Alford, Robert F. Stiffler, David Filgas
  • Publication number: 20130051415
    Abstract: Provided are assemblies and processes for activating light emitting devices. A first current sink is in electrical communication with a common source through a current node and configured to draw a first current through the current node in response to a respective control signal. A second current sink is also provided in electrical communication with the current node and in parallel with the first current sink, also configured to draw a second current through the current node in response to a respective control signal. An aggregate current is drawn through the array, determined as a combination of the first and second currents. A commanded current from the first current sink can be shunted around the second array and the second current sink, providing a capability to series both the first and second laser diode light-emitting arrays, while simultaneously drawing different current amplitudes through each array from a common potential source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael S. Lackey, Thomas H. Alford, Robert F. Stiffler, David Filgas