Patents by Inventor Scott Sutherland

Scott Sutherland 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).

  • OPTICAL INTERCONNECTION ASSEMBLIES, GLASS INTERCONNECTION SUBSTRATES, AND METHODS OF MAKING AN OPTICAL CONNECTION
    Publication number: 20180246279
    Abstract: Optical interconnection assemblies, glass interconnection substrates, and methods for making optical connections are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical interconnection assembly includes a base substrate, a substrate optical waveguide coupled to the base substrate, the substrate optical waveguide having an end surface, an optical chip comprising an optical coupling surface, and a glass interconnection substrate. The glass interconnection substrate includes a first end optically coupled to the end surface of the substrate optical waveguide, a second end optically coupled to the optical coupling surface of the optical chip, and a curved portion disposed between the first end and the second end. The glass interconnection substrate further includes an optical waveguide at least partially positioned within the curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Chenueh Abongwa Florian Lohse, James Scott Sutherland
  • OPTICAL INTERCONNECTION ASSEMBLIES, GLASS INTERCONNECTION SUBSTRATES, AND METHODS OF MAKING AN OPTICAL CONNECTION
    Publication number: 20180246286
    Abstract: Optical interconnection assemblies, glass interconnection substrates, and methods for making optical connections are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical interconnection assembly includes a base substrate, a substrate optical waveguide coupled to the base substrate, the substrate optical waveguide having an end surface, an optical chip comprising an optical coupling surface, and a glass interconnection substrate. The glass interconnection substrate includes a first end optically coupled to the end surface of the substrate optical waveguide, a second end optically coupled to the optical coupling surface of the optical chip, and a curved portion disposed between the first end and the second end. The glass interconnection substrate further includes an optical waveguide at least partially positioned within the curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Chenueh Abongwa Florian Lohse, James Scott Sutherland
  • LAMINATED GLASS BEND OPTICAL INTERCONNECTION APPARATUS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20180239086
    Abstract: The optical interconnection apparatus includes a laminated structure having an inner glass sheet, an adhesive layer, and an outer glass sheet. The laminated structure has a first bend section with bend angle and front and back opposite ends. An optical fiber is operably supported by the laminated structure so that it has a second bend section that follows the first bend section. The front end of the optical fiber resides proximate to the front end of the laminated structure and the back end of the optical fiber resides proximate to the back end of the laminated structure. The first bend section is formed by bending the laminated structure and then curing the adhesive. A protective coating can be deposited over the optical fiber and a portion of the laminated structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventor: James Scott Sutherland
  • REFLECTIVE OPTICAL ELEMENT WITH HIGH STIFFNESS SUBSTRATE
    Publication number: 20180231698
    Abstract: A high stiffness substrate for optical elements is described. The substrate includes a graphite finishing layer and a non-oxide ceramic base substrate. The non-oxide ceramic base substrate is preferably a carbide, such as boron carbide or silicon carbide. The graphite finishing layer may include a surface with low finish. Low finish may be achieved by diamond turning the graphite surface. The graphite finishing layer may be joined to the non-oxide base ceramic with a solder. A supplemental finishing layer may be formed on the graphite finishing layer. A reflective stack may be formed on the graphite or supplemental finishing layer. Methods for making the substrate are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: James Scott Sutherland, Leonard Gerard Wamboldt, Kenneth Smith Woodard
  • Excess radio-frequency (RF) power storage in RF identification (RFID) tags, and related systems and methods
    Patent number: 10032102
    Abstract: Excess radio-frequency (RF) power storage in RF identification (RFID) tags, and related systems and methods are disclosed. The RFID tag is configured to operate with RF power received in wireless RF signals from a RFID tag antenna if received RF power meets or exceeds an operational threshold power for the RFID tag. The RFID tag is also configured to store excess energy derived from excess received RF power in an energy storage device if the received RF power exceeds the operational threshold power for the RFID tag. Thus, when RF power received by the RFID tag is not sufficient for operation, the RFID tag can operate from power provided by previously stored excess energy in the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Fiber Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: John David Downie, Leo Nederlof, James Scott Sutherland, Mark Peter Taylor, Richard Edward Wagner, Matthew Scott Whiting
  • FLEXIBLE GLASS OPTICAL-ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION DEVICE AND PHOTONIC ASSEMBLIES USING SAME
    Publication number: 20180172905
    Abstract: The optical-electrical interconnection device comprises a glass support member with front-end and back-end portions that define a plane and an aperture. A cantilever member extends from the back-end portion into the aperture. The cantilever member supports an interconnection optical waveguide. The cantilever member comprises a bend region that causes a front-end section of the cantilever member to extend out of the plane. The front-end section is flexible, which allows for the interconnection optical waveguide to be aligned and optically coupled to a device waveguide of an optical-electrical device. A photonic assembly is formed using the optical-electrical interconnection device and at least one optical-electrical device. Methods of forming optical and electrical interconnections using the optical-electrical interconnection device are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Davide Domenico Fortusini, Scott Christopher Pollard, Alexander Mikhailovich Streltsov, James Scott Sutherland
  • MICRO-OPTICAL SYSTEMS AND ASSEMBLIES USING GLASS TUBES AND METHODS OF FORMING SAME
    Publication number: 20180136418
    Abstract: The micro-optical systems disclosed herein employ a glass tube having a body, a front end, a back end, an outer surface, and a bore that runs through the body between the front and back ends and that has a bore axis. The outer surface has a maximum outer dimension between 0.1 mm and 20 mm and includes at least one flat side. At least one optical element is inserted into and operably disposed and secured within the bore. The micro-optical assemblies are formed by securing one or more micro-optical systems to a substrate at the flat side of the glass tube. The glass tube is formed by a drawing process that allows for the dimensions of the glass tube to be small and formed with relatively high precision. An example of a compact WDM micro-optical assembly that employs micro-collimators is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas Llewellyn Butler, Alan Frank Evans, Dong Gui, Zilong Jiang, Yao Li, James Scott Sutherland
  • BONDED ZIRCONIA REFRACTORIES AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20180105470
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for making a bonded refractory material, the methods comprising preparing a slurry comprising glass precursor particles having an average particle size ranging from about 1 nm to about 200 nm; combining zirconia particles with the slurry to form a batch composition comprising at least about 80% by weight of zirconia; forming a green body from the batch composition; and sintering the green body to form a sintered refractory material. Sintered high-zirconia refractory materials can comprise at least about 80% by weight of zirconia having an average grain size of 100 microns or less, wherein the zirconia is interspersed in a glassy phase, and wherein the sintered refractory materials comprise about 15% or less by weight of the glassy phase. Melting vessels having at least one interior surface comprising such sintered zirconia refractory materials are further disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew John Dejneka, John Christopher Mauro, Mallanagouda Dyamanagouda Patil, Kim Doreen Pierotti, James Scott Sutherland, Akenda Zellet-Lukaso
  • METHODS OF FERRULE RESHAPING FOR CORRECTING CORE-TO-FERRULE CONCENTRICITY ERRORS, AND OPTICAL FIBER CABLE ASSEMBLIES RELATED TO SUCH METHODS
    Publication number: 20170341972
    Abstract: Methods of reshaping ferrules (20) used in optical fiber cables assemblies (170) are disclosed. The reshaping methods reduce a core-to-ferrule concentricity error (E), which improves coupling efficiency and optical transmission. The methods include measuring a distance (?) and angular direction (?) from a true center (30) of the ferrule to the core (46), wherein the true center (30) is based on an outer surface (26) of the ferrule. The methods also include reshaping at least a portion (26P) of the ferrule (20) to define a new true center (30?) of the ferrule (20) and reduce the distance (?). A variety of reshaping techniques are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: DANA CRAIG BOOKBINDER, Garrett Andrew Piech, James Scott Sutherland, Michael Brian Webb, Elvis Alberto Zambrano
  • OPTICAL WIRE BOND APPARATUS AND METHODS EMPLOYING LASER-WRITTEN WAVEGUIDES
    Publication number: 20170343733
    Abstract: An optical wire bond apparatus for optically connecting an optical-electrical integrated circuit (OE-IC) to an optical-electrical printed circuit board (OE-PCB) is formed by laser writing cores in a flexible glass support member to define an array of optical waveguides. The support member has a bend section and the waveguides reside close to either a top or bottom surface of the support member at the bend section. The cores have a front-end portion that can be laser written after the front end of the support member is coarse-aligned to optical waveguide structures in the OE-PCB to obtain fine alignment. The support members can be formed from flexible glass sheets or by drawing a glass preform. A photonic assembly that includes the OE-IC and the OE-PCB optically connected using the optical wire bond apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: James Scott Sutherland
  • Optical interface device having a curved waveguide using laser writing and methods of forming
    Patent number: 9784930
    Abstract: An optical interface device for optically connecting photonic devices to optical device along with methods of making. The method includes providing a glass support member that is either monolithic or laminated. A laser beam is used to write cores in the body of the support member. The support member includes a bend section and the cores generally follow the bend section and serve to define curved optical waveguides. The cores provide strong out-of-plane optical confinement, thereby allowing for strong bends and therefore a compact design for the optical interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventor: James Scott Sutherland
  • Optical interface devices and methods employing optical fibers and a support member having a bend section
    Patent number: 9766411
    Abstract: Optical interface devices and methods employing optical fibers and support member having a bend section are disclosed, wherein the optical interface device is used for optically connecting at least one photonic device to at least one optical device via at least one optical fiber. An array of optical fibers is arranged immediately adjacent a portion of the outer curved surface at the bend section. A fiber alignment member having a fiber alignment feature engages the array of optical fibers at a back-end flat portion of the support member so that end faces of the optical fibers are substantially co-planar with a bottom surface of the fiber alignment member and a back end of the support member. A securing layer disposed over the optical fiber array serves to secure the optical fiber array to the outer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Llewellyn Butler, William Kenneth Denson, James Scott Sutherland
  • OPTICAL INTERFACE DEVICES AND METHODS EMPLOYING OPTICAL FIBERS AND A SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING A BEND SECTION
    Publication number: 20170146745
    Abstract: Optical interface devices and methods employing optical fibers and support member having a bend section are disclosed, wherein the optical interface device is used for optically connecting at least one photonic device to at least one optical device via at least one optical fiber. An array of optical fibers is arranged immediately adjacent a portion of the outer curved surface at the bend section. A fiber alignment member having a fiber alignment feature engages the array of optical fibers at a back-end flat portion of the support member so that end faces of the optical fibers are substantially co-planar with a bottom surface of the fiber alignment member and a back end of the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Llewellyn Butler, William Kenneth Denson, James Scott Sutherland
  • OPTICAL INTERFACE DEVICE HAVING A CURVED WAVEGUIDE USING LASER WRITING AND METHODS OF FORMING
    Publication number: 20170146751
    Abstract: An optical interface device for optically connecting photonic devices to optical device along with methods of making. The method includes providing a glass support member that is either monolithic or laminated. A laser beam is used to write cores in the body of the support member. The support member includes a bend section and the cores generally follow the bend section and serve to define curved optical waveguides. The cores provide strong out-of-plane optical confinement, thereby allowing for strong bends and therefore a compact design for the optical interface device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: James Scott Sutherland
  • Communications between multiple radio frequency identification (RFID) connected tags and one or more devices, and related systems and methods
    Patent number: 9652709
    Abstract: Protocols, systems, and methods are disclosed for two or more RFID tags to communicate with each other and a device using direct connections. A disclosed system includes a first RFID tag, a second RFID tag, and a device. The first and second RFID tags are configured to mate to each other and directly exchange information. The second RFID tag is further configured to directly exchange information with the device such that information received directly at the second RFID tag from the first RFID tag may then be directly exchanged with the device. The first RFID tag may send a first tag identification directly from the first RFID tag to the second RFID tag. The second RFID tag may then send a first acknowledgement to the first RFID tag if the first tag identification was correctly received by the second RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Fiber Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: John David Downie, James Scott Sutherland, Richard Edward Wagner, Dale Alan Webb, Matthew Scott Whiting
  • Protocol for communications between a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a connected device, and related systems and methods
    Patent number: 9652708
    Abstract: Protocols, systems, and methods are disclosed for at least one RFID tag and a device, to communicate with each other using direct connections, wherein the at least one RFID tag and the device are configured to mate and directly exchange identification information. A message comprising a tag identification may be sent directly from the RFID tag to the device, and the RFID tag may receive a first acknowledgement from the device if the first tag identification was correctly received. A connection may be detected between the RFID tag and the device prior to directly exchanging information. The exchange of information may include sending data from the device to the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Fiber Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: John David Downie, James Scott Sutherland, Richard Edward Wagner, Dale Alan Webb, Matthew Scott Whiting
  • Radio frequency identification (RFID) connected tag communications protocol and related systems and methods
    Patent number: 9652707
    Abstract: Protocols, systems, and methods are disclosed for two or more RFID tags to communicate with each other using direct connections, wherein the two or more RFID tags are configured to mate and directly exchange identification information. A disclosed method includes detecting that a first RFID tag is connected to a second RFID tag. A first message comprising a first tag identification is sent directly from the first RFID tag to the second RFID tag, and the first RFID tag receives a first acknowledgement from the second RFID tag if the first tag identification was correctly received. A second message comprising a second tag identification may be sent directly from the second RFID tag to the first RFID tag and a second acknowledgement may be received from the first RFID tag if the second tag identification was correctly received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Fiber Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: John David Downie, Leo Nederlof, James Scott Sutherland, Richard Edward Wagner, Dale Alan Webb, Matthew Scott Whiting
  • NON-CONTACT METHODS OF MEASURING INSERTION LOSS IN OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTORS
    Publication number: 20170131140
    Abstract: A non-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a DUT connector is disclosed. The DUT connector has a first ferrule with a first optical fiber and a first end face. The method utilizes a reference connector having a second ferrule with a second optical fiber and a second end face. The method includes: axially aligning the first and second ferrules so that the first and second end faces are confronting and spaced apart to define a gap with an axial gap distance d; measuring values of the insertion loss between the first and second optical fibers for different gap distances d>0; and estimating a value for the insertion loss for a gap distance of d=0 based on the measured values of the insertion loss when d>0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Adam Joseph Fusco, Daniel Ohen Ricketts, James Scott Sutherland, Neil David Vance, Elvis Alberto Zambrano
  • Controlled-contact method of measuring insertion loss in optical fiber connectors
    Patent number: 9645044
    Abstract: A controlled-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a compressible DUT having a first ferrule with a first optical fiber and a first end face is disclosed. The method utilizes a compressible reference connector having a second ferrule with a second optical fiber and a second end face. The method includes: axially aligning the first and second ferrules to define a gap with an axial gap distance of greater than 150 ?m; moving the reference connector at a connector velocity in the range from 1 mm/s to 5 mm/s; when the gap distance is less than 150 ?m, reducing the connector velocity to between 10 ?m/s and 500 ?m/s until contact while continuing to measure the coupled optical power; after contact, increasing the connector velocity as the reference and DUT connector axially compress. The insertion loss is determined from ongoing measurements of the coupled optical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Adam Joseph Fusco, Daniel Ohen Ricketts, James Scott Sutherland, Neil David Vance, Elvis Alberto Zambrano
  • OPTICAL INTERFACE DEVICE HAVING A CURVED WAVEGUIDE USING LASER WRITING AND METHODS OF FORMING
    Publication number: 20170082809
    Abstract: An optical interface device for optically connecting photonic devices to optical device along with methods of making. The method includes providing a glass support member that is either monolithic or laminated. A laser beam is used to write cores in the body of the support member. The support member includes a bend section and the cores generally follow the bend section and serve to define curved optical waveguides. The cores provide strong out-of-plane optical confinement, thereby allowing for strong bends and therefore a compact design for the optical interface device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventor: James Scott Sutherland