Patents by Inventor Steven C. Tidwell

Steven C. Tidwell 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).

  • Publication number: 20170299702
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus and process that includes control electronics that generate an electronic control signal; and a plurality of optically or electrically pumped semiconductor lasers, quantum-cascade lasers, optical parametric generators, or optical parametric oscillators, operatively coupled to the control electronics, that output an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths, each wavelength having an output intensity that each of which is varied over time to simulate a combustion signature of a weapon. In some embodiments, the optical signal includes at least two different infrared wavelengths that are varied differently with time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventor: Steven C. Tidwell
  • Patent number: 9791558
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus and process that includes control electronics that generate an electronic control signal; and a plurality of optically or electrically pumped semiconductor lasers, quantum-cascade lasers, optical parametric generators, or optical parametric oscillators, operatively coupled to the control electronics, that output an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths, each wavelength having an output intensity that each of which is varied over time to simulate a combustion signature of a weapon. In some embodiments, the optical signal includes at least two different infrared wavelengths that are varied differently with time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Steven C. Tidwell
  • Publication number: 20160334510
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus and process that includes control electronics that generate an electronic control signal; and a plurality of optically or electrically pumped semiconductor lasers, quantum-cascade lasers, optical parametric generators, or optical parametric oscillators, operatively coupled to the control electronics, that output an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths, each wavelength having an output intensity that each of which is varied over time to simulate a combustion signature of a weapon. In some embodiments, the optical signal includes at least two different infrared wavelengths that are varied differently with time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Steven C. Tidwell
  • Patent number: 9031414
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus and process that includes control electronics that generate an electronic control signal; and a plurality of optically or electrically pumped semiconductor lasers, quantum-cascade lasers, optical parametric generators, or optical parametric oscillators, operatively coupled to the control electronics, that output an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths, each wavelength having an output intensity that each of which is varied over time to simulate a combustion signature of a weapon. In some embodiments, the optical signal includes at least two different infrared wavelengths that are varied differently with time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Steven C. Tidwell
  • Patent number: 8179594
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for spectral-beam combining of light from a plurality of high-power lasers (e.g., fiber MOPA lasers) that, in some embodiments, use substantially identical diffraction gratings in a 1-D non-parallel, mutually compensating configuration to combine non-parallel converging input beams in one plane each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, an output grating and one or more input gratings in a 1-D parallel, mutually compensating configuration combine non-parallel input beams in one plane into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, a 2-D plurality of input gratings in a non-parallel configuration combine a plurality of non-parallel input beams not in one plane each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a set of converging beams in one plane directed towards an output grating that compensates for chromatic dispersions introduced by the input gratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Tidwell, Thomas H. Loftus, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8082832
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus and process that includes control electronics that generate an electronic control signal; and a plurality of optically or electrically pumped semiconductor lasers, quantum-cascade lasers, optical parametric generators, or optical parametric oscillators, operatively coupled to the control electronics, that output an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths, each wavelength having an output intensity that is varied over time to simulate a combustion signature of a weapon. In some embodiments, at least two different infrared wavelengths are varied differently with time. Some embodiment are implemented as part of, for example, a anti-aircraft defense system, wherein incoming aircraft need to be disabled, and the present invention provides a way of distracting, exhausting, confusing, overwhelming, or bypassing the hostile aircraft's anti-missile defenses so that, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Tidwell, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 7760976
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for directing a laser beam at an object. Some embodiments include generating direction-control information, based on the direction-control information, directing laser energy into a first fiber at a first end of a first fiber bundle during a first time period, forming an output beam of the laser energy from the second end of the first fiber bundle, and steering the output beam of the laser energy from the first fiber in a first selected direction of a plurality of directions during the first time period, and optionally modulating an intensity of the laser energy according to a predetermined pattern. The direction-control information is based on sensing electromagnetic radiation from a scene. Some embodiments use a remote camera wire-connected to the image processor to obtain scene information, while other embodiments use a second fiber bundle to convey image information from an external remote lens to a local camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Steven C. Tidwell
  • Patent number: 7671337
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for directing a laser beam at an object. Some embodiments include generating direction-control information, based on the direction-control information, directing laser energy into a first fiber at a first end of a first fiber bundle during a first time period, forming an output beam of the laser energy from the second end of the first fiber bundle, and steering the output beam of the laser energy from the first fiber in a first selected direction of a plurality of directions during the first time period, and optionally modulating an intensity of the laser energy according to a predetermined pattern. The direction-control information is based on sensing electromagnetic radiation from a scene. Some embodiments use a remote camera wire-connected to the image processor to obtain scene information, while other embodiments use a second fiber bundle to convey image information from an external remote lens to a local camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Steven C. Tidwell
  • Patent number: 7446315
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for directing a laser beam at an object. Some embodiments include generating direction-control information, based on the direction-control information, directing laser energy into a first fiber at a first end of a first fiber bundle during a first time period, forming an output beam of the laser energy from the second end of the first fiber bundle, and steering the output beam of the laser energy from the first fiber in a first selected direction of a plurality of directions during the first time period, and optionally modulating an intensity of the laser energy according to a predetermined pattern. The direction-control information is based on sensing electromagnetic radiation from a scene. Some embodiments use a remote camera wire-connected to the image processor to obtain scene information, while other embodiments use a second fiber bundle to convey image information from an external remote lens to a local camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Steven C. Tidwell
  • Patent number: 7429734
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for directing a laser beam at an object. Some embodiments include generating direction-control information, based on the direction-control information, directing laser energy into a first fiber at a first end of a first fiber bundle during a first time period, forming an output beam of the laser energy from the second end of the first fiber bundle, and steering the output beam of the laser energy from the first fiber in a first selected direction of a plurality of directions during the first time period, and optionally modulating an intensity of the laser energy according to a predetermined pattern. The direction-control information is based on sensing electromagnetic radiation from a scene. Some embodiments use a remote camera wire-connected to the image processor to obtain scene information, while other embodiments use a second fiber bundle to convey image information from an external remote lens to a local camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Aculight Corporation
    Inventor: Steven C. Tidwell