Patents by Inventor Steven R. Patterson
Steven R. Patterson 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).
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Patent number: 8797548Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest using values of a beam property from two or more electromagnetic beams that both pass through at least part of an optical displacement device. The apparatus may include a Fabry-Perot interferometer, a collimated light source, and a detection array. At least one mirror of the interferometer may be operably coupled to an element receiving an external stimulus, such as pressure, force, and/or acceleration. The method includes using the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Carl M. Edwards, Dustin W. Carr, Steven R. Patterson
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Publication number: 20120212745Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest using values of a beam property from two or more electromagnetic beams that both pass through at least part of an optical displacement device. The apparatus may include a Fabry-Perot interferometer, a collimated light source, and a detection array. At least one mirror of the interferometer may be operably coupled to an element receiving an external stimulus, such as pressure, force, and/or acceleration. The method includes using the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Carl M. Edwards, Dustin W. Carr, Steven R. Patterson
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Patent number: 7426039Abstract: An instrument for measuring dimensional changes in materials, such as ultra-low thermal expansion materials, contains an optically balanced measuring loop. Both an object beam and a loop beam propagate around the measuring loop. The object beam encounters both opposite side surfaces of the test object and the loop beam encounters remaining components of the measuring loop in common with the object beam. The object and loop beams can be separately compared to reference beams for producing heterodyne signal beams.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2006Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Vivek G Badami, Steven R Patterson
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Patent number: 7239397Abstract: Thermal expansion characteristics of test materials of ultra-low thermal expansion material are measured with a test beam that is split into a test material-measuring portion and an instrument-measuring portion. Both measuring portions propagate through common portions of a test arm. The test material-measuring portion encounters a test material, but the instrument-measuring portion does not. Thermal expansion characteristics of the test material are measured to high accuracy by manipulating the measures to distinguish displacements associated with the test material from displacements associated with the instrument structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Vivek G. Badami, Steven R. Patterson
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Patent number: 6661637Abstract: A micro-opto-electro-mechanical transducer in which an optical element is angularly positioned by electrical field coupling. Movable electrodes of two orthogonally disposed, differential variable capacitors are coupled to the optical element constrained by structural means to angular displacement around two free-axes of rotation. Cooperating stationary capacitor electrodes with surface contoured regions facing the movable electrodes are affixed to the structural means. A thin dielectric layer of high permittivity material provides a region of fixed spacing between the capacitor electrodes. The surface contoured regions constrain the approach of the movable electrodes with angular displacement of the optical element. Both the open-loop gain and the equilibrium voltage-angle response of the transducer is largely independent of displacement. Electrostatic force feedback maintains the optical element at voltage programmed positions of static equilibrium over a wide angular range of tip and tilt.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Inventors: Robert B. McIntosh, Steven R. Patterson
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Patent number: 6646779Abstract: A strain-isolated mirror is made from a substrate having first and second body portions. First and second connecting portions extend across a gap between the first body portion and the second body portion. A first flexural hinge on the first second connecting portion couples the second connecting portion to the first body portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Zygo CorporationInventors: Peter B. Mumola, Flemming Tinker, Steven R. Patterson
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Patent number: 6556417Abstract: A method to construct a capacitive transducers comprising the steps of forming over and in a planar surface of a substrate at least one rigid electrode of a variable-area capacitor electrically connected to a location on said substrate reserved for electrode attachment; providing a cooperating flexible electrode with a dielectric layer; and bonding said flexible electrode to said substrate in a surface region surrounding said rigid electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventors: Robert B. McIntosh, Philip E. Mauger, Steven R. Patterson
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Publication number: 20020085262Abstract: A strain-isolated mirror is made from a substrate having first and second body portions. First and second connecting portions extend across a gap between the first body portion and the second body portion. A first flexural hinge on the first second connecting portion couples the second connecting portion to the first body portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Peter B. Mumola, Flemming Tinker, Steven R. Patterson
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Publication number: 20020033048Abstract: A micro-opto-electro-mechanical transducer in which an optical element is angularly positioned by electrical field coupling. Movable electrodes of two orthogonally disposed, differential variable capacitors are coupled to the optical element constrained by structural means to angular displacement around two free-axes of rotation. Cooperating stationary capacitor electrodes with surface contoured regions facing the movable electrodes are affixed to the structural means. A thin dielectric layer of high permittivity material provides a region of fixed spacing between the capacitor electrodes. The surface contoured regions constrain the approach of the movable electrodes with angular displacement of the optical element. Both the open-loop gain and the equilibrium voltage-angle response of the transducer is largely independent of displacement. Electrostatic force feedback maintains the optical element at voltage programmed positions of static equilibrium over a wide angular range of tip and tilt.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Inventors: Robert B. McIntosh, Steven R. Patterson
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Publication number: 20010020850Abstract: A capacitance measurement circuit detects a change in capacitance between a variable capacitor and a fixed reference capacitor in a bridge network and provides feedback current to null-balance the bridge. An error signal is amplified at high gain by a differential integrator having an output that is converted to a high-frequency stream of digital pulses of constant amplitude and width. The pulse stream is integrated to provide a voltage to control feedback current used to balance the bridge. The average pulse density per unit time, or the frequency of the digital pulses, is linearly proportional to a change in capacitance of said variable capacitor to high accuracy over a wide dynamic range.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Inventors: Robert B. McIntosh, Steven R. Patterson
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Publication number: 20010020320Abstract: A method to construct a capacitive transducer comprising the steps of forming over and in a planar surface of a substrate at least one rigid electrode of a variable-area capacitor electrically connected to a location on said substrate reserved for electrode attachment; providing a cooperating flexible electrode with a dielectric layer; and bonding said flexible electrode to said substrate in a surface region surrounding said rigid electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Inventors: Robert B. McIntosh, Philip E. Mauger, Steven R. Patterson
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Patent number: 6206966Abstract: A pedestal optical substrate that simultaneously provides high substrate dynamic stiffness, provides low surface figure sensitivity to mechanical mounting hardware inputs, and constrains surface figure changes caused by optical coatings to be primarily spherical in nature. The pedestal optical substrate includes a disk-like optic or substrate section having a top surface that is coated, a disk-like base section that provides location at which the substrate can be mounted, and a connecting cylindrical section between the base and optics or substrate sections. The connecting cylindrical section may be attached via three spaced legs or members. However, the pedestal optical substrate can be manufactured from a solid piece of material to form a monolith, thus avoiding joints between the sections, or the disk-like base can be formed separately and connected to the connecting section.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Layton C. Hale, Terry N. Malsbury, Steven R. Patterson
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Patent number: 6181420Abstract: The invention features a phase measurement system for minimizing cyclic errors in a relative phase between exit reference and measurement beams emerging from an interferometer.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignees: Zygo Corporation, University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: Vivek G. Badami, Steven R. Patterson, Carl A. Zanoni
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Patent number: 6151967Abstract: A variable area capacitor with a flexible electrode responsive to a physical effect and a rigid electrode with a predetermined surface contour. The surface contour is dimensioned to provide a specific change in capacitance with deflection of the flexible electrode. A thin dielectric layer maintains a substantially fixed spacing between the two electrodes. Preferred embodiments include a pressure sensor, microphone and accelerometer. A differential transconductance amplifier detects changes of the variable capacitor in a low-impedance, bridge-like circuit and feeds back current to balance the bridge. The voltage that controls the feedback current is proportional to capacitance over a wide dynamic range.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Horizon Technology GroupInventors: Robert B. McIntosh, Philip E. Mauger, Steven R. Patterson, Gene A. Goodman
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Patent number: 5019786Abstract: A phase measurement system which measures the phase shift between two signals by dithering a clock signal and averaging a plurality of measurements of the phase differences between the two signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1989Date of Patent: May 28, 1991Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Christopher R. Fairley, Steven R. Patterson