Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Chrien

Thomas G. Chrien 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).

  • Coherent light detection system and method
    Patent number: 11047742
    Abstract: A method for detecting coherent light that includes configuring a spatial interferometer, receiving the coherent light through the spatial interferometer, and disposing a photo detector adjacent to the spatial interferometer. The spatial interferometer is configured such that a coherent light passing through the spatial interferometer interferes with itself. The interference of the coherent light with itself creates a light fringe. The light fringe projects onto the photo detector. The photo detector has an array of pixels operable to detect an intensity of coherent light. The array of pixels provides a plurality of outputs corresponding to coherent light received by discrete pixels of the array of pixels. The method includes determining an interference pattern of the light fringe based on the plurality of outputs of the array of pixels, and determining one or more wavelengths of the coherent light from the interference pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas G. Chrien
  • COHERENT LIGHT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20210148764
    Abstract: A method for detecting coherent light that includes configuring a spatial interferometer, receiving the coherent light through the spatial interferometer, and disposing a photo detector adjacent to the spatial interferometer. The spatial interferometer is configured such that a coherent light passing through the spatial interferometer interferes with itself. The interference of the coherent light with itself creates a light fringe. The light fringe projects onto the photo detector. The photo detector has an array of pixels operable to detect an intensity of coherent light. The array of pixels provides a plurality of outputs corresponding to coherent light received by discrete pixels of the array of pixels. The method includes determining an interference pattern of the light fringe based on the plurality of outputs of the array of pixels, and determining one or more wavelengths of the coherent light from the interference pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventor: THOMAS G. CHRIEN
  • Speckle jitter sensor
    Patent number: 9195071
    Abstract: A jitter sensor including a light source and a light sensor utilizes speckle pattern analysis to detect motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas G. Chrien
  • SPECKLE JITTER SENSOR
    Publication number: 20120086944
    Abstract: A jitter sensor including a light source and a light sensor utilizes speckle pattern analysis to detect motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas G. Chrien