Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Nugent, Jr.
Thomas J. Nugent, Jr. 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: 11923694Abstract: A power beaming system delivers electric power in laser light from a first location to a remote second location. The laser light has a high energy intensity level defining a hazardous illumination area and a low energy intensity level defining a safe illumination area. The system includes guard circuitry emitter(s) and corresponding detector(s). The guard circuitry forms a detection area about the hazardous illumination area to detect objects in proximity to the hazardous illumination area. A controller directs the guard and power beam circuitry according to sequentially activated safety modes to operate at a low energy intensity level, to scan in a defined pattern, to adjust operation of the detector(s), and to set guard circuitry parameters based on a time value, an object detection value, or a change to the delivered electric power. An output coupled to the controller and power beam circuitry controllably permits or prevents operation at the high energy intensity level.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: LASERMOTIVE, INC.Inventors: Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., Jordin T. Kare, Alexander Hay
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Patent number: 11867868Abstract: The plurality of emitters and the plurality of detectors form a light curtain that is patterned about the beam, and are positioned to surround the beam. The plurality of emitters each have a centerline and each have a divergence angle centered on the centerline. The placement and orientation of the plurality of emitters about the acceptance centerline of the beam receiver are configured to align the centerlines of the plurality of emitters substantially parallel to the incoming beam. The detection of one or more of the plurality of emitters by one or more of the plurality of detectors depends on the divergence angles of each of the plurality of emitters and the tilt of the beam receiver relative to the beam centerline.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: LaserMotive, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Sayles, Thomas W. Bashford, David J. Bashford, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr.
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Publication number: 20230305185Abstract: A power beaming system includes a power beam transmitter arranged to transmit the power beam, and a power beam receiver arranged to receive the power beam from the power beam transmitter. A power beam transmission source is arranged to generate a laser light beam for transmission by the power beam transmitter from a first location toward a remote second location. A beam-shaping element shapes the laser light beam, at least one diffusion element uniformly distributes light of the shaped laser light beam, and a projection element illuminates a power beam receiving element of predetermined shape with the shaped laser light beam. At the power beam receiver, a diffusion surface diffuses a portion the power beam specularly reflected from the power beam receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Applicant: LaserMotive, Inc.Inventors: Jordin T. KARE, Thomas J. NUGENT, JR., David BASHFORD
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Publication number: 20230194218Abstract: A dual-use electromagnetic beam system may be used as a remote power delivery system when not needed as an offensive weapon. For example, a system for disabling or destroying uncooperative or enemy assets such as UAVs or ground vehicles may be used during “down time” to provide power to assets that are separated from prime power sources by distance or by logistics.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Thomas J. NUGENT, JR., Richard GUSTAFSON
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Patent number: 11681071Abstract: A power beaming system includes a power beam transmitter arranged to transmit the power beam, and a power beam receiver arranged to receive the power beam from the power beam transmitter. A power beam transmission source is arranged to generate a laser light beam for transmission by the power beam transmitter from a first location toward a remote second location. A beam-shaping element shapes the laser light beam, at least one diffusion element uniformly distributes light of the shaped laser light beam, and a projection element illuminates a power beam receiving element of predetermined shape with the shaped laser light beam. At the power beam receiver, a diffusion surface diffuses a portion the power beam specularly reflected from the power beam receiver.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Inventors: Jordin T. Kare, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., David Bashford
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Publication number: 20230155690Abstract: A reflector assembly at a power beam receiver includes at least two sets of reflection surfaces positioned to shift some incoming light away from the center of the beam and towards the periphery. These surfaces may be positioned obliquely to one another, for example orthogonally. By shifting a portion of the power beam away from a higher-intensity center and toward a lower-intensity periphery, the reflector assembly may improve receiver efficiency without substantial redirection of power outside of a power-collecting surface of the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Sergiy DETS, Thomas J. NUGENT, JR.
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Patent number: 11581953Abstract: A dual-use electromagnetic beam system may be used as a remote power delivery system when not needed as an offensive weapon. For example, a system for disabling or destroying uncooperative or enemy assets such as UAVs or ground vehicles may be used during “down time” to provide power to assets that are separated from prime power sources by distance or by logistics.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: LaserMotive, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., Richard Gustafson
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Publication number: 20230016800Abstract: A dual-use electromagnetic beam system may be used as a remote power delivery system when not needed as an offensive weapon. For example, a system for disabling or destroying uncooperative or enemy assets such as UAVs or ground vehicles may be used during “down time” to provide power to assets that are separated from prime power sources by distance or by logistics.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2020Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Thomas J. NUGENT, JR., Richard GUSTAFSON
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Publication number: 20220302765Abstract: A power beaming system delivers electric power in laser light from a first location to a remote second location. The laser light has a high energy intensity level defining a hazardous illumination area and a low energy intensity level defining a safe illumination area. The system includes guard circuitry emitter(s) and corresponding detector(s). The guard circuitry forms a detection area about the hazardous illumination area to detect objects in proximity to the hazardous illumination area. A controller directs the guard and power beam circuitry according to sequentially activated safety modes to operate at a low energy intensity level, to scan in a defined pattern, to adjust operation of the detector(s), and to set guard circuitry parameters based on a time value, an object detection value, or a change to the delivered electric power. An output coupled to the controller and power beam circuitry controllably permits or prevents operation at the high energy intensity level.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Thomas J. NUGENT, JR., Jordin T. KARE, Alexander HAY
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Publication number: 20220229206Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a beam projection system, including a beam transmitter, a beam receiver, a plurality of emitters, and a plurality of detectors. The beam transmitter has one or more light sources to transmit a beam, and also has a centerline. The beam receiver is arranged to receive the beam from the beam transmitter. The beam receiver has an acceptance centerline. The plurality of emitters and the plurality of detectors form a light curtain that is patterned about the beam, and are positioned to surround the beam. The plurality of emitters each have a centerline and each have a divergence angle centered on the centerline. The placement and orientation of the plurality of emitters about the acceptance centerline of the beam receiver are configured to align the centerlines of the plurality of emitters substantially parallel to the incoming beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Thomas Sayles, Thomas W. Bashford, David J. Bashford, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr.
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Publication number: 20220224165Abstract: A remote power system includes a remote power transmitter arranged to output a power beam in a startup mode and a remote power receiver arranged to receive the power beam. The remote power receiver has a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells (or other power converters) mounted to generate electrical power from energy in the power beam, startup power monitoring (SPM) logic to determine, based on electrical power generated by each of the plurality of PV cells, whether or not the remote power transmitter can operate in a high-flux mode, and a receiver-based transmitter circuit arranged to communicate an indication that the remote power transmitter can operate in the high-flux mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Thomas J. NUGENT, Jr., Thomas W. BASHFORD, David BASHFORD, Alexander HAY
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Publication number: 20220224170Abstract: A method of monitoring a location of a power beam includes monitoring an electrical property of PV cells or subgroups of PV cells in a PV cell array and using the monitored electrical property to determine a location of the power beam. The determined location may be compared to a target location on the PV cell array and used to steer the power beam closer to the target location.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Thomas J. NUGENT, Jr., Thomas W. BASHFORD, David BASHFORD
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Publication number: 20220224164Abstract: A remote power system includes a remote power transmitter arranged to output a high-flux power beam and a remote power receiver arranged to receive the high-flux power beam. The receiver has a plurality of photo-voltaic (PV) cells mounted to generate electrical power from energy in the high-flux power beam, at least one non-PV structure adjacent to each PV cell, and a plurality of structures to steer flux toward selected ones of the plurality of PV cells and away from selected ones of the at least one non-PV structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Thomas J. NUGENT, Jr., Thomas W. BASHFORD, Alexander HAY, David BASHFORD
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Patent number: 11368054Abstract: A power beaming system delivers electric power in laser light from a first location to a remote second location. The laser light has a high energy intensity level defining a hazardous illumination area and a low energy intensity level defining a safe illumination area. The system includes guard circuitry emitter(s) and corresponding detector(s). The guard circuitry forms a detection area about the hazardous illumination area to detect objects in proximity to the hazardous illumination area. A controller directs the guard and power beam circuitry according to sequentially activated safety modes to operate at a low energy intensity level, to scan in a defined pattern, to adjust operation of the detector(s), and to set guard circuitry parameters based on a time value, an object detection value, or a change to the delivered electric power. An output coupled to the controller and power beam circuitry controllably permits or prevents operation at the high energy intensity level.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: LaserMotive, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., Jordin T. Kare, Alexander Hay
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Patent number: 11361573Abstract: A system for tracking airborne organisms includes an imager, a backlight source (such as a retroreflective surface) in view of the imager, and a processor configured to analyze one or more images captured by the processor to identify a biological property of an organism.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: TOKITAE LLCInventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Eric Johanson, Jordin T. Kare, Artyom Makagon, Emma Rae Mullen, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., Nathan John Pegram, Nels R. Peterson, Phillip Rutschman, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Publication number: 20220113444Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards a safety system that can be used with a high-flux power beam, such as in wireless power transmission. The system includes a transmitter that generates and transmits a power beam and a receiver that receives the power beam. A plurality of sensors is configured to independently detect if an object is near, impeding, or about to impede (i.e., impinging) the power beam. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the object at different distances between the transmitter and the receiver. A controller triggers the transmitter to stop generating the power beam when any one or more of the plurality of sensors detects the object or a combination of the plurality of sensors detects the object. The controller triggers the transmitter to re-generate and transmit the power beam when each of the plurality of sensors fails to detect the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: LaserMotive, Inc.Inventors: Jordin T. KARE, Thomas J. NUGENT, JR., David BASHFORD, Carsten ERICKSON, Thomas W. BASHFORD
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Patent number: 11209570Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards a safety system that can be used with a high-flux power beam, such as in wireless power transmission. The system includes a transmitter that generates and transmits a power beam and a receiver that receives the power beam. A plurality of sensors is configured to independently detect if an object is near, impeding, or about to impede (i.e., impinging) the power beam. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the object at different distances between the transmitter and the receiver. A controller triggers the transmitter to stop generating the power beam when any one or more of the plurality of sensors detects the object or a combination of the plurality of sensors detects the object. The controller triggers the transmitter to re-generate and transmit the power beam when each of the plurality of sensors fails to detect the object.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: LASERMOTIVE, INC.Inventors: Jordin T. Kare, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., David Bashford, Carsten Casey Erickson, Thomas W. Bashford
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Publication number: 20210373196Abstract: A power beaming system includes a power beam transmitter arranged to transmit the power beam, and a power beam receiver arranged to receive the power beam from the power beam transmitter. A power beam transmission source is arranged to generate a laser light beam for transmission by the power beam transmitter from a first location toward a remote second location. A beam-shaping element shapes the laser light beam, at least one diffusion element uniformly distributes light of the shaped laser light beam, and a projection element illuminates a power beam receiving element of predetermined shape with the shaped laser light beam. At the power beam receiver, a diffusion surface diffuses a portion the power beam specularly reflected from the power beam receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: LaserMotive, Inc.Inventors: Jordin T. KARE, Thomas J. NUGENT, JR., David BASHFORD
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Patent number: 11105954Abstract: A power beaming system includes a power beam transmitter arranged to transmit the power beam, and a power beam receiver arranged to receive the power beam from the power beam transmitter. A power beam transmission source is arranged to generate a laser light beam for transmission by the power beam transmitter from a first location toward a remote second location. A beam-shaping element shapes the laser light beam, at least one diffusion element uniformly distributes light of the shaped laser light beam, and a projection element illuminates a power beam receiving element of predetermined shape with the shaped laser light beam. At the power beam receiver, a diffusion surface diffuses a portion the power beam specularly reflected from the power beam receiver.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: LASERMOTIVE, INC.Inventors: Jordin T. Kare, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., David Bashford
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Publication number: 20210050465Abstract: A device for converting electromagnetic radiation into electricity comprises an expander that includes a conical shape having an axis and a curved surface that is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation away from the axis to expand a beam of the electromagnetic radiation; and one or more energy conversion components configured to receive a beam of electromagnetic radiation expanded by the expander, and to generate electricity from the expanded beam of electromagnetic radiation. With the expander's curved surface, a beam of electromagnetic radiation that is highly concentrated—has a large radiation flux—may be converted into a beam that has a larger cross-sectional area. Moreover, one can configure, if desired, the curved surface to provide a substantially uniform distribution of radiation across the expanded cross-sectional area. With such an expanded beam the one or more energy conversion components can efficiently convert some of the electromagnetic radiation into electricity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: LaserMotive, Inc.Inventors: Jordin T. Kare, Thomas J. Nugent, JR., David Bashford