Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Wetherell

Thomas J. Wetherell 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).

  • Patent number: 8259291
    Abstract: A seeker/receiver system for a moving body, such as for guiding the moving body to a target, includes an optics/receiver portion that tilts as a unit relative to other parts of the moving body. The optics/receiver portion includes a window which may be used to enclose and protect one or both of a pair of receivers or detectors, such as a laser energy detector or receiver, and an infrared energy detector or receiver. By moving the window and the receivers as a unit a set positional relationship is maintained between all of the elements of the optics/receiver portion. This simplifies the optics by obviating the need for all aspects of the window to present the same properties to energy detectors that tilt relative to it. The optics/receiver portion may be tilted using a tilt mechanism such as a gimbal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Byron B. Taylor, Thomas J. Wetherell, Brian S. Scott, Ronald L. Roncone
  • Patent number: 8190012
    Abstract: An optical system includes actuators in a coupling between a detector, such as a focal plane array, and a frame (mount) that supports the detector. The actuators may be actuated piezoelectric shims that can have their thickness adjusted by applying a voltage to them. The adjustment of the thickness of the actuators (shims) may be used to control tilt and focus (axial position) of the detector relative to the frame (and other parts of the optical system). The optical system may be part of a flying vehicle, such as a spacecraft or aircraft, for instance a missile. The system may include a temperature sensor, and a control system that adjusts the thickness the actuated shims based on temperature, for example using a lookup table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wetherell, Byron B. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20120062410
    Abstract: A seeker/receiver system for a moving body, such as for guiding the moving body to a target, includes an optics/receiver portion that tilts as a unit relative to other parts of the moving body. The optics/receiver portion includes a window which may be used to enclose and protect one or both of a pair of receivers or detectors, such as a laser energy detector or receiver, and an infrared energy detector or receiver. By moving the window and the receivers as a unit a set positional relationship is maintained between all of the elements of the optics/receiver portion. This simplifies the optics by obviating the need for all aspects of the window to present the same properties to energy detectors that tilt relative to it. The optics/receiver portion may be tilted using a tilt mechanism such as a gimbal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Byron B. Taylor, Thomas J. Wetherell, Brian S. Scott, Ronald L. Roncone
  • Publication number: 20120063760
    Abstract: An optical system includes actuators in a coupling between a detector, such as a focal plane array, and a frame (mount) that supports the detector. The actuators may be actuated piezoelectric shims that can have their thickness adjusted by applying a voltage to them. The adjustment of the thickness of the actuators (shims) may be used to control tilt and focus (axial position) of the detector relative to the frame (and other parts of the optical system). The optical system may be part of a flying vehicle, such as a spacecraft or aircraft, for instance a missile. The system may include a temperature sensor, and a control system that adjusts the thickness the actuated shims based on temperature, for example using a lookup table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wetherell, Byron B. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4009051
    Abstract: Solar power pack apparatus adaptable for powering emergency equipment at remote locations includes a solar cell array, a rechargeable battery pack, a long shelf-life primary battery pack and switching circuitry interconnecting these elements to provide upon demand immediate and continuous supply of electrical power over extended periods of time notwithstanding environmental conditions which would render unsuitable conventional emergency-use reserve power packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1977
    Assignee: General Solar Power Corporation
    Inventors: Earle W. Kazis, Robert Mark, Thomas J. Wetherell
  • Patent number: D401774
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Orban, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Burke, Thomas J. Wetherell
  • Patent number: D414770
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Orban, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wetherell, Jonathan C. Burke