Patents by Inventor Thomas Rudolph Hicks

Thomas Rudolph Hicks 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).

  • Strain sensor for optical fibers
    Patent number: 6367335
    Abstract: A strain sensor is disclosed for example for use in a Bragg fiber grating, in which piezoelectric actuators are arranged to compress or extend the fiber, and a capacitance micrometer for measuring the strain on the fiber in a servo loop with the actuators to provide a tunable grating in which the selected wavelength is a unique and linear function of the control command parameter. The micrometer electrodes can be placed on opposing faces of ferrules on the fiber, or capacitance between a coating directly on the fiber and a reference electrode can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: SDL, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Rudolph Hicks, Newrick Kenneth Reay, Paul David Atherton