Patents by Inventor Wayne F. Thomas

Wayne F. Thomas 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).

  • Collimator array having precisely aligned optical beams and method of assembling same
    Patent number: 6666588
    Abstract: A method is provided for assembling an optical collimator array. The method begins by directing light through a first optical collimator to produce a first optical output beam. The first collimator is supported by a first carrier element. The first collimator is rotated about its central longitudinal axis to adjust a position of the first optical output beam on a surface that intercepts the first optical output beam. The first carrier element is then rotated about a carrier axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and in a plane containing the central longitudinal axis to further adjust the position of the first optical output beam on the surface. The first collimator continues to be rotated about these axes until the first optical output beam is located at a desired position on the surface, at which point the first optical collimator is secured to the first carrier element. Next, the first carrier element itself is secured to prevent rotation about the carrier axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Photuris, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal H. Thorsten, Christopher S. Koeppen, Steven E. Parks, Wayne F. Thomas, Kenneth R. Mahon