Patents by Inventor William L. McCardel

William L. McCardel 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: 8153980
    Abstract: Systems and methods for color correcting radiation by alternately focusing a first radiation spectrum on a first radiation spectrum detector, and then focusing at least one additional radiation spectrum on at least one additional radiation spectrum detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: John F. Brady, Athanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, William L. McCardel, Roland W. Gooch
  • Patent number: 7655909
    Abstract: Infrared detector elements and methods for forming infrared detector elements in which the top metal layer of CMOS circuitry of the detector element is employed as a lead metal reflector for the infrared detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Schimert, Athanasios J. Syllaios, William L. McCardel, Roland W. Gooch
  • Patent number: 7462831
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bonding semiconductor devices and/or multiple wafers, in the form of a first segmented wafer and a second unsegmented wafer which may have different temperature coefficients of expansion (TCE), and which may be bonded together, with or without the presence of a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Roland W. Gooch, Athanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, William L. McCardel
  • Patent number: 7459686
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multi-spectral image capability using an integrated multi-band focal plane array that, in one example, may be employed to simultaneously image in the visible spectrum and infrared spectrum using an integrated dual-band focal plane array, e.g., by including visible imaging circuitry within read out integrated circuitry (ROIC) used to readout infrared detector elements within the same pixel element/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, William L. McCardel, Roland W. Gooch, John F. Brady
  • Patent number: 7375331
    Abstract: Methods for making optically blind reference pixels and systems employing the same. The reference pixels may be configured to be identical to, or substantially identical to, the active detector elements of a focal plane array assembly. The reference pixels may be configured to use the same relatively longer thermal isolation legs as the active detector pixels of the focal plane, thus eliminating joule heating differences. An optically blocking structure may be placed in close proximity directly over the reference pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Schimert, Athanasios J. Syllaios, Roland W. Gooch, William L. McCardel
  • Patent number: 7262412
    Abstract: Methods for making optically blind reference pixels and systems employing the same. The reference pixels may be configured to be identical to, or substantially identical to, the active detector elements of a focal plane array assembly. The reference pixels may be configured to use the same relatively longer thermal isolation legs as the active detector pixels of the focal plane, thus eliminating joule heating differences. An optically blocking structure may be placed in close proximity directly over the reference pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Schimert, Athanasios J. Syllaios, Roland W. Gooch, William L. McCardel
  • Publication number: 20070170360
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bonding semiconductor devices and/or multiple wafers, in the form of a first segmented wafer and a second unsegmented wafer which may have different temperature coefficients of expansion (TCE), and which may be bonded together, with or without the presence of a vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Roland W. Gooch, Athanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, William L. McCardel
  • Publication number: 20070170359
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multi-spectral image capability using an integrated multi-band focal plane array that, in one example, may be employed to simultaneously image in the visible spectrum and infrared spectrum using an integrated dual-band focal plane array, e.g., by including visible imaging circuitry within read out integrated circuitry (ROIC) used to readout infrared detector elements within the same pixel element/s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, William L. McCardel, Roland W. Gooch, John F. Brady
  • Publication number: 20070170363
    Abstract: Infrared detector elements and methods for forming infrared detector elements in which the top metal layer of CMOS circuitry of the detector element is employed as a lead metal reflector for the infrared detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas R. Schimert, Athanasios J. Syllaios, William L. McCardel, Roland W. Gooch
  • Patent number: 6690014
    Abstract: A microbolometer is provided that includes an absorber element having material properties to change temperature in response to absorbing infrared radiation. An amorphous silicon detector is thermally coupled to the absorber element and is suspended above a silicon substrate at a height of one-quarter wavelength of the infrared radiation to be detected. The amorphous silicon detector changes electrical resistance in response to the absorber element changing temperature. The microbolometer also includes electrode arms coupled to the silicon substrate to provide structural support for the amorphous silicon detector above the surface of the silicon substrate. The electrode arms further provide electrical connectivity for the microbolometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Roland W. Gooch, Thomas R. Schimert, William L. McCardel, Bobbi A. Ritchey
  • Patent number: 6297511
    Abstract: An infrared radiation emitter is provided that is capable of producing infrared radiation modulating at high frequency. The IR emitter includes a low-thermal-mass resistive membrane that is suspended by long thermal isolation arms over a substrate. The membrane is suspended over the substrate such that a resonant emitting cavity is formed between the membrane and the substrate. The low-mass, thermally isolated membrane design maximizes the temperature change induced by Joule heating of the resistive membrane and allows the emitted IR radiation to be modulated at high frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Roland W. Gooch, William L. McCardel, Thomas R. Schimert
  • Patent number: 6064066
    Abstract: A sensor (1400) with radiation detectors (1421-1422) with two or more bolometer or photoconductor elements and bias polarity switching of one element to emulate mechanical chopping of input radiation. This electronic chopping permits higher chopping frequencies than mechanical chopping for bolometers because the scene settling time does not limit electronic chopping. The detectors may be within a single vacuum integrated circuit package with separate narrow passband filters for chemical spectral analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Insruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Malcolm J. Bevan, William L. McCardel, Mark V. Wadsworth, Glenn H. Westphal
  • Patent number: 6028312
    Abstract: A sensor with radiation detectors with two or more photoconductor elements and bias polarity switching of one element to emulate mechanical chopping of input radiation. This electronic chopping permits higher chopping frequencies than mechanical chopping for bolometers because the scene settling time does not limit electronic chopping. The detectors may be within a single vacuum integrated circuit package with separate narrow passband filters for chemical spectral analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark V. Wadsworth, William L. McCardel
  • Patent number: 5453620
    Abstract: A nondispersive infrared gas analyzer 10 for indicating the concentration of a selected gas uses a source of radiation 12 to supply radiation to a gas sample chamber 14. The gas chamber 14 functions as an optical channel for transmitting radiation from the source of radiation 12 to both a gas sensing detector 22 and reference detector 24. An inner surface 36 of the gas chamber 14 is an optical reflective surface for the chamber and has a constantly changing irregular profile to greatly enhance optical scattering of the radiation falling on it to provide an uniform disperse radiation output to the detectors 22, 24. Additionally, the source of radiation 12 is chosen to provide radiation which is defocused to further help in attaining homogenous radiation output from the gas sample chamber 14 to the detectors 22, 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark V. Wadsworth, Julie G. Whitney, William L. McCardel