With Spectral Frequency/wavelength Discrimination Patents (Class 250/227.23)
  • Patent number: 11953721
    Abstract: A photonic system includes a waveguide. The photonic system further includes a micro ring modulator (MRM) spaced from the waveguide. The photonic system further includes a heater configured to increase a temperature of the MRM in response to the heater receiving a first voltage. The photonic system further includes a cooling element configured to decrease a temperature of the MRM in response to the cooling element receiving a second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Lan-Chou Cho, Stefan Rusu
  • Patent number: 11886020
    Abstract: Examples described herein relate to a ring resonator. The ring resonator may include an annular waveguide having a waveguide base and a waveguide core narrower than the waveguide base. Further, the ring resonator may include an outer contact region comprising a first-type doping and disposed annularly and at least partially surrounding an outer annular surface of the waveguide base. Furthermore, the ring resonator may include an inner contact region comprising a second-type doping and disposed annularly contacting an inner annular surface of the waveguide base. Moreover, the ring resonator may include an annular detector region disposed annularly at a distance from and covering at least a portion of a surface of the waveguide core and contacting the outer contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Yuan Yuan, Sudharsanan Srinivasan, Di Liang, Zhihong Huang
  • Patent number: 11585928
    Abstract: A LIDAR measuring device and a method for determining the speed of particles in a measuring volume includes a narrowband continuous wave laser light source (1), which emits light which is coupled into a measuring branch (3) and a reference branch (4). The light coupled into the measuring branch (3) is at least partially emitted by a transmitting device in the direction of the measuring volume such that the emitted light is at least partially scattered and/or reflected by the particles in the measuring volume. A part of the scattered and/or reflected light is then received by a receiver device and is coherently superimposed with the light leaving the reference branch (4), and the resulting light beam is directed onto a detector (6) to generate a detector signal characteristic for the resulting light beam. Finally, the speed of the particles in the measuring volume is determined in an evaluation unit (11) by taking into account the detector signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: METEK Meteorologische Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Peters, Ernst Brinkmeyer, Christoph Bollig
  • Patent number: 11474311
    Abstract: A parabolic reflector device (also referred to herein as a parabolic lens device) is disclosed which includes a plurality of parabolic lens members and a mirror member which couple together and collectively provide a light-transmissive structure for multiplexing or demultiplexing of an optical signal. The parabolic reflector device can be implemented within optical subassembly modules to support operations of transmitter optical subassemblies (TOSAs) and/or receiver optical subassemblies (ROSAs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai-Sheng Lin, Hao-Chiang Cheng, Ziliang Cai
  • Patent number: 11307481
    Abstract: A silicon-based optical modulator. An optical modulator of a Mach-Zehnder type includes an optical coupler configured to separate a single optical signal into two optical signals having same output power, two phase shifters having a PN junction through which the two optical signals separated through the optical coupler pass respectively, a plurality of electrodes configured to apply an electrical signal to the two phase shifters, and two PN diodes disposed between the two phase shifters and configured to adjust an operating bandwidth of the optical modulator. The optical signals respectively passing through the two phase shifters have phases that change as a width of a depletion region changes based on a magnitude of a reverse voltage provided to the two phase shifters through the electrodes and a refractive index changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sanghwa Yoo, Joon Ki Lee
  • Patent number: 11300447
    Abstract: A system for determining a characteristic of a sample includes a light source for directing light into an input of a spectrometer. The spectrometer splits the received light into light outputs each having a different wavelength. An active wavelength selection module (AWSM) includes an optical receiving component (ORC). An actuator is coupled to the spectrometer and/or the ORC to adjust a relative position between the spectrometer and the AWSM so that light is receivable by the ORC from a selected one of the plurality of light outputs. The ORC is configured to direct the received light to a sample. A collector is positioned to collect a portion of light that passes through the sample, and to deliver the collected light to an analysis module. The analysis module is configured to determine a quantity of light transmitted through the sample and to correlate transmitted light with a characteristic of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: C Technologies Inc
    Inventors: I-Tsung Shih, Mark Salerno, Matthew Muller, Yusheng Zhang, Peter Halatin, Vladimir Gorbunov
  • Patent number: 11293865
    Abstract: A detection system for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light, the at least one fiber optic cable defining a node arranged to measure one or more conditions within the predetermined area. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber harness such that scattered light associated with the node is transmitted to the control system, wherein the control system analyzes the light transmitted from the node by comparing multiple wavelengths of scattered light to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions at the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, David L. Lincoln, Jennifer M. Alexander, Peter R. Harris
  • Patent number: 11248980
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing pressure of a first fluid (e.g. a liquid and/or gas) comprises an optical sensing fiber that is configured for sensing pressure, and at least one sensor housing embedding the optical sensing fiber. The sensor housing is filled with a second fluid. The sensor housing comprises a non-hermetic pressure transfer medium comprised in the sensor system and positioned in the sensor housing such that a pressure of the first fluid can be transferred via the pressure transfer medium onto the second fluid towards the optical sensing fiber for determining based thereon a pressure of the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: FBGS TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Jan Van Roosbroeck, Johan Vlekken, Bram Van Hoe, Eric Lindner
  • Patent number: 11183362
    Abstract: A charged particle beam apparatus includes: an electromagnetic wave generation source 16 that generates an electromagnetic wave with which a sample is irradiated; a charged particle optical system that includes a pulsing mechanism 3 and irradiates the sample with a focused charged particle beam; a detector 10 that detects an emitted electron emitted by an interaction between the charged particle beam and the sample; a first irradiation control unit 15 that controls the electromagnetic wave generation source and irradiates the sample with a pulsed electromagnetic wave to generate an excited carrier; a second irradiation control unit 14 that controls the pulsing mechanism and irradiates an electromagnetic wave irradiation region of the sample with a pulsed charged particle beam; and a timing control unit 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsura Takaguchi, Natsuki Tsuno, Masahiro Sasajima, Toshihide Agemura
  • Patent number: 11129679
    Abstract: A fiber optic tracking system includes a light source, a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, a sensing unit, and a controller operatively coupled to the sensing unit. Each optical fiber includes a plurality of sensing sections and has a fixed sensing point located along its respective length that is fixed relative to tissue. Each optical fiber is configured to receive an optical signal from the light source. The sensing sections are configured to modify the optical signals in response to a deformation of the respective optical fiber. The sensing unit is configured to receive modified optical signals from the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. The controller is configured to determine locations in a working coordinate system of the fixed sensing points using the modified optical signals and determine a pose of the tissue based on the locations of the fixed sensing points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventors: Ketan Jajal, Justin Gerges
  • Patent number: 11069212
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a housing for a fire alarm and/or extinguishing control station having a housing body (20), which comprises an opening (22) on a front side (24), a housing door (30) for closing the opening (22) and a hinge arrangement (40), which is configured to allow opening and closing of the housing door (30). The housing door (30) has an outer face (32), which faces an observer when the housing body (20) is closed and an inner face (34) which is opposite the outer face (32), wherein the housing door (30) has an indicator and/or operating component (36) on the outer face (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Minimax GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Hallwass-Fedder
  • Patent number: 10948652
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for improved optical waveguide transmission and alignment in an analytical system. Waveguides in optical analytical systems can exhibit variable and increasing back reflection of single-wavelength illumination over time, thus limiting their effectiveness and reliability. The systems are also subject to optical interference under conditions that have been used to overcome the back reflection. Novel systems and approaches using broadband illumination light with multiple longitudinal modes have been developed to improve optical transmission and analysis in these systems. Novel systems and approaches for the alignment of a target waveguide device and an optical source are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexey Kuritsyn, Mark McDonald, Aaron Rulison, Russell Berman
  • Patent number: 10852295
    Abstract: Analyte content in a cell free portion of a body fluid, such as blood, is optically determined without centrifugation or other preliminary steps for separating the cell free portion from the body fluid. A channel is configured for containing a flowing sample of the body fluid along an optical boundary. The channel is configured so that a cell free layer of the fluid naturally forms along the boundary of the channel which coincides with the optical boundary. A light source is directed onto the optical boundary at an angle selected to generate total reflection from the boundary and to generate an evanescent field across the boundary in the cell free layer of fluid. A light detector is configured to detect absorption of the light in the evanescent field. The light source and light detector are matched to the wavelength range of an absorption peak of the analyte being detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory Company
    Inventors: Ethan Schonbrun, Gert Blankenstein, Josef Kerimo, Hansong Zeng
  • Patent number: 10816729
    Abstract: A sequence of processing steps presented herein is used to embed an optical signal path within an array of nanowires, using only one lithography step. Using the techniques disclosed, it is not necessary to mask electrical features while forming optical features, and vice versa. Instead, optical and electrical signal paths can be created substantially simultaneously in the same masking cycle. This is made possible by a disparity in the widths of the respective features, the optical signal paths being significantly wider than the electrical ones. Using a damascene process, the structures of disparate widths are plated with metal that over-fills narrow trenches and under-fills a wide trench. An optical cladding material can then be deposited into the trench so as to surround an optical core for light transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John H. Zhang
  • Patent number: 10690552
    Abstract: A system and method to determine temperature include an optical fiber and at least two pulse laser sources to transmit light pulses with at least two wavelengths into the optical fiber. The system also includes an optical path length modulator to modulate the optical path length of the optical fiber as the light pulses are transmitted into the optical fiber. At least two photodetectors detect backscatter reflected in the optical fiber, and a processor determines the temperature based on the backscatter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Mitchell, Alexander Michael Barry, William Albert Johnston
  • Patent number: 10620322
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a dose of ionizing radiation received by a pre-determined part of the body during radiotherapy or interventional procedures. The system comprises: a) a light guide, which under the influence of ionizing radiation undergoes measurable and quantifiable physical changes; b) a detector system which allows the recording and quantification of the signal emitted by the light guide; and c) a control unit which is adapted for calculating a dose of ionizing radiation previously or simultaneously received by the light guide on basis of said response signal. The light guide is coated over at least part of its length with a coating comprising a first component acting as a place dependent spectral filter and a second component including at least one luminescent material, dispersed in a transparent matrix. When exposed to radiation, the luminescent component will emit light with a spectrum depending on the chosen material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: DOSEVUE NV
    Inventors: Emiliano D'Agostino, Jeroen Hermans
  • Patent number: 10444436
    Abstract: An exemplary gas cell is adapted to provide wavelength stability to a coherent beam of light. An optic fiber is wound in a plurality winding turns where the optic fiber transports the coherent beam of light from an input fiber end to an output fiber end. An encapsulating material engages and holds the windings in a fixed structure. A plurality of slots define severed portions of the optic fiber windings generally transverse to the windings and portions of the encapsulating material so that the optic fiber is divided into a plurality of end to end segments with open space filling the slots between respective facing ends of the severed optic fibers. A wavelength reference gas is disposed within the open space of the slots so that the beam of light passes from the input fiber end through respective facing ends of the optic fiber segments and wavelength reference gas in the corresponding slots to traverse a path through the plurality of winding turns to the output fiber end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ge Wang
  • Patent number: 10403666
    Abstract: Image sensor device includes color pixel array without color filter array. Method of color separation is based on tapering of light selectively depending on wavelength into photodetectors inside pixel. Light is directed into light guide along semiconductor surface with color selective structures and photodetectors in each pixel used to collect each light color component separately. This approach and horizontal geometry of light guide have numerous advantages, for example for the CMOS fabrication process, and allow multiple ways for detail engineering of light color components separation and detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Alexander Mokhnatyuk
  • Patent number: 10345239
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems for fluorescence-based imaging. An example optical system includes an image sensor. The image sensor is sensitive to at least a first wavelength of light and a second wavelength of light. The optical system also includes a light guiding layer optically coupled to the image sensor and a light source positioned to emit light into a side surface of the light guiding layer. The emitted light includes light at the first wavelength and the emitted light is transmitted in an in-plane direction in the light guiding layer. The optical system further includes a thin film filter and an output coupler optically coupled to the light guiding layer. At least a portion of the emitted light transmitted in an in-plane direction in the light guiding layer is coupled out of the light guiding layer in an out-of-plane direction via the output coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Supriyo Sinha, Seung Ah Lee
  • Patent number: 10338000
    Abstract: There is provided a sensor fiber including an electrically insulating material having a fiber length. At least one transduction element is disposed along at least a portion of the fiber length and is arranged for exposure to an intake species. A photoconducting element is in optical communication with the transduction element. At least one pair of electrically conducting electrodes are in electrical connection with the photoconducting element. The pair of electrodes extend the fiber length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, FLIR Systems, Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexander Gumennik, Alexander Mark Stolyarov, Brent Richard Schell, Chong Hou, Guillaume Romain Lestoquoy, Fabien Sorin, William Richard McDaniel, II, Yoel Fink, Aimee Rose, John Dimitris Joannopoulos
  • Patent number: 10288600
    Abstract: Analyte content in a cell free portion of a body fluid, such as blood, is optically determined without centrifugation or other preliminary steps for separating the cell free portion from the body fluid. A channel is configured for containing a flowing sample of the body fluid along an optical boundary. The channel is configured so that a cell free layer of the fluid naturally forms along the boundary of the channel which coincides with the optical boundary. A light source is directed onto the optical boundary at an angle selected to generate total reflection from the boundary and to generate an evanescent field across the boundary in the cell free layer of fluid. A light detector is configured to detect absorption of the light in the evanescent field. The light source and light detector are matched to the wavelength range of an absorption peak of the analyte being detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory Company
    Inventors: Ethan Schonbrun, Gert Blankenstein, Josef Kerimo, Hansong Zeng
  • Patent number: 10243323
    Abstract: Embodiments include a silicon photonic chip having a substrate, an optical waveguide on a surface of the substrate and a cavity. The cavity includes an electro-optical component, configured for emitting light perpendicular to said surface and a lens element arranged on top of the electro-optical component. The lens is configured for collimating light emitted by the electro-optical component. The chip also includes a deflector arranged on top of the lens element and configured for deflecting light collimated through the latter toward the optical waveguide. The lens element includes electrical conductors connected to the electro-optical component. The electrical conductors of the lens element may for instance include one or more through vias, one or more bottom electrical lines on a bottom side of the lens element (facing the electro-optical component), and at least one top electrical line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Jean Ghislain Caer, Antonio La Porta, Bert J. Offrein
  • Patent number: 10174363
    Abstract: Methods of sequencing molecules based on luminescence lifetimes and/or intensities are provided. In some aspects, methods of sequencing nucleic acids involve determining the luminescence lifetimes, and optionally luminescence intensities, of a series of luminescently labeled nucleotides incorporated during a nucleic acid sequencing reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Quantum-Si Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Rothberg, Jeremy Lackey, Brian Reed, Xinghua Shi, Haidong Huang
  • Patent number: 10139289
    Abstract: A temperature measurement device includes a light emitting part including a first light source configured to output measurement light with a first wavelength and a second light source configured to output reference light with a second wavelength, a light receiving part configured to receive reflected light of the measurement light and reflected light of the reference light that have passed through a temperature sensing device that changes light transmission characteristics with changes in temperature, a control part configured to measure a temperature detected by the temperature sensing device based on an amount of light of the received reflected light of the measurement light and an amount of light of the received reflected light of the reference light, and a temperature adjustment part configured to separately adjust the temperature of the first light source and the temperature of the second light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takari Yamamoto, Kenichiro Yamada, Shinya Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 10101225
    Abstract: Provided is a pressure sensor that includes a detection film that is arranged on a silicon substrate, detects a pressure applied to a surface thereof, and generates a protrusion deformation in response to the pressure. The pressure sensor also includes an optical transmitter and an optical detector that are arranged on the silicon substrate on opposite sides of the detection film and are located at a plane parallel to a plane comprising the detection film. The pressure sensor also includes a pressure calculation module that is connected to the optical detector and is used for acquiring light intensity data and calculating a pressure value according to the light intensity data. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: CSMC TECHNOLOGIES FAB1 CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dongbiao Qian
  • Patent number: 10067261
    Abstract: A photon radiation detection systems utilizes scintillating fibers to detect downhole radioactivity along a wellbore. The system includes a light detection unit, extended light guide, and a scintillating fiber radiation detector extending along a wellbore. The scintillating fiber radiation detector may be a permanent part of the wellbore completion, or may be deployed via a downhole conveyance. The detected light photons may be utilized to evaluate the formation, cement layer or tubular string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Yike Hu, Weijun Guo
  • Patent number: 10067292
    Abstract: A flame scanner includes a lens barrel assembly defining a generally hollow body having a first end and a second end, and an opening formed in the first end, a lens positioned adjacent to the second end, and a fiber optic cable receivable through the opening in the first end, the fiber optic cable having a distal end. A field of view of the flame scanner is selectively adjustable by varying a position of the distal end of the fiber optic cable with respect to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Stanley Joseph Boguszewski, Paul Chase, Robert Murphy
  • Patent number: 10050713
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an uncooled laser; a splitter coupled to the laser; a first wavelength component coupled to the splitter; a local oscillator (LO) port coupled to the first wavelength component; a modulator coupled to the splitter; a second wavelength component coupled to the modulator; and a signal port coupled to the second wavelength component. A method comprises emitting an input light; splitting the input light into a first local oscillator (LO) optical signal and a first unmodulated optical signal; modulating the first unmodulated optical signal using polarization-multiplexed, high-order modulation to produce a first modulated optical signal; transmitting the first LO optical signal to a first duplex fiber; and transmitting the first modulated optical signal to a second duplex fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhihong Li, Yan Cui, Fei Zhu, Yu Sheng Bai
  • Patent number: 10018579
    Abstract: A system for measuring cathodoluminescence from a substrate includes an electron beam source configured to generate an electron beam, a sample stage configured to secure a sample and an electron-optical column including a set of electron-optical elements to direct at least a portion of the electron beam through onto a portion of the sample. The system also includes a set of guide optics located at a position within or below the electron-optical column and a set of collection optics, wherein the set of guide optics captures cathodoluminescent light emitted from the sample in response to the electron beam and directs the cathodoluminescent light to the set of collection optics. In addition, the system includes a detector. The set of collection optics is configured to image the cathodoluminescent light onto the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Sameet K. Shriyan, Hong Xiao, David Kaz
  • Patent number: 9921053
    Abstract: Sensor for enabling positioning of a flexible element subject to applied forces, the sensor includes at least two spatially separated light permeable tubes, 10 each having a first end 1a, 10a arranged on a first frame portion 11a and a second end 1b, 10b arranged on a second frame portion 11b of the flexible element. Each of the light permeable tubes in the sensor includes a light detecting device 3, that is connectable to a processing unit 4, and arranged at a light detecting position of each of the light permeable tubes and configured to detect light emitted from a light emitting source 2 through each 10 of the at least two light permeable tubes 1, 10 and configured to transfer information including information relating to the detected light to the processing unit 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: FEATHERWAY ROBOTICS AB
    Inventor: Niklas Salomonsson
  • Patent number: 9910025
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel system comprises an integrated sensor assembly incorporating a housing. The housing receives a circuit board, a temperature sensor, a point level sensor and a fuel density sensor. A first fuel height sensor is positioned outwardly of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lalit Al Kumar, Rollin W. Brown, Richard T. Williams, Peter Simonds Gras, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9885612
    Abstract: An optical temperature sensor includes an light-emitting-side measurement unit to measure a first light intensity of a measuring beam and a second light intensity of a reference beam, and a light-receiving-side measurement unit to measure a third light intensity of a first reflected beam of the measuring beam and a fourth light intensity of a second reflected beam of the reference beam. The optical temperature sensor further includes a control unit to adjust at least one of a first control target value of the first light intensity and a second control target value of the second light intensity based on at least one of the third light intensity and the fourth light intensity. The control unit controls at least one of the first light intensity and the second light intensity based on the adjusted at least one of the first and second control target values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kenichiro Yamada, Takari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9863813
    Abstract: A flame sensor apparatus is provided including a sensor for sensing specific characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber. The sensor includes a silicon carbide photodiode, and the sensor is spaced a distance from the combustion chamber. In addition, a fiber optic cable assembly extends between the sensor and the combustion chamber. The fiber optic cable can convey the specific characteristics of the flame from the combustion chamber to the sensor. The fiber optic cable assembly is included as part of a sealed array filled with an inert gas. In addition, a method of sensing specific characteristics of a flame is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Charles Spalding, Donald Albert Schneider, Jiyuan Liu, Frederick Louis Glesius, Jeffrey Louis Johanning, Leo Raymond Lombardo, Fred Yu-Feng Chou
  • Patent number: 9834732
    Abstract: A method of correcting measurements of a chemical sensor used in an industrial facility. The method involves correcting for errors known to occur in the steady state and the dynamic state for specifically recognized situations. This method allows for correcting errors that occur due to deadtime, false zero measurements, and non-linear disturbances. The method combines automated measurement techniques and human know how to progressively learn and refine the accuracy of the corrections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Nalco Company LLC
    Inventors: Jin Wang, Nigel P. Hilton, Glenn L. Scattergood, Sam Ferguson
  • Patent number: 9696210
    Abstract: A process is provided for mapping temperatures in an enclosure during a combustion process. A device setting of an image-capturing device is provided. An intensity-temperature mapping is generated by performing an intensity-temperature calibration based on an intensity of an image pixel in a field of view (FOV) generated by the image-capturing device, a corresponding temperature measurement, and a selected device setting. Each emitted radiation of selected regions is detected based on a first image in the FOV. At least one region is determined whether the region is poor responsive, based on the intensity-temperature mapping associated with the device setting. The at least one poor responsive region is replaced with acceptable regions unaffected by the saturation from at least one other image captured at a different device setting for higher temperature resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Sharath Venkatesha, Kwong W. Au, Stefano Bietto
  • Patent number: 9689714
    Abstract: A sensor network having a series arrangement of fiber-coupled, reflective sensors is disclosed. In operation, a first light signal having multiple wavelength bands is launched in an upstream direction on a fiber bus. Each sensor includes a wavelength filter and an FP sensor that is sensitive to a parameter. Each wavelength filter (1) selectively passes a different one of the wavelength bands to its FP sensor and (2) reflects the remaining wavelength bands back into the fiber bus to continue upstream. The FP sensor imprints a signal based on the parameter onto its received light and reflects it as a second light signal. The collimator, wavelength filter, and FP sensor of each sensor are arranged such that each second light signal is returned to the fiber bus, which conveys them in a downstream direction to a processor that measures them and estimates the parameter at each sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Dustin Wade Carr
  • Patent number: 9664568
    Abstract: A process is provided for mapping temperatures in an enclosure. A spectral band for a multi-spectral image-capturing device is selected. An intensity-temperature mapping is generated by performing an intensity-temperature calibration based on an intensity of an image pixel in a field of view (FOV) generated by the multi-spectral image-capturing device, a corresponding temperature measurement, and a selected device setting of the image-capturing device. An emitted radiation is detected based on a first spectral image in the FOV. At least one region is determined whether it is poor responsive, which is underexposed or overexposed, such that an accurate temperature is unable to be estimated based on a temperature value associated with the spectral band. Temperatures of the at least one poor responsive regions are replaced with temperatures from corresponding acceptable regions from at least one other spectral image to provide an extended temperature mapping of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kwong W. Au, Sharath Venkatesha, Stefano Bietto
  • Patent number: 9389174
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interrogating sets of optical elements having characteristic wavelengths spanning a sweep range while avoiding overlapping reflections from the different sets when performing a wavelength sweep are provided. One example method generally includes introducing a pulse of light, by an optical source, into an optical waveguide to interrogate at least first and second sets of optical elements, wherein the optical elements within each set have different characteristic wavelengths and wherein the first and second sets are separated in time such that a first time window over which light is reflected from the optical elements in the first set and reaches a receiver does not overlap with a second time window over which light is reflected from the optical elements in the second set and reaches the receiver; and processing the reflected light to determine one or more parameters corresponding to the optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Domino Taverner, John J. Grunbeck, Jason Scott Kiddy
  • Patent number: 9316473
    Abstract: A surface sensing device comprising an optical monitoring system for measuring a displacement of the tip a hollow stylus with respect to a stylus carrier. According to the invention, the light emitting means of the optical monitoring system are built in such a way that the beam has at least two distinguishable light characteristics with a given characteristics distribution. The optical monitoring system further comprises an optically encoding component positioned in the stylus carrier in the optical return path and designed to transform the information of an impinging position of the returned beam upon the optical encoding component into a change of the characteristics distribution of the returned beam, and the detector means is sensitive for the at least two distinguishable light characteristics and built for generating the electrical output signal dependent on the changed characteristics distribution of the returned beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Jensen, Knut Siercks
  • Patent number: 9307616
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for dynamically monitoring and calibrating display tiles are provided. The apparatus comprises: an array of light emitting devices; one or more light emitting devices paired with light emitting devices of the array; one or more sensors configured to detect an optical characteristic and/or an electrical characteristic of the one or more paired light emitting devices; and, circuitry configured to: drive the array; drive each of the one or more further light emitting devices under same conditions as light emitting devices of the array; temporarily drive each of the one or more paired light emitting devices under different conditions from the array; and, adjust driving of the array based on the optical characteristic and/or electrical characteristic of the one or more paired light emitting devices detected at sensor(s) when the one or more paired light emitting devices are driven under the different conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: CHRISTIE DIGITAL SYSTEMS USA, INC.
    Inventors: James Robinson, Marc Lemieux
  • Patent number: 9285435
    Abstract: A two-core optical fiber magnetic field sensor is configured from at least a light incidence/emission unit; a lens; a magnetic garnet; and a reflector, wherein the lens and the magnetic garnet are disposed between the light incidence/emission end of the light incidence/emission unit and the reflector; a light beam is emitted from one optical fiber; the light beam is reflected by the reflector after being transmitted through the lens and the magnetic garnet; the light beam is transmitted again through the magnetic garnet and the lens after the reflection; and incident on the other optical fiber, the light beam is emitted again from the other optical fiber, and reflected by the reflector after being transmitted through the lens and the magnetic garnet; and the light beam is transmitted again through the magnetic garnet and the lens after the reflection and incident again on the one optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ADAMANT KOGYO, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Konno, Masaru Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9277608
    Abstract: A circuit for operating a light-emitting diode assembly, wherein the light-emitting diode assembly comprises a plurality of strands connected in parallel of one or more light-emitting diodes which are arranged in series and through which in the operational state a particular partial current of an operating current flowing through the light-emitting diode assembly flows, comprises a current source for providing the operating current. The circuit is designed to detect the greatest partial current and to control an operational value provided by the partial current source on the basis of said greatest partial current such that none of the partial currents exceeds a predetermined maximum current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Vishay Electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Mustafa Dinc
  • Patent number: 9267788
    Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light source, a light supply light guide member optically coupled to the light source, detection light guide members, a light distribution unit to distribute light from the light supply light guide member to the detection light guide members, and a light separating detector to separate and detect the light guided by the detection light guide members. Each of the detection light guide members includes a characteristic detection portion whose optical characteristics vary in accordance with a physicochemical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Yamamoto, Hiromasa Fujita
  • Patent number: 9244208
    Abstract: An optical filter array includes a substrate permeable to an electromagnetic radiation to be detected, a first DBR mirror arranged on the substrate, a second DBR minor arranged above the first DBR mirror, and a plurality of cavity sections. The cavity sections have different respective optical lengths, and are arranged so as to be spatially separated from each other between the first DBR mirror and the second DBR mirror. Each of the first DBR mirror, the second DBR mirror, and the plurality of cavity sections with different optical lengths form filter elements of a filter. The filter reflects in a stopband determined by the first DBR mirror and the second DBR mirror. Each filter element has at least one narrow transmission band determined by the optical length of its respective cavity section located inside the stopband. A different thicknesses of the cavity sections is provided via a nanoimprint process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: BIOZOOM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hartmut Hillmer, Wolfgang Koecher, Juergen Krieg, Carl Sandhagen, Hardy Hoheisel, Winfried Willemer
  • Patent number: 9239249
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber for a fiber optic sensor, comprising a first optical grating adapted to operate over a first range of wavelengths; and at least one set of further gratings adapted to operate over a second range of wavelengths, each grating being adapted to operate over a portion of the second range; wherein, each grating within said set has an operating range that partially overlaps with at least one other such grating operating range. The invention also extends to a sensor system, and method, using such an optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Hjort, Lars Glavind
  • Patent number: 9234999
    Abstract: A method for determining the physical location of a fiber optic channel in a fiber optic cable comprises the steps of a) providing at least one location key having a known physical location, b) establishing the location of the location key with respect to the fiber optic channel, and c) using the location information established in step b) to determine the physical location of the channel. The location key may comprises an acoustic source, a section of fiber optic cable that is acoustically masked, or at least one magnetic field source and step b) comprises using a Lorentz force to establish the location of the magnetic field source with respect to the fiber optic channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Johannes Maria Vianney Antonius Koelman, Peter Berkeley Wills, Menno Mathieu Molenaar, Barbara Ellen Cox, Daniel Joinson
  • Patent number: 9086430
    Abstract: A smart sensor circuit board comprises an interface to a wireless smart sensor board platform, a multi-axis accelerometer having a measurement range and resolution set to provide sensitivity to measure ambient structural vibrations resulting from non-catastrophic routine environmental factors, an analog to digital converter (ADC) for converting signals from the multi-axis accelerometer having a plurality of individual channels including oversampling, filtering, and decimation, and each channel being individually programmable for gain, anti-aliasing, cut-off frequency, sampling, and frequency providing data to the interface, and a low noise and high sensitivity amplifier having the plurality of individual channels to receive signals from the multi-axis accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Jennifer Rice, Gul Agha, Billie F. Spencer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9008407
    Abstract: Noise reduction processing for measured spectrum data is performed without any information loss due to discrete data characteristics of the measured spectrum data. Optical spectra in one or more cross-sections are measured through use of a signal correlated with a substance distributed in a biological tissue, and a biological tissue image having reduced noise is reconstructed from the spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Tanji
  • Patent number: 8969788
    Abstract: An integrated optical source is described. This optical source outputs one or more optical signals that provide a comb of wavelengths for use in wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) optical interconnects or links. In particular, a shared echelle grating is used as a wavelength-selective filter or control device for multiple lasing cavities to achieve self-registered and accurate lasing-channel spacing without inter-channel gain competition. Furthermore, the optical source can be used to provide all the wavelength channels in one optical waveguide or in separate optical waveguides. Therefore, the optical source may be used with cascaded ring-resonator modulators and/or electro-absorption-based broadband modulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Xuezhe Zheng, Ying L. Luo, Ashok V. Krishnamoorthy
  • Patent number: 8947232
    Abstract: An intrusion detection system for monitoring a premises includes at least one optical cable that houses at least one optical fiber and extends about the premises. Optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) means is operably coupled to opposite first and second ends of the at least one optical fiber. The OTDR means includes first signal processing circuitry that analyzes the backscatter signal received via the first end of the at least one optical fiber in order to detect an intrusion of the premises, and second signal processing circuitry that analyzes the backscatter signal received via the second end of the at least one optical fiber in order to detect an intrusion of the premises. The redundancy of intrusions decisions made by the first and second signal processing circuitry can be verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Strong, Arthur H. Hartog