The Boeing Company

Rockwell Science Center, Inc.

Allen J Twarowski

William J Kaiser

Jonathan R Engdahl

Henry O Marcy, 5th

Wilmer A Mickelson

Michael D Yakos

Jonathan R Agre

Loren P Clare

Christian J Loeffelholz

A reversible thermochromic optical limiter incorporates a thermochromic material, such as a spiropyran, that has molecules present in one of two states. At ambient temperatures the material is transparent to light. Incident laser radiation causes localized heating that turns the material to a colored state, effectively limiting transmission of the laser radiation. A laser protection device may comprise an optical focusing assembly, a nonlinear thermochromic medium, and a collimating assembly. A far field image having an intrusive laser beam, is focused through the thermochromic medium. The laser beam is focused to a small volume, causing localized heating, a large increase in optical density, and absorption of the laser light. The thermochromic medium has a fast response time over a broad wavelength band and returns to its transparent state when the laser beam subsides. The far field image is focused to a much larger volume so that it does not cause significant heating or change in optical density. The image passes through the device with a dark spot in the far field where the laser originated.

Reversible thermochromic optical limiter

Wireless integrated miniature sensing stations which can be organized into a communicating network allow sensitive detection and analysis of vibration, infrared radiation, sound, or other physical signals indicative of an intruder or condition to be monitored over a wide area. The sensing stations operate on low power and include a sensor or sensors, a digital signal processor, a microprocessor, and a wireless transceiver for communication. Network communication is facilitated by multiple relayed transmissions from station to station.

Wireless integrated sensor network using multiple relayed communications

Growing community of inventors

Westlake Village, CA, United States of America

Allen J Twarowski