The Boeing Company

Other

James Kevan Guy

Donald J Berg

Scott T Yee

Brian B Scanlan

A sewage pipe alarm system includes a portable case seated exterior of the existing pipe. The system further includes a mechanism for detecting a blockage of fluid flow within the existing pipe by determining whether an internal water level within the existing pipe exceeds a threshold water level within the existing pipe. The system further includes a mechanism for notifying a user about the blockage of the existing pipe and a power supply source housed within the case. Such a power supply source is electrically coupled to the detecting mechanism and the notifying mechanism respectively.

Sewage pipe alarm system and associated method

A reflector assembly includes at least one reflector body having an inner cavity including a first inner surface conformable along a first geometric curve, and a second inner surface conformable along a second geometric curve. An outer surface is conformable about the first geometric curve. A plurality of through apertures are spaced about the reflector body, each formed between the outer surface and a transition region between the first inner surface and the second inner surface. A coolant flow source directs a coolant toward the reflector body. A first portion of the coolant contacts the outer surface, and a second portion of the coolant enters the inner cavity through the apertures. Providing apertures at or adjacent to the change in reflector body wall thickness allows a positive flow of cooling medium around and into the reflector body, while positioning an arc lamp outside of a cooling medium direct impingement path.

Ventilated reflector

A light engine includes a light source disposed at a focus of four ellipsoidal reflectors, where the reflectors are arranged at 90 degrees relative to one another. A condensing lens is used with each reflector to focus forwardly directed, low angle light rays onto a target plane. Each reflector serves to reflect only the accurate, nigh angle light rays towards the target plane. Each reflector and its associated condenser produce a light beam having a reduced diameter (i.e., spot size) while also increasing the amount of optical energy directed at its respective target plane.

Light engine apparatus and method

An optical coupling assembly for coupling an output from a first optical fiber bundle to a second optical fiber bundle, where the two optical fiber bundles are moving relative to one another, and without any physical contact or electronic components being required to effect the optical coupling therebetween. A first annular member receives an input optical fiber bundle and presents outermost ends of the individual optical fibers of the first bundle in a circular arrangement that forms a first face portion. A second annular coupling member receives the outermost ends of a second optical fiber bundle that presents the outermost ends in a circular arrangement to form a second face portion. The coupling members are supported in longitudinal alignment with one another such that the two face portions are in facing relationship. Optical signals are coupled from the first coupling member to the second coupling member without any external electronics or associated circuitry being required to affect the optical coupling. This enables an optical coupling to be effected between a stationary optical fiber bundle and a moving optical fiber bundle when the two optical fiber bundles are arranged around one or more shaft portions that prevent the area occupied by the shaft portion(s) to be used to effect an optical coupling.

Fiber optic rotary joint and method therefor

A system and method for providing light generated at a location that is easily accessible by a person on the ground and channeling the light to a remote, difficult to access location where the light is directed toward an area desired to be illuminated. The lighting system includes an illumination device adapted to direct light toward the area to be illuminated and a light source located remotely from the illumination device. The light source is located such that it is easily accessible by a person standing on the ground. A light guide channels the light generated by the light source to the illumination device. Additionally, the light guide is adapted to be a structural component of the system for supporting the illumination device.

Remote source lighting

Apparatus and method for focusing light from an extended light source onto a secondary focal point (such as an input end of a light guide element). The apparatus includes a solid conic body formed in accordance with an ellipse, off axis paraboloid, or other conic shape, within which is disposed a refractive focusing lens. A first portion of the light rays (i.e. high angle light rays) generated by the extended light source are reflected through total internal reflection (TIR) by a first portion of the solid conic body onto the secondary focal point. A second portion of the light rays (i.e., low angle light rays), which would otherwise not be reflected by the solid conic body, are refracted by the focusing lens onto the same secondary focal point. Thus, by superposition, substantially all of the optical energy from the extended light source is coupled onto the secondary focal point.

Optical coupling apparatus and method

An optical coupling system and method for transmitting optical signals around sharp bends or curves without the use of prisms, mirrors or other conventional reflecting elements. The coupling system includes a reflecting element having a curved outer reflecting surface shaped in accordance with an ellipsoid. First and second optical elements are arranged along the two focal planes of the ellipsoid in a manner to achieve Total Internal Reflection (TIR) of the optical signal transmitted from the first optical element to the second optical element. An alternative embodiment discloses a coupling system for coupling a signal from a single input optical element into a pair of output optical elements. The use of TIR achieves extremely high efficiency in the transmission of an optical signal around a curve or bend between two optical elements.

Optical corner coupler system and method

An iris includes a stator assembly having a frame coupled to an electrically wound, substantially annular magnetic core. The iris further includes a rotor, which is rotatably coupled to the magnetic core such that a channel is defined. A diaphragm, having a plurality of diaphragm leaves, is coupled to the stator assembly. The diaphragm leaves are pivotally arranged to form an adjustable aperture, which is substantially concentric with the channel. A portion of at least one of the diaphragm leaves is coupled to the stator assembly, and another portion of at least one of the plurality of diaphragm leaves is coupled to the rotor.

Iris with integrated drive motor

A fiber optic fabric includes woven optical fibers, an opaque coating on the fibers and openings on the high points of the weave. The opaque coating prevents light leakage from the fibers and the openings allow light to be emitted from the fabric in a directed manner. The fabric is capable of emitting light at an angle relative to the surface of the fabric such that the light is not visible from every viewpoint.

Fiber optic fabric with opaque coating for directional light emission

A beam splitter wave guide apparatus and method for enabling the selection of one of a plurality of distinct spectra of an optical input signal and for enabling an intensity of a resulting output signal to be adjusted. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical optical element having an input end and an output end. The input end includes a pair of spaced apart surfaces that each include a suitable filter formed thereon. A first one of the filters passes a first spectrum of light and reflects all other light outside the first spectrum. The second filter passes a second spectrum of light but reflects all other light outside of the second spectrum. Rotating the cylindrical optical element allows either the first or second spectrum to be selected such that an optical output signal is generated having the desired spectrum. Controlled rotational movement of the cylindrical optical element further allows the intensity of the resulting optical output signal to be varied as needed.

Beam splitter wave guide apparatus and method

A fiber fed illumination system includes a solid-state light source, such as an LED; a light guide, such as a fiber optic; and a coupling assembly. The light emitting surface of the light source may be flat or concave. In the coupling assembly the light guide is placed either next to the flat surface or at the aperture of the concave surface. The light guide may be bonded directly to the light source or bonded so that index matching optical gel resides between the light emitting surface and the light guide. The coupling assembly includes a cavity surrounding the light emitting surface with a feature for retaining the light guide in proximity to the light source. The cavity is filled with index matching optical gel. The size of the light guide matches the size of the solid-state light source in order to provide the smallest feasible light guide.

Fiber optic LED illuminator

An opto-mechanical switching device for selectively switching an optical input between a plurality of output fibers. The opto-mechanical switching device includes a re-directing fiber adapted to receive the optical input. The re-directing fiber is disposed within a re-directing fiber housing. The re-directing fiber housing is selectively positionable via a stepper motor to transmit the optical input to a predetermined one of the plurality of output fibers. A method for switching an optical input between a plurality of output fibers is also provided.

Device and method for optical signal switching

A fiber optic terminator apparatus for terminating unused optical fibers or optical fiber bundles. The apparatus forms a heat sink having two half portions, with each half portion including an involute-shaped cavity. The involute-shaped cavities are further formed as a mirror image pair. The heat sink also includes a bore for receiving an output end of an optical fiber or optical fiber bundle. Optical energy transmitted from the output end is reflected repeatedly between the two mirror image involute-shaped cavities to thus prevent the optical energy from being reflected back into the output end of the optical fiber or optical fiber bundle.

Fiber optic terminator apparatus and method

A rotating fiber flasher system is provided that supports a light guide or plurality of light guides capable of accepting energy from a light source and transmitting that energy to a plurality of optical fibers supported by a manifold. The system produces a light flash by illuminating the optical fibers successively as the light guide rotates. The optical fibers transmit the optical flashes to a luminaire which refracts or reflects the optical flashes about a desired arc. The fiber flasher system allows an optical signal to be periodically generated in a plurality of directions around a 360&deg; path, and requires less power to operate than systems which attempt to provide optical illumination about an entire 360&deg; arc continuously, 2&pgr; steradian hemisphere or 4&pgr; sphere.

Rotating fiber flasher system

A thermoelectric device adaptable for heating and for cooling a fluid such as air. The device includes at least one thermoelectric module and at least one rotating heat sink that transfer heat between the thermoelectric module(s) and the fluid. The heat sink(s) are mounted on a shaft and include a plurality of thermally conductive impeller blades. The thermoelectric module(s) rotate with the heat sink(s) about the shaft. Because the thermoelectric module(s) are in direct contact with the thermally conductive impeller, heat is transferred more efficiently into and out of the thermoelectric device. Because the impeller blades also act as heat sinks, fewer components are needed than with conventional devices.

Growing community of inventors

Mesa, AZ, United States of America

James Kevan Guy