Southwest Research Institute

Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Prescient Medical, Inc.

Joseph N Mitchell

Ralph Henry Hill, Jr

Mary C Marshall

Ernest August Franke

Michael J Magee

Michael Patrick Rigney

Andrew J Philips

Andrew R Moore

Robert J Beeson

Mark E Van Dyke

James Francis Brennan, Iii

Jian Ling

Heather Shannon Hanson

Michael Sullivan

William Thomas Gressick

Michael J McFadden

Stephen J Hudak, Jr

Omar D Medjaouri

Martin Peter W&uuml;est

William F Fraker

Dennis S Rushforth

Mark R Heistand

Jason O Burkholder

Dorel Marius Necsoiu

Martin Peter Wuest

Spring M Haby

Trent Marshall Hejazi

Jon Nazemi

Henry W Oviatt, Jr

A dazzling system has at least one strobe illuminator and multiple imaging optics, which may be of various types. All strobe illuminators are synchronized to each other and the imaging optics are synchronized to all strobe illuminators. The imaging optics may be in-phase or out-of-phase. Various embodiments are possible depending on the application, but in all applications the strobe illuminator(s) disrupt the vision of unauthorized persons while allowing users of the system to view a scenario.

Strobed illuminators (dazzler) with synchronized imaging optics

A robot vision system provides images to a remote robot viewing station, using a single long wave infrared camera on-board the robot. An optical system, also on-board the robot, has mirrors that divide the camera's field of view so that the camera receives a stereoscopic image pair. An image processing unit at the viewing station receives image data from the camera and processes the image data to provide a stereoscopic image.

Robot vision with three dimensional thermal imaging

A white light optical profilometer having a measurement head that is separated from the base unit by means of a fiber optic bundle. The measurement head contains a Michelson objective, whose reference path is folded so that the measurement head may be compact. The measurement head also contains a tilting mirror, which directs light from the surface of interest to the objective, and may be adjusted to allow the measurement head to scan complex surfaces. The base unit contains the other elements of the profilometer, such as an image detector and illuminator.

White light optical profilometer for measuring complex surfaces

A fingerprint reader for acquiring a fingerprint image has a platen with a micro prism sheet on its underside. An arrangement of fold mirrors is used to receive light from the platen and fold the optical path twice before reaching the imagers. The reader has multiple imagers, each imager having at least an imaging lens and an image sensor. Each imager is configured so that the image plane of the image sensor is tilted relative to the optical axis of the imaging lens, such that keystone distortion in the fingerprint image is corrected.

Scaleable, compact, high resolution optical fingerprint reader

Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include an unstablized laser and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of gas that absorbs at least some of the wavelength of operation of the unstablized laser. The devices can be operated at a low-power density for safety and/or may be configured to mitigate wavelength hopping associated with unstablized laser light sources.

Compact handheld detector for greenhouse gasses

The invention provides unitary optics modules that integrate several light management functions for performing optical spectroscopy, such as Raman spectroscopy, and optical spectroscopy systems that include one or more of the unitary optics modules. Methods of using the modules and systems are also provided.

Multi-channel fiber optic spectroscopy systems employing integrated optics modules

Embodiments of the invention provide a non-contact method for measuring the surface profile of an object that can include generating a point-type optical signal and projecting it on a rotatable precision optical grating, generating a rotating pattern of light and dark lines onto the object, recording a series of images of the rotating pattern moving across the object with an image receiving device and calculating the surface profile of the object. Other embodiments can include a method to calibrate the system and a non-contact apparatus that generally includes a point-type light source, a rotatably mounted optical grating being configured to project a moving grating image on the object, a processor in communication with the image capturing device and configured to receive image input from the image capturing device and generate a surface profile representation of the object therefrom.

Non-contact apparatus and method for measuring surface profile

A thermally actuated spectroscopic optical switch including reflective surfaces which are selectively moved into a position intersecting a beam of light by applying electrical or heat energy to a selected composite cantilever beam on which the reflective surface is mounted.

Thermally actuated spectroscopic optical switch

A composite insulator containing means for providing early warning of impending failure due to stress corrosion cracking, flashunder, or destruction of the rod by discharge activity conditions is described. A composite insulator comprising a fiberglass rod surrounded by a polymer housing and connected with metal end fittings on either end of the rod is doped with a dye-based chemical dopant. The dopant is located around the vicinity of the outer surface of the fiberglass rod. The dopant is formulated to possess migration and diffusion characteristics, and to be inert in dry conditions and compatible with the insulator components. The dopant is positioned within the insulator such that upon the penetration of moisture through the housing to the rod through a permeation pathway in the outer surface of the insulator, the dopant will become activated and will leach out of the same permeation pathway or diffuse through the housing. The activated dopant then creates a deposit or stain on the outer surface of the insulator housing. The dopant comprises an oil-soluble dye, an indicator, or a stain compound that can either be visually identified, or is sensitive to radiation at one or more specific wavelengths. The dopant could also be formulated by a nanoparticle enabled material. Deposits of activated dopant on the outer surface of the insulator can be detected upon imaging of the outer surface of the insulator by appropriate imaging instruments or the naked eye.

Indicators for early detection of potential failures due to water exposure of polymer-clad fiberglass

A composite insulator containing means for providing early warning of impending failure due to stress corrosion cracking, flashunder, or destruction of the rod by discharge activity conditions is described. A composite insulator comprising a fiberglass rod surrounded by a polymer housing and fitted with metal end fittings on either end of the rod is doped with a dye-based chemical dopant. The dopant is located around the vicinity of the outer surface of the fiberglass rod. The dopant is formulated to possess migration and diffusion characteristics correlating to those of water, and to be inert in dry conditions and compatible with the insulator components. The dopant is placed within the insulator such that upon the penetration of moisture through the housing to the rod through a permeation pathway in the outer surface of the insulator, the dopant will become activated and will leach out of the same permeation pathway. The activated dopant then creates a deposit or stain on the outer surface of the insulator housing. The dopant comprises a dye that is sensitive to radiation at one or more specific wavelengths or is visually identifiable. Deposits of activated dopant on the outer surface of the insulator can be detected upon imaging of the outer surface of the insulator by appropriate imaging instruments or the naked eye.

Chemically-doped composite insulator for early detection of potential failures due to exposure of the fiberglass rod

A thermal actuator includes a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end, a second arm, parallel to the first arm, having a proximal end and a distal end, and a third arm arranged between and parallel to the first and second arms, the third arm having a proximal end and a distal end. The third arm has at least one portion at the distal end of the third arm having a width that is substantially larger than a width of the first arm and a width of the second arm. The distal ends of the first, second and third arms are coupled together to form a distal end of the thermal actuator, and the first, second and third arms preferably are made of a single material. A number of thermal actuators can be arranged in an array. The thermal actuator or array of thermal actuators can be coupled to an applicator.

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Joseph N Mitchell