John Christopher Fling

US Patent:

6386716, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Jun 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/879025

Inventors:

Paul Merritt Hagelin - Saratoga CA
John J. Fling - Little River CA

Assignee:

C Speed Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G02B 7182

US Classification:

359871, 359872, 359220, 359221

Abstract:

An optical mirror system with multi-axis rotational control is disclosed. The mirror system includes an optical surface assembly, and at least one leg assembly coupled to the optical surface assembly. The at least one leg assembly supports the optical surface above a substrate. A system and method in accordance with the present invention can operate with many different actuator mechanisms, including but not limited to, electrostatic, thermal, piezoelectric, and magnetic. An optical mirror system in accordance with the present invention accommodates large mirrors and rotation angles. Scanning mirrors can be made with this technique using standard surface-micromachining processes, or a deep RIE etch process. A device in accordance with the present invention meets the requirements for a directly scalable, high port count optical switch, utilizing a two mirror per optical I/O port configuration. An optical mirror in accordance with the present invention can be utilized in, but is not limited to, the following applications: optical add-drop multiplexers, wavelength routers, free-space optical interconnects, chip-level optical I/O, optical scanning displays, optical scanner (bar-codes, micro cameras), optical storage read/write heads, laser printers, medical replacement for glasses (incorporated with adaptive optics), medical diagnostic equipment, optical scanning for security applications.

US Patent:

6430331, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Nov 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/990476

Inventors:

Paul M. Hagelin - Saratoga CA
Jeffrey W. Scott - Carpinteria CA
John Fling - Little River CA

Assignee:

C Speed Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 17, 385 18, 385 19, 385223, 385224, 385872, 385 31

Abstract:

The present invention provides a double fiber optic cross connect (OXC) package. The double package includes an input optical fiber; a substrate with a first surface and a second surface, optically coupled to the input optical fiber; a first cap optically coupled to the second surface of the substrate; a micromirror array optically coupled to the first cap; a second cap optically coupled to the micromirror array; and an output optical fiber optically coupled to the second cap. The first cap, along with a substrate populated with a micromirror array and a set of sidewalls, form at least one volume which is preferably hermetically sealed. This volume is further enclosed by the second cap with another set of sidewalls.

US Patent:

6598985, Jul 29, 2003

Filed:

Apr 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/122885

Inventors:

Paul Merritt Hagelin - Saratoga CA
John J. Fling - Little River CA

Assignee:

nanoGear - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G02B 7182

US Classification:

359876, 359877, 359878

Abstract:

An optical mirror system with multi-axis rotational control is disclosed. The mirror system includes an optical surface assembly, and at least one leg assembly coupled to the optical surface assembly. The at least one leg assembly supports the optical surface above a substrate. A system and method in accordance with the present invention can operate with many different actuator mechanisms, including but not limited to, electrostatic, thermal, piezoelectric, and magnetic. An optical mirror system in accordance with the present invention accommodates large mirrors and rotation angles. Scanning mirrors can be made with this technique using standard surface-micromachining processes, or a deep RIE etch process. A device in accordance with the present invention meets the requirements for a directly scalable, high port count optical switch, utilizing a two mirror per optical I/O port configuration. An optical mirror in accordance with the present invention can be utilized in, but is not limited to, the following applications: optical add-drop multiplexers, wavelength routers, free-space optical interconnects, chip-level optical I/O, optical scanning displays, optical scanner (bar-codes, micro cameras), optical storage read/write heads, laser printers, medical replacement for glasses (incorporated with adaptive optics), medical diagnostic equipment, optical scanning for security applications.

US Patent:

6886404, May 3, 2005

Filed:

Feb 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/358649

Inventors:

Michel J. F. Digonnet - Palo Alto CA, US
Elliot M. Burke - Goleta CA, US
John J. Fling - Little River CA, US

Assignee:

Fibersonde Corporation - Santa Barbara CA

International Classification:

G01P015/08

US Classification:

7351427, 356477

Abstract:

An acceleration transducer for use in an accelerometer includes a proof mass that comprises a transmissive optics device arranged to receive an optical signal such that the optical signal propagates through the transmissive optics device along a first optical path having a selected optical path length. A support assembly is arranged to support the proof mass such that the transmissive optics device moves from a reference position along a selected sensing axis in response to an acceleration of the proof mass along the selected sensing axis and produces an optical path length change that indicates the acceleration.

US Patent:

6955083, Oct 18, 2005

Filed:

Dec 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/737615

Inventors:

William F. Fling - Little River CA, US
John J. Fling - Little River CA, US

International Classification:

G01F023/30

US Classification:

73318, 73305, 73321, 73322

Abstract:

A system for actuating an indicator in response to a depth change in a liquid that is confined to a container comprises a housing, a float constrained to vertical movement in response to changes in liquid depth in the container, an actuator connected to the housing and arranged to move in response to vertical movement of the float, and a coupler mechanism mounted between the actuator and the housing and arranged to transfer movement of the actuator to the indicator.

US Patent:

7043983, May 16, 2006

Filed:

Dec 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/737349

Inventors:

William F. Fling - Little River CA, US
John J. Fling - Little River CA, US

International Classification:

G01F 23/36

US Classification:

73313

Abstract:

A system for actuating an indicator in response to a depth change in a liquid that is confined to a container comprises a housing, a float constrained to vertical movement in response to changes in liquid depth in the container and a drive rod arranged to move in response to vertical movement of the float. A flexible coupling is connected to the actuator and arranged to maintain the actuator in a vertical orientation in the liquid when the actuator and the housing are out of vertical alignment, and a coupler mechanism arranged to transfer movement of the actuator to the indicator.

US Patent:

7043984, May 16, 2006

Filed:

Jan 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/035111

Inventors:

John J. Fling - Little River CA, US
William F. Fling - Little River CA, US

International Classification:

G01F 23/56

US Classification:

73315

Abstract:

A float is arranged in a tubular frame to be unlocked to float in a liquid when the lower end of the frame contacts a bottom surface of a container containing the liquid. A float lock guide and a float lock actuator are mounted in the passage to move the float laterally in the frame as the lower end of the frame is moved away from the bottom surface of the container to lock the float in frictional engagement with the frame.

US Patent:

7188521, Mar 13, 2007

Filed:

Dec 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/317159

Inventors:

William F Fling - Little River CA, US
John J. Fling - Little River CA, US

International Classification:

G01F 23/30

US Classification:

73320, 73322, 73305

Abstract:

A liquid level measuring system includes a housing mounted to a container and a flexible coupling connected between the housing and a tubular frame suspended in a container holding a liquid. The flexible coupling maintains the tubular frame in a vertical orientation in the container. The tubular frame has a pair of 270 rifling grooves therein. A float is mounted in the tubular frame. The float has a pair of projections that extend from opposite sides portion thereof into the rifling grooves so that the float is force to rotate as it moves vertically in the tubular frame to seek the liquid level. A magnetic coupler assembly transfers movement of the float to an indicator. The magnetic coupler assembly includes a pair of facing dielectric discs. Each dielectric disc has three magnets mounted thereon with opposite poles facing one another.