Kenneth J James

US Patent:

43559107, Oct 26, 1982

Filed:

Apr 7, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/138059

Inventors:

William H. Quick - La Habra Heights CA
Kenneth A. James - Corona Del Mar CA
Virgil H. Strahan - Orange CA

Assignee:

Rockwell International Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G01L 700
G01K 562

US Classification:

374162

Abstract:

A method and resulting apparatus for implementing a unique optical sensor that is adapted to be interfaced with a low cost, compact fiber-optic transmission system to provide an accurate indication of a sensed physical parameter (e. g. temperature) of a remote sample. The sensor is fabricated so as to include a semiconductor material that has optical-wavelength-dependent filter characteristics that may be varied as a function of a physical parameter such as temperature. In one embodiment, a graded optical filter fabricated by using thin-film deposition techniques on an amorphous semiconductor material, provides position responsive high-pass filter characteristics. Such filter characteristics are then utilized by moving a light source as a function of a physical parameter and generating an optical signal therefrom having a cutoff frequency dependent upon the position of the light source. In another embodiment, the temperature dependent frequency cutoff characteristics in the absorption edge of amorphous selenium, are utilized more directly in an optical temperature sensor. The optical utilization of amorphous semiconductor material is a particularly advantageous feature of the invention in reducing the cost and complexity of semiconductor optical filters.

US Patent:

42969948, Oct 27, 1981

Filed:

Jan 22, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/005619

Inventors:

William H. Quick - La Habra Heights CA
Kenneth A. James - Corona Del Mar CA
Virgil H. Strahan - Orange CA

Assignee:

Rockwell International Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G02B 532

US Classification:

350 373

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for holographically processing optical signals in a fiber-optic sensor system. In the present invention, holographic processors are utilized in various combinations with light sources, fiber-optic transmission means, sensors and detectors to provide low cost, compact, sensitive and accurate sensor systems. By means of the holographic processors of the present invention, the aforementioned sensor systems are used to monitor such physical parameters as temperature, pressure, flow-rate, and the like, and to provide output signal indications thereof that are compatible with digital receiving stations and immune to electro-magnetic interference, hazardous atmosphere, and the inimical effects of inadvertent intensity variation due to equipment vibration and the like. In one typical embodiment, a pair of holographic processors are employed in a color multiplex-demultiplex sensor system in which a first holographic processor is employed to color multiplex a sensor signal and a second holographic processor is employed to decode the color-multiplexed signal into a binary pattern that is then transmitted onto a set of photodetectors. In each of the embodiments of the invention disclosed, a unique geometrical orientation of a hologram is utilized to minimize spurious signal interference that would otherwise hamper or totally preclude the holographic processing.

US Patent:

42232163, Sep 16, 1980

Filed:

Jan 22, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/005620

Inventors:

William H. Quick - La Habra Heights CA
Kenneth A. James - Corona Del Mar CA
Virgil H. Strahan - Orange CA

Assignee:

Rockwell International Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G01J 334

US Classification:

250226

Abstract:

Optical sensor apparatus and associated means by which to color multiplex optically encoded information signals over a compact fiber optic transmission system. The sensor apparatus includes a movable coded masking means. The masking means is fabricated with a plurality of parallel rows, each of which rows comprising a binary weighted pattern of alternately spaced transparent and opaque areas. Incident white light is spectrally dispersed, so that each of the rows of the masking means receives a respective color. As the masking means is moved in response to an input physical parameter that is to be sensed, the corresponding binary coded output color signals that are transmitted through the transparent areas of the masking means are recombined and multiplexed over either a singel optical fiber or a bundle of incoherent optical fibers. After demultiplexing or spectral dispersion of the multiplexed output signal, a photo-detector means is utilized to receive the individual demultiplexed binary coded output color signals and to provide a numerical equivalent of the position of the masking means and, accordingly, the physical parameter represented thereby.

US Patent:

42155762, Aug 5, 1980

Filed:

Jan 22, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/005618

Inventors:

William H. Quick - La Habra Heights CA
Kenneth A. James - Corona del Mar CA
Virgil H. Strahan - Orange CA

Assignee:

Rockwell International Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G01K 1114

US Classification:

73356

Abstract:

A temperature sensor comprising an optical transducer member having an array of birefringent crystals. The length and, accordingly, the sensitivity to temperature change of successive birefringent crystals varies according to a particular relationship. The transducer is interconnected with a fiber optic transmission and detecting system. Respective optical output signals that are transmitted from the birefringent crystals via the fiber optic transmission system are detected and decoded so as to correspond to digits of a numbering system, whereby an accurate digital representation of temperature can ultimately be provided.

US Patent:

44016948, Aug 30, 1983

Filed:

Apr 3, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/137069

Inventors:

William H. Quick - La Habra Heights CA
Kenneth A. James - Corona Del Mar CA
Virgil H. Strahan - Orange CA

Assignee:

Rockwell International Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

B05D 506

US Classification:

427162

Abstract:

A method and resulting apparatus for implementing a unique optical sensor that is adapted to be interfaced with a low cost, compact fiber-optic transmission system to provide an accurate indication of a sensed physical parameter (e. g. temperature) of a remote sample. The sensor is fabricated so as to include a semiconductor material that has optical-wavelength-dependent filter characteristics that may be varied as a function of a physical parameter such as temperature. In one embodiment, a graded optical filter fabricated by using thin-film deposition techniques on an amorphous semiconductor material, provides position responsive high-pass filter characteristics. Such filter characteristics are then utilized by moving a light source as a function of a physical parameter and generating an optical signal therefrom having a cutoff frequency dependent upon the position of the light source. In another embodiment, the temperature dependent frequency cutoff characteristics in the absorption edge of amorphous selenium, are utilized more directly in an optical temperature sensor. The optical utilization of amorphous semiconductor material is a particularly advantageous feature of the invention in reducing the cost and complexity of semiconductor optical filters.

US Patent:

44552670, Jun 19, 1984

Filed:

Nov 12, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/440917

Inventors:

Virgil H. Strahan - Orange CA
Kenneth A. James - Corona del Mar CA
William H. Quick - La Habra Heights CA

Assignee:

Rockwell International Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G02B 514
G02B 5172

US Classification:

264 13

Abstract:

A method of fabrication and the resulting structure for a birefringent transmission line having particular application as an optical waveguide. The instant transmission line is fabricated so as to be adapted to maintain the state (e. g. the polarization vector) of polarized electromagnetic radiation propagating therethrough. Birefringence in the instant transmission line is geometrically generated by producing oblong regions having different indices of refraction through a cross-section of the transmission line. A preferred technique by which to generate birefringence includes the method step of bombarding the transmission line with a supply of atomic particules, such as energetic hydrogen ions, whereby to implant a damaged region of oblong cross-section and thereby cause an internal swelling therein. By way of a preferred example, the transmission line herein described may be a single-mode optical fiber.

US Patent:

42232260, Sep 16, 1980

Filed:

Jul 26, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/928223

Inventors:

William H. Quick - La Habra CA
Rudolf R. August - Laguna Beach CA
Kenneth A. James - Del Mar CA
Virgil H. Strahan - Orange CA
Donald K. Nichols - Long Beach CA

Assignee:

Rockwell International Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

F21V 916
G01N 2164

US Classification:

250458

Abstract:

An inexpensive, lightweight fiber optic micro-sensor that is suitable for applications which may require remote temperature sensing. The disclosed temperature sensor includes a phosphor material that, after receiving incident light stimulation, is adapted to emit phosphorescent radiation output signals, the amplitude decay rate and wavelength of which are functions of the sensed temperature.

US Patent:

44031440, Sep 6, 1983

Filed:

Jun 9, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/157694

Inventors:

Virgil H. Strahan - Orange CA
Kenneth A. James - Corona Del Mar CA
William H. Quick - La Habra Heights CA

Assignee:

Rockwell International Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G01D 534

US Classification:

250231R

Abstract:

1 An inexpensive, light weight fiber optic accelerometer to convert input mechanical motion (e. g. acceleration) into digitized optical output signals. The output of the accelerometer may be connected directly to data processing apparatus without the necessity of space consuming analog to digital interface means.