Randall Drew Morton

US Patent:

46813950, Jul 21, 1987

Filed:

Feb 22, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/704324

Inventors:

Thomas A. Lindsay - Brier WA
Randall E. Morton - Redmond WA

Assignee:

Eldec Corporation - Lynnwood WA

International Classification:

G02B 628
G02F 1015

US Classification:

350 9616

Abstract:

Disclosed is a fiber optic sensing system wherein a pulsed light source signal (12) propagates along a single optical waveguide (14) and is split into component signals (20) and (22) at a sensor unit (16). The intensity of one component signal (20) is varied by a transducer (28) through which the signal passes. The second, reference, component signal (22) passes through a delay optical fiber (30) and has its propagation delayed with respect to the other component signal (20). The delayed and undelayed component signals are then coupled and propagate along a single waveguide (34) to a receiver (36). The system is constructed so that intensity-varying factors inherent in the system, other than the sensor-induced variations, are identically shared by the two component signals. Accordingly, signal processing circuitry (38) calculates a simple ratio of the delayed and undelayed signals which yields the sensor-intensity variation independent of any other intensity-varying factors.

US Patent:

52952126, Mar 15, 1994

Filed:

Oct 29, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/969878

Inventors:

Randall E. Morton - Redmond WA
William R. Little - Seattle WA
David L. Brodeur - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Eldec Corporation - Lynnwood WA

International Classification:

G02B 624

US Classification:

385 57

Abstract:

A communications system for transmitting optical signals between an optical transceiver (20) disposed on an aircraft and a ground-based computer system. The communications system includes a fiber optic cable (30) having one end coupled to the ground-based computer system and another end coupled to a magnetic attachment head (40). The magnetic attachment head secures the fiber optic cable to the aircraft and aligns the fiber optic cable with the optical transceiver.

US Patent:

53594460, Oct 25, 1994

Filed:

Sep 10, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/943328

Inventors:

Bruce E. Johnson - Seattle WA
Thomas A. Lindsay - Brier WA
David L. Brodeur - Seattle WA
Randall E. Morton - Redmond WA
Mark A. Regnier - Bothell WA

Assignee:

ELDEC Corporation - Lynnwood WA

International Classification:

H04B 1000

US Classification:

359152

Abstract:

A free-space optical communications system for transmitting data between an aircraft computer system (14) and a ground-based computer system (12). The system includes a pair of corresponding optical transmitters (36) and optical receivers (38) that transmit and receive optical signals transmitted between the two computer systems. Included within each optical transmitter is one or more light-emitting diodes (42) that produce optical signals corresponding to the data to be transmitted. A beam-forming prism (44) is bonded directly to the light-emitting diodes to direct the optical signal uniformly over a target area. The optical receiver includes one or more infrared windows (50) to reduce the amount of ambient light received by the optical receiver. A compound parabolic concentrator (64) collects light transmitted from the optical transmitter and directs the light onto an avalanche photodiode (66), which includes thermal bias compensation. An AC network couples the output signal of the photodiode to a transimpedance amplifier (70).

US Patent:

47243163, Feb 9, 1988

Filed:

Jul 12, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/754648

Inventors:

Randall E. Morton - Redmond WA

Assignee:

Eldec Corporation - Lynnwood WA

International Classification:

G01B 1116
G01D 526

US Classification:

250227

Abstract:

Disclosed is an improved fiber optic sensor of the type in which a fiber optic waveguide component of the sensor is configured to be responsive to an external parameter such that curvature of the fiber optic waveguide is altered in response to forces induced by changes in the external parameter being sensed. The alteration of the curvature of the fiber optic waveguide causes variations in the intensity of light passing therethrough, these variations being indicative of the state of the external parameter. The improvement comprises coating material covering the exterior portion of the fiber optic waveguide, the coating material having an expansion coefficient and thickness such that distortion of the fiber optic waveguide caused by thermally induced stresses between the coating material and the glass fiber is substantially eliminated. Also disclosed is a support member for supporting the curved fiber optic waveguide, the support member and fiber optic waveguide being configured and arranged to minimize the effects of thermal stress tending to separate the waveguide from the support member.