Terry L Tidwell

US Patent:

7612317, Nov 3, 2009

Filed:

Sep 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/224628

Inventors:

Fred J. Orlando - West Melbourne FL, US
Jeffrey T. Gregory - Mountainburg AR, US
Chad B. O'Neal - Ruston LA, US
Terry L. Tidwell - Fayetteville AR, US

Assignee:

Space Photonics, Inc. - Fayetteville AR

International Classification:

G01C 21/02
H01J 3/14

US Classification:

2502031, 250234

Abstract:

A targeting and tracking apparatus and method for optical transceivers is disclosed. The tracking function is performed internally by way of translating an internal optical fiber in the focal plane of the transceiver telescope using miniature motorized translation systems and/or micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). The optical design of the transceiver provides a wide field of view and a pointing and tracking field of regard that is directly proportional to the translation of the optical fiber in the focal plane of the telescope. The apparatus and method can eliminate the need for external gimballing systems and scanning mirrors, and replace the gimballed optical beam steering function with motorized translation systems and/or MEMS that consumes very little power.

US Patent:

8160452, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Jan 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/349570

Inventors:

Terry L. Tidwell - Fayetteville AR, US
Jeffrey T. Gregory - Mountainburg AR, US
Fred J. Orlando - West Melbourne FL, US
Matthew Leftwich - Fayetteville AR, US

Assignee:

Space Photonics, Inc. - Fayetteville AR

International Classification:

H04B 10/00

US Classification:

398140, 398138, 398139, 398142, 398156

Abstract:

An acquisition, pointing and tracking system for free space optical communications systems performs the pointing and tracking function internally by way of translating an internal optical fiber in the focal plane of the transceiver telescope with a reflecting mirror in the telescope focal plane of each linked transceiver. The beam reflected from the mirror records the exact direction of the reflected beam at the transmitting beam's transceiver terminal, providing the transmitting source to lock on to the receiving telescope, allowing for the link to be acquired.

US Patent:

20020136613, Sep 26, 2002

Filed:

Mar 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/814137

Inventors:

Terry Tidwell - Fayetteville AR, US

Assignee:

Artran, Inc.

International Classification:

B23C001/12

US Classification:

409/201000, 409/211000

Abstract:

A rotary actuator with improved damping and stiffness is disclosed. The rotary actuator includes one or more bearing plates that form sliding-surface bearings to provide the desired preload to the rotary actuator. One embodiment of the invention includes a multi-piece bearing plate that makes repair or replacement of the bearing material in the sliding-surface bearings easy to perform. Another embodiment for applications where heat dissipation is critical includes thermal barriers on either side of the sliding-element bearings, with resilient members between the thermal barrier and a bearing ring used to supply the appropriate preload to the output shaft. The invention is particularly suited to precision applications, such as the drive unit for the swivel mechanism on the spindle head of certain types of five-axis milling machines.

US Patent:

20150188628, Jul 2, 2015

Filed:

Dec 29, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/584134

Inventors:

Terry Tidwell - West Fork AR, US
Michael Leary - Farmington AR, US
Liam Borsodi - Fayetteville AR, US

International Classification:

H04B 10/112

Abstract:

An acquisition, pointing, and tracking (ATP) apparatus for free space optical (FSO) communications systems incorporates a multi-element detector array positioned at a focal plane of an optical telescope. An optical communications element lies at the center of the detector array. In lieu of traditional beam steering, the apparatus performs pointing and tracking functions internally by first calculating a position of an optical maximum on the detector array, and then translating the detector array within the focal plane of the telescope such that the optical communications element lies at the optical maximum for transmitting and/or receiving optical communications signals.

US Patent:

20140241731, Aug 28, 2014

Filed:

Feb 28, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/780489

Inventors:

- Melbourne FL, US
Geoffrey L. Burdge - St. Petersburg FL, US
Terry Tidwell - West Fork AR, US
John Grady Vickers - Fayetteville AR, US

Assignee:

HARRIS CORPORATION - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

H04B 10/11

US Classification:

398128, 398139

Abstract:

A free space optical communication system () including first and second mono-static transceivers (). Each transceiver () includes a reflective assembly () defining a reflective surface () about a receiving end of a respective optical fiber () and configured to reflect optical signals () within a field of view of the transceiver () as a modulated retro-reflective signal (). Each mono-static transceiver () includes an acquisition system () configured to detect a modulated retro-reflective signal () and adjust the alignment of the respective transceiver () in response to a detected modulated retro-reflective signal (). A mono-static transceiver and a method of aligning a mono-static transceiver are also provided.