Narinder S Kapany

US Patent:

6356679, Mar 12, 2002

Filed:

Mar 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/539485

Inventors:

Narinder S. Kapany - Woodside CA

Assignee:

K2 Optronics, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G02B 635

US Classification:

385 18, 385 17, 385 48

Abstract:

An optical routing element (ORE) that can be incorporated into a variety of configurations, to provide the basis for such devices as crossbar switches, wavelength division multiplexers, and add/drop multiplexers. The ORE includes first, second, and third waveguide segments. The first and second waveguide segments extend along a common axis, and are separated by a routing region. The third waveguide segment extends from the routing region at a non-zero angle with respect to the common axis. The routing region is occupied by a selectively reflecting element that selectively reflects light based on a state of the element or a property of the light. The selectively reflecting element may be a thermal expansion element (TEE) or a wavelength-selective filter. A TEE has a body of material having contracted and expanded states at respective first and second temperatures. The contracted state defines an air gap disposed in the path of light traveling along the first waveguide segment so as to cause the light to be deflected into the third waveguide segment through total internal reflection.

US Patent:

6463192, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Feb 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/794319

Inventors:

Narinder Kapany - Woodside CA

Assignee:

K2 Optronics, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G02B 635

US Classification:

385 17, 385 18

Abstract:

The non-blocking micro-optic switch matrix (NMSM) includes a plurality of optical routing elements (OREs) forming an MÃN matrix. Each ORE of the plurality includes a first and second wafer prism having a gap disposed therebetween. A body of transparent solid material disposed in the gap has a contracted state at a first temperature and an expanded state at a second temperature. The contracted state defines an air gap in the path of light traveling along a first axis, causing light to be deflected along a second axis through total internal reflection. The first and second axes are at a non-zero angle with respect to one another. The expanded state of the transparent material removes the air gap disposed in the path of light traveling along the first axis allowing light to pass through the first wafer prism, through the body of transparent material and into the second wafer prism.

US Patent:

6480513, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Oct 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/680150

Inventors:

Narinder S. Kapany - Woodside CA
Lew Stolpner - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

K2 Optronics, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

H01S 310

US Classification:

372 20, 372 34, 372 64, 372 92, 372 6, 372102

Abstract:

A tunable laser system comprises an externalcavity laser diode in combination with an optically coupled waveguide having a Bragg grating formed therein. The laser diode provides a gain medium characterized by a first band of wavelengths. A portion of the fiber and the grating help define an external resonant cavity. The grating limits the wavelengths exiting the external cavity to a second band that is typically much narrower than the first band. The grating region of the waveguide is thermally coupled to a heating element having an associated temperature controller for controllably varying the temperature of the grating region and thus changing the optical pitch of the grating and thus the second band. The grating region of the waveguide can alternatively, or additionally, be subjected to acoustic energy to change the optical pitch of the grating.

US Patent:

6748132, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

Feb 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/794231

Inventors:

Narinder Kapany - Woodside CA
Claire Gu - Santa Cruz CA
Meric Ozcan - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

K2 Optronics, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G02B 628

US Classification:

385 24, 385 18, 385 25, 385 36

Abstract:

A configurable wavelength multiplexing device having first, second, and third reflectors. The first reflector has a first state in which it transmits incoming light (having first and second wavelengths) along a first transmitted path and a second state in which it reflects the light along a first reflected path. The second reflector reflects the first wavelength and transmits the second wavelength. The third reflector reflects the first wavelength. The first, second, and third reflectors are oriented so that when the incoming light is transmitted along the first transmitted path, the first wavelength is reflected by the second and third reflectors to travel along second and third reflected paths, the third reflected path intersects the first reflector at an angle such that the first wavelength is transmitted by the first reflector and continues on the first reflected path, and the second wavelength is transmitted by the second reflector.

US Patent:

8046960, Nov 1, 2011

Filed:

Sep 18, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/563052

Inventors:

Narinder Singh Kapany - Woodside CA, US

International Classification:

E06B 3/00
E06B 3/64
E06B 3/677

US Classification:

521713, 52204593, 428 13, 428 346, 428 3691, 359275, 359265

Abstract:

A window includes first and second panes and a frame coupled to the first and second panes to form an air gap there between. The window further includes an electrical generator disposed in the air gap configured to convert electromagnetic radiation to electricity. The window further includes a venting system configured to vent heat from the air gap away from the first pane or the second pane. The window further includes first and second reflective coatings respectively disposed on first surfaces of the panes. The first surfaces face the air gap, and the reflective coatings are configured to reflect infrared radiation into the air gap. The window further includes first and second antireflective coatings respectively disposed on second surfaces of the panes. The second surfaces face away from the air gap, and the antireflective coatings are configured to transmit visible light and infrared radiation into the air gap.

US Patent:

8230649, Jul 31, 2012

Filed:

Mar 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/720982

Inventors:

Narinder Singh Kapany - Woodside CA, US

Assignee:

SolarPath, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

E06B 3/00
E06B 3/64
E06B 3/677

US Classification:

521713, 52204593, 428 13, 428 346, 428 3691, 359275, 359265

Abstract:

A construction panel includes a pane, a construction substrate, and a frame that form an air gap there between. An electrical generator, a water circulator, and an air venting system are in the air gap. First and second reflective coatings are respectively on first surfaces of the pane and the construction substrate. The first surfaces face the air gap. The reflective coatings reflect IR to heat water in the water circulator and heat air in the air gap. First and second antireflective coatings are respectively on a second surface of the pane and on the first reflective coating. The second surface faces away from the air gap. The antireflective coatings transmit electromagnetic radiation to the electrical generator for electricity generation. The heated water, heated air, and electricity may be used in a building to which the construction panel is attached. The solar-construction panel includes a multiple-pane window integrally formed therein.

US Patent:

20120234033, Sep 20, 2012

Filed:

Mar 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/050887

Inventors:

Narinder Singh Kapany - Woodside CA, US
Mark A. Hintzke - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

SolarPath, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

F25D 23/00

US Classification:

62262

Abstract:

A window for cooling an environment including first and second panes disposed opposite from one another; a frame coupled to the first and second panes forms an air gap between the first pane, the second pane, and the frame; and first and second reflective coatings disposed on first surfaces of the first and second panes. The first surfaces face the air gap, and the reflective coatings are configured to reflect infrared radiation into the air gap to generate heat. The window further includes first and second antireflective coatings respectively disposed on second surfaces of the first and second panes. The second surfaces face away from the air gap, and the antireflective coatings are configured to transmit radiation into the air gap. The window further includes an adsorption-cooling systems configured to collect heat from the air gap to cool air in an environment adjacent to the second pane.

US Patent:

20120279147, Nov 8, 2012

Filed:

Oct 31, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/286132

Inventors:

Narinder Singh Kapany - Woodside CA, US

Assignee:

SolarPath, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01L 27/00
E06B 7/02
B29C 47/14
E06B 7/00

US Classification:

521713, 521733, 521731, 425296

Abstract:

A window includes first and second panes and a frame coupled to the first and second panes to form an air gap there between. The window further includes an electrical generator disposed in the air gap configured to convert electromagnetic radiation to electricity. The window further includes a venting system configured to vent heat from the air gap away from the first pane or the second pane. The window further includes first and second reflective coatings respectively disposed on first surfaces of the panes. The first surfaces face the air gap, and the reflective coatings are configured to reflect infrared radiation into the air gap. The window further includes first and second antireflective coatings respectively disposed on second surfaces of the panes. The second surfaces face away from the air gap, and the antireflective coatings are configured to transmit visible light and infrared radiation into the air gap.