Richard L Powers

Address:

2831 Regency Oak Ln, Orlando, FL 32833

VIN:

4M2EU38827UJ00118

Make:

MERCURY

Model:

MOUNTAINEER

Year:

2007

US Patent:

7601946, Oct 13, 2009

Filed:

Sep 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/854300

Inventors:

Richard M. Powers - Lakewood CO, US
Wil McCarthy - Lakewood CO, US
Paul Ciszek - Lakewood CO, US

Assignee:

RavenBrick, LLC - Denver CO

International Classification:

H01J 40/14

US Classification:

250226, 25022721

Abstract:

A multispectral optical sensor incorporating quantum confinement devices is composed of a solid-state tunable filter, an optional lens, and a photodetector or plurality of photodetectors. The tunable filter is multilayered composite film of semiconducting materials, which includes a quantum well or other quantum confinement structure and barrier materials to ensure the proper confinement of charge carriers within the quantum well. The tunable filter is capable of acting as a long-pass filter. The approximate cut-on wavelength is established through selection of a well material with a bandgap near the desired energy, and barrier materials with a higher bandgap. For a given reference temperature the exact cut-on wavelength may be fixed through careful selection of the dimensions of the quantum confinement structures, whose quantum confinement energy is added to the bandgap energy to yield the cut-on energy. The operational cut-on wavelength at any given moment may be controlled through variation of the temperature of the tunable filter using onboard or external thermal control hardware and through control of an electric field applied across the filter.

US Patent:

7755829, Jul 13, 2010

Filed:

Jul 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/172156

Inventors:

Richard M. Powers - Lakewood CO, US
Wil McCarthy - Lakewood CO, US

Assignee:

RavenBrick LLC - Denver CO

International Classification:

G02F 1/01
G02B 26/02
E06B 7/00

US Classification:

359288, 359227, 521713

Abstract:

The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device has unique aesthetic optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device.

US Patent:

7768693, Aug 3, 2010

Filed:

Jan 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/019602

Inventors:

Wil McCarthy - Lakewood CO, US
Richard M. Powers - Lakewood CO, US

Assignee:

RavenBrick LLC - Denver CO

International Classification:

G02F 1/35
G02F 2/02
F21V 9/04

US Classification:

359326, 359359, 359641, 359707, 359885, 2505171, 349104

Abstract:

A thermally switched optical downconverting (TSOD) filter is a self-regulating device including a downconverter that converts incoming light at a variety of wavelengths into longer-wavelength radiation and then directs it using one or more bandblock filters in either the inward or outward direction, depending on the temperature of the device. This control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating properties of the device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The TSOD filter has energy-efficiency implications, as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The TSOD filter also has aesthetic implications, since the device has unique optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The TSOD filter has particular, but not exclusive, application as a building material.

US Patent:

7936500, May 3, 2011

Filed:

Feb 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/040570

Inventors:

Richard M. Powers - Lakewood CO, US
Wil McCarthy - Lakewood CO, US

Assignee:

RavenBrick LLC - Denver CO

International Classification:

G02F 1/35
G02B 27/00
H01L 29/06

US Classification:

359326, 359578, 359579, 257 14, 250226

Abstract:

A wavelength-specific optical switch combines one or more tunable filters and bandblock reflectors such that the absorption or reflection of selected wavelength bands in the optical spectrum (visible, near infrared, or near ultraviolet) can be switched on and off. The wavelength switch is programmable, multifunctional, general-purpose, solid-state optical filter. The wavelength switch may serve as a tunable notch or bandblock filter, a tunable bandpass filter, a tunable highpass or lowpass filter, or a tunable band reflector. The wavelength switch has particular, but not exclusive, application in optics as a filter, band reflector, and as a means of isolating particular wavelengths or wavelength bands from a collimated light stream for transmission to, or rejection from, a sensor.

US Patent:

7977621, Jul 12, 2011

Filed:

Oct 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/576847

Inventors:

Wil McCarthy - Lakewood CO, US
Richard M. Powers - Lakewood CO, US

Assignee:

RavenBrick LLC - Denver CO

International Classification:

G01J 3/50

US Classification:

250226, 250239

Abstract:

A thermochromic optical filter incorporating quantum confinement devices is formed as multilayered composite film of semiconducting materials. A quantum well adjacent a barrier layer ensures proper confinement of charge carriers within the well. A transition wavelength (i. e. , the energy/wavelength at which the filter becomes transparent) is established by selecting a quantum well material with a bandgap near the desired energy and a barrier layer material with a higher bandgap. For a given reference temperature (e. g. , room temperature), the exact transition wavelength is fixed by the thickness of the quantum well. The quantum confinement energy is added to the bandgap energy to yield the transition energy. A thermal control system varies the temperature of the thermochromic filter to adjust the transition wavelength. Temperature changes affect both the bandgap and the quantum confinement energy, and thus the optical properties of the thermochromic filter.

US Patent:

8072672, Dec 6, 2011

Filed:

Jul 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/830068

Inventors:

Richard M. Powers - Lakewood CO, US
Wil McCarthy - Lakewood CO, US

Assignee:

RavenBrick LLC - Denver CO

International Classification:

G02F 1/01
G02B 26/02
E06B 7/00

US Classification:

359288, 359227, 521713

Abstract:

The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device has unique aesthetic optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device.

US Patent:

8076661, Dec 13, 2011

Filed:

Jul 26, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/843218

Inventors:

Wil McCarthy - Lakewood CO, US
Richard M. Powers - Lakewood CO, US

Assignee:

RavenBrick LLC - Denver CO

International Classification:

F21V 9/04

US Classification:

2505171, 359326, 359359, 359885

Abstract:

A thermally switched optical downconverting (TSOD) filter is a self-regulating device including a downconverter that converts incoming light at a variety of wavelengths into longer-wavelength radiation and then directs it using one or more bandblock filters in either the inward or outward direction, depending on the temperature of the device. This control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating properties of the device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The TSOD filter is energy-efficient as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The TSOD filter has unique aesthetic and optical properties not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls.

US Patent:

8169685, May 1, 2012

Filed:

Dec 19, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/340552

Inventors:

Richard M. Powers - Lakewood CO, US
Wil McCarthy - Lakewood CO, US

Assignee:

Ravenbrick, LLC - Denver CO

International Classification:

G02F 1/01
G02B 26/02
E06B 7/00

US Classification:

359288, 359227, 521713

Abstract:

The thermally switched absorptive optical shutter may be a self-regulating “switchable absorber” device that may absorb approximately 100% of incoming light above a threshold temperature, and may absorb approximately 50% of incoming light below a threshold temperature. The shutter may be formed by placing a thermotropic depolarizer between two absorptive polarizers. This control over the flow of radiant energy may occur independently of the thermal conductivity or insulation of the shutter device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. This has energy-efficiency implications as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. It also has aesthetic implications since the shutter device has unique optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. Additionally, the shutter device may have application as a building material.