Robert J Filkins

US Patent:

6335943, Jan 1, 2002

Filed:

Jul 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/361769

Inventors:

Peter W. Lorraine - Niskayuna NY
Laurence Bigio - Schenectady NY
Robert J. Filkins - Fonda NY

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

H01S 310

US Classification:

372 28

Abstract:

A system and method for generating ultrasonic displacements on a remote target. The method of the present invention includes the steps of first using a laser to generate a beam having a first wavelength to produce ultrasonic displacements at the remote target. This laser beam will have a first wavelength which can be modulated to alter characteristics of the ultrasonic displacements. These ultrasonic displacements at the remote target can be optimized to enhance the detection optics for collecting phase modulated light from the second pulsed laser beam either reflected or scattered by the remote target; an interferometer to process the phase modulated light and generate at least one output signal, and means for processing the at least one output signal to obtain data representative of the ultrasonic surface displacements on the surface of the remote target.

US Patent:

6649900, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Sep 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/949222

Inventors:

Robert Filkins - Niskayuna NY
Thomas E. Drake - Fort Worth TX

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

H04B 10158

US Classification:

2502141, 73643, 398204

Abstract:

A photoreceiver assembly for accurately separating at least one low level, high frequency signal carried from a large, low frequency pulse. Illustratively, in one exemplary embodiment, the photoreceiver assembly extracts a high frequency ultrasonic signal from the optical frequency of light by shining that ultrasonic base band signal onto a photodetector for conversion into an electrical signal in the bandwidth of interest. The photoreceiver assembly includes a photodetector and a splitter coupled to the photodetector. The splitter is also coupled to a plurality of transimpedance signal paths. In operation, the splitter receives a current from the photodetector, separates, and directs the current to the plurality of transimpedance signal paths. In one exemplarily embodiment, the photoreceiver further includes a transimpedance amplifier assembly coupled to at least one path of the transimpedance signal paths. The transimpedance amplifier assembly converts the high frequency component of the current into a signal voltage, such as for example a signal voltage defining an ultrasonic signal.

US Patent:

6668654, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Aug 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/930015

Inventors:

Marc Dubois - Clifton Park NY
Peter W. Lorraine - Niskayuna NY
Robert J. Filkins - Niskayuna NY

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G01N 2904

US Classification:

73643, 73602, 356502, 356503

Abstract:

A system and method for testing a physical attribute of a manufactured object that includes a laser generator and pulse generator that generate a plurality of Dirac-like pulses. The pulses, directed at an object, cause a sonic signal to be initiated indicative of the physical attribute of the manufactured object, and are detected. The system also controls the width of the Dirac-like pulses and time separation between pulses. A display may also be used to present the detected signal or physical attribute. The Dirac-like pulses are structured to produce a particular output in the manufactured object. The Dirac-like pulses may be altered dynamically in the presence of deviations from the expected output. One embodiment of the Dirac-like pulses is a series of pulses with pulse widths less than 20% a time separation between successive pulses.

US Patent:

6681073, Jan 20, 2004

Filed:

Mar 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/812097

Inventors:

Kwok Pong Chan - Troy NY
Robert Filkins - Niskayuna NY
David Gilles Gascoyne - Schenectady NY
Richard Alan Hogle - Schenectady NY
Kevin J. Shaughnessy - Clifton Park NY
Robert Christian Tatar - Saratoga Springs NY

Assignee:

Molecular OptoElectronics Corporation - Watervliet NY

International Classification:

G02B 600

US Classification:

385140, 385123, 385 27, 385 31, 385 38

Abstract:

Control systems and methods are provided for controlling optical energy transmitted through a fiber optic. The systems and methods employ a digital controller circuit coupled to at least one sensor for receiving a sensed level stimulus output therefrom, and coupled to a fiber optic power control device for providing a digitized feedback signal thereto. The digital controller circuit, which can operate in one of a plurality of modes and automatically switch between modes, can include one or more of a digital filter, memory for storing control programs and data, an analog-to-digital converter for converting received sensed level stimulus to a digital signal, a digital communication interface, and a processor for software processing of the digital signal. Automatically powering up or resetting the digital power control system is also provided.

US Patent:

6684701, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Jul 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/905444

Inventors:

Marc Dubois - Clifton Park NY
Peter W. Lorraine - Niskayuna NY
Robert J. Filkins - Fonda NY

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G01H 100

US Classification:

73579

Abstract:

The invention provides for ultrasonically measuring the porosity in a sample composite material by accessing only one side of the sample composite material and includes the steps of measuring a sample ultrasonic signal from the sample composite material, normalizing the sample ultrasonic signal relative to the surface echo of the sample composite material, and isolating a sample back-wall echo signal from the sample ultrasonic signal. A sample frequency spectrum of the sample back-wall ultrasonic signal is then determined. Next, the method and system include the steps of measuring a reference ultrasonic signal from a reference composite material, normalizing the reference ultrasonic signal relative to the surface echo of the reference composite material; and isolating a reference back-wall echo signal from the sample ultrasonic signal. A reference frequency spectrum of the reference back-wall ultrasonic signal is then determined. The invention further includes deriving the ultrasonic attenuation of the sample ultrasonic signal as the ratio of the sample frequency spectrum to the reference frequency spectrum over a predetermined frequency range.

US Patent:

6710912, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Dec 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/326124

Inventors:

Robert John Filkins - Niskayuna NY
Peter William Lorraine - Niskayuna NY

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G02F 1355

US Classification:

359326, 372 21, 385122

Abstract:

A technique for achieving quasi phase matching in a photonic band gap structure comprising a first material and a second material is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by calculating a coherence length of an optical interaction of interest involving at least a first frequency and a second frequency; calculating a first lattice constant of the first material to achieve a predetermined first group velocity for a fundamental optical frequency; calculating a second lattice constant of the second material so that a second group velocity of a second optical frequency is substantially the same as the first group velocity associated with the fundamental optical frequency of the first material; determining a photonic band gap arrangement for achieving quasi phase matching in the photonic band gap structure; and implementing the first lattice constant of the first material and the second lattice constant of the second material in accordance with the photonic band gap arrangement to achieve quasi phase matching in the photonic band gap structure.

US Patent:

6711312, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Dec 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/248148

Inventors:

William Kornrumpf - Schenectady NY
Glenn Claydon - Wynantskill NY
Samhita Dasgupta - Niskayuna NY
Robert Filkins - Niskayuna NY
Glenn Forman - Niskayuna NY
Joseph Iannotti - Glenville NY
Matthew Christian Nielsen - Schenectady NY

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G02B 612

US Classification:

385 14, 385 2, 385129, 359245

Abstract:

The invention comprises a novel combination of microwave and photonic packaging to arrive a compact, self contained MZI modulator. The nature of the NLO polymer, that is, its large electro-optic coefficient reduces the drive requirements for the integrated power amplifier, allowing a small to medium power amplifier to be used. Microwave high density interconnect (HDI) packaging techniques allow the medium power amplifier to be fabricated into a small assembly, which can be mounted directly to the MZI substrate. The integrated amplifier and modulator provides a significant reduced size and lower power, and high bandwidth advantage when compared with existing devices based on inorganic materials.

US Patent:

6732587, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Feb 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/068255

Inventors:

Peter W. Lorraine - Niskayuna NY
Marc Dubois - Clifton Park NY
Robert J. Filkins - Niskayuna NY
Barbara Venchiarutti - Pordenone, IT

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G01N 2904

US Classification:

73599, 73600, 73602, 73628

Abstract:

Ultrasonic testing techniques may involve the measurement of ultrasonic waves from the tested part. These waves may reflect from surfaces of various layers within the part. Further, these waves may reflect from faults, defects, voids, fractures, and others. As such, the measured ultrasonic wave is a complex mix of these reflections. One method for detecting flaws, defects, and others may be to express the signal in terms of a set of basis functions. These functions may be summed to produce the measured signal. Further, basis functions may be chosen such that a select set of the basis functions characterize the fault and/or defect. In one exemplary embodiment, the coefficients associated with the basis function may be non-zero when a defect is present. As such, a defect may be detected quickly and automatically.