James A Plourde

US Patent:

6384947, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Mar 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/265291

Inventors:

David Alan Ackerman - Hopewell NJ
Scott L. Broutin - Kutztown PA
James Kevin Plourde - Allentown PA
George John Przybylek - Douglassville PA

Assignee:

Agere Systems Guardian Corp. - Orlando FL

International Classification:

H04B 1000

US Classification:

359187, 359127, 359132

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for stabilizing the wavelength of a laser are disclosed. The invention provides a way to stabilize a laser for applications in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems where frequency spacing is crucial. The invention accomplishes laser stabilization by generating an optical path which is passed through a filter to obtain a signal which is a function of frequency. A second optical path which does not contain a filter is generated to obtain a signal which is a function of power. The signals are then converted from optical to electrical and from analog to digital, and a microcontroller is used to normalize the frequency path with respect to the optical power path, process the signals via software code, and generate a signal which provides feedback to the laser for stabilization. By using a microcontroller; elements that lead to wavelength or frequency drift, or manufacturing component variations can be taken into account and the input signal to the laser can be adjusted accordingly.

US Patent:

6535532, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

Dec 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/475606

Inventors:

David Alan Ackerman - Hopewell NJ
Scott L. Broutin - Maxatawny Township PA
James K. Plourde - Allentown PA

Assignee:

Agere Systems Inc - Allentown PA
TriQuint Semiconductor Inc - Hillsboro OR

International Classification:

H01S 313

US Classification:

372 32, 372 20, 372 29011, 372 29015

Abstract:

A method for controlling tuning current values provided to a multichannel laser source. For each operating laser channel, a desired slope value of laser power as a function of tuning current is stored. The slope values of laser power as a function of tuning current is then measured. The tuning current is then adjusted until a slope value substantially close to said desired slope value is measured. The operating tuning current is set for the laser source that corresponds to the measured slope value.

US Patent:

6545788, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

Nov 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/451079

Inventors:

David Alan Ackerman - Hopewell NJ
Scott L. Broutin - Kutztown PA
James Kevin Plourde - Allentown PA
George John Przybylek - Douglasville PA

Assignee:

Agere Systems, Inc. - Allentown PA

International Classification:

H04B 1000

US Classification:

359187, 372 32, 359110

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for stabilizing the wavelength of a laser are disclosed. The invention provides a way to stabilize a laser for applications in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems where frequency spacing is crucial. The invention accomplishes laser stabilization by generating one or more optical paths which are passed through one or more filters to obtain one or more signals which are a function of frequency. Another optical path which does not contain a filter is generated to obtain a signal which is a function of power. The frequency signal(s) and the power reference signal are then converted from optical to electrical and from analog-to-digital. A microcontroller is then used to normalize one or more selected frequency paths with respect to the optical power path, process the signals via software code, and generate a signal which provides feedback to the laser for stabilization. By using a microcontroller; elements that lead to wavelength or frequency drift, or manufacturing component variations can be taken into account and the input signal to the laser can be adjusted accordingly.

US Patent:

20120227944, Sep 13, 2012

Filed:

Mar 10, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/045157

Inventors:

Theodor Moisidis - Lynnfield MA, US
James F. Plourde - Stratham NH, US
Christoph Bauckhage - North Andover MA, US

International Classification:

F28F 1/00

US Classification:

165172

Abstract:

A heat exchange unit for a heat exchanger assembly is provided for use in a cooling system of a CT imaging system having a gantry frame with an annular interior region. The heat exchange unit is formed of a plurality of tubes bent at discrete locations to divide the tubes into straight leg sections to fit within an arcuate portion of the gantry frame's annular region. The bent tubes are maintained between a pair of tube sheets in an array with the straight leg sections parallel and the bends generally radially aligned. The tubes are orthogonally joined to the tube sheets, and the faying surfaces are flat and parallel, leading to a dependable joint. The heat exchanger assembly includes mounting brackets with mounting fixtures axially aligned with the gantry frame, to reduce stress on the fasteners and the mounting brackets.

US Patent:

20130264031, Oct 10, 2013

Filed:

Apr 9, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/442531

Inventors:

James F. Plourde - Stratham NH, US
Benjamin Joseph Fichera - Newburyport MA, US

International Classification:

F28F 9/02
B23P 15/26
F28D 15/00

US Classification:

16510411, 165173, 2989003

Abstract:

A heat exchanger with headering system is provided. The heat exchanger includes a body that extends between first and second headers. The central span of the body includes two sets of channels arranged in a checkerboard pattern to provide efficient heat transfer between heat transfer fluids in each set. End portions of the body, within the headers, include offsets that transition the sets of channels from a linear alignment to the checkerboard pattern. This configuration allows heat exchange fluids to be introduced into the appropriate sets of channels through the headers with less complexity. A method of manufacturing the heat exchanger is also provided.

US Patent:

62918133, Sep 18, 2001

Filed:

Jun 7, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/327259

Inventors:

David A. Ackerman - Hopewell NJ
Scott L. Broutin - Kutztown PA
James K. Plourde - Allentown PA
John W. Stayt - Schnecksville PA

Assignee:

Agere Systems Optoelectronics Guardian Corp. - Orlando FL

International Classification:

H01S 313

US Classification:

250214R

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for frequency stabilization of an optical source, using data obtained from a frequency stabilization system based on an optical frequency discriminator to stabilize the output of a laser to a particular grid channel. The data is mathematically manipulated to double the number of channels as compared to prior art methods and allows arbitrary channel spacing about the channels.

Address:

9687 Sapphire Ct, Brentwood, TN 37027

VIN:

5TDZK22C77S055430

Make:

TOYOTA

Model:

SIENNA

Year:

2007