Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Leonard L. Lewis
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Patent number: 6459955Abstract: An autonomously movable cleaning robot comprising a platform and motive force to autonomously move the robot on a substantially horizontal surface having boundaries. The robot further has a computer processing unit for storing, receiving and transmitting data, and a cleaning implement operatively associated with the robot. The robot receives input data from an external source. The external source may be physical manipulation of the robot, remote control, or by triangulation from at least three external transmitters.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Eric Richard Bartsch, Charles William Fisher, Paul Amaat France, James Frederick Kirkpatrick, Gary Gordon Heaton, Thomas Charles Hortel, Arseni Velerevich Radomyselski, James Randy Stigall
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Patent number: 6046960Abstract: Apparatus for discriminating true echoes from false echoes in an ultrasonic liquid gauging system, comprising: means for producing electrical representations of an echo sequence received after an ultrasonic transmission, wherein the echo sequence contains one or more returned echoes that may be a true or false echo; and means for determining returned echo energy, wherein echo energy is a factor used to distinguish a true echo from a false echo.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1993Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventor: Lalit Kumar
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Patent number: 6006604Abstract: A method for determining an optimized solution of positions for N liquid surface sensors used to gauge quantity of liquid in the container, comprising the steps of:a) defining geometric limits of the container in terms of coordinates of a three axis (x,y,z) reference coordinate system assigned to the container;b) defining a chromosome structure for an individual, wherein said chromosome structure identifies a solution in terms of position data of the N sensors;c) determining a population of individuals wherein each individual in said population is a possible solution within said geometric limits; each individual having a respective chromosome; andd) executing a genetic algorithm on said population to identify a solution that meets a performance criteria as measured by a predetermined cost function.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventors: Luis Carlos Rabelo, Mark George Walker, Radoslaw Romuald Zakrzewski, Robert Curtis North
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Patent number: 5859531Abstract: Apparatus for detecting relative displacement includes a first magnet for producing a first magnetic field along an axis; a second magnet for producing a second magnetic field along the axis; the first and second magnetic fields interacting to produce a position-dependent magnetic field along the axis; a sensor disposed for detecting the position-dependent magnetic field; and a movable element for causing relative displacement between the position-dependent magnetic field and the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is a magneto-optic sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1996Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Inventors: Lisa Brackenbury Maurice, Robert Downing LaClair
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Patent number: 5856953Abstract: Method for processing echoes received in an ultrasonic liquid gauging apparatus includes the steps of transmitting at time t.sub.1 ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic transducer toward a fixed target and a liquid surface; producing a transmission pulse corresponding to the time t.sub.1 ; receiving during a predetermined cycle interval a number (i) of ultrasonic echoes after t.sub.1 and converting each echo into a corresponding echo pulse having an associated time of arrival t.sub.i+1 ; and calculating the liquid level based on an averaged time of arrival of the second echo relative to t.sub.1 when it is known that the liquid surface is low.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1996Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventor: Scott R. Durkee
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Patent number: 5827585Abstract: An enclosure for electronic modules, comprising walls made of composite material including conductive fibers for shielding the enclosure interior from electromagnetic radiation, and means for securely mounting at least one module inside the enclosure with a fastener means, the mounting means comprising composite material.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1996Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventor: William Bernard Giannetti
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Patent number: 5814830Abstract: A liquid gauging system for a liquid container, the system comprising sensor means for producing a first electromagnetic signal that corresponds to liquid quantity in the container, and remote interrogation means for receiving the first electromagnetic signal and producing a system output that corresponds to the liquid quantity; the sensor means being energized by a second electromagnetic signal transmitted by the remote interrogation means.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1995Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventor: David Henry Crowne
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Patent number: 5747698Abstract: A strain gauge device for detecting force applied to a planar structure, the device including a capacitor having two spaced conductive surfaces, and a dielectric material between the conductive surfaces with a dielectric constant that varies in relation to strain force normal to the surfaces. In one embodiment, the dielectric material is realized in the form of a pair of facing linear molecule monolayers attached endwise to the respective conductive layers and oriented at an oblique angle to the layers.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1996Date of Patent: May 5, 1998Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products Inc.Inventors: William Bert Spillman, Jr., Eric M. Weissman
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Patent number: 5723870Abstract: 057238701Apparatus for detecting fluid level in a container, comprises a housing adapted to be disposed in the container; a float with an associated magnetic element, the float position corresponding to fluid level in the container; a magnetostrictive sensor disposed inside the housing; and a stick gauge disposed inside the housing; the magnetostrictive sensor and the stick gauge each being operable to determine the float position.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1996Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products Inc.Inventors: David Henry Crowne, Lisa Brackenbury Maurice, Frederick Lloyd Lichtenfels, II, Kip Joseph Freeman
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Patent number: 5703576Abstract: A smart structure comprising a rotatable shaft, and a sensor integrated with the shaft, a resonant detector circuit integrated with the structure for detecting a sensor output, and an external exciter circuit; the detector circuit having first coil means and the exciter circuit having second coil means magnetically coupled to the first coil means when aligned across a gap; and control means exterior the shaft for producing an output that corresponds to the sensor output compensated for the gap.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1996Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products Inc.Inventors: William B. Spillman, Jr., Scott R. Durkee
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Patent number: 5700342Abstract: An enclosure for electronic modules, comprising walls made of composite material including conductive fibers for shielding the enclosure interior from electromagnetic radiation, and means for securely mounting at least one module inside the enclosure with a fastener means, the mounting means comprising composite material.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products Inc.Inventor: William Bernard Giannetti
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Patent number: 5695328Abstract: Apparatus and methods for igniting fuel include an electrostatic fuel nozzle that produces an atomized fuel spray; and a catalytic igniter for igniting the atomized fuel spray.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1996Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Simmonds Precision Engine Systems & Precision CombustionInventors: Dennis Michael DeFreitas, Ervin Jack Sweet
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Patent number: 5689949Abstract: An ignition apparatus for a combustor includes a microwave energy source that emits microwave energy into the combustor at a frequency within a resonant response of the combustor, the combustor functioning as a resonant cavity for the microwave energy so that a plasma is produced that ignites a combustible mixture therein. The plasma preferably is a non-contact plasma produced in free space within the resonant cavity spaced away from with the cavity wall structure and spaced from the microwave emitter.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Simmonds Precision Engine Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis M. DeFreitas, Timothy W. Darling, Albert Migliori, Daniel E. Rees
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Patent number: 5677489Abstract: Apparatus for acoustically analyzing a structure having distributed characteristics comprising a first acoustic waveguide for transmitting an acoustic signal through a portion of the structure, a second acoustic waveguide for receiving a reflected acoustic signature of the structure and transmitting the acoustic signature to a sensor; the sensor producing an output that corresponds to the acoustic signature. The apparatus and methods are particularly adaptable to detecting distributed structural characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventor: William Bert Spillman, Jr.
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Patent number: 5673554Abstract: An ignition apparatus for a combustor includes a microwave energy source that emits microwave energy into the combustor at a frequency within a resonant response of the combustor, the combustor functioning as a resonant cavity for the microwave energy so that a plasma is produced that ignites a combustible mixture therein. The plasma preferably is a non-contact plasma produced in free space within the resonant cavity spaced away from with the cavity wall structure and spaced from the microwave emitter.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Simmonds Precision Engine Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Michael DeFreitas, Albert Migliori
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Patent number: 5675249Abstract: Apparatus for detecting ferromagnetic debris in a fluid medium in a container includes a plug attachable to the container and having an associated magnetic field preferably produced by a permanent magnet. The plug is at least partly exposed to the fluid to capture debris in the fluid. The apparatus further includes a portable sensor for optically sensing the captured debris, with the sensor having a probe that is connectable to the plug. A method for using such apparatus is provided, and in general a method of detecting ferromagnetic particles in a fluid medium in a container includes the steps of: a) magnetically capturing particles from the fluid using a plug with the container, and b) interrogating the plug with light for captured particles using a portable probe.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1994Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventor: Robert Downing LaClair
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Patent number: 5628180Abstract: Apparatus for igniting fuel in a combustor includes an injector having an electrostatic fuel atomization nozzle and an igniter. The injector produces an initial combustion process that ignites the main fuel supply from a fuel nozzle. Alternatively, a main fuel nozzle is provided which includes a plurality of electrostatic fuel nozzles disposed about a centrally located igniter. In one embodiment, the igniter is a laser igniter.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Simmonds Precision Engine SystemsInventor: Dennis M. DeFreitas
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Patent number: 5627380Abstract: Apparatus for detecting fluid level in a container, comprises a housing adapted to be disposed in the container; a float with an associated magnetic element, the float position corresponding to fluid level in the container; a magnetostrictive sensor disposed inside the housing; and a stick gauge disposed inside the housing; the magnetostrictive sensor and the stick gauge each being operable to determine the float position.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1994Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventor: David H. Crowne
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Patent number: 5602540Abstract: A gauging apparatus for fluid containers such as fuel tanks includes a capacitance disposed in the container that changes value based on the volume of fluid in the container; a first antenna disposed below an outer surface of the container and coupled to the capacitance; a second antenna magnetically coupled with the first antenna across a coreless gap; and a gauging circuit coupled to the second antenna and comprising an oscillator for applying an excitation signal at a number of different frequencies to the second antenna, and a signal processing circuit that detects current in the second antenna caused by the excitation signal and by current in the first antenna related to the capacitance value.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1994Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products Inc.Inventor: William B. Spillman, Jr.
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Patent number: 5600133Abstract: An acousto-optic damage detector and locator uses acoustic energy propagated through a structure to modulate light transmitted through an optical fiber whereby the character of acoustic signals detected by the fiber varies according to the physical condition of the portion of the structure through which the pulses propagate to determine the existence, location and extent of faults within the structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1995Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventor: William B. Spillman, Jr.