Patents by Inventor Charles M. Noble

Charles M. Noble has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220167487
    Abstract: An apparatus connectable to a streetlight luminaire includes a housing, an electrical connector, power conversion circuitry, and an output power interface. The housing has a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sidewall interconnecting the top and bottom surfaces. The electrical connector is integrated with the bottom surface of the housing and electromechanically connectable to a top-side electrical connector of the streetlight luminaire. The power conversion circuitry is operable to receive an input alternating current (AC) signal from the electrical connector and produce at least one output AC signal, wherein an average voltage of each output AC signal is less than an average voltage of the input AC signal. The output power interface is electrically coupled to the power conversion circuitry and integrated with the sidewall(s) of the housing. The output power interface is arranged to provide the output AC signal(s) for use external to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Gustavo Dario Leizerovich, Ian B. Aaron, Charles M. Nobles
  • Patent number: 11116062
    Abstract: A power tap includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one side surface. A first male connector is integrated with a substantially planar portion of the bottom surface and arranged for substantially permanent electromechanical coupling to a first female connector that is integrated with a streetlight luminaire. A second female connector is integrated with a substantially planar portion of the top surface and arranged to receive a second male connector that is integrated with an electronic control device. Each male connector and each female connector is compliant with a roadway area lighting standard promoted by a standards body. The power tap also includes power conversion circuitry arranged to receive a higher voltage input signal and to produce at least one lower voltage output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Ubicquia, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustavo Dario Leizerovich, Ian B. Aaron, Charles M. Nobles
  • Patent number: 5730429
    Abstract: A system (20) which includes a frequency-dependent decoupler (21) arranged in a series-spring relationship with an actuator (26) for supplying active forces to cancel vibration. The system (20) also includes a spring (28) for providing a primary load path. The system (20) is responsive to at least one sensor (32, 34, 36 or 38) and is controlled via controller (30). The decoupler (26) has greater frequency dependency than the spring (28) and allows the actuator (26) to be effectively decoupled at low frequency, yet coupled at high frequency. This frequency dependent coupling allows the system (20)to accommodate transient static and low frequency loads and motions by allowing motion across the decoupler (21). However, at high frequency, the decoupler (21) becomes stiffer and couples the actuator (26) with the moving members (22) and (24) such that motion across the decoupler (26) is minimized and the actuator (26) becomes more effective at high frequency attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Ivers, Lane R. Miller, Lynn C. Yanyo, Charles M. Nobles, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5276622
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing suspension end-stop collisions is disclosed. The method and apparatus controls the operation of an isolation system having an adjustable damper assembly interconnecting relatively movable members to attenuate the transmission of forces therebetween, in which relative movement of the members is restricted beyond a certain limit by one or more end stops. Sensors monitor the conditions of the system such as the displacement, velocity and acceleration of the members. Damper command signals are provided to the damper assembly to adjust the damping characteristics of the assembly, as determined by the data, in accordance with both a primary control policy and an override control policy. The override control policy alters the damper command signals as necessary to increase the damping characteristics of the damper assembly at times when the isolation system is likely to meet or exceed the end stops in order to minimize the incidence of end-stop collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Lane R. Miller, Charles M. Nobles, Douglas E. Ivers, Mark R. Jolly
  • Patent number: 5174552
    Abstract: A fluid mount with the capability of actively controlling the amount of vibrational energy transmitted thereacross. An actuator is provided in series or in parallel with the inertia track passageway of a double pumper isolation mount to permit the dynamic stiffness of the mount to be varied so as to control the amount of vibrational energy transmitted in a desired manner. A control system for permitting frequency-shaped force feedback control of the device is also disclosed. Utilization of the device as a tuned absorber is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Hodgson, Charles M. Nobles, Jr., Peter J. Jones, Mark R. Jolly, Donald L. Margolis
  • Patent number: 5004079
    Abstract: An improved method and means for control and accomplishment of semi-damper assembly transition between high damping and low damping states is provided which takes advantage of the available inherent dynamic fluid pressure forces produced by the condition of motion between supported and supporting members. Deferral or delay of damper state transitions to avoid force discontinuities or system noise is accomplished mechanically, or automatically internal to the structure of the adjustable valve assembly. A voice coil actuated valve slider is operable within the piston of the damper assembly to modulate the damping coefficient in conjunction with check valves. The delay of damper state transition from high to low damping is accomplished independent of the particular control policy utilized until the fluid pressure differential across the valve slide is a preselected low value. Commanded valve switching and motion condition sensing requirements are also minimized by the reversible check valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Ivers, Charles M. Nobles
  • Patent number: 4936425
    Abstract: The system includes at least one semiactive damper whose switching between high damping and low damping states is at times delayed until the relative velocity across the damper is no greater than a preselected low magnitude, or until the energy stored by a resilient deformable system member is no greater than a predetermined magnitude, or until the first to occur of either of the foregoing events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Boone, Lane R. Miller, Warren R. Schroeder, Charles M. Nobles
  • Patent number: 4907680
    Abstract: An improved isolation system for time responsive attenuation control led electromechanical valve assembly comprising the piston of motion between spaced members is provided having a remotely actuator of a fluid damper for generating motion attenuating forces. The piston valve assembly employs a moving coil valve slider moveable between first and second positions to generate damper forces independently of the fluid pressure differential between opposing fluid chambers. Direct flow passages extend through the piston valve assembly between the opposing chambers. In the first position of the valve slider, fluid flow is substantially permitted through the direct flow passages to provide a substantially nonresistant damper force. In the second position, the valve slider intersects internal porting portions of the direct flow passages to substantially restrict fluid flow therethrough and provide a resistant damper force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Paul T. Wolfe, Charles M. Nobles, Lane R. Miller
  • Patent number: 4838392
    Abstract: The damper assembly has improved valve means that includes at least one annular movable valve member of the voice-coil type. Such valve member is formed at least in part of composite material that increases the strength and stiffness of the member, while reducing its coefficient of thermal expansion and its weight. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly includes two movable annular valve members which are driven in unison with each other such that when one occupies a flow-permitting position the other occupies a flow-inhibiting position. Check valves utilized in the assembly preferably are of a resilient split-ring type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Lane R. Miller, Charles M. Nobles, Jr., Dennis P. McGuire
  • Patent number: 4286674
    Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00763 Sec. 371 Date Sept. 24, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Sept. 24, 1979 PCT Filed Sept. 24, 1979 PCT Pub. No. W081/00897 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 2, 1981The push arms of a conventional bulldozer assembly are mounted on a track roller frame of a track-type tractor by bearing assemblies, each including a pair of bearing caps. One of the bearing caps is welded to the push arm, thus requiring that it be cut-off upon replacement thereof. In addition, the bearing cap welded to the push arm must be selectively hardened to avoid stress cracking in the heat affected zone of the weld. This invention overcomes the above problems by providing a bearing assembly (16) which includes a pair of separable first and second bearing caps (17, 17') which are secured together and to the push arm by common fasteners (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Charles M. Noble, James A. Olthoff