Patents by Inventor Charles Woods

Charles Woods 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: 20170275946
    Abstract: A retractable privacy system for is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a retractable privacy system includes a drums rotated by one or more motors to draw-in or let-out a flexible sheet from a drum. Multiple motors may work in synchronization to achieve a desired result. In certain embodiments, various inputs are used to automatically open or close privacy sheets. In other embodiments, the retractable privacy system interfaces with a thermostat or security system to achieve a desired result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Andrew Priddis, Charles Wood, Grant Getts
  • Publication number: 20170260765
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cover for a spa includes the steps of vacuum molding a first shell member and a second shell member, bringing the first and second shell members into registration with one another to define a hollow cavity therebetween, and injecting a foam into the hollow cavity, wherein the foam is configured to bond with the shell members to create a unitary structural part that provides increased strength and rigidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: WADE SPICER, CHARLES WOODS
  • Patent number: 9750186
    Abstract: A walk-behind is configurable in a grass catching mode, wherein a debris container is attached to the mower in a grass collecting configuration to permit the collection of grass clippings. The mower may further be configured such that the debris container is stored on the mower in a stowed configuration. The debris container may be partially or fully supported by a handle of the mower when in the stowed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: John O. Hurst, Chris A. Wadzinski, John T. Gill, Daniel C. Johnson, Lee G. Macklem, Mark W. Schulz, Charles A. Wood
  • Patent number: 9664392
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes an outer band that circumferentially surrounds a fuel plenum defined within the bundled tube fuel injector. The outer band includes a forward end portion that is axially separated from an aft end portion. A plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. A first segment of the plurality of pre-mix tubes is circumferentially surrounded by the outer band. An outer shroud extends circumferentially around a second segment of the pre-mix tubes. The outer shroud includes a forward portion and an aft portion. The aft end portion of the outer band is coupled to the forward portion of the outer shroud via a plurality of fasteners for enhanced assembly and reparability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods
  • Publication number: 20170121992
    Abstract: A cover for a spa includes a first cover member and a second cover member hingedly connected to one another about a seam. The cover further includes a sleeve associated with of one of the cover members at an approximate midpoint between an outer edge of the cover member and the seam. The sleeve is configured to receive a connecting rod of a lifting mechanism therethrough for transmitting an uncovering and/or covering force from the lifting mechanism to the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Strong Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: WADE SPICER, CHARLES WOODS, RYAN FORCE
  • Patent number: 9528764
    Abstract: A plurality of substantially identical, thermally and/or atmospherically isolated modules can be employed to effect a treatment process. Each module can include a thermal system and/or atmospheric control system to effect a step of a treatment process, such as a heat treatment process for metal articles, particularly heat treatment and/or welding of parts made from so-called “super allows.” The module control systems can communicate and/or cooperate to carry out a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Ronald Lee Souther
  • Patent number: 9529370
    Abstract: A paint circulating system back pressure regulator comprises a flow passage for paint, at least part of which is disposed between a fixed structure and a moveable surface which is moveable to vary the width of the flow passage so as to regulate a pressure of paint upstream of the regulator. The regulator is also provided with a chamber having an opening for communicating with a supply of a pressurised fluid for controlling operation of the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Finishing Brands UK Limited
    Inventors: Alan Smith, Nigel Charles Wood
  • Patent number: 9519776
    Abstract: The present invention is a computer security system and method in which the various algorithms not only do not search for or detect the presence of a steganographic or other hidden image in a data file or across data files, but also includes at least one or more combined approaches for altering and neutralizing any hidden messages without significantly detracting from the underlying integrity of the data file or files thus treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit
    Inventor: Charles Wood
  • Publication number: 20160354839
    Abstract: Hybrid additive manufacturing methods include building a green state additive structure, wherein building the green state additive structure comprises iteratively binding together a plurality of layers of additive material using a binder, and joining the green state additive structure to a base structure to form a hybrid article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: David Edward Schick, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Steven Charles Woods, Steven John Barnell
  • Publication number: 20160299821
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for storing and restoring digital data. In some implementations, a method is provided. The method includes receiving, while a current view of an application is displayed in a user interface, a first user input requesting that a history view associated with the current view of the application be displayed, retrieve data associated with the history view, determining a presentation format for the data, and displaying the history view in response to the first user input in accordance with the presentation format, the history view including data associated with at least a first visual representation of an earlier version of the current view of the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Toby Charles Wood PATERSON, David A. LYONS, Julien Jacques JALON, Julien Yann ROBERT, Pavel CISLER, Yan ARROUYE, Robert M. CHINN
  • Patent number: 9423136
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel distribution module, a tube bundle having a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend in parallel downstream from the fuel distribution module and a support plate disposed substantially adjacent to the fuel distribution manifold. The plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the support plate. A retention sleeve is coupled to the support plate at a first end. A second end of the retention sleeve includes a plurality of radially extending retention features that are circumferentially arranged around the second end. The bundled tube fuel injector also includes an aft plate having a retention collar. The retention collar is configured to engage with the retention features. The retention sleeve and the retention collar partially define a cartridge passage that extends through the bundled tube fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Patent number: 9423134
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel plenum that is defined within the bundled tube fuel injector and a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. Each pre-mix tube includes an end portion and a radially extending end surface. The bundled tube fuel injector further includes a tube tip that is fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
  • Patent number: 9400112
    Abstract: A method for disassembling a bundled tube fuel injector includes decoupling an aft plate from a fuel distribution module of the bundled tube fuel injector, where the aft plate is disposed at a downstream end of the bundled tube fuel injector. The method also includes removing the aft plate from the bundled tube fuel injector to expose a portion of a plurality of pre-mix tubes so as to allow for inspection repair and/or replacement of one or more of the plurality of pre-mix tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Publication number: 20160198631
    Abstract: A walk-behind mower that, in one embodiment, is configured in a grass catching mode, wherein a debris container is attached to the mower in a grass collecting configuration to permit the collection of grass clippings. The mower may further be configured in an alternative mode, wherein the debris container is stored on the mower in a stowed configuration. In one embodiment, the debris container may be partially or fully supported by a handle of the mower when in the stowed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: John O. Hurst, Chris A. Wadzinski, John T. Gill, Daniel C. Johnson, Lee G. Macklem, Mark W. Schulz, Charles A. Wood
  • Publication number: 20160153663
    Abstract: A method for repairing a bundled tube fuel injector includes removing a portion of a pre-mix tube, aligning a tube tip with the remaining portion pre-mix tube and fixedly connecting the tube tip to the pre-mix tube. The method may further include removing an aft plate and an outer shroud from the bundled tube fuel injector so as to expose the pre-mix tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Patrick S. Riley
  • Publication number: 20160102914
    Abstract: A plurality of substantially identical, thermally and/or atmospherically isolated modules can be employed to effect a treatment process. Each module can include a thermal system and/or atmospheric control system to effect a step of a treatment process, such as a heat treatment process for metal articles, particularly heat treatment and/or welding of parts made from so-called “super allows.” The module control systems can communicate and/or cooperate to carry out a process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Ronald Lee Souther
  • Patent number: 9286166
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for storing and restoring digital data. In some implementations, a method is provided. The method includes receiving, while a current view of an application is displayed in a user interface, a first user input requesting that a history view associated with the current view of the application be displayed, retrieve data associated with the history view, determining a presentation format for the data, and displaying the history view in response to the first user input in accordance with the presentation format, the history view including data associated with at least a first visual representation of an earlier version of the current view of the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Charles Wood Paterson, David A. Lyons, Julien Jacques Jalon, Julien Yann Robert, Pavel Cisler, Yan Arrouye, Robert M. Chinn
  • Patent number: 9259807
    Abstract: A method for repairing a bundled tube fuel injector includes removing a portion of a pre-mix tube, aligning a tube tip with the remaining portion pre-mix tube and fixedly connecting the tube tip to the pre-mix tube. The method may further include removing an aft plate and an outer shroud from the bundled tube fuel injector so as to expose the pre-mix tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Patrick S. Riley
  • Patent number: 9249976
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method for servicing a combustor cap assembly of a turbine includes determining a defect is present in a center ring of the cap assembly, the center ring being disposed within a plurality of vanes, removing the center ring from the cap assembly. The method also includes placing a replacement center ring in the cap assembly, wherein dimensions of the replacement center ring are substantially the same as the center ring that has been removed and brazing the replacement center ring to the plurality of vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, Charles Van Buchan, Robert Wade Clifford, Daniel James Dorriety, Steven Charles Woods
  • Patent number: 9242313
    Abstract: A viewport assembly may allow viewing of a retort chamber while protecting the viewer from heat of the retort chamber through a high-temperature-resistant window in an end wall of the viewport assembly. An access port in the end wall may allow use of tools, such as a welding device. An insulated door between the viewport assembly and the retort chamber may enhance protection and heat retention. The assembly may enhance retention of inert atmosphere in the retort chamber as well as heat, facilitating work on superalloy articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Ronald Lee Souther