Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Douglas
Christopher R. Douglas 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).
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Publication number: 20240130925Abstract: A wearable health management system includes a flexible member configured to be worn on an affected area by a patient. At least one actuator is operably coupled to the flexible member. The at least one actuator is configured to be adjusted between a deployed state and a non-deployed state. At least one of a photoplethysmogram sensor and a bioimpedance sensor is coupled to the flexible member to obtain one or more health metrics from the patient. A controller is in communication with the at least one actuator. The controller is configured to adjust the at least one actuator to the deployed state to provide a selected pressure to the affected area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2024Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Carlos Suarez, Edward Bremer, Aaron R. Burnham, Ashu Jain, John Lane, Christopher Larson, Rachel K. Douglas, Thaddeus J. Wawro
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Patent number: 11918539Abstract: A wearable health management system includes a flexible member configured to be worn on an affected area by a patient. At least one actuator is operably coupled to the flexible member. The at least one actuator is configured to be adjusted between a deployed state and a non-deployed state. At least one of a photoplethysmogram sensor and a bioimpedance sensor is coupled to the flexible member to obtain one or more health metrics from the patient. A controller is in communication with the at least one actuator. The controller is configured to adjust the at least one actuator to the deployed state to provide a selected pressure to the affected area.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.Inventors: Carlos Suarez, Edward Bremer, Aaron R. Burnham, Ashu Jain, John Lane, Christopher Larson, Rachel K. Douglas, Thaddeus J. Wawro
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Publication number: 20220348300Abstract: A thruster system for a marine vessel includes an electric motor having an output shaft. The thruster system also includes a housing having a first housing opening and a second housing opening, the first housing opening defining a water intake, the second housing opening defining a water discharge. The thruster system further includes a rotatable member operatively coupled to, and driven by, the output shaft of the electric motor, wherein rotation of the rotatable member results in water brought into the housing through the first housing opening and expelled through the second housing opening to generate a thrust force in a direction that is greater than 45 degrees relative to a propeller direction of the marine vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: John E. Weber, Rodney M. Sanderson, Christopher R. Douglas, Andrew E. Maschke, Philogene F. Rousseau
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Patent number: 11427115Abstract: A method for cancelling seat vibration includes receiving, from an accelerometer, a plurality of accelerometer measurements and applying a first filter to the plurality of accelerometer measurements to remove accelerometer measurements of the plurality of accelerometer measurements having a frequency above a first threshold frequency. The method also includes applying a second filter to an output of the first filter to remove accelerometer measurements of the output of the first filter having a frequency above a second threshold frequency and applying a third filter to an output of the second filter to generate an accelerometer measurement output having a center frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency of the vibration of the at least one component of the seat. The method also includes determining an absolute magnitude value of the accelerometer measurement output and selectively controlling a motor based on the absolute magnitude value of the accelerometer measurement output.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Brian G. Maust, Benjamin H. Helmreich, Christopher R. Douglas
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Patent number: 11400840Abstract: A method for cancelling seat vibration includes receiving a first accelerometer measurement. The method also includes receiving a second accelerometer measurement. The method also includes determining a counter torque value based on the first accelerometer measurement and the second accelerometer measurement. The method also includes selectively controlling a motor using the counter torque value.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Benjamin H. Helmreich, Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas
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Publication number: 20220126730Abstract: A method for sensor diagnostics in a seat suspension system includes: generating, by a rotational position sensor, based on a rotational position of an output shaft coupled to a suspension mechanism to move a vehicle seat relative to a vehicle body, an output signal including a sine output and a cosine output; determining, based on the sine output and the cosine output, a diagnostic indicator value; and determining, based on the diagnostic indicator value, an accuracy of the output signal to represent the rotational position of the output shaft. A second method determines accuracy of an output signal to represent a rotational position of the output shaft in a seat suspension system using the output signal and a motor position signal representing a rotational position of a motor shaft coupled to the output shaft such that rotation of the motor shaft causes rotation of the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas, Stan Schlatter, Andrew E. Maschke
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Patent number: 11230360Abstract: A steering system for a marine vessel includes a cable translatable in response to a steering input command. The steering system also includes a rudder pivotable to steer the marine vessel. The steering system further includes a link member operatively coupled to the rudder. The steering system yet further includes a sensor positioned to detect a load associated with the cable in response to the steering input command. The steering system also includes an electric power steering system in operative communication with the sensor to receive a signal from the sensor and provide a powered assist to the link member.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: John E. Weber, Rod M. Sanderson, Andrew E. Maschke, Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas, Philogene F. Rousseau, Brant R. Colbry
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Publication number: 20210331776Abstract: A steering system for a marine vessel includes a cable translatable in response to a steering input command. The steering system also includes a rudder pivotable to steer the marine vessel. The steering system further includes a link member operatively coupled to the rudder. The steering system yet further includes a sensor positioned to detect a load associated with the cable in response to the steering input command. The steering system also includes an electric power steering system in operative communication with the sensor to receive a signal from the sensor and provide a powered assist to the link member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2020Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: John E. Weber, Rod M. Sanderson, Andrew E. Maschke, Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas, Philogene F. Rousseau, Brant R. Colbry
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Publication number: 20210129720Abstract: A method for cancelling seat vibration includes receiving, from an accelerometer, a plurality of accelerometer measurements and applying a first filter to the plurality of accelerometer measurements to remove accelerometer measurements of the plurality of accelerometer measurements having a frequency above a first threshold frequency. The method also includes applying a second filter to an output of the first filter to remove accelerometer measurements of the output of the first filter having a frequency above a second threshold frequency and applying a third filter to an output of the second filter to generate an accelerometer measurement output having a center frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency of the vibration of the at least one component of the seat. The method also includes determining an absolute magnitude value of the accelerometer measurement output and selectively controlling a motor based on the absolute magnitude value of the accelerometer measurement output.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Brian G. Maust, Benjamin H. Helmreich, Christopher R. Douglas
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Publication number: 20210129719Abstract: A method for cancelling seat vibration includes receiving a first accelerometer measurement. The method also includes receiving a second accelerometer measurement. The method also includes determining a counter torque value based on the first accelerometer measurement and the second accelerometer measurement. The method also includes selectively controlling a motor using the counter torque value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Benjamin H. Helmreich, Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas
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Publication number: 20210114703Abstract: An auxiliary outboard motor for a marine craft is provided. The motor includes a stationary portion for housing an engine and a first portion of a driveshaft operatively coupled to the engine. The motor also includes a lower unit rotatably coupled to the stationary portion, the lower unit housing a propeller shaft and a second portion of the driveshaft, the lower unit being less than half of an overall height of the auxiliary outboard motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: John E. Weber, Brian G. Maust, Rodney M. Sanderson, Christopher R. Douglas
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Patent number: 10899424Abstract: A marine power steering system includes a first steering input device and a second steering input device. The first steering input device includes a first steering sensor that provides a first signal indicative of at least one of a torque and an angular position of a first steering wheel. The first steering input device further includes a controller arranged to receive the first signal. The second steering input device includes a second steering sensor that provides a second signal indicative of at least one of a torque and an angular position of a second steering wheel to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Addney T. Biery, II, John E. Weber, Christopher R. Douglas
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Patent number: 10479469Abstract: A steering system includes a steering sensor, a gear motor assembly, and a controller. The steering sensor is disposed at a helm. The gear motor assembly at least partially extends between a mid-unit and a lower unit of an outboard motor. The controller is in communication with the steering sensor and the gear motor assembly. The controller is programmed to command the gear motor assembly to pivot the lower unit relative to the mid-unit in response to a signal provided by the steering sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: John E. Weber, Christopher R. Douglas, Andrew E. Maschke
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Patent number: 10149424Abstract: A seed planter adjustment system includes at least one component of a seed planter that is adjustable for controlling a seed planting depth. Also included is a controller in operative communication with the at least one component. Further included is a user interface in electronic communication with the controller, the user interface receiving an adjustment command from an operator to remotely adjust the at least one component.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas, Addney T. Biery
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Publication number: 20180281915Abstract: A marine power steering system includes a first steering input device and a second steering input device. The first steering input device includes a first steering sensor that provides a first signal indicative of at least one of a torque and an angular position of a first steering wheel. The first steering input device further includes a controller arranged to receive the first signal. The second steering input device includes a second steering sensor that provides a second signal indicative of at least one of a torque and an angular position of a second steering wheel to the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Addney T. Biery, II, John E. Weber, Christopher R. Douglas
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Publication number: 20180215454Abstract: A steering system includes a steering sensor, a gear motor assembly, and a controller. The steering sensor is disposed at a helm. The gear motor assembly at least partially extends between a mid-unit and a lower unit of an outboard motor. The controller is in communication with the steering sensor and the gear motor assembly. The controller is programmed to command the gear motor assembly to pivot the lower unit relative to the mid-unit in response to a signal provided by the steering sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventors: John E. Weber, Christopher R. Douglas, Andrew E. Maschke
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Publication number: 20170202132Abstract: A seed planter adjustment system includes at least one component of a seed planter that is adjustable for controlling a seed planting depth. Also included is a controller in operative communication with the at least one component. Further included is a user interface in electronic communication with the controller, the user interface receiving an adjustment command from an operator to remotely adjust the at least one component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas, Addney T. Biery