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).

  • Publication number: 20240130925
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Carlos Suarez, Edward Bremer, Aaron R. Burnham, Ashu Jain, John Lane, Christopher Larson, Rachel K. Douglas, Thaddeus J. Wawro
  • Patent number: 11918539
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Suarez, Edward Bremer, Aaron R. Burnham, Ashu Jain, John Lane, Christopher Larson, Rachel K. Douglas, Thaddeus J. Wawro
  • Publication number: 20220348300
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: John E. Weber, Rodney M. Sanderson, Christopher R. Douglas, Andrew E. Maschke, Philogene F. Rousseau
  • Patent number: 11427115
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Brian G. Maust, Benjamin H. Helmreich, Christopher R. Douglas
  • Patent number: 11400840
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin H. Helmreich, Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas
  • Publication number: 20220126730
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas, Stan Schlatter, Andrew E. Maschke
  • Patent number: 11230360
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Weber, Rod M. Sanderson, Andrew E. Maschke, Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas, Philogene F. Rousseau, Brant R. Colbry
  • Publication number: 20210331776
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: John E. Weber, Rod M. Sanderson, Andrew E. Maschke, Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas, Philogene F. Rousseau, Brant R. Colbry
  • Publication number: 20210129720
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Brian G. Maust, Benjamin H. Helmreich, Christopher R. Douglas
  • Publication number: 20210129719
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin H. Helmreich, Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas
  • Publication number: 20210114703
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: John E. Weber, Brian G. Maust, Rodney M. Sanderson, Christopher R. Douglas
  • Patent number: 10899424
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Addney T. Biery, II, John E. Weber, Christopher R. Douglas
  • Patent number: 10479469
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Weber, Christopher R. Douglas, Andrew E. Maschke
  • Patent number: 10149424
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas, Addney T. Biery
  • Publication number: 20180281915
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Addney T. Biery, II, John E. Weber, Christopher R. Douglas
  • Publication number: 20180215454
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: John E. Weber, Christopher R. Douglas, Andrew E. Maschke
  • Publication number: 20170202132
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Brian G. Maust, Christopher R. Douglas, Addney T. Biery