Patents by Inventor Christopher Williamson

Christopher Williamson 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).

  • Patent number: 11118885
    Abstract: A portable item carrier and belt feed system is provided along with related methods. One illustrative embodiment includes a carrier and feed structure comprising a semi-rigid material with a divider support extending perpendicularly from a center floor section of the carrier. A belt of items is folded over the divider to reduce jams or misfeeds as the belt of items is pulled through a feed chute near an upper side section of the carrier and feed structure at a predetermined range of feed angles to the divider support. A latch disposed on a lid of the feed structure is configured for quick and easy access to the belt of items. A flexible outer container encloses the carrier and feed structure and can be coupled to a harness section configured to couple with a mobile structure. Additional embodiments include variants suitable for field manufacturing as well as portable manufacturing systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Christopher Williamson, Lawrence Shirley
  • Publication number: 20210099809
    Abstract: A microphone capsule assembly includes a first microphone capsule oriented to face a first direction that is parallel to a first plane, a second microphone capsule oriented to face in a direction opposite to the first direction, where a front face of the second microphone capsule is spaced a distance from a front face of the first microphone capsule in the first direction, a third microphone capsule oriented to face in a second direction that is at a first acute angle to the first direction when measured parallel to the first plane, and a fourth microphone capsule oriented to face in a third direction that is at a second acute angle to the first direction when measured parallel to the first plane, where the third and fourth microphone capsules are spaced a distance from the front face of the first microphone capsule in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Clayton Christopher WILLIAMSON, Adam Kirk BENNETT, Matthew Fumio YAMAMOTO, Sal Gregory GARCIA, Tyler Copeland BARKLEY, Aaron Lee BUTTERS
  • Publication number: 20210087908
    Abstract: Methods to dehydrate a gravel pack and to temporarily increase a flow rate of fluid flowing from a wellbore into a conveyance are disclosed. A method to dehydrate gravel pack includes deploying a valve at a location proximate a gravel pack. The valve includes a rupture disk that ruptures in response to a threshold amount of pressure, and reactive fluid that actuates the valve to a closed position. The method also includes providing a fluid flow path from the gravel pack to the conveyance. The method further includes closing the valve after providing the fluid flow path from the gravel pack to the conveyance for a threshold period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Michael NOVELEN, Edmund Christopher WILLIAMSON, Stephen Michael GRECI
  • Publication number: 20200090282
    Abstract: Methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and insurance claim analysis devices are disclosed that generate an injury severity score based on a delta velocity value for a damaged motor vehicle and occupant data for an occupant of the damaged motor vehicle or motor vehicle data associated with the damaged motor vehicle. A first set of condition indications are identified based on a correlation of the injury severity score with a stored mapping of condition indications to injury severity scores. A determination is made when one or more of the first set of condition indications correspond to one or more of a second set of condition indications in injury data for an electronic insurance claim. The electronic insurance claim is automatically adjudicated based on a likelihood value generated based on the determination. The likelihood value is indicative of whether a reported injury of the occupant resulted from an associated motor vehicle accident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Norman E. Tyrrell, Olaf Wied, Jonathan Navarrete, Christopher Williamson, Paul Zaino
  • Patent number: 10485326
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for increasing situational awareness of an operator carrying, integrating, and using a combination of equipment items in a variety of operating environments in a compact configuration enabling rapid viewing and access or stowage with minimized eye and hand movement. In particular, embodiments include apparatuses and methods associated with a ruggedized hands-free body mounted portable display device holder. In particular, various embodiments are provided which enable an operator to use a combination equipment together in a body mounted system which increase situational awareness and ability to operate using a variety of body mounted equipment as well as carried equipment that reduce mass or streamline the operator's equipment loadout that is carried on their body e.g., body armor with equipment mounting loops or sewn strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Christopher Williamson, Lawrence Shirley, II, Ross Severn
  • Patent number: 10100494
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the swing of a machine is disclosed. The system may comprise a hydrostatic circuit that includes an electronic displacement control pump and a first swing motor fluidly connected in a closed loop circuit. The electronic displacement control pump configured to control the supply of fluid to the swing motor based on a final pump displacement command. The first swing motor configured to rotate the upper carriage of the machine. The hydrostatic circuit configured to control (a) an actual speed of the first swing motor when the final pump displacement command results from a requested swing motor speed and (b) a torque of the first swing motor when the final pump displacement command results from a requested swing motor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. Vonderwell, Douglas W. Seeger, Christopher A. Williamson
  • Publication number: 20180140078
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for increasing situational awareness of an operator carrying, integrating, and using a combination of equipment items in a variety of operating environments in a compact configuration enabling rapid viewing and access or stowage with minimized eye and hand movement. In particular, embodiments include apparatuses and methods associated with a ruggedized hands-free body mounted portable display device holder. In particular, various embodiments are provided which enable an operator to use a combination equipment together in a body mounted system which increase situational awareness and ability to operate using a variety of body mounted equipment as well as carried equipment that reduce mass or streamline the operator's equipment loadout that is carried on their body e.g., body armor with equipment mounting loops or sewn strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Williamson, Lawrence Shirley, II, Ross Severin
  • Publication number: 20180044887
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the swing of a machine is disclosed. The system may comprise a hydrostatic circuit that includes an electronic displacement control pump and a first swing motor fluidly connected in a closed loop circuit. The electronic displacement control pump configured to control the supply of fluid to the swing motor based on a final pump displacement command. The first swing motor configured to rotate the upper carriage of the machine. The hydrostatic circuit configured to control (a) an actual speed of the first swing motor when the final pump displacement command results from a requested swing motor speed and (b) a torque of the first swing motor when the final pump displacement command results from a requested swing motor torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. Vonderwell, Douglas W. Seeger, Christopher A. Williamson
  • Publication number: 20160313104
    Abstract: A portable item carrier and belt feed system is provided along with related methods. One illustrative embodiment includes a carrier and feed structure comprising a semi-rigid material with a divider support extending perpendicularly from a center floor section of the carrier. A belt of items is folded over the divider to reduce jams or misfeeds as the belt of items is pulled through a feed chute near an upper side section of the carrier and feed structure at a predetermined range of feed angles to the divider support. A latch disposed on a lid of the feed structure is configured for quick and easy access to the belt of items. A flexible outer container encloses the carrier and feed structure and can be coupled to a harness section configured to couple with a mobile structure. Additional embodiments include variants suitable for field manufacturing as well as portable manufacturing systems and methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Williamson, Lawrence Shirley
  • Patent number: 9394922
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for controlling a component of a hydraulic machine includes an actuator having a head end chamber and a rod end chamber, the actuator having an extended position for moving the component in a first direction and a retracted position for moving the component in a second direction. The hydraulic circuit includes a regeneration valve having an open position for fluidly connecting the head end chamber to the rod end chamber, a first control valve having a first open position, a second open position for fluidly connecting the regeneration valve to the return tank and substantially fluidly disconnecting the rod end chamber from the fluid source, and a closed position, and a second control valve having a first open position, a second open position, and a closed position for substantially fluidly disconnecting the rod end chamber from the fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Williamson, Michael Chiaramonte, Sean Johnson, Justin Ayers, Robert Stone, Brett J. Janson
  • Publication number: 20150059568
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for controlling a component of a hydraulic machine includes an actuator having a head end chamber and a rod end chamber, the actuator having an extended position for moving the component in a first direction and a retracted position for moving the component in a second direction. The hydraulic circuit includes a regeneration valve having an open position for fluidly connecting the head end chamber to the rod end chamber, a first control valve having a first open position, a second open position for fluidly connecting the regeneration valve to the return tank and substantially fluidly the rod end chamber from the fluid source, and a closed position, and a second control disconnecting valve having a first open position, a second open position, and a closed position for substantially fluidly disconnecting the rod end chamber from the fluid source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Williamson, Michael Chiaramonte, Sean Johnson, Justin Ayers, Robert Stone, Brett J. Janson
  • Patent number: 8955433
    Abstract: A doctor assembly for a pad printing system includes a body and a doctor blade. The body has an outer surface and an opposite inner surface that defines a passageway through the body. The inner surface engages a removable pre-filled ink cup to secure the ink cup to the body. The inner surface directs ink from the ink cup through the passageway toward an ink-receiving surface of a cliché device. The doctor blade is coupled with the body and engages the cliché device. The doctor blade wipes the ink along the cliché device as the body laterally moves relative to the cliché device. The doctor blade is coupled with the body such that the doctor blade is laterally spaced apart from the inner surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Peterson, Christopher Schaafsma, Sigi Knappik, Christopher Williamson
  • Patent number: 8887499
    Abstract: A method for overpressure control in a hydraulic system having multiple hydraulic pumps, with each hydraulic pump being connected by a respective hydraulic circuit for actuating a single respective hydraulic actuator, includes actuating a first variable displacement hydraulic pump, the first hydraulic pump being fluidly linked by a first hydraulic circuit to a first hydraulic actuator for powering the first hydraulic actuator. Upon detecting a pressure that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure, the flow rate of the first hydraulic pump is electronically modified to a second flow rate lower than the first flow rate whereby the pressure in the first hydraulic circuit is reduced to a pressure that is below the predetermined threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Purdue University
    Inventors: Brad Edler, Viral S. Mehta, Lawrence Tognetti, Christopher Williamson
  • Patent number: 8484015
    Abstract: An answer engine determines an entity related to a query from a user in a system designed for computation, search, or other activities involving the processing of queries. The system determines whether an entity page for the entity is stored in an answers database and, if so, retrieves and displays the stored entity page. If there is no stored entity page for the entity, the answer engine generates and displays an answer to the query and may optionally store the answer as an entity page. Additionally, the answer engine may pre-generate and store entity pages according to algorithmic variation of received queries and/or according to information received from external sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Wolfram Alpha LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Wolfram, Christopher Williamson, Oyvind Tafjord
  • Publication number: 20130000292
    Abstract: A method for overpressure control in a hydraulic system having multiple hydraulic pumps, with each hydraulic pump being connected by a respective hydraulic circuit for actuating a single respective hydraulic actuator, includes actuating a first variable displacement hydraulic pump, the first hydraulic pump being fluidly linked by a first hydraulic circuit to a first hydraulic actuator for powering the first hydraulic actuator. Upon detecting a pressure that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure, the flow rate of the first hydraulic pump is electronically modified to a second flow rate lower than the first flow rate whereby the pressure in the first hydraulic circuit is reduced to a pressure that is below the predetermined threshold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: BRAD EDLER, VIRAL S. MEHTA, LAWRENCE TOGNETTI, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMSON
  • Publication number: 20120324875
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a machine having first and second movable elements, first and second hydromechanical movers for moving the first and second movable elements, respectively, and first and second hydraulic pumps linked to the first and second hydromechanical movers, respectively. Movement requests for moving the first and second movable elements are processed such that the movement command to the second hydromechanical mover is reduced by a variable amount based on the magnitude of the first movement request. For commanded first hydromechanical mover movements below a certain level, flow to the second hydromechanical mover may optionally not be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: BRAD EDLER, VIRAL S. MEHTA, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMSON, JEFFREY KUEHN
  • Publication number: 20120180677
    Abstract: A doctor assembly for a pad printing system includes a body and a doctor blade. The body has an outer surface and an opposite inner surface that defines a passageway through the body. The inner surface engages a removable pre-filled ink cup to secure the ink cup to the body. The inner surface directs ink from the ink cup through the passageway toward an ink-receiving surface of a cliché device. The doctor blade is coupled with the body and engages the cliché device. The doctor blade wipes the ink along the cliché device as the body laterally moves relative to the cliché device. The doctor blade is coupled with the body such that the doctor blade is laterally spaced apart from the inner surface of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Samuel Peterson, Christopher Schaafsma, Sigi Knappik, Christopher Williamson
  • Publication number: 20120084216
    Abstract: A system (10) for tracking warranties and other time critical contracts. The system (10) includes a data store (12) for storing at least authentication information for authenticating a user to the system and contract information including start date and end date of the contract being tracked. The system (10) also includes a processor (13) adapted to access the data store and from the information made available in the data store, determining one or dates regarding time critical contracts, and for directing communications with a user via a communications module (14) which is adapted to send and receive information to and from a user's networked device including a mobile telephone (16) or a computer (18) and where the information sent to the device includes at least, an alert reminding the user that the contract is about to expire, in advance of the end date of a contract being tracked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Williamson
  • Patent number: 8099555
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed permit flexible optimization of printer cache memories by specify criteria for determining cache membership for objects derived from a print data streams, wherein the objects may be associated with distinct reference counts. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of: assigning an initial value to the reference count associated with an object, if the object is not present in the cache; incrementing the reference count by a first weight, if the object is already present in the cache; decrementing the reference count by a second weight, in response to an end-of-page event; and removing the object from the cache if the reference count is below a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Williamson
  • Publication number: 20100191912
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed permit flexible optimization of printer cache memories by specify criteria for determining cache membership for objects derived from a print data streams, wherein the objects may be associated with distinct reference counts. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of: assigning an initial value to the reference count associated with an object, if the object is not present in the cache; incrementing the reference count by a first weight, if the object is already present in the cache; decrementing the reference count by a second weight, in response to an end-of-page event; and removing the object from the cache if the reference count is below a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Williamson