Patents by Inventor Craig E. Beal
Craig E. Beal 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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Patent number: 11897479Abstract: A device for estimating a friction coefficient between a road surface and an automotive tire through determination of a steering torque during a steering maneuver of a slow-rolling or stationary vehicle includes a computer configured for constructing a brush model for a description of the steering torque across a contact patch between the tire and road surface. The steering torque is a torque acting on a steering axis required to overcome resistance to tire twisting on the road surface at a wheel velocity and a steering rate. The steering torque depends on a tire brush vertical load distribution and relative motion of tire brushes and the road surface. The device further includes sensors for measuring the wheel velocity and the steering rate and mechanism for measurements or estimation of the steering torque. The friction coefficient is estimated based on the measurements or estimation of the steering torque and the brush model.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignees: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, BUCKNELL UNIVERSITYInventors: Craig E. Beal, Sean N. Brennan
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Publication number: 20220169256Abstract: A device for estimating a friction coefficient between a road surface and an automotive tire through determination of a steering torque during a steering maneuver of a slow-rolling or stationary vehicle includes a computer configured for constructing a brush model for a description of the steering torque across a contact patch between the tire and road surface. The steering torque is a torque acting on a steering axis required to overcome resistance to tire twisting on the road surface at a wheel velocity and a steering rate. The steering torque depends on a tire brush vertical load distribution and relative motion of tire brushes and the road surface. The device further includes sensors for measuring the wheel velocity and the steering rate and mechanism for measurements or estimation of the steering torque. The friction coefficient is estimated based on the measurements or estimation of the steering torque and the brush model.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Craig E. Beal, Sean N. Brennan
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Patent number: 8620481Abstract: The invention comprises devices and methods for providing operational power to a solar-powered irrigation control system. In one aspect, a method includes producing electrical energy from light, storing the electrical energy in a capacitive module, and operating an irrigation controller using the stored electrical energy independent of another power source. In another aspect, a device includes a control system comprising a computer having a programmed irrigation schedule which operates at least one irrigation device, a photovoltaic power module, and a capacitive module connected to said photovoltaic power module to store the electrical energy provided by the photovoltaic power module, where the capacitive module provides power for the control system to operate the at least one irrigation device independent of another power source.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Dig CorporationInventors: Erik Holindrake, Mike O'Brien, David Levy, Craig E. Beal
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Patent number: 8374726Abstract: The invention comprises devices and methods for providing operational power to a solar-powered irrigation control system. In one aspect, a method includes producing electrical energy from light, storing the electrical energy in a capacitive module, and operating an irrigation controller using the stored electrical energy independent of another power source. In another aspect, a device includes a control system comprising a computer having a programmed irrigation schedule which operates at least one irrigation device, a photovoltaic power module, and a capacitive module connected to said photovoltaic power module to store the electrical energy provided by the photovoltaic power module, where the capacitive module provides power for the control system to operate the at least one irrigation device independent of another power source.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2011Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: DIG CorporationInventors: Erik Holindrake, Mike O'Brien, David Levy, Craig E. Beal
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Publication number: 20120203383Abstract: The invention comprises devices and methods for providing operational power to a solar-powered irrigation control system. In one aspect, a method includes producing electrical energy from light, storing the electrical energy in a capacitive module, and operating an irrigation controller using the stored electrical energy independent of another power source. In another aspect, a device includes a control system comprising a computer having a programmed irrigation schedule which operates at least one irrigation device, a photovoltaic power module, and a capacitive module connected to said photovoltaic power module to store the electrical energy provided by the photovoltaic power module, where the capacitive module provides power for the control system to operate the at least one irrigation device independent of another power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: DIG CorporationInventors: Erik Holindrake, Mike O'Brien, David Levy, Craig E. Beal
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Patent number: 8055389Abstract: The invention comprises devices and methods for providing operational power to a solar-powered irrigation control system. In one aspect, a method includes producing electrical energy from light, storing the electrical energy in a capacitive module, and operating an irrigation controller using the stored electrical energy independent of another power source. In another aspect, a device includes a control system comprising a computer having a programmed irrigation schedule which operates at least one irrigation device, a photovoltaic power module, and a capacitive module connected to said photovoltaic power module to store the electrical energy provided by the photovoltaic power module, where the capacitive module provides power for the control system to operate the at least one irrigation device independent of another power source.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: DIG CorporationInventors: Erik Holindrake, Mike O'Brien, David Levy, Craig E. Beal
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Publication number: 20080058995Abstract: The invention comprises devices and methods for providing operational power to a solar-powered irrigation control system. In one aspect, a method includes producing electrical energy from light, storing the electrical energy in a capacitive module, and operating an irrigation controller using the stored electrical energy independent of another power source. In another aspect, a device includes a control system comprising a computer having a programmed irrigation schedule which operates at least one irrigation device, a photovoltaic power module, and a capacitive module connected to said photovoltaic power module to store the electrical energy provided by the photovoltaic power module, where the capacitive module provides power for the control system to operate the at least one irrigation device independent of another power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Erik Holindrake, Mike O'Brien, David Levy, Craig E. Beal
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Patent number: 5098020Abstract: An adjustable oscillating wave-type irrigation sprinkler having an impact or impulse drive type mechanism for effecting side-to-side oscillation by a spray tube about a horizontal axis, the drive mechanism including a pair of drive spoons coupled to impact arms journaled for rotation relative to the spray tube and intercepting streams of water from the spray tube to produce incremental rotation of the spray tube about the horizontal axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1991Date of Patent: March 24, 1992Assignee: Rain Bird Consumer Products Mfg. Corp.Inventors: Randy J. Cooper, Aaron D. DeLaby, Craig E. Beal, Glenn I. Beal, Roger L. Hildwein
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Patent number: D305454Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1987Date of Patent: January 9, 1990Assignee: Rain Bird Consumer Products Mfg. CorpInventor: Craig E. Beal
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Patent number: D329489Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1991Date of Patent: September 15, 1992Assignee: Rain Bird Consumer Products Mfg. Corp.Inventors: Melvin H. M. Best, Aaron D. DeLaby, Randy J. Cooper, Craig E. Beal, Glenn I. Beal