Patents by Inventor David C. Copley

David C. Copley 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: 8340318
    Abstract: A method for measuring performance of a noise cancellation system that is operable to cancel noise is provided. The method includes generating a first model of a target noise. The first model represents the target noise in a form that is received at a location remote from a noise source of the target noise and within a defined environment. The method also includes generating a second model of a cancellation noise. The cancellation noise is configured to at least partially cancel the target noise when combined with the target noise. The second model represents the cancellation noise in a form that is received at the location. The method also includes determining, using the first model and the second model, a cancellation error value indicative of only a portion of the target noise that remains when the target noise and the cancellation noise are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Bringham Young University
    Inventors: David C. Copley, Benjamin Mahonri Faber, Scott D. Sommerfeldt
  • Patent number: 8068616
    Abstract: A method for detecting failure in a noise cancellation system is provided. The noise cancellation system is operable to at least partially cancel an unwanted noise produced by a noise source. The method includes receiving a cancellation noise signal from the noise cancellation system. The cancellation noise signal represents a cancellation noise that, when combined with a target noise, is operable to at least partially cancel the target noise. The method also includes receiving an error signal approximately representing a portion of the target noise that remains after the cancellation noise and the target noise are combined. The method also includes determining whether the signal level changed or remains unchanged for each of the received cancellation noise signal and the error signal. The method also includes assigning a failure state of the noise cancellation system based on the determination and initiating a remedial measure that corresponds with the assigned failure state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Brigham Young Universtiy
    Inventors: David C. Copley, Benjamin Mahonri Faber, Scott D. Sommerfeldt
  • Patent number: 7933420
    Abstract: A method for controlling a noise cancellation system having an adaptive control portion is provided. The noise cancellation system is operable to generate a cancellation noise configured to at least partially cancel an unwanted noise in a defined environment. The adaptive control portion is operable to adjust the operation of the noise cancellation system based on a level of unwanted noise that remains when the cancellation noise and the unwanted noise are combined. The method includes receiving an error signal representing a portion of a noise not cancelled by a cancellation noise, where the cancellation noise is generated from the noise cancellation system. The method also includes determining whether the level of the error signal exceeds a first threshold value for a first predetermined period of time. The method also includes calculating a crest factor using the error signal. The method also includes determining whether the crest factor exceeds a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Copley, Benjamin Mahonri Faber, Scott D. Sommerfeldt
  • Patent number: 7635048
    Abstract: A machine is provided having an engine system wherein at least one engine system component with an acoustic reflective surface is surrounded by a jacket configured to absorb sound from at least one sound producing device of the engine system. The jacket includes a sound absorbing material such as fibrous thermal insulation and an acoustic permeable covering between the acoustic reflective surface and the engine compartment of the machine. The acoustic permeable covering of the jacket may comprise a micro-perforated skin, whereby acoustic energy from the at least one sound producing device of the engine system can enter a volume defined by the jacket wherein it is absorbed by the sound absorbing material. A method of operating an engine system includes dissipating engine sound within a jacket surrounding an engine system component, the jacket including an acoustic permeable covering and a sound absorbing material positioned within the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Copley, James Callas, Kevin L. Martin
  • Publication number: 20080162072
    Abstract: A method for measuring performance of a noise cancellation system that is operable to cancel noise is provided. The method includes generating a first model of a target noise. The first model represents the target noise in a form that is received at a location remote from a noise source of the target noise and within a defined environment. The method also includes generating a second model of a cancellation noise. The cancellation noise is configured to at least partially cancel the target noise when combined with the target noise. The second model represents the cancellation noise in a form that is received at the location. The method also includes determining, using the first model and the second model, a cancellation error value indicative of only a portion of the target noise that remains when the target noise and the cancellation noise are combined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: David C. Copley, Benjamin Mahonri Faber, Scott D. Sommerfeldt
  • Publication number: 20080159553
    Abstract: A method for detecting failure in a noise cancellation system is provided. The noise cancellation system is operable to at least partially cancel an unwanted noise produced by a noise source. The method includes receiving a cancellation noise signal from the noise cancellation system. The cancellation noise signal represents a cancellation noise that, when combined with a target noise, is operable to at least partially cancel the target noise. The method also includes receiving an error signal approximately representing a portion of the target noise that remains after the cancellation noise and the target noise are combined. The method also includes determining whether the signal level changed or remains unchanged for each of the received cancellation noise signal and the error signal. The method also includes assigning a failure state of the noise cancellation system based on the determination and initiating a remedial measure that corresponds with the assigned failure state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: David C. Copley, Benjamin Mahonri Faber, Scott D. Sommerfeldt
  • Publication number: 20080159549
    Abstract: A method for controlling a noise cancellation system having an adaptive control portion is provided. The noise cancellation system is operable to generate a cancellation noise configured to at least partially cancel an unwanted noise in a defined environment. The adaptive control portion is operable to adjust the operation of the noise cancellation system based on a level of unwanted noise that remains when the cancellation noise and the unwanted noise are combined. The method includes receiving an error signal representing a portion of a noise not cancelled by a cancellation noise, where the cancellation noise is generated from the noise cancellation system. The method also includes determining whether the level of the error signal exceeds a first threshold value for a first predetermined period of time. The method also includes calculating a crest factor using the error signal. The method also includes determining whether the crest factor exceeds a second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: David C. Copley, Benjamin Mahonri Faber, Scott D. Sommerfeldt
  • Publication number: 20080093159
    Abstract: A machine is provided having an engine system wherein at least one engine system component with an acoustic reflective surface is surrounded by a jacket configured to absorb sound from at least one sound producing device of the engine system. The jacket includes a sound absorbing material such as fibrous thermal insulation and an acoustic permeable covering between the acoustic reflective surface and the engine compartment of the machine. The acoustic permeable covering of the jacket may comprise a micro-perforated skin, whereby acoustic energy from the at least one sound producing device of the engine system can enter a volume defined by the jacket wherein it is absorbed by the sound absorbing material. A method of operating an engine system includes dissipating engine sound within a jacket surrounding an engine system component, the jacket including an acoustic permeable covering and a sound absorbing material positioned within the covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: David C. Copley, James Callas, Kevin L. Martin
  • Patent number: 7268671
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an audible alarm signal. The method and apparatus includes creating a rectangular pulse signal having a desired period and a desired first amplitude, adding a shaped modulation component to the rectangular pulse signal from the desired first amplitude to a desired second amplitude to create a modulating waveform, creating a carrier signal, and combining the carrier signal and the modulating waveform to create the audible alarm signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. McDaniel, David C. Copley, Daniel E. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6273213
    Abstract: A noise suppression louver for an enclosure, in particular, an apparatus for suppressing sound at the openings which allow air to enter or exit an internal combustion engine enclosure. The louver comprises a matrix of intersecting horizontal and vertical passive sound absorptive slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Callas, David C. Copley, Emile E. Damotte, Kristian M. Stoeckel
  • Patent number: 5119678
    Abstract: A method for locating and identifying defects in a variable geometry workpiece using first and second transceivers positioned of a preselected distance apart adjacent opposite surfaces of the workpiece and aligned to direct ultrasonic signals toward each other through the workpiece. An ultrasound signal is transmitted from each transceiver toward the workpiece. Signal reflections from each adjacent workpiece surface are detected and used to compute workpiece thickness. Signals from one transceiver are detected at the other transceiver and their intensity determined. The signal intensity is normalized in proportion to the obtained workpiece thickness to establish a signal intensity independent of workpiece thickness. In one form, at least three signal processing paths, each having a different preselected gain, provide three signals of different amplified intensities for each measurement point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manohar Bashyam, David C. Copley