Patents by Inventor Donald Lewis

Donald Lewis 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).

  • Digital Television Channel Trending
    Publication number: 20090328090
    Abstract: Channel trending, including determining a number of viewers watching a multimedia program, is achieved in a digital television network. Cached multimedia frames that correspond to portions of the multimedia program are maintained, for example, on a device located on an edge (i.e., in a network edge device) of the digital television network. In response to a request from a client device (e.g., a set-top box) to receive the multimedia program, cached multimedia frames are fed from the edge device to the client device. Upon a seamless transfer or handoff resulting in a simulcast replicator or multicast replicator providing further portions of the multimedia program, a signal (e.g., a simple network management protocol TRAP statement) is sent to a viewership statistic server for incrementing a counter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald Lewis Randolph, Bradley C. Griner, Jeffrey Walter Zimmerman
  • Method for controlling cylinder air charge for a turbo charged engine having variable event valve actuators
    Patent number: 7621126
    Abstract: A method for controlling cylinder air charge of an engine having a compressor is presented. In one example, the description includes a method for coordinating the control of the throttle, turbo charger, and valves such that the desired cylinder air charge may be achieved while engine pumping work may be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technoloigies, LLC
    Inventors: Ilya Kolmanovsky, Alex Gibson, Donald Lewis
  • Computing Flight Plans for UAVs While Routing Around Obstacles Having Spatial and Temporal Dimensions
    Publication number: 20090210109
    Abstract: This description provides tools and techniques for computing flight plans for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while routing around obstacles having spatial and temporal dimensions. Methods provided by these tools may receive data representing destinations to be visited by the UAVs, and may receive data representing obstacles having spatial and temporal dimensions. These methods may also calculate trajectories spatial and temporal dimensions, by which the UAV may travel from one destination to another, and may at least attempt to compute flight plans for the UAVs that incorporate these trajectories. The methods may also determine whether these trajectories intersect any obstacles, and at least attempt to reroute the trajectories around the obstacles. These tools may also provide systems and computer-readable media containing software for performing any of the foregoing methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Donald Lewis Ravenscroft
  • Method for stopping and starting an internal combustion engine having a variable event valvetrain
    Patent number: 7571709
    Abstract: A method for controlling stopping and starting of an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to the method engine valves may be used to reduce engine evaporative emissions as well as engine starting emissions. Since the engine configuration shown has electrically actuated intake and exhaust valves it is possible to reconfigure the engine operating sequence during a start. For example, the pistons for cylinders two and three are in the same position at the same time. This allows either cylinder to be set to an intake stroke during a subsequent engine restart when the piston is traveling away from the cylinder head while the companion cylinder is set to the expansion or power stroke. Thus, the cylinder having the first intake stroke could be configured to provide a first combustion event during an engine restart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Lewis, Nate Trask
  • Valve Control Synchronization and Error Detection in an Electronic Valve Actuation Engine System
    Publication number: 20090093939
    Abstract: A system for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine with electromagnetic valve actuation, comprising of at least one cylinder with an engine cylinder valve, a second controller operably coupled to the engine cylinder valve, said second controller configured to adjust at least one of the valve opening and closing timing of the engine cylinder valve, and a first controller connected with the second controller over a first link and a second link, wherein the first controller is configured to send an engine position indication signal to the second controller over the first link and receive a status signal from the second controller over the second link, and wherein the first controller outputs a synchronization degradation signal responsive to a synchronization error between the engine position indication signal and the status signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Donald Lewis, Nate Trask, Brian C. Moorhead, Vincent J. Winstead
  • Variable impedance air filter for electronic systems
    Patent number: 7513923
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a removable air filter is mounted proximate to where electrical equipment is mounted in a case. The filter has at least two sections with different finite air impedances. The filter is constructed of a filter media mounted inside of a frame. When the equipment arrangement is modified, the filter can be replaced with another filter with a different impedance profile, such that the air flow remains optimal for many equipment arrangements. The impedance profile can also be tailored to compensate for the characteristic airflow of the case design. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Force10 Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Lewis, Ting-Yu Tsang, John I. Kull
  • Cutting reel adjusting system
    Publication number: 20080184690
    Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Eric Alan Poulson, Donald Lewis Cripps, Ronald Lee Reichen, Richard David Thier, John Michael Flenniken, Mark Alvin Schmidt
  • Method and apparatus for determining gas content of subsurface fluids for oil and gas exploration
    Patent number: 7395691
    Abstract: A process to analyze fluid entrained in well boreholes. The process includes gathering trap gas samples from return of drilling mud at multiple depths. The process also includes the steps of subjecting the samples to mass spectrometry in order to determine mass to charge ratios data of hydrocarbons and analyzing the mass to charge ratios data in relation to depth or time. Samples from at least one other source may also be gathered and analyzed chosen from the group consisting of mud fluid analysis, cuttings backgrounds analysis and cuttings crush analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fluid Inclusion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Michael Sterner, Donald Lewis Hall, Wells Shentwu
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FABRICATING FIRE RETARDANT MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20080153947
    Abstract: A fire retardant material is described that includes a polyamide and a brominated hydrocarbon. The brominated hydrocarbon makes up between about two percent and about 25 percent of the fire retardant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Benton Booth, Bruce Cary Thornton, Donald Lewis Vanelli, Martha Leigh Gardiner
  • Method for controlling valves during the stop of an engine having a variable event valvetrain
    Patent number: 7383119
    Abstract: A method for controlling valves during an engine stop is presented. The valves are controlled in a manner that can quiet the engine during a stop. In addition, the valves may be selectively controlled to direct the contents of the cylinder in a desired direction so that engine emissions may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Lewis
  • Cutting reel adjusting system
    Patent number: 7377092
    Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark Alvin Schmidt, Eric Alan Poulson, Donald Lewis Cripps, Ronald Lee Reichen, Richard David Thier, John Michael Flenniken
  • ENGINE SHUT-DOWN FOR ENGINE HAVING ADJUSTABLE VALVE TIMING
    Publication number: 20080098980
    Abstract: A method for discontinuing combustion in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold and an emission control device coupled downstream of thereof, where the cylinder has at least one valve, the method comprising during a shut-down and after a final combustion event in the cylinder, adjusting valve timing of the valve to reduce a flow of gasses from the engine to the emission control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Lewis
  • Method for reducing power consumption and emissions for an internal combustion engine having a variable event valvetrain
    Patent number: 7353106
    Abstract: A method for controlling stopping and starting of an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to the method engine valves may be used to reduce engine evaporative emissions as well as engine starting emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ilya Kolmanovsky, Donald Lewis
  • Engine Starting for Engine Having Adjustable Valve Operation
    Publication number: 20080047517
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having at least two cylinders, at least one of which having at least an adjustable valve, the method comprising before engine rotation closing electrically actuated valves in at least a first and a second cylinder; fueling at least said first cylinder with a first fuel amount and said second cylinder with a second fuel amount; and performing a first spark in at least one of said first cylinder and said second cylinder; and after engine rotation, firing each cylinder of the engine in a sequential firing order without changing a number of strokes in any cylinder of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Lewis, John Russell
  • Multi-Stroke Cylinder Operation in an Internal Combustion Engine
    Publication number: 20080041327
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid-electric vehicle having a controller, the engine having a plurality of cylinders, each with at least an intake and exhaust valve, each of which may be held in a position for a cycle of a cylinder, the method comprising of deactivating a plurality of cylinders in said engine in response to a signal from the controller of the hybrid-electric vehicle by mechanically deactivating valves in each cylinder of the engine, the deactivation in response to a request from the controller of the hybrid-electric vehicle and to reduce a number of operating valves in each cylinder of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Lewis, John Russell, Nate Trask, Thomas Megli
  • Warm Up Strategy for Ethanol Direct Injection Plus Gasoline Port Fuel Injection
    Publication number: 20070289573
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder of the engine, a first injector configured to inject a first substance to said cylinder, a second injector configured to inject a second substance to said cylinder; and a controller configured to commence combustion in the engine by injecting fuel into said cylinder, where said fuel is injected by both said first and second injectors during said start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Leone, Donald Lewis, Robert Stein
  • METHOD FOR REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE HAVING A VARIABLE EVENT VALVETRAIN
    Publication number: 20070234982
    Abstract: A method for controlling stopping and starting of an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to the method engine valves may be used to reduce engine evaporative emissions as well as engine starting emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Ilya Kolmanovsky, Donald Lewis
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING VALVES DURING THE STOP OF AN ENGINE HAVING A VARIABLE EVENT VALVETRAIN
    Publication number: 20070235005
    Abstract: A method for controlling valves during an engine stop is presented. The valves are controlled in a manner that can quiet the engine during a stop. In addition, the valves may be selectively controlled to direct the contents of the cylinder in a desired direction so that engine emissions may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventor: Donald Lewis
  • Method for controlling cylinder air charge for a turbo charged engine having variable event valve actuators
    Publication number: 20070234984
    Abstract: A method for controlling cylinder air charge of an engine having a compressor is presented. In one example, the description includes a method for coordinating the control of the throttle, turbo charger, and valves such that the desired cylinder air charge may be achieved while engine pumping work may be decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Ilya Kolmanovsky, Alex Gibson, Donald Lewis
  • Internal Combustion Engine Shut-Down for Engine Having Adjustable Valves
    Publication number: 20070227501
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine in a vehicle, the engine having at least a cylinder, the method comprising generating engine braking torque to stop rotation of the engine in a desired range by opening and closing at least an electrically actuated valve of the cylinder more than once during a cycle of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Lewis, Dennis Reed, Nate Trask