Patents by Inventor Frederick E. Hankins

Frederick E. Hankins 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: 9811941
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products pertaining to simulating liquid bodies are presented. The subject matter of this document can be embodied in a method that includes obtaining one or more data arrays representing low frequency spatial features of a simulated volume of liquid, and up-sampling the one or more data arrays to produce corresponding high resolution data arrays. The method also includes obtaining procedural data representing high frequency spatial features of a simulated liquid surface, and modifying the one or more high resolution data arrays using the procedural data to produce corresponding modified data arrays that reflect both the high frequency and the low frequency spatial features of the simulated volume of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Hankins, Nicholas Grant Rasmussen, William Geiger
  • Patent number: 8751207
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for simulating a granular material includes removing, from a layer of granular material in a virtual domain defined by a data structure stored in a computer readable storage medium, a portion of the granular material in a closed region where the portion and a part of an object impacting the granular material are defined as occupying a same space. The method includes determining a value for a size aspect of the portion based on applying a numerical solver along an entirety of a boundary of the closed region. The method includes placing additional granular material along the boundary to create a shape resulting from the impact of the object. The method includes generating an image using the data structure, the image reflecting the impact of the object on the granular material in the virtual domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd
    Inventors: Nicholas Grant Rasmussen, Frederick E. Hankins
  • Patent number: 8417492
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for simulating a granular material includes removing, from a layer of granular material in a virtual domain defined by a data structure stored in a computer readable storage medium, a portion of the granular material in a closed region where the portion and a part of an object impacting the granular material are defined as occupying a same space. The method includes determining a value for a size aspect of the portion based on applying a numerical solver along an entirety of a boundary of the closed region. The method includes placing additional granular material along the boundary to create a shape resulting from the impact of the object. The method includes generating an image using the data structure, the image reflecting the impact of the object on the granular material in the virtual domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas Grant Rasmussen, Frederick E. Hankins
  • Patent number: 5270693
    Abstract: An enlarged area addressable matrix is disclosed comprising the following major components: a matrix addressable circular display, a square mounting plane, display drivers, and routing between the display and the display drivers. The display is located on the square mounting plane so that four corner regions are formed where the display does not cover the square. These four corner regions are used to accommodate the wiring and driver circuits needed to control the display. Thus the display, display drivers, and routing all fit on the same mounting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Smiths Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Wyler, Frederick E. Hankins, Jr., deceased
  • Patent number: 4311491
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the operating efficiency of an electrostatic precipitator based on controlling the average input power of the precipitator electrodes in response to control signals derived by sensing changes in specific instantaneous peak voltages associated with the average electrode voltages. The method is particularly well suited for electrostatic precipitators processing high resistivity fly ash and exhibiting an inflection region in its KVmin electrode voltage characteristic. The apparatus is organized to serve as a stand alone control system, or as an adjunct to existing electrostatic precipitator control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: Research Cottrell, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter P. Bibbo, Frederick E. Hankins, Richard Jakoplic
  • Patent number: 4270086
    Abstract: The time of travel of an electromagnetic rapping device plunger is measured between two predetermined points so that the height of lift of the plunger and the terminal velocity can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Research-Cottrell, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Hankins, John H. Umberger
  • Patent number: 4221573
    Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator rapping system of the type which lifts weights and then allows the weights to fall to impact on precipitator elements to impart particulate-dislodging vibration thereto. The system includes a rotating drive shaft and a plurality of individual rapping mechanisms disposed along the drive shaft. Each rapping mechanism includes a driving assembly affixed to the drive shaft and a driven assembly mounted for pivotal movement. A means attached to the driven assembly lifts a weight as the driven assembly pivots in one direction towards a release position and allows the weight to fall to impact as the driven assembly pivots in the other direction towards a resting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Assignee: Research-Cottrell, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick E. Hankins