Patents by Inventor J. Michael Drake

J. Michael Drake 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).

  • Publication number: 20040267474
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus configured to perform relative load compensation for a payload measurement system of a machine. The machine has at least one cylinder for elevating a payload carrier. The cylinder is connected to a fluid circuit having an actuating fluid. The payload measurement system is calibrated. Then a load of unknown weight is lifted. To determine the weight of this load, the system determines an uncompensated payload weight as a function of sensed pressure values of the actuating fluid. A parameter indicative of viscosity, such as temperature, of the actuating fluid is sensed, and this parameter is scaled as a function of the calibrated weight and the uncompensated weight. A payload weight is determined as a function of the scaled parameter, the sensed parameter, and the uncompensated payload weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: J. Michael Drake, Kevin J. Lueschow
  • Patent number: 4364015
    Abstract: A dye solution reservoir system for a dye laser comprises a dye solution reservoir, main fluid circuit means for circulating dye solution between the reservoir and a dye laser, and a by-pass dye replenishment loop between the reservoir and the laser for (1) diverting a portion of the solution from the main circuit, (2) filtering substantially all solute, including the dye and other particles from that portion of the solution, (3) replenishing the solution by adding fresh dye solute, and (4) returning the replenished solution to the main circuit. In a preferred embodiment, the solution is filtered by a first filter for removing the dye solute and a second filter for removing degradation by-products and particulate matter. Reverse osmosis may be advantageously used as a part of this filtrate system. The advantage of such systems is a substantial reduction in the required reservoir capacity and enhanced dye recoverability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Assignee: Jersey Nuclear-Avco Isotopes, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Michael Drake, Horace W. Furumoto