Patents by Inventor J. Nelson

J. Nelson 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: 11992153
    Abstract: A method of controlling a cooking apparatus includes identifying an initial thickness of a food product on a lower heating plate of the cooking apparatus and calculating a difference between an initial gap value corresponding to the initial thickness of the food product and a predefined final gap value. The method includes controlling at least one of a pressure of at least one of an upper heating plate and a lower heating plate on the food product, a rate of descent of the upper heating plate toward the lower heating plate, and a rate of ascent of the lower heating plate toward the upper heating plate based on the calculated difference between the initial gap value and the predefined final gap value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sands, Ronald J. Glavan, Dennis J. Nelson, Otley D. Freymiller
  • Patent number: 11992918
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a production tooling having a dispensing surface with a plurality of cavities and formed into an endless belt. An abrasive particle feeder dispenses shaped abrasive particles onto the dispensing surface and into the plurality of cavities. A resin coated backing receives shaped abrasive particles from the cavities of the production tooling at a deposit point. A detecting device detects a pattern transition zone as the production tooling moves in the direction of travel and provides pattern transition zone detection data to one or more controllers to control a speed of the production tooling and/or a speed of the resin coated backing as the detected pattern transition zone passes the deposit point to change a pattern density of the shaped abrasive particles in a portion of the resin coated backing corresponding to the pattern transition zone of the production tooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Thomas J. Nelson, Aaron K. Nienaber, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig, Negus B. Adefris
  • Publication number: 20240168296
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a first bias lens that transmits world light to an output coupler on a waveguide. The output coupler may transmit the world light while coupling image light out of the waveguide. A second bias lens may transmit the world light and the image light to an eye box. A tint layer may transmit the world light towards the output coupler. The tint layer may be planar and layered onto a planar surface of the first bias lens or another lens, may be separated from the first bias lens by an air gap, may be non-parallel relative to the waveguide, and/or may be curved and separated from the first bias lens and the waveguide by air gaps. When planar, the tint layer may be provided with spacers between substrates or between the tint layer and the waveguide to maximize parallelism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Alexander D. Schlaupitz, Edward J. Wrzesniewski, Graham C. Nelson, Hyungryul Choi, Kibyung Seong, Vikrant Bhakta, Xiaonan Wen, Zachary M. Beiley
  • Publication number: 20240167581
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a plurality of cooktop burners, a plurality of control selectors having respective outputs representative of output levels for associated cooktop burners, a touch sensor having an output representative of a permission to operate any of the cooktop burners, and a controller configured to activate a selected cooktop burner in response to a two-step activation sequence initiated in response to user input directed to the touch sensor and to the associated control selector for the selected cooktop burner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Richard W. Cowan, Nathan E. Nelson, Daniel J. Trice
  • Patent number: 11986401
    Abstract: An impactor system is for impacting a base of a shoulder implant into a humerus. The system may include a housing having distal stabilizer configured to contact a proximal resected surface of the humerus. The distal stabilizer may define an open space. An impaction member may be slidably received within the housing. The impaction member may have a proximal surface and a distal connection mechanism adapted to connect to the base of the shoulder implant. The impaction member may be movable from a first proximal position in which the base of the shoulder implant, when connected to the impaction member, is positioned within the open space defined by the distal stabilizer, to a second distal position in which the base of the shoulder implant, when connected to the impaction member, is positioned at least partially distal to the open space defined by the distal stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Sapio, Andrew J. Nelson, Gennaro A. Barile, Sunny Shorabh
  • Patent number: 11988237
    Abstract: A system including mold pieces coupled together with breakaway bolts or other fasteners for facilitating the fabrication of composite parts for, e.g., aerospace vehicles. First and second mold pieces are coupled together to form a mold within which the composite part is fabricated from a composite material. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the mold pieces is higher than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite part. One or more breakaway fasteners couple together the mold pieces while the mold pieces and the composite material are heated, and then purposefully break and thereby decouple the mold pieces and release the composite part when the mold pieces are cooled. The fasteners may be constructed from polytetrafluoroethylene, may include a structural weakness to ensure breakage, may break into two or more pieces when under a tension or a sheering force, or may include threads that sheer when under a tension force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arthur Champa, Matthew J. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20240156636
    Abstract: A method of manipulating a quick connect/disconnect system includes connecting a first coupling portion of a first connecting member to a fluid conductor and inserting a second coupling portion of the first connecting member within a third coupling portion of a second connecting member. The method further includes inserting the third coupling portion within a ring assembly which is rotatably coupled to the first coupling portion and engaging a mating feature on an external surface of the third coupling portion with a mating feature on an internal surface of the ring assembly. The method also includes rotating the ring assembly about the third coupling portion while the first mating portion is engaged with the second mating portion; and forcing the second coupling portion to move further within the third coupling portion by rotation of the ring assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Michael J. Woodson, Jared J. Balthazor, Philip G. Dion, Jenna L. Lindsay, Leroy J. Longworth, Melissa T. Nelson, Tyler J. Sandback, Michele A. Waldner, Jeffrey G. Zinn
  • Patent number: 11980549
    Abstract: A method of repairing a fractured bone may include implanting a prosthetic stem into an intramedullary canal of the fractured bone. First and second bone segments of the fractured bone may be robotically machined to include first and second implant-facing surfaces that are substantially negatives of first and second surface portions of the first end of the prosthetic stem. The first and second tuberosities may be machined so that the first and second bone segments have first and second interlocking surfaces shaped to interlock with each other. During implantation, the first and second implant-facing surfaces are in contact with the first and second surface portions of the first end of the prosthetic stem, and the first interlocking surface interlocks with the second interlocking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Rajan Yadav, Koustubh Rao, Andrew J. Nelson, David Viscardi, Jetinder Singh
  • Publication number: 20240151880
    Abstract: An optical film includes a structured film and a light control film formed on the structured film. The structured film includes a substrate and a plurality of polymeric microstructures formed on a major surface of the substrate. Each microstructure includes an optical facet and a sidewall meeting the optical facet at a ridge of the microstructure. The light control film includes an optically transparent material disposed on and covering the plurality of polymeric microstructures, and a plurality of optically absorptive louvers formed in the optically transparent material opposite the structured film. The louvers extend along a longitudinal direction and are spaced apart along an orthogonal transverse direction. The louvers have an average depth D into the optically transparent material and have an average width W in the transverse direction. D/W can be greater than 2. The optical film is integrally formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Liu, Tri D. Pham, Gary T. Boyd, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Owen M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11979498
    Abstract: According to one example, a system includes a second computing device that has one or more processors configured to receive encrypted data from a first computing device, the encrypted data being encrypted based on a first encryption key. The one or more processors are further configured to generate a second encryption key that matches the first encryption key, decrypt the encrypted data using the second encryption key, and transmit the data for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Eclypses, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Nelson, Aron J. Seader
  • Publication number: 20240142673
    Abstract: An optical film has a major surface including a plurality of microstructures. Each microstructure includes an optical facet and a sidewall meeting the optical facet at a ridge of the microstructure. The optical facet and the sidewall define an oblique angle therebetween. For each microstructure in at least a majority of the microstructures, an optically absorptive layer is disposed on the sidewall. The optical film can include a polymeric layer having a microstructured surface at least partially coated with an inorganic optically transparent layer. The optically absorptive layer can an average thickness t where 100 nm<t<1 micrometer. A first layer can be disposed between the sidewall and the optically absorptive layer where the first layer has a lower extinction coefficient than the optically absorptive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Liu, Gary T. Boyd, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Owen M. Anderson, Tri D. Pham
  • Publication number: 20240147631
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for making and using highly sustainable circuit assemblies are disclosed herein. In various aspects, the highly sustainable circuit assembly includes a substrate layer; and a pattern of contact points supported by the substrate layer. The pattern of contact points can be configured to correspond to at least one terminal of an electrical component. The pattern of contact points can include a deformable conductive material. The deformable conductive material can be a non-hazardous, readily reclaimable, readily recyclable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Liquid Wire, LLC
    Inventors: Jorge E. Carbo, JR., Sai Srinivas Desabathina, Michael Adventure Hopkins, Charles J. Kinzel, Mark S. Kruskopf, Jesse Michael Martinez, Katherine M. Nelson, Taylor V. Neumann, Trevor Antonio Rivera, Mark William Ronay, Michael Jasper Wallans, Austin Michael Clarke
  • Patent number: 11958342
    Abstract: A system that secures an upper door of a UTV or other vehicle to the vehicle and enables the ready removal and storage of the upper door from the vehicle employs magnets. A first set of magnets is carried by the upper door. A second set of magnets, which is attracted to the first set of magnets, is carried directly or indirectly by the vehicle, such as by a filler panel secured to the vehicle. Methods of deploying and securing an upper door in place and at least partially removing the upper door are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: St. Anthony, LLC
    Inventors: Dan B. Thomas, Eric B. Nelson, Marc J. Stephenson, Cole P. Tomadakis
  • Publication number: 20240118463
    Abstract: A light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface. Alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions are disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30 and the alternating transmissive region and absorptive regions have a relative transmission at a viewing angle of 0 degrees of at least 75%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Kevin W. Gotrik, Raymond J. Kenney, John A. Wheatley, Kenneth A. Epstein, Gary T. Boyd, Corey D. Balts
  • Publication number: 20240115294
    Abstract: An external fixation system may include first and second fixation rings and a plurality of adjustable length struts. Each adjustable length strut may have two joints, a rod, a tube, and an actuator configured to drive the rod axially relative to the tube to change an effective length of the strut. The system may include a plurality of controller modules each configured to couple to a corresponding strut. The external fixation system may have a manual mode of operation in which the controller modules are not coupled to the struts, and manual actuation of the actuators changes the effective lengths of the struts in discrete length increments. The external fixation system may have an automated mode of operation in which the controller modules are coupled to the struts, and automated actuation of the actuators changes the effective lengths of the struts in infinitesimally small length increments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Stryker European Operations Limited
    Inventors: Chulho Pak, Subash K. Mannanal, Peter Sterrantino, Noah Roberson, Anup Kumar, Andrew J. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20240122043
    Abstract: An optical system includes a light source, an optical film curved about a first axis, and a light control film curved about the first axis and disposed between the light source and the optical film. The optical film includes a microstructured first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The microstructured first major surface defines a linear Fresnel lens including a plurality of Fresnel elements extending longitudinally along the first axis. The first major surface of the optical film faces of the optically transmissive regions, a centerline between adjacent optically absorptive regions is substantially normal to a major surface of the light control film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Liu, Gary T. Boyd, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Owen M. Anderson, Tri D. Pham, Encai Hao, Shu-Ching Fan
  • Patent number: 11951557
    Abstract: A process of repairing a component includes identifying a void in a component; determining at least one approximate physical configuration of the void; inserting borescope into the component in order to view the void; providing a repair rod approximately equivalent to at least one of the least one approximate physical configuration of the void; inserting the repair rod into component; confirming insertion of the repair rod in the void; separating the repair rod to leave a repair plug in the void; and depositing braze paste over the repair plug in the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ethan Conrad Schaeffer, James Scott Flanagan, James J. Murray, III, Archie L Swanner, Jr., Logan Tyler Nelson
  • Patent number: 11950372
    Abstract: Methods of making metal patterns on flexible substrates are provided. Releasable solid layer is selectively formed on a patterned surface of the flexible substrate by applying a liquid solution thereon. Metal patterns on the flexible substrate can be formed by removing the releasable solid layer after metallization. In some cases, the releasable solid layer can be transferred from the patterned surface to a transfer layer where the metal patterns are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATION PROPERTIES
    Inventors: Henrik B. van Lengerich, Matthew S. Stay, Caleb T. Nelson, David J. Tarnowski, David J. Rowe, Edwin L. Kusilek
  • Patent number: 11945079
    Abstract: A screwdriver includes a main body and a switch. The main body is coupled to a handle and includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart slots, and a pawl positioned in each slot. Each pawl is biased outwardly by a spring. The switch is pivotable relative to the main body, and the switch includes a groove extending along an arcuate portion of an inner surface. Pivoting the switch in a first direction moves the switch toward a first position in which the groove is positioned in-line with the first pawl. When the switch is in the first position, the first pawl extends outwardly from the slot and engages the internal tooth surface such that application of a torque in a first direction drives a shank in the first direction and application of a torque in the second direction causes the shank to ratchet relative to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Collin J. Nelson, Steven W. Hyma, Grant T. Squiers, James A. Cemke, Jr., Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Patent number: 11945944
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a curable composition comprising: a polymerizable epoxy-acrylate resin composition having a complex viscosity at 25° C. and 1 Hz frequency of at least about 4500 Pa-s and a probe tack peak force of at least about 300 kPa; and abrasive particles partially or fully embedded in the polymerizable epoxy-acrylate resin composition. The disclosure also relates to cured compositions formed from such curable compositions, wherein the abrasive particles are partially or fully embedded in the cured composition. In addition, the disclosure relates to abrasive articles made from such cured compositions as well as methods for making abrasive articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kathleen S. Shafer, Rebecca A. Putans, Ernest L. Thurber, Cyrus A. Anderson, Corinne E. Lipscomb, Thomas J. Nelson, Gregory P. Sorenson, Chainika Jangu