Patents by Inventor James A. Bright

James A. Bright 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: 6256422
    Abstract: This invention solves problems due to employing error degraded data in digital processing. It particularly solves the multi-generation problem wherein transform data degrade during each inverse transform and forward transform cycle even without any processing due to the rounding and clipping errors. It provides methods, systems and apparatus for transform-domain correction of real-domain errors in the processing of transform, transform-coded, and coded data. After inverse transformation of transform data the high-precision numbers are converted to integers and clipped to an allowed range forming converted data. High-precision differences are obtained by subtracting converted data from the high-precision output of the inverse transform. The differences are re-transformed back to the transform domain and saved. In an alternate embodiment the differences are quantized, thus, only significant errors are saved. In still another embodiment the quantized differences are entropy encoded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joan LaVerne Mitchell, Martin James Bright
  • Patent number: 5751532
    Abstract: A relay for monitoring an electrical system to protect the electrical system from an overcurrent condition as a time dependent function of an electrical current level in the electrical system is disclosed. The relay includes a memory which stores a current level count and a current level detector coupled to the electrical system which detects the electrical current level in the electrical system over time. A microprocessor responds to the current level detector by varying the current level count in the memory as a function of the electrical current level over time. The microprocessor also detects an occurrence of the electrical current level falling below a minimum current level. A timer responds to the microprocessor by measuring a period of time during which the electrical current level is less than the minimum current level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Basler Electric Company
    Inventors: John M. Kanuchok, Jeffrey A. Burnworth, James A. Bright
  • Patent number: 5372425
    Abstract: A shaker apparatus having a platform for carrying a load, a supporting base disposed beneath said platform, drive means carried by the base and operatively connected with the platform to provide horizontal shaking of the platform in an orbital motion with respect to the base, eccentric idler devices connecting the base to the platform for maintaining the platform in a substantially planar orbit substantially parallel to the base during the horizontal shaking of the platform and to eliminate backlash, and alignment elements associated with the eccentric idler devices to prevent the transmission of rigid, non-yielding force loadings between the platform and the base through one of the eccentric idler devices when the force loadings are generated at another of the eccentric idler devices or by the drive means. A second embodiment includes alignment and support structure to prevent transmission of rigid, non-yielding force loadings and to support the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: New Brunswick Scientific Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Myron Tannenbaum, Alan L. Husson, Michael A. Gut, James Bright
  • Patent number: 5211455
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided. In a preferred embodiment the system has an actuator frame with a bore fluidly connected to the wheel brake and to a master cylinder via a solenoid valve. A piston, mounted within the bore, is operationally associated with a non-rotative nut which is threadably engaged by a power screw. To maximize reaction speed, a high efficiency thread is utilized between the power screw and the non-rotative nut. Therefore, pressure within the actuator can back drive the piston. To prevent backdriving of the piston there is a spring locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Matouka, Yudh V. Rajput, Paul D. Wilkey, James A. Bright
  • Patent number: 5157394
    Abstract: A data acquisition system which utilizes a fixed frequency anti-aliasing filter and an analog-to-digital converter which operates at a fixed sample rate and a Fourier transform generator and a transform truncator and an inverse transform generator so as to provide sample data output at rates lower than the analog-to-digital converter sampling rate. By using multiple transform truncators and multiple inverse transform generators which simultaneously operate, multiple sample data outputs can be obtained which are free of aliasing phenomena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: James A. Bright
  • Patent number: 5152588
    Abstract: An anti-lock braking system (ABS) for a vehicle is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a controller for signalling the system to an ABS mode, a master cylinder for supplying fluid, an actuator having a bore with a first port connecting the bore with the master cylinder and a second port spaced from the first port connecting the bore with a brake, a first check valve separating the bore into a first chamber exposed to the first port and a second chamber exposed to the second port, and an orifice restricting flow between the brake and the master cylinder via the first and second chambers. A piston is mounted in the second chamber, the piston in a fully actuated position open the first check valve. A threaded driver translates the piston and is powered by a motor. A parallel path connects the master cylinder with the brake parallel to the first and second chambers of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Bright, David A. Stradling
  • Patent number: 5011237
    Abstract: A vehicle anti-lock braking system is provided. In a preferred embodiment the system has an actuator frame with a bore fluidly connected to the wheel brake and to a master cylinder via a solenoid valve. A piston, mounted within the bore, is operationally associated with a non-rotative nut which is threadably engaged by a power screw. To maximize reaction speed, a high efficiency thread is utilized between the power screw and the non-rotative nut. Therefore, pressure within the actuator can back drive the piston. To prevent backdriving of the piston there is a spring locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Matouka, Yudh V. Rajput, Paul D. Wilkey, James A. Bright
  • Patent number: 4881028
    Abstract: A new type of immersible fault detector which includes a magnetic coupling link that can be coupled to a power line and a detector receives energy proportional to the load currents flowing in the power line and energizes a light source. A fiber-optics light waveguide or cable is connected to the detector so as to detect the light generated by the detector and has its opposite connected to an indicator which is remote from the detector and is electrically insulated therefrom so that the condition of the power line can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Inventor: James A. Bright
  • Patent number: 4182351
    Abstract: An improved control circuit is provided for an automatic dishwasher having a reversing relay with valve arrangement which supplies cavitation air to the fluid distribution system to reduce the energy level at which the liquid is sprayed into the wash chamber to achieve a GENTLE wash and rinse cycle for fine china and crystal. The reversing relay solenoid armature operates, in conjunction with a start relay, to provide a primary function of reversing the direction of rotation of the motor between wash and drain periods while providing an auxiliary function of opening its associated valve to admit cavitation air to the recirculation pump during a GENTLE wash and rinse cycle and closing the valve during the REGULAR wash and rinse cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Homer W. Deaton, James A. Bright
  • Patent number: 4142378
    Abstract: An automatic ice maker mechanism includes a face cam on a timing motor driven disc formed with a plurality of concentric cam tracks. The disc is supported on one side of a circuit board, said board having a plurality of flexible blade switches cantilever supported on its other side. The mechanism further includes a plurality of slidable cam follower plunger pins each of which is contacted by an associated blade switch such that each pin is biased into spaced follower relation with one of the cam tracks. In operation the circuit board control circuit interconnects ice maker cycling means with the motor to initiate rotation of the disc whereby the cam track profile effects predetermined movement of its associated pin in one direction causing the contact on an associated blade switch to open with its stationary contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Bright, Homer W. Deaton
  • Patent number: 4137735
    Abstract: A domestic clothes washer has an outer imperforate water container to retain the washing fluid and an inner perforate spin tub which is rotatable to centrifuge the washing fluid from clothes being washed therein. A vertically reciprocating agitator in the inner spin tub provides a pulsating toroidal circulation of washing fluid. The spin tub has a perforate generally vertical side wall and an imperforate bottom wall joined thereto by a curved wall portion containing a circumscribing row of holes positioned thereon located so as to carry particulate matter from the spin tub during wash periods while minimizing undesirable back flow through the row of holes during spin periods of the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Bright, Homer W. Deaton
  • Patent number: 4134029
    Abstract: An analog signal delay system is provided with a bucket-brigade charge transfer device controlled by a clock which supplies pulses at a predetermined frequency to sample an analog signal at its input and to effect a predetermined delay between the signal at the input and the corresponding signal at the output. Analog signals are impressed on the input of the system and are sampled at a pulse rate which may be one-half the frequency of the clock pulses. Periodic calibration or correction pulses are supplied to the brigade device during the intervals between the sampling pulses of the analog signal. One or more amplifiers are provided between the output of the brigade device and the output of the system. In order to correct for D.C. drift errors and gain variations which may result from temperature changes, the correction pulses are compared to a reference to generate error signals which are fed to control circuits to correct the D.C. level and gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignee: Hathaway Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Bright, Gene H. Clark
  • Patent number: 4038841
    Abstract: An apparatus for the roller drive mechanism of a clothes washer which will delay spin tub rotation until a selected quantity of water has been pumped out of the tub. The spin delay apparatus includes a diaphragm movable in response to the water head in the tub. The diaphragm is operably connected to one end of an actuator lever arm which arm extends past its pivot for connection to an idler roller normally located between the drive and driven rollers in the drive mechanism. At the start of the spin cycle the actuator arm pivots the idler roller away from the drive roller until the water head indicates that the water has been pumped out of the tube to a predetermined level to obviate lint in the wash water from being left on the clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Bright
  • Patent number: 4036152
    Abstract: A solid refuse compactor-incinerator disposer which includes a cabinet housing with a refractory bottom wall and a ram mounted in the housing for vertical reciprocal movement. A drawer, with a refuse receiving container, is slidable into and out of the housing between a closed compacting-incinerating position beneath the ram and an open refuse receiving position outwardly of the housing. An incinerator combustion chamber is formed by an insulated sleeve resiliently mounted on the drawer frame while a refractory insulated chamber top wall is in turn resiliently mounted between the ram and the housing with the top wall biased downwardly causing the top wall to depress the sleeve into engagement with the bottom wall upon the ram's initial descent defining the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Bright
  • Patent number: 3984996
    Abstract: An open-ended non-circular sectioned vertical tube is supported in a lower insulated housing providing a heated water reservoir to fill the tube to a predetermined level. A threaded shaft is rotated about its axis in the tube such that upon a refrigeration medium subjecting the outer surface of the tube to a below freezing temperature the water therein is frozen into an ice column starting at the tube inside surface and continuing toward the shaft. The rotating shaft advances the non-circular ice column upwardly whereupon harvesting mechanism is actuated by the column to sever the same into uniform ice pieces for transfer into an ice storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Bright
  • Patent number: 3937032
    Abstract: An ice clutch control for an automatic ice maker wherein a drive motor continually turns a threaded drive rod extending within a liquid filled temperature sensing tube which in turn is positioned within a pocket of an ice cube mold. Upon the freezing of the water in the mold the temperature of the sensing tube and the liquid charge contained therein is frozen solid causing the rod to thread in the solid liquid resulting in axial travel of the rod so as to exert a thrust on coupling means thereby initiating the ice harvesting sequence of the ice maker. Upon completion of the harvesting operation the temperature of the sensing tube is raised by the fill water in the mold which melts the frozen liquid therein freeing the threaded rod from the coupling means for resumption of its independent rotation by the drive motor until the liquid charge is refrozen during the next ice making cycle of the ice maker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Bright