Patents by Inventor James Watkins

James Watkins 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: 20050186515
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features methods for forming structured materials that include providing a layer including a first material; patterning the layer while a surface of the layer is exposed without the need for a processing layer, such as a resist; permeating the patterned layer with a precursor; and reacting the precursor within the patterned layer to form a structured material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventor: James Watkins
  • Patent number: 6882070
    Abstract: An electric motor including having a housing, a stator fixed relative to the housing, a shaft rotatable about a motor axis, a rotor supported by the shaft for rotation with the shaft relative to the stator, a terminal board fixed relative to the housing, and first and second electrical terminals supported by the terminal board. The electric motor also includes an operating condition selection device including a moveable portion supported by the terminal board for pivotable rotation about a second axis between a first position corresponding to a first operating condition and a second position corresponding to a second operating condition. At least a portion of the moveable portion substantially remains in a fixed axial position relative to the second axis while pivoting between the first and second positions. The electrical terminals are accessible through a conduit receiving aperture for testing purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Edward Staigl, III, Chih Min Lin, William James Watkins
  • Patent number: 6873131
    Abstract: An electric motor selectively connectable to receive one of a plurality of supply voltages, the plurality of supply voltages comprising a low supply voltage and a high supply voltage. The motor can comprise a stator having a first winding and a second winding, a shaft rotatable about a motor axis, and a rotor supported by the shaft for rotation with the shaft relative to the stator. The motor can also comprise a voltage selection device, a first motor protector, and a second motor protector. The voltage selection device can include a first setting and a second setting and can be configured to connect the first winding in parallel with the second winding when set to the first setting and to connect the first winding in series with the second winding when set to the second setting. The first motor protector can be configured to limit current through the first winding and the second winding when an overload condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: William James Watkins
  • Publication number: 20040260689
    Abstract: A system for advertisers to efficiently manage their search listings in placement database search system includes grouping means for managing multiple categories for the search listings and query means for searching search listings. The system further includes quick-fill means for modifying an attribute in plurality of search listings by specifying the modification at single location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Overture Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ann-Bettina Colace, Scott W. Snell, Jeremy Daw, Dominic Dough-Ming Cheung, Benjamin James Watkins, Thomas A. Soulanille, Matthew S. Ropp, Gabriel Graham, Peng Zhao, Kenneth A. Kharma, Susan Florence Phillips
  • Patent number: 6826572
    Abstract: A system for advertisers to efficiently manage their search listings in placement database search system includes grouping means for managing multiple categories for the search listings and query means for searching search listings. The system further includes quick-fill means for modifying an attribute in plurality of search listings by specifying the modification at single location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Overture Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ann-Bettina Colace, Scott W. Snell, Jeremy Daw, Dominic Dough-Ming Cheung, Benjamin James Watkins, Thomas A. Soulanille, Matthew S. Ropp, Gabriel Graham, Peng Zhao, Kenneth A. Kharma, Susan Florence Phillips
  • Publication number: 20040195923
    Abstract: An electric motor including having a housing, a stator fixed relative to the housing, a shaft rotatable about a motor axis, a rotor supported by the shaft for rotation with the shaft relative to the stator, a terminal board fixed relative to the housing, and first and second electrical terminals supported by the terminal board. The electric motor also includes an operating condition selection device including a moveable portion supported by the terminal board for pivotable rotation about a second axis between a first position corresponding to a first operating condition and a second position corresponding to a second operating condition. At least a portion of the moveable portion substantially remains in a fixed axial position relative to the second axis while pivoting between the first and second positions. The electrical terminals are accessible through a conduit receiving aperture for testing purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: A.O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank Edward Staigl, Chih Min Lin, William James Watkins
  • Publication number: 20040169479
    Abstract: An electric machine assembly having an electric machine. The electric machine can include a first speed circuit and a second speed circuit. In some constructions, both speed circuits can be of a permanent split capacitor design. At least one of the speed circuits can include a switch that is controlled by the controller to limit current through an auxiliary circuit of the unused speed circuit when certain conditions exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Mehlhorn, William James Watkins, Jevon Darvell Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20030093285
    Abstract: A system for advertisers to efficiently manage their search listings in placement database search system includes grouping means for managing multiple categories for the search listings and query means for searching search listings. The system further includes quick-fill means for modifying an attribute in plurality of search listings by specifying the modification at single location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Ann-Bettina Colace, Scott W. Snell, Jeremy Daw, Dominic Dough-Ming Cheung, Benjamin James Watkins, Thomas A. Soulanille, Matthew S. Ropp, Gabriel Graham, Peng Zhao, Kenneth A. Kharma, Susan Florence Phillips
  • Patent number: 6346582
    Abstract: Compositions prepared by the glycidation of at least one (a) carboxy polyfunctional polyester and at least one (b) &agr;,&agr;-branched monocarboxylic acid containing a tertiary carbon atom and from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, or a glydicyl ester thereof, a curing agent and, optionally, a catalyst, and coating and or casting compositions containing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventors: Petrus Gerardus Kooijmans, Eric Johannes Vos, Michael James Watkins
  • Patent number: 6121389
    Abstract: Compositions, prepared by glycidation of at least one (a) carboxy polyfunctional polyester and at least one (b) .alpha.,.alpha.-branched monocarboxylic acid containing a tertiary carbon atom and from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, or a glydicyl ester thereof, and coating and/or casting compositions comprising them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Petrus Gerardus Kooijmans, Eric Johannes Vos, Michael James Watkins
  • Patent number: 6031377
    Abstract: A magnetic anomaly detection buoy includes an elongated body having a cavity disposed therein, a means for detecting a magnetic anomaly and producing an output in response thereto, and a means for maintaining the elongated body in a state of buoyant repose within a fluid medium. A radio transmitter, disposed within the cavity of the elongated body, for electrical communication with the detecting means. The radio transmitter receives the output from the means for detecting the magnetic anomaly and transmits a radio signal in response thereto. A method for detecting a magnetic field anomaly includes deploying a magnetic anomaly detection buoy into a large body of water and determining a first flux value representing the magnetic flux of the environmental magnetic field conditions. The first flux value is then stored for future reference. The environmental magnetic field conditions are evaluated and a second flux value is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: James A. Watkins
  • Patent number: 5793179
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for monitoring rotor position in a reluctance machine includes determining the rate of change of current at a particular point at which current in the winding is arranged to freewheel. Preferably the point coincides with alignment of a rotor and a stator pole such that the rate of change of current is predicted to be zero. The magnitude and polarity of any variation from the predicted rate of change indicates a rotor position removed from the actual rotor position and whether it is in advance of, or retreated from, the predicted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Switched Reluctance Drives Limited
    Inventor: Stephen James Watkins
  • Patent number: 4822118
    Abstract: A rotating pastel storage tabouret has a pyramidal compartmentalized storage tray for storing and organizing pastels. The storage tray is rotatably mounted on a supporting base. In a second embodiment, the storage tray is provided with a plurality of grooves for holding the pastels and a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the storage compartments. A removable lid having a sponge rubber lining is secured to the tabouret by a plurality of spaced resilient clips. In use, the rotating tabouret serves to organize and safely store a large number of artist's pastels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: James A. Watkins