Patents by Inventor John R. Howell

John R. Howell 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: 20150205021
    Abstract: The present invention includes a variable emissivity metamaterial comprising a substrate and one or more arrays of nanostructured objects deposited on the substrate, wherein the objects comprise a material that has near-IR reflectivity and near-IR absorptivity and the one or more arrays are positioned between 5 and 750 nM from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: John R. Howell, Alex Heltzel, Tyler Pearce Mann
  • Patent number: 8937772
    Abstract: A stow mechanism for head up display includes a bracket for attachment to an environment associated with the head up display. The stow mechanism can also include a combiner arm rotatably attached to the bracket. The combiner arm rotates in at last two degrees of freedom as the combiner arm is rotated with respect to the bracket from an operational position to a stow position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Lincoln J. Burns, John N. Richards, David L. Wallace, John R. Howell
  • Patent number: 5410672
    Abstract: A method is provided for handling overflows of data blocks in a system using a banded buffer. A block of data is transferred from a memory to a first band in the banded buffer. A determination is made that a portion of the block of data being transferred exceeds a boundary of the first band, and in response a description block for the portion of the block of data which exceeds the boundary of the first band is created. The description block is written into a memory queue and when a second band in the banded buffer becomes available, that portion of the data block which exceeds the boundary of the first buffer band is transferred into the second buffer band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Franklin L. Sodek, Jr., John R. Howell
  • Patent number: 5218670
    Abstract: A method is provided for handling overflows of data blocks in a system using a banded buffer. A block of data is transferred from a memory to a first band in the banded buffer. A determination is made that a portion of the block of data being transferred exceeds a boundary of the first band, and in response a description block for the portion of the block of data which exceeds the boundary of the first band is created. The description block is written into a memory queue and when a second band in the banded buffer becomes available, that portion of the data block which exceed the boundary of the first buffer band is transferred into the second buffer band in accordance with the description block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Franklin L. Sodek, Jr., John R. Howell
  • Patent number: 5160254
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlled low NO.sub.x combustion. First and second combustion zones are provided, each filled with a porous high temperature resistant matrix, the void spaces of which provide sites at which substantially all of the combustion occurs. The second zone is downstream of the first zone. Means are provided for mixing fuel and a gaseous source of oxygen and providing the resultant combustible mixture to the input end of the first combustion zone to establish fuel-lean conditions therein; and means for feeding the combustion products from the first zone to the second zone and augmenting same with further oxygen and sufficient additional fuel to create fuel-rich burning conditions therein to complete the oxidation of the products from the first zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignees: Radian Corporation and the Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ronald D. Bell, William C. Gardiner, John R. Howell, Ronald D. Matthews, Steven P. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5141432
    Abstract: Burner apparatus for use in controlled low NO.sub.x combustion. Mixing and flow-directing means receive and mix fuel and air provided thereto and form a flow of the resulting combustible mixture. A combustion zone defined by a porous high temperature-resistant matrix includes an input end for receiving the combustible flow. Cooling means are mounted in proximity to the input end of the combustion zone, for maintaining the temperature of the flowing combustible mixture proximate the input end below ignition temperature, thereby limiting the flame produced by combustion in the porous matrix to the downstream side of the cooling means. The method for controlled low NO.sub.x combustion is also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignees: Radian Corporation, The Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ronald D. Bell, William C. Gardiner, John R. Howell, Mark M. Koeroghlian, Ronald D. Matthews, Steven P. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5080577
    Abstract: Low NO.sub.x combustion is effected by a method wherein a fuel, e.g., natural gas, and a source of oxygen, e.g., air, are mixed and the mixture is combusted in at least two successive combustion zones filled with a porous matrix, the void spaces of which provide sites at which substantially all of the said combustion occurs; viz. a first zone wherein the mixture is fuel-rich, and a second zone wherein the mixture is fuel-lean. Preferably, the method utilizes an additional combustion zone which precedes or is upstream of the first zone and is filled with a said porous matrix, wherein the mixture is fuel-lean. Apparatus for low NO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventors: Ronald D. Bell, William C. Gardiner, John R. Howell, Ronald D. Matthews, Steven P. Nichols
  • Patent number: 4984434
    Abstract: A hybrid air conditioning system which simultaneously dehumidifies and cools air using standard vapor-compression equipment and aqueous solutions of liquid desiccant. By using a circulating liquid desiccant and an adiabatic humidifier, a more efficient refrigerant cycle is utilized. Moreover, conditioned air can be delivered at the same temperature and absolute humidity as conventional vapor-compression systems but without overworking the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Inventors: John L. Peterson, John R. Howell
  • Patent number: 4941324
    Abstract: A hybrid air conditioning system which simultaneously dehumidifies and cools air using standard vapor-compression equipment and aqueous solutions of liquid desiccant. By using a circulating liquid desiccant and an adiabatic humidifier, a more efficient refrigerant cycle is utilized. Moreover, conditioned air can be delivered at the same temperature and absolute humidity as conventional vapor-compression systems but without overworking the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Inventors: John L. Peterson, John R. Howell
  • Patent number: 4373347
    Abstract: A hybrid double absorption air cooling system employing a liquid desiccant solution and capable of operating at low heat source temperature between 55.degree. C. and 80.degree. C. is provided. In one embodiment the system which utilizes low-grade thermal energy, includes an open absorber employing a liquid desiccant solution for absorbing moisture from air passing therethrough, a cooling coil adapted for cooling air passing through the open absorber, and a vapor-absorption refrigeration system which employs the liquid desiccant solution as an evaporable refrigerant and is adapted for cooling and circulating a working fluid, such as water, through the cooling coil and for circulating the desiccant solution through the open absorber. In an alternate embodiment, an open evaporator is adapted for providing cooling water to the open absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Board of Regents, University of Texas System
    Inventors: John R. Howell, C. S. Patrick Peng