Patents by Inventor John W. Brodhecker

John W. Brodhecker 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: 6700497
    Abstract: A system and method are for alerting safety personnel of unsafe air temperature conditions. The system includes a temperature sensor exposed to the ambient environment, a temperature indicator disposed in a field of view of safety gear such as a face mask, and a control unit. The temperature indicator and the control unit may be disposed in a protected location, such as within the face mask. The control unit may produce warnings based on detected temperatures and exposure time thresholds. Detected temperatures may also be recorded, along with positioning information, such as GPS data, to facilitate mapping of temperature gradients. At startup, the system may automatically execute a battery check and produce a warning if insufficient charge remains to provide a predetermined operating time. Various embodiments may use an arm to keep the temperature indicator within the field of view or a single screw attachment to a face piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: FireEye Development, Incorporated
    Inventors: James D. Hibbs, John W. Brodhecker
  • Publication number: 20020135488
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for alerting safety personnel of unsafe air temperature conditions. The system includes a temperature sensor exposed to the ambient environment, a temperature indicator disposed in a field of view of safety gear such as a face mask, and a control unit. The temperature indicator and the control unit may be disposed in a protected location, such as within the face mask. The control unit may produce warnings based on detected temperatures and exposure time thresholds. Detected temperatures may also be recorded, along with positioning information, such as GPS data, to facilitate mapping of temperature gradients. At startup, the system may automatically execute a battery check and produce a warning if insufficient charge remains to provide a predetermined operating time. Various embodiments may use an arm to keep the temperature indicator within the field of view or a single screw attachment to a face piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: FireEye Development, Inc., a Texas corporation
    Inventors: James D. Hibbs, John W. Brodhecker
  • Patent number: 6417774
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for alerting safety personnel of unsafe air temperature conditions. The system includes a removable safety system operable to be coupled to safety personnel for detecting ambient temperature conditions is provided. The system further includes a control unit operable to be coupled to the safety personnel having electronics operable to communicate signals associated with the ambient air condition. The system further includes a sensor unit operable to be positioned with an ambient environment and coupled to a substantially centered position of a viewmask. The sensor unit includes a temperature sensor having an temperature dependent operating mode communicatively coupled to the control unit and a first indicator and second indicator operable to display an indication representing an ambient air temperature condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Fireeye Development Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Hibbs, John W. Brodhecker
  • Patent number: 6118382
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for alerting safety personnel of unsafe air temperature conditions. The system includes a temperature sensor formed to be exposed to an ambient environment and operable to provide a signal representing a measured ambient temperature. The system also includes electronics formed to be attached within protection provided by safety equipment. The electronics are coupled to receive the signal from the temperature sensor. The electronics are then operable to process the signal, to detect an unsafe temperature condition and to provide an indicator signal responsive to the unsafe temperature condition. The system further includes an indicator coupled to receive the indicator signal from the electronics. The indicator then responds to the indicator signal by providing a visible indication of the unsafe temperature condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: FireEye Development, Incorporated
    Inventors: James D. Hibbs, John W. Brodhecker