Patents by Inventor Kenneth D. Vail

Kenneth D. Vail 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).

  • Modular and expandable irrigation controller
    Patent number: 7640079
    Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, James R. Musselman, Andrew M. Nguyen, Ken R. Venegas, Roger S. Neitzel, Robert Jenkins, Susan E. Basch, Kenneth D. Vail
  • Method of and system for determining the remaining energy in a metal fuel cell
    Patent number: 6873157
    Abstract: A system for measuring available energy in a metal fuel cell is provided. The system comprises first componentry for measuring an electrical property of a mixture formed from one or more reaction products dissolved in a reaction medium. The electrical property may be such as to bear a known relationship with the concentration of the one or more reaction products. Using this known relationship, second componentry estimates the concentration of the one or more reaction products, and, responsive thereto, determines the available energy in the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Metallic Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart I. Smedley, Kenneth D. Vail, Charles M. Holmes
  • Method of and system for determining the remaining energy in a metal fuel cell
    Publication number: 20030190500
    Abstract: A system for measuring available energy in a metal fuel cell is provided. The system comprises first componentry for measuring an electrical property of a mixture formed from one or more reaction products dissolved in a reaction medium. The electrical property may be such as to bear a known relationship with the concentration of the one or more reaction products. Using this known relationship, second componentry estimates the concentration of the one or more reaction products, and, responsive thereto, determines the available energy in the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Stuart I. Smedley, Kenneth D. Vail, Charles M. Holmes