Patents by Inventor Kevin C. Smith

Kevin C. Smith 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: 12004439
    Abstract: A bale retriever includes: a chassis; a steering assembly carried by the chassis and configured to steer the bale retriever; a bale pick up carried by the chassis; and a controller operatively coupled to the steering assembly. The controller is configured to: receive a field signal corresponding to a field map; receive a baler travel signal corresponding to at least one of a baler planned path or a baler travel path of at least one baler; define an expected location of at least one bale on the field map based at least partially on the baler travel signal; generate a steering control signal based at least partially on the expected location of the at least one bale; and output the steering control signal to the steering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Devin Cooley, Scott C. Simmons, Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11923916
    Abstract: A system for transmitting power and data between two circuit boards may include a fixed circuit board having a primary coil and a rotatable circuit board having a secondary coil. The system may further include a sensor in communication with the secondary coil of the rotatable circuit board. The fixed circuit board's primary coil may be inductively coupled to the secondary coil and may provide power and receive data from the sensor when inductively coupled to the secondary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: NUSTEP, LLC
    Inventors: Richard T. Smith, Daniel C. Shnidman, Kevin G. Obrigkeit, Neil M. Cole, Nathan V. Goslee
  • Patent number: 11919771
    Abstract: High quality, catalyst-free boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) that are long, flexible, have few wall molecules and few defects in the crystalline structure, can be efficiently produced by a process driven primarily by Direct Induction. Secondary Direct Induction coils, Direct Current heaters, lasers, and electric arcs can provide additional heating to tailor the processes and enhance the quality of the BNNTs while reducing impurities. Heating the initial boron feed stock to temperatures causing it to act as an electrical conductor can be achieved by including refractory metals in the initial boron feed stock, and providing additional heat via lasers or electric arcs. Direct Induction processes may be energy efficient and sustainable for indefinite period of time. Careful heat and gas flow profile management may be used to enhance production of high quality BNNT at significant production rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Smith, Kevin C. Jordan, Jonathan C. Stevens, R. Roy Whitney
  • Publication number: 20120194502
    Abstract: A catalog for storing externally defined graphic element (EDGE) definitions allows graphics developers and system designers to share customized and application-specific operator interface graphics. The catalog includes publishing functionality that allows a user to submit new graphic element definitions to the catalog together with instructions regarding how the graphic element definition is to be classified within a browsable hierarchy of industry-specific categories. Search and retrieval functionality allows an HMI developer to search for desired graphic element definitions using keyword-based searching or by browsing the classification hierarchy. Advanced search functions can generate or refine search criteria based on characterizing information polled from one or more of an operator interface application, an industrial control program, or networked field devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Smith, Steven John Kowal, Aleksey Y. Lubimov, David E. Thomas