Patents by Inventor Michael A. Schappert
Michael A. Schappert 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).
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Publication number: 20160000023Abstract: An irrigation system is provided and includes a main irrigation line, one or more lateral driplines, each lateral dripline being divided into zones and including a plurality of emitters at each zone and a plurality of controllable valves disposed along each of the one or more lateral driplines at zone borders. Each one of the plurality of controllable valves is actuatable to activate corresponding emitters in the associated zone in a zone by zone cycle and each one of the plurality of emitters is replaceable to vary an amount of deliverable fluid by the zone by zone cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente I. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert
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Patent number: 9179610Abstract: A controllable emitter of an irrigation apparatus including a drip line and a control station configured to control a pressure of pressurized fluid in the drip line is provided. The controllable emitter is disposable along the drip line and includes a container coupled to the drip line, the container being formed to define an interior and including an inlet through which the pressurized fluid is receivable in the interior from the drip line and an outlet through which the pressurized fluid is exhaustible from the interior, a piston, including a magnetic element, disposed at least partially in the container to occupy a position in accordance with the pressure of the pressurized fluid and a sensor configured to sense a position of the magnetic element and to communicate a sensed position to the control station.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente L. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert, Alejandro G. Schrott
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Patent number: 9173353Abstract: An irrigation system including a diverter line is provided. The system includes drip irrigation lines, T-junctions interleaved between adjacent drip irrigation lines, each T-junction including a three-way line coupled to the diverter line, a check valve operably disposable between the three-way line and a downstream end of an upstream one of the drip irrigation lines to permit fluid flow in only a forward direction and a controllable valve operably disposable between the three-way line and an upstream end of a downstream one of the drip irrigation lines. The controllable valve is operable to permit fluid flow in only the forward direction and to prevent the fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente L. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert
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Patent number: 9173354Abstract: A method of operating an irrigation system is provided and includes coupling one or more lateral driplines to a main irrigation line, dividing each lateral dripline into zones and providing each lateral dripline with a plurality of replaceable emitters at each zone, disposing a plurality of controllable valves along each of the one or more lateral driplines at zone borders and actuating each one of the plurality of controllable valves to thereby activate corresponding emitters in the associated zone.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente I. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert
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Patent number: 9167757Abstract: An irrigation system is provided and includes a main irrigation line, one or more lateral driplines, each lateral dripline being divided into zones and including a plurality of emitters at each zone and a plurality of controllable valves disposed along each of the one or more lateral driplines at zone borders. Each one of the plurality of controllable valves is actuatable to activate corresponding emitters in the associated zone in a zone by zone cycle and each one of the plurality of emitters is replaceable to vary an amount of deliverable fluid by the zone by zone cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente L. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert
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Patent number: 9149011Abstract: A controllable emitter of an irrigation apparatus including a drip line having pressurized fluid therein is provided. The controllable emitter includes a container coupled to the drip line, the container being formed to define an interior and including an inlet through which the pressurized fluid is receivable in the interior from the drip line and an outlet through which the pressurized fluid is exhaustible from the interior, a magnetic stopper, which is normally disposable in a first position such that the magnetic stopper prevents a flow of the pressurized fluid through the outlet and which is actively disposable in a second position such that the magnetic stopper permits the flow and a controllable actuator configured to generate a magnetic field operable to urge the magnetic stopper to move from the first position to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente L. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert, Alejandro G. Schrott
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Publication number: 20150189841Abstract: A method of operating a drip irrigation system is provided and includes providing drip irrigation lines aside a diverter line with T-junctions interleaved between adjacent ones of the drip irrigation lines and each T-junction including a three-way line coupled to the diverter line, a check valve operably disposable between the three-way line and a downstream end of an upstream one of the drip irrigation lines to permit fluid flow in only a forward direction and a controllable valve operably disposable between the three-way line and an upstream end of a downstream one of the drip irrigation lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente I. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert
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Patent number: 9063184Abstract: A clamping current and voltage sensor provides an isolated and convenient technique for measuring current passing through a conductor such as an AC branch circuit wire, as well as providing an indication of an electrostatic potential on the wire, which can be used to indicate the phase of the voltage on the wire, and optionally a magnitude of the voltage. The device includes a body formed from two handle portions that contain the current and voltage sensors within an aperture at the distal end, which may be a ferrite cylinder with a hall effect sensor disposed in a gap along the circumference to measure current, or alternatively a winding provided through the cylinder along its axis and a capacitive plate or wire disposed adjacent to, or within, the ferrite cylinder to provide the indication of the voltage. When the handles are compressed the aperture is opened to permit insertion of a wire for measurement.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Gary D. Carpenter, Wael El-Essawy, Alexandre Peixoto Ferreira, Thomas Walter Keller, Karthick Rajamani, Juan C. Rubio, Michael A. Schappert
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Patent number: 9007077Abstract: A flexible current and voltage sensor provides ease of installation of a current sensor, and optionally a voltage sensor in application such as AC branch circuit wire measurements, which may require installation in dense wiring conditions and/or in live panels where insulating gloves must be worn. The sensor includes at least one flexible ferromagnetic strip that is affixed to a current sensing device at a first end. The second end is secured to the other side of the current sensing device or to another flexible ferromagnetic strip extending from the other side of the current sensing device to form a loop providing a closed pathway for magnetic flux. A voltage sensor may be provided by metal foil affixed to the inside of the flexible ferromagnetic strip. A clamp body, which can be a spring loaded handle operated clamp or a locking fastener, can secure the ferromagnetic strip around the wire.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Wael El-Essawy, Alexandre Peixoto Ferreira, Thomas Walter Keller, Karthick Rajamani, Juan C. Rubio, Michael A. Schappert
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Publication number: 20140312895Abstract: A detachable current and voltage sensor provides an isolated and convenient device to measure current passing through a conductor such as an AC branch circuit wire, as well as providing an indication of an electrostatic potential on the wire, which can be used to indicate the phase of the voltage on the wire, and optionally a magnitude of the voltage. The device includes a housing that contains the current and voltage sensors, which may be a ferrite cylinder with a hall effect sensor disposed in a gap along the circumference to measure current, or alternative a winding provided through the cylinder along its axis and a capacitive plate or wire disposed adjacent to, or within, the ferrite cylinder to provide the indication of the voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Gary D. Carpenter, Wael El-Essawy, Alexandre Peixoto Ferreira, Thomas Walter Keller, Juan C. Rubio, Michael A. Schappert
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Publication number: 20140252113Abstract: An irrigation system is provided and includes a main irrigation line, one or more lateral driplines, each lateral dripline being divided into zones and including a plurality of emitters at each zone and a plurality of controllable valves disposed along each of the one or more lateral driplines at zone borders. Each one of the plurality of controllable valves is actuatable to activate corresponding emitters in the associated zone in a zone by zone cycle and each one of the plurality of emitters is replaceable to vary an amount of deliverable fluid by the zone by zone cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente L. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert
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Publication number: 20140252133Abstract: A controllable emitter of an irrigation apparatus including a drip line and a control station configured to control a pressure of pressurized fluid in the drip line is provided. The controllable emitter is disposable along the drip line and includes a container coupled to the drip line, the container being formed to define an interior and including an inlet through which the pressurized fluid is receivable in the interior from the drip line and an outlet through which the pressurized fluid is exhaustible from the interior, a piston, including a magnetic element, disposed at least partially in the container to occupy a position in accordance with the pressure of the pressurized fluid and a sensor configured to sense a position of the magnetic element and to communicate a sensed position to the control station.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente L. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert, Alejandro G. Schrott
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Publication number: 20140252117Abstract: A controllable emitter of an irrigation apparatus including a drip line having pressurized fluid therein is provided. The controllable emitter includes a container coupled to the drip line, the container being formed to define an interior and including an inlet through which the pressurized fluid is receivable in the interior from the drip line and an outlet through which the pressurized fluid is exhaustible from the interior, a magnetic stopper, which is normally disposable in a first position such that the magnetic stopper prevents a flow of the pressurized fluid through the outlet and which is actively disposable in a second position such that the magnetic stopper permits the flow and a controllable actuator configured to generate a magnetic field operable to urge the magnetic stopper to move from the first position to the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente L. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert, Alejandro G. Schrott
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Publication number: 20140252103Abstract: A method of operating a drip irrigation system is provided and includes providing drip irrigation lines aside a diverter line with T-junctions interleaved between adjacent ones of the drip irrigation lines and each T-junction including a three-way line coupled to the diverter line, a check valve operably disposable between the three-way line and a downstream end of an upstream one of the drip irrigation lines to permit fluid flow in only a forward direction and a controllable valve operably disposable between the three-way line and an upstream end of a downstream one of the drip irrigation lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente L. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert
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Publication number: 20140252114Abstract: A method of operating an irrigation system is provided and includes coupling one or more lateral driplines to a main irrigation line, dividing each lateral dripline into zones and providing each lateral dripline with a plurality of replaceable emitters at each zone, disposing a plurality of controllable valves along each of the one or more lateral driplines at zone borders and actuating each one of the plurality of controllable valves to thereby activate corresponding emitters in the associated zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente I. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert
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Publication number: 20140252112Abstract: An irrigation system including a diverter line is provided. The system includes drip irrigation lines, T-junctions interleaved between adjacent drip irrigation lines, each T-junction including a three-way line coupled to the diverter line, a check valve operably disposable between the three-way line and a downstream end of an upstream one of the drip irrigation lines to permit fluid flow in only a forward direction and a controllable valve operably disposable between the three-way line and an upstream end of a downstream one of the drip irrigation lines. The controllable valve is operable to permit fluid flow in only the forward direction and to prevent the fluid flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente L. Klein, Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Michael A. Schappert
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Publication number: 20140230524Abstract: A corrosion sensor includes a plurality of metal strips having different thicknesses. A first metal strip with the least thickness is first employed to provide sensitive corrosion detection. After an exposed portion of the first metal strip is consumed, a second metal strip having a second least thickness can be employed to provide continued sensitive corrosion detection employing a remaining un-corroded portion of the second metal strip. The plurality of metal strips can be sequentially employed as exposed portions of thinner metal strips become unusable through complete corrosion and un-corroded exposed portions of thicker metal strips become thin enough to provide sensitive corrosion detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: S. Jay Chey, Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente I. Klein, Michael A. Schappert, Prabjit Singh
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Publication number: 20140210453Abstract: A sensor array including multiple current sensors provides input for power measurement and management systems. The sensor array includes split ferrite cylinder portions connected by a frame, so that when the array is installed around multiple branch circuits in a power distribution panel or raceway, the ferrite cylinders are completed to surround the conductor(s) of the associated branch circuit. Voltage sensing may also be incorporated within the sensors by providing an electrically conductive plate, wire or other element that capacitively couples to the corresponding wire(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Wael El-Essawy, Alexandre Peixoto Ferreira, Thomas Walter Keller, Karthick Rajamani, Juan C. Rubio, Michael A. Schappert
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Patent number: 8723534Abstract: A corrosion sensor includes a plurality of metal strips having different thicknesses. A first metal strip with the least thickness is first employed to provide sensitive corrosion detection. After an exposed portion of the first metal strip is consumed, a second metal strip having a second least thickness can be employed to provide continued sensitive corrosion detection employing a remaining un-corroded portion of the second metal strip. The plurality of metal strips can be sequentially employed as exposed portions of thinner metal strips become unusable through complete corrosion and un-corroded exposed portions of thicker metal strips become thin enough to provide sensitive corrosion detection.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: S. Jay Chey, Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente I. Klein, Michael A. Schappert, Prabjit Singh
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Publication number: 20140111229Abstract: Corrosion sensor apparatus for detection of contamination affecting metal based components and devices. For example, an apparatus includes: a set of corrosion sensor elements, wherein a width of a first corrosion sensor element is different than a width of a second corrosion sensor element, wherein each corrosion sensor element is susceptible to corrosion caused by an operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements; and a set of reference elements wherein a width of a first reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the first corrosion sensor element and a width of a second reference sensor element is substantially equal to the width of the second corrosion sensor element, wherein each reference sensor element is not substantially susceptible to corrosion caused by the operating environment of the corrosion sensor elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2014Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente I. Klein, Michael A. Schappert, Prabjit Singh