Patents by Inventor Michael D. Sullivan

Michael D. Sullivan 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: 11922439
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for identifying consumer items more likely to be bought by an individual user. In some embodiments, a collaborative filter may be used to rank items based on the degree to which they match user preferences. The collaborative filter may be hierarchical and may take various factors into consideration. Example factors may include the similarity among items based on observable features, a summary of aggregate online search behavior across multiple users, the item features determined to be most important to the individual user, and a baseline item against which a conditional probability of another item being selected is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TrueCar, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Sullivan, Michael D. Swinson
  • Publication number: 20220244134
    Abstract: A direct field acoustic testing system comprising a control microphone, a controller operatively coupled to the control microphone such that the controller receives at least one input signal from the control microphone, and a plurality of acoustic transducer groups receiving an electronic signal from the controller, each transducer group including at least one acoustic transducer. An average power density of the direct field acoustic testing system for a pre-determined acoustic test spectrum being equal to or greater than 46 acoustic watts per square meter of total active acoustic transducer radiating surface area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew S. Polk, JR., Marcos A. Underwood, Michael D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7757642
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a boiler tube plug, which is used to plug holes left in drum walls after removal of failed boiler tubes in industrial power boilers, condensers, or heat exchangers. The present invention concerns a new and innovative boiler tube sheet plug for power boilers addressing the needs in the art. The boiler tube plug of the present invention may be used in evaporators, condensers, heat exchangers and other power boilers as appropriate as known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventors: Mark W. Rettig, Michael D. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20080092358
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a boiler tube plug, which is used to plug holes left in drum walls after removal of failed boiler tubes in industrial power boilers, condensers, or heat exchangers. The present invention concerns a new and innovative boiler tube sheet plug for power boilers addressing the needs in the art. The boiler tube plug of the present invention may be used in evaporators, condensers, heat exchangers and other power boilers as appropriate as known in the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Mark W. Rettig, Michael D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6442860
    Abstract: A tape measure with a marking device holder. The tape measure with the marking device holder includes a tape measure assembly and a marking device holder installed on the tip end of the tape measure. The marking device holder includes two resilient clip structures for resiliently gripping and holding the tip end of a marking device such as a pencil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventors: William Lee Williams, Michael D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6244630
    Abstract: A pressurized leaking flange joint is sealed with a ¼ circle load support structure, a jacking bolt extending therethrough and applying a radial load to a sealing plug between the flange gap. The sealing plug is a graphite packing ring placed into the flange gap on either side of a gasket centering ring, and a carbon steel compression ring (two ⅛ circles placed end-to-end) placed on top of the packing ring on either side of the gasket centering ring. The load support structure is installed such that the jacking bolt is centered over the flange gap. The jacking bolt is torqued and subsequently applies a radial load to the compression ring, which radial load is transferred to the load support structure and then to two flange bolts against which the load support structure bares. The radial load on the compression rings compresses the packing material into the pathway of the leak, thereby sealing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny D. Baucom, Michael D. Sullivan, Michael K. Phillips
  • Patent number: 4497324
    Abstract: A temperature monitoring catheter which has an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a wall portion defining a drainage lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The wall portion can also define a longitudinally extending inflation lumen which extends therethrough. The drainage lumen opens at the proximal end of the shaft through a drainage eyelet. An elastic, inflatable sleeve portion can be bonded to and extend annularly around a portion of the proximal end of the shaft. The elastic, inflatable sleeve portion is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen so that it can be inflated for retaining the catheter in a patient's body. A temperature thermistor is imbedded in the wall of the shaft at the proximal end of the shaft. A bifilar electric wire coil, helically wound, is imbedded in the wall of the shaft and connected at one end to the temperature thermistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: American Hospital Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Sullivan, Robert L. Murtfeldt, Arthur R. Yelsey