Patents by Inventor Robert B. Smith

Robert B. 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).

  • Publication number: 20240133409
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a blind fastener and a method of installation thereof. The blind fastener comprises a sleeve and a mandrel. The sleeve comprises a first sleeve end, a second sleeve end, and a cavity extending from the first sleeve end to the second sleeve end. The mandrel is configured to be at least partially received by the cavity of the sleeve. The mandrel comprises a first mandrel end disposed adjacent to the first sleeve end and comprising an enlarged portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of the cavity, a second mandrel end comprising a pull region, and a shank region extending intermediate the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end. The pull region comprises an axial length no greater than four times a diameter of the shank region and is configured to be engaged by an installation tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Robert B. Wilcox, James Thomas Smith, Troy Don Pierce
  • Patent number: 11942776
    Abstract: A system for preventing ground fault in a three-phase electric transmission line system caused by a line break, includes: the transmission lines, a programmable relay protection system, including a plurality of existing low sensitivity (LS) relays and a corresponding set of high sensitivity (HS) relays in parallel with the is relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Viking Protection Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Stuart, Ronald E. Smith
  • Patent number: 11934969
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to implement a bias identification engine that identifies bias in the operation of a trained cognitive computing system. A bias risk annotator is configured to identify a plurality of bias triggers in inputs and outputs of the trained cognitive computing system based on a bias risk trigger data structure that specifies terms or phrases that are associated with a bias. An annotated input and an annotated output of the trained cognitive computing system is received and processed by the bias risk annotator to determine if they comprise a portion of content that contains a bias trigger. In response to at least one of the annotated input or annotated output comprising a portion of content containing a bias trigger a notification is transmitted, to an administrator computing device, that specifies the presence of bias in the operation of the trained cognitive computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kristin E. McNeil, Robert C. Sizemore, David B. Werts, Sterling R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11703525
    Abstract: A current sensor includes a current sense coil disposed about a conductive lead, the current sense coil configured to sense a current passing through the conductive lead. The current sense coil includes: a first outer coil configured to detect a first magnetic field generated by the current; a second outer coil configured to detect the first magnetic field, the second outer coil further configured to cancel an electrical field induced in the first outer coil; and an inner conductor disposed between the first outer coil and the second outer coil, the inner conductor configured to detect a second magnetic field generated by the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 11648026
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a cooling module. The cooling module includes a fluid reservoir retaining a conductive cooling fluid, a pump configured to pump the conductive cooling fluid along a flowpath, first and second electrodes disposed at first and second positions along the flowpath and configured to sense an electrical property of the conductive cooling fluid at the first and second positions, and a controller configured to determine an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the sensed electrical properties of the first and second electrodes. A method for cooling a surgical instrument includes detecting an electrical property of a conductive cooling fluid at first and second positions along a flowpath and determining an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the detected electrical properties at the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James E. Thompson, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 11529183
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a power supply, a surgical instrument, and a power and data interface assembly. The power and data interface assembly includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, a first modulator coupled to the primary winding and configured to receive a power signal from the power supply, a first demodulator coupled to the secondary winding, a second modulator coupled to the secondary winding, a second demodulator coupled to the primary winding, and at least one capacitor configured to tune the primary winding to a first resonant frequency and tune the secondary winding to a second resonant frequency different than the first resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220387097
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body and first and second electrodes disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body. The ultrasonic blade body is adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide. The first and second electrodes taper in width proximally to distally and are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Rachael L. Kabala, Anthony B. Ross, David J. Van Tol, Robert B. Stoddard, Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 11446079
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body and first and second electrodes disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body. The ultrasonic blade body is adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide. The first and second electrodes taper in width proximally to distally and are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Rachael L. Kabala, Anthony B. Ross, David J. Van Tol, Robert B. Stoddard, Robert B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210267659
    Abstract: A generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the generator is configured to provide an ultrasonic waveform, which may be suitable for driving a transducer of an ultrasonic surgical instrument, and electrosurgical radiofrequency energy, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Steven C. Rupp, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 11090105
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a power supply configured to output a DC waveform, a current or voltage source coupled to the power supply and a power converter coupled to the current or voltage source, the power converter including at least one power switching element and a power inductor having an inductance value during switching of the at least one power switching element. The electrosurgical generator further includes a zero voltage switching (ZVS) inducing circuit coupled to the power converter at a switching node, the ZVS inducing circuit including an inductor having an inductance which is greater than the inductance value of the power inductor of the at least one power switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven C. Rupp, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20210148953
    Abstract: A current sensor includes a current sense coil disposed about a conductive lead, the current sense coil configured to sense a current passing through the conductive lead. The current sense coil includes: a first outer coil configured to detect a first magnetic field generated by the current; a second outer coil configured to detect the first magnetic field, the second outer coil further configured to cancel an electrical field induced in the first outer coil; and an inner conductor disposed between the first outer coil and the second outer coil, the inner conductor configured to detect a second magnetic field generated by the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 11006997
    Abstract: A generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the generator is configured to provide an ultrasonic waveform, which may be suitable for driving a transducer of an ultrasonic surgical instrument, and electrosurgical radiofrequency energy, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven C. Rupp, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20210038292
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body and first and second electrodes disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body. The ultrasonic blade body is adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide. The first and second electrodes taper in width proximally to distally and are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Rachael L. Kabala, Anthony B. Ross, David J. Van Tol, Robert B. Stoddard, Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 10908187
    Abstract: A current sensor includes a current sense coil disposed about a conductive lead, the current sense coil configured to sense a current passing through the conductive lead. The current sense coil includes: a first outer coil configured to detect a first magnetic field generated by the current; a second outer coil configured to detect the first magnetic field, the second outer coil further configured to cancel an electrical field induced in the first outer coil; and an inner conductor disposed between the first outer coil and the second outer coil, the inner conductor configured to detect a second magnetic field generated by the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200281641
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a power supply, a surgical instrument, and a power and data interface assembly. The power and data interface assembly includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, a first modulator coupled to the primary winding and configured to receive a power signal from the power supply, a first demodulator coupled to the secondary winding, a second modulator coupled to the secondary winding, a second demodulator coupled to the primary winding, and at least one capacitor configured to tune the primary winding to a first resonant frequency and tune the secondary winding to a second resonant frequency different than the first resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200229843
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a cooling module. The cooling module includes a fluid reservoir retaining a conductive cooling fluid, a pump configured to pump the conductive cooling fluid along a flowpath, first and second electrodes disposed at first and second positions along the flowpath and configured to sense an electrical property of the conductive cooling fluid at the first and second positions, and a controller configured to determine an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the sensed electrical properties of the first and second electrodes. A method for cooling a surgical instrument includes detecting an electrical property of a conductive cooling fluid at first and second positions along a flowpath and determining an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the detected electrical properties at the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: James E. Thompson, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20200234872
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a multilayered dielectric substrate including a plurality of dielectric layers; a planar magnetic device disposed on at least one internal dielectric layer of the plurality of dielectric layers; and an overlapping shield assembly including a first shield layer and a second shield layer separated by at least one of the plurality of dielectric layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Steven C. Rupp
  • Patent number: 10695119
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a power supply, a surgical instrument, and a power and data interface assembly. The power and data interface assembly includes a transformer having a primary winding, to which a first modulator and a second demodulator are coupled, and a secondary winding, to which a second modulator and a first demodulator are coupled. The power supply provides a power signal to the first modulator. The first modulator is configured to modulate, according to a first type of modulation, the power signal based on first data. The modulated power signal is communicated by the first modulator to the first demodulator by way of the transformer. The second modulator is configured to modulate, according to a second type of modulation, a second signal based on second data. The modulated second signal is communicated by the second modulator to the second demodulator by way of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 10646266
    Abstract: A system and method for return electrode monitoring are provided. The system includes an isolation circuit, a first controller, a second controller, and a detection circuit. The isolation circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The first controller is coupled to the primary winding. The second controller and the detection circuit are coupled to the secondary winding. The detection circuit includes an interrogation signal circuit, a resonant tank filter, and a current-to-voltage converter. The interrogation signal circuit provides an interrogation signal to at least one electrode pad. The resonant tank filter filters a response signal received from the electrode pad. The current-to-voltage converter generates a voltage signal based on a current value of the response signal. The second controller generates a digital impedance value based on the voltage signal, and provides the digital impedance value to the first controller by way of the isolation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Smith, Steven C. Rupp, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 10646246
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a cooling module. The cooling module includes a fluid reservoir retaining a conductive cooling fluid, a pump configured to pump the conductive cooling fluid along a flowpath, first and second electrodes disposed at first and second positions along the flowpath and configured to sense an electrical property of the conductive cooling fluid at the first and second positions, and a controller configured to determine an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the sensed electrical properties of the first and second electrodes. A method for cooling a surgical instrument includes detecting an electrical property of a conductive cooling fluid at first and second positions along a flowpath and determining an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the detected electrical properties at the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: James E. Thompson, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs