Patents by Inventor Robert Crow
Robert Crow 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: 20240131974Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method (500) of fabricating a cover for an interior trim component or an exterior trim component for a vehicle. The method comprising forming a 3D knitted structure (510) by knitting together at least one heat activated yarn and at least one non-heat activated yarn. The structure may be arranged whereby, during a subsequent heat treatment process (520) in which the cover is heated to a temperature at or above an activation temperature, the heat-activated yarn is activated thereby to form an automotive cover having a knitted structure of increased stiffness once cooled.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Belinda MASON, Sarah-Kate FRASER, Gege XU, Robert CROW
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Publication number: 20240136721Abstract: A multi-antenna structure may include a monopole and a first antenna array connected to the monopole at a first location via a first mounting apparatus and including a first cellular antenna and a first radio unit. The structure may also include a second antenna array connected to the monopole at a second location via a second mounting apparatus, with a second cellular antenna and a second radio unit. The structure may include a first set of fronds arranged about an outer surface of the monopole, forming a first respective angle with the monopole and configured to obscure the first antenna array from view. The structure may include a second set of fronds arranged about the outer surface of the monopole, each of the second set of fronds forming second respective angle with the monopole. The second set of fronds may be configured to obscure the second antenna array from view.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Robert E. Smith, Terry Duffield, John Crow, Clark McQueen
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Patent number: 11885289Abstract: An example component of a machine includes a core layer and an outer layer encasing the core layer. The outer layer has a greater carbon concentration and hardness than the core layer. The outer layer may also be compressively stressed, while the core layer may have tensile stress. The stress and/or hardness profile of the component may enhance its resistance to cracking, particularly in applications where the component is impacted by other object and/or operates at elevated temperatures. The component, such as parts of a fuel injector, may be formed by rough forming the component, carburizing the component, quenching the component, subzero processing the component, and then performing a tempering process. The components may have relatively sharp transition from the high carbon outer layer to the lower carbon core layer. Additionally, the components have a relatively high tempering resistance when used in relatively high temperature environments.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Robert Crow, Lucy Victoria Berg, Douglas Edward Guyer, II, Michael Alan Pershing
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Publication number: 20220349370Abstract: An example component of a machine includes a core layer and an outer layer encasing the core layer. The outer layer has a greater carbon concentration and hardness than the core layer. The outer layer may also be compressively stressed, while the core layer may have tensile stress. The stress and/or hardness profile of the component may enhance its resistance to cracking, particularly in applications where the component is impacted by other object and/or operates at elevated temperatures. The component, such as parts of a fuel injector, may be formed by rough forming the component, carburizing the component, quenching the component, subzero processing the component, and then performing a tempering process. The components may have relatively sharp transition from the high carbon outer layer to the lower carbon core layer. Additionally, the components have a relatively high tempering resistance when used in relatively high temperature environments.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Robert Crow, Lucy Victoria Berg, Douglas Edward Guyer, II, Michael Alan Pershing
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Patent number: 10183377Abstract: A method of standardizing a grinder burn etch test may include machining a test sample of substantially equivalent chemical composition and heat treatment to a manufactured part to be audited for grinder burn and receiving data on an expected range of thermal damage that may be caused on the manufactured part during grinding by grinder burn. The method may also include preparing the test sample by laser heat treating at least a portion of the test sample to create a range of thermal damage across predetermined areas on the test sample, wherein the range of thermal damage on the test sample encompasses the expected range of thermal damage that may be caused on the manufactured part during grinding by grinder burn. The method may still further include testing a grinder burn etch bath with the test sample to determine whether the etch bath can detect thermal damage across at least a threshold percentage of the expected range of thermal damage that may be caused on the manufactured part.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2015Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Robert Crow, Trenton G. Jacobson
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Publication number: 20170157741Abstract: A method of standardizing a grinder burn etch test may include machining a test sample of substantially equivalent chemical composition and heat treatment to a manufactured part to be audited for grinder burn and receiving data on an expected range of thermal damage that may be caused on the manufactured part during grinding by grinder burn. The method may also include preparing the test sample by laser heat treating at least a portion of the test sample to create a range of thermal damage across predetermined areas on the test sample, wherein the range of thermal damage on the test sample encompasses the expected range of thermal damage that may be caused on the manufactured part during grinding by grinder burn. The method may still further include testing a grinder burn etch bath with the test sample to determine whether the etch bath can detect thermal damage across at least a threshold percentage of the expected range of thermal damage that may be caused on the manufactured part.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Robert CROW, Trenton G. JACOBSON
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Publication number: 20050274529Abstract: A safety valve lock out system and method. In a described embodiment, a method of locking out a safety valve in a subterranean well includes the steps of: flowing a hardenable fluid into the safety valve; and preventing a closure device of the safety valve from closing with the hardenable fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2004Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventor: Robert Crow
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Publication number: 20050103494Abstract: An apparatus (110) and method for treating an interval of a wellbore comprises an outer tubular (112) disposed within the wellbore. A sand control screen (118) is disposed within the outer tubular (112). A treatment fluid passageway (144) is formed between the sand control screen (118) and outer tubular (112). In addition, a production pathway (130) is formed between the sand control screen (118) and outer tubular (112). When the apparatus (110) is in an operable position, the region between the outer tubular (112) and the wellbore serves as a primary path for delivery of a treatment fluid, the production pathway (130) serves as a secondary path for delivery of the treatment fluid if the primary path becomes blocked and the treatment fluid passageway (144) serves as a tertiary path for delivery of the treatment fluid if the primary and secondary paths become blocked.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2004Publication date: May 19, 2005Inventors: Ronald McGregor, Travis Hailey, William Henderson, Robert Crow, Philip Nguyen, David Hejl, Ronald Gibson
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Patent number: 6789624Abstract: An apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore comprises an outer tubular (112), which forms a first annulus with the wellbore, and an sand control screen (118) disposed within the outer tubular (112) forming a second annulus therebetween. Within the second annulus is an axially extending production pathway (146) and an axially extending slurry passageway (144), which is defined between a sheet member (140) positioned on the sand control screen (118) and a channel (132). The outer tubular (112) has outlets (116) that are substantially aligned with outlets (142) of the channel (132). When a fluid slurry containing gravel is injected through the slurry passageway (144), the fluid slurry exits through the outlets (116, 142) leaving gravel in the first annulus, thereby gravel packing the interval.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ronald W. McGregor, Robert Crow, David A. Hejl, Ronald A. Gibson
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Publication number: 20030221828Abstract: An apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore comprises an outer tubular (112), which forms a first annulus with the wellbore, and an sand control screen (118) disposed within the outer tubular (112) forming a second annulus therebetween. Within the second annulus is an axially extending production pathway (146) and an axially extending slurry passageway (144), which is defined between a sheet member (140) positioned on the sand control screen (118) and a channel (132). The outer tubular (112) has outlets (116) that are substantially aligned with outlets (142) of the channel (132). When a fluid slurry containing gravel is injected through the slurry passageway (144), the fluid slurry exits through the outlets (116, 142) leaving gravel in the first annulus, thereby gravel packing the interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Ronald W. McGregor, Robert Crow, David A. Hejl, Ronald A. Gibson
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Patent number: 4733596Abstract: For use on a military vehicle a missile container wherein a pop-up rack scture is utilized to carry individual missiles. When the container cover is opened a linkage mechanism elevates the pop-up rack structure to present the missiles above the container, such that the soldier can readily remove the missiles from the rack structure and load same into a missile launcher located on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1987Date of Patent: March 29, 1988Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Robert A. Crow, III, John Korpi