Patents by Inventor Robert R. Crawford
Robert R. Crawford 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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Patent number: 11980430Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a surgical robot system may include an end-effector element configured for controlled movement and positioning and tracking of surgical instruments and objects relative to an image of a patient's anatomical structure. In some embodiments the end-effector may be tracked by surgical robot system and displayed to a user. In some embodiments the end-effector element may be configured to restrict the movement of an instrument assembly in a guide tube. In some embodiments, the end-effector may contain structures to allow for magnetic coupling to a robot arm and/or wireless powering of the end-effector element. In some embodiments, tracking of a target anatomical structure and objects, both in a navigation space and an image space, may be provided by a dynamic reference base located at a position away from the target anatomical structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas A. Theodore, Mitchell Foster, Nobert Johnson, Timothy Moulton, Kevin Zhang, Jeffrey Forsyth, Chris Major, Robert LeBoeuf, David Cleary
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Patent number: 7479176Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling airflow in a desiccant drying system having a plurality of desiccant beds, in which each desiccant bed is located in a chamber, and multi-position valves can be operated to cause the gas to be dried to flow in a serial manner through a plurality of desiccant bed chambers while another desiccant bed is isolated from the gas flow and undergoing regeneration. Once regenerated, the multi-position valves are repositioned to establish a new serial flow gas path in which the freshly regenerated desiccant bed becomes the final bed in the series, and another bed undergoes regeneration.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Mann & Hummel Protec GmbHInventors: Robert R. Crawford, Donald D. Rainville
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Patent number: 7104743Abstract: A vacuum receiver for a pneumatic conveyor for conveying, e.g., plastic pellets, having a receiving vessel with a material inlet, a material outlet and a conveying gas outlet. A first valve member is provided for opening and closing the conveying gas outlet, and a second valve member is provided for opening and closing the material outlet. Both valve members are connected to a common valve shaft and actuated by a single actuator mounted on a vessel lid. The vacuum receiver of the invention has the advantage of affording positive control and sealing of the material discharge valve while at the same time being economical to manufacture and easily cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Universal Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Donald D. Rainville, Robert R. Crawford, Leonard Paquette, William Goldfarb
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Patent number: 6729039Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling airflow in a desiccant drying system having two desiccant beds (10, 12). A first diverter valve (14) communicates with each of the desiccant beds, a regeneration air inlet (22), and a press air outlet (20). A second diverter valve (16) communicates with each of the desiccant beds, a process air inlet (18), and a regeneration air outlet (28). First and second regeneration air control valves (24, 30) are also provided which during a cooling phase of the regeneration cycle admit a cooling bleed stream of process air to the desiccant bed being regenerated and then convey the cooling air bleed stream from the desiccant bed and through a heat exchanger (42) back to the process air inlet.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Universal Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Robert R. Crawford
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Publication number: 20040040172Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling airflow in a desiccant drying system having two desiccant beds (10, 12). A first diverter valve (14) communicates with each of the desiccant beds, a regeneration air inlet (22), and a process air outlet (20). A second diverter valve (16) communicates with each of the desiccant beds, a process air inlet (18), and a regeneration air outlet (28). First and second regeneration air control valves (24, 30) are also provided which during a cooling phase of the regeneration cycle admit a cooling bleed stream of process air to the desiccant bed being regenerated and then convey the cooling air bleed stream from the desiccant bed and through a heat exchanger (42) back to the process air inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventor: Robert R Crawford
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Patent number: 6370797Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drying plastic pellets utilizes a venturi air mover (20) in a recirculation loop communicating with a drying hopper (10) containing the plastic pellets. A portion of moist air flow in the recirculation loop is vented to the ambient atmosphere upstream of the venturi air mover. A conventional source of compressed air (16) is dried and supplied to the venturi air mover to provide the exclusive motive power for moving air through the recirculation loop.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Universal Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Robert R. Crawford
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Patent number: 6336278Abstract: A method and system for controlling airflow in a desiccant drying system having two desiccant beds. A first diverter valve (14A) communicates with each of the desiccant beds, a regeneration air inlet (22A), and a process air outlet (28A). A second diverter valve (16A) communicates with each of the desiccant beds, a process air inlet, and a regeneration air outlet. A first of the beds is regenerated by moving the first diverter valve to a position which the first bed communicates with the regeneration air inlet and a second of the beds communicates with the process air outlet, and by moving the second diverter valve to a position in which the first bed communicates with the regeneration air outlet and the second bed communicates with the process air inlet. The first bed is subsequently cooled by moving the first diverter valve to an intermediate cooling position in which the second bed communicates with both of the process air outlet and the first bed, and closing the regeneration air inlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2000Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Universal Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Crawford, Donald D. Rainville
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Patent number: 5926969Abstract: A method and an apparatus for regenerating a moist adsorption medium in a multiple vessel drying system utilize a pulsed control of a purge gas outlet valve during a regeneration phase. Internal heaters are embedded in the desiccant beds. During the regeneration phase of a desiccant bed, the internal heater heats the desiccant to remove the moisture therefrom in the form of water vapor. After the water vapor builds up in the drying vessel for a certain period of time, the purge gas outlet valve is opened for a period of time just long enough to flush the built up water vapor from the vessel, and is then closed again. Accordingly, the amount of purge gas required is minimized, which leads to a higher quality purge, higher overall system drying efficiency, as well as reduced energy requirements.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Universal Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Crawford, Donald D. Rainville, Christopher J. Selley
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Patent number: 5768897Abstract: An apparatus for dehumidifying air includes a first air path having a first opening, a second opening, and a first desiccant mass intermediate the first and second opening, a second air path, having a first opening, a second opening, and a second desiccant mass intermediate the first and second opening, and an apparatus for causing air selectively from either the first air path or the second air path to flow to an outlet of the apparatus, wherein the ratio of the weight of each of the desiccant masses to the air flow rate into the apparatus outlet is about 1 pound of desiccant for each 10 to 20 cubic feet per minute of air flow. A controller adjusts regeneration heating times based on detected dew point before switching between air paths and detected temperature after switching air paths.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1995Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Universal Dynamics CorporationInventors: Donald D. Rainville, Robert R. Crawford, Roderick W. Lyman
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Patent number: 5100513Abstract: Apparatus for even distribution of, and for maintaining fibrous slurries in a deflocculated state in close proximity to the slice of a papermachine headbox, respectively. The apparatus, in the first instance, comprises one or more axial (center) flow distributor rolls feeding slurry to headboxes or other vessels. Secondly, a single or multiplicity of rectifier rolls or devices rotating inside a master, or outer, roll are housed in semi-circular, or other shaped, compartments located in the headbox front plates.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1990Date of Patent: March 31, 1992Inventor: Robert R. Crawford
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Patent number: RE39271Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drying plastic pellets utilizes a venturi air mover (20) in a recirculation loop communicating with a drying hopper (10) containing the plastic pellets. A portion of moist air flow in the recirculation loop is vented to the ambient atmosphere upstream of the venturi air mover. A conventional source of compressed air (16) is dried and supplied to the venturi air mover to provide the exclusive motive power for moving air through the recirculation loop.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Universal Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Robert R. Crawford