Patents by Inventor Robert T. Fayfield
Robert T. Fayfield 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: 20230132266Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a vibrational sensing system (VSS) including an accelerometer and a data processor, which determines an “operational state” of a mechanical drive unit, the processor further employing the “operational state” to gate learning of long-term vibrational data to exclude collection of non-operational data, the long-term data collected to calculate alarm thresholds. For example, vibrations from a target motor are sensed by a coupled accelerometer. Vibrational data from the accelerometer is fed into a data processor which determines the operational state of the motor. The operational state (e.g., on/off indication) may gate data collection such that data is only acquired during on-time, which may advantageously create accurate baselines from which alarm thresholds may be generated, and nuisance alarms may be avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Ryan Kornetzke
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Patent number: 11585726Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a vibrational sensing system (VSS) including an accelerometer and a data processor, which determines an “operational state” of a mechanical drive unit, the processor further employing the “operational state” to gate learning of long-term vibrational data to exclude collection of non-operational data, the long-term data collected to calculate alarm thresholds. For example, vibrations from a target motor are sensed by a coupled accelerometer. Vibrational data from the accelerometer is fed into a data processor which determines the operational state of the motor. The operational state (e.g., on/off indication) may gate data collection such that data is only acquired during on-time, which may advantageously create accurate baselines from which alarm thresholds may be generated, and nuisance alarms may be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: BANNER ENGINEERING CORPInventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Ryan Kornetzke
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Publication number: 20210293662Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a vibrational sensing system (VSS) including an accelerometer and a data processor, which determines an “operational state” of a mechanical drive unit, the processor further employing the “operational state” to gate learning of long-term vibrational data to exclude collection of non-operational data, the long-term data collected to calculate alarm thresholds. For example, vibrations from a target motor are sensed by a coupled accelerometer. Vibrational data from the accelerometer is fed into a data processor which determines the operational state of the motor. The operational state (e.g., on/off indication) may gate data collection such that data is only acquired during on-time, which may advantageously create accurate baselines from which alarm thresholds may be generated, and nuisance alarms may be avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Ryan Kornetzke
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Patent number: 11002634Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a vibrational sensing system (VSS) including an accelerometer and a data processor, which determines an “operational state” of a mechanical drive unit, the processor further employing the “operational state” to gate learning of long-term vibrational data to exclude collection of non-operational data, the long-term data collected to calculate alarm thresholds. For example, vibrations from a target motor are sensed by a coupled accelerometer. Vibrational data from the accelerometer is fed into a data processor which determines the operational state of the motor. The operational state (e.g., on/off indication) may gate data collection such that data is only acquired during on-time, which may advantageously create accurate baselines from which alarm thresholds may be generated, and nuisance alarms may be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: BANNER ENGINEERING CORPInventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Ryan Kornetzke
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Patent number: 10805262Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a networked system having a master and multiple slaves, where each slave stores a unique (actual) slave address and a non-unique (virtual) slave address in memory, such that each slave is configured to respond to request messages addressed to the slave's non-unique slave address if a sensor device associated with the is in an active state when the slave receives the request message. In an illustrative example, the networked system may be a Fieldbus-style network (e.g., a network implementing the Modbus protocol). A sensor device may be a break-beam, capacitive touch, or push-button device, for example. An output indicator/actuator may be associated with a sensor device to indicate the status of the sensor device to a user. A networked system implementing sensor-activated response gating may beneficially expand the number of slave devices on the network while achieving low latency response times.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: BANNER ENGINEERING CORP.Inventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Mark Richard Rue
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Patent number: 10783758Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a tower light assembly having an output indicator responsive to an onboard sensor in accordance with a predetermined environmental parameter threshold. In an illustrative example, an augmented sensing tower light assembly (ASTLA) may include a light tower assembly having a controller configured to receive status data from monitored equipment. The controller may further receive environmental data from the onboard sensor. In response to the received status data and the received environmental data, the controller may actuate the output indicator in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria. Advantageously, the ASTLA may provide supplemental low-cost sensing capability.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventor: Robert T. Fayfield
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Publication number: 20190304266Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a tower light assembly having an output indicator responsive to an onboard sensor in accordance with a predetermined environmental parameter threshold. In an illustrative example, an augmented sensing tower light assembly (ASTLA) may include a light tower assembly having a controller configured to receive status data from monitored equipment. The controller may further receive environmental data from the onboard sensor. In response to the received status data and the received environmental data, the controller may actuate the output indicator in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria. Advantageously, the ASTLA may provide supplemental low-cost sensing capability.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventor: Robert T. Fayfield
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Patent number: 10373451Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a tower light assembly having an output indicator responsive to an onboard sensor in accordance with a predetermined environmental parameter threshold. In an illustrative example, an augmented sensing tower light assembly (ASTLA) may include a light tower assembly having a controller configured to receive status data from monitored equipment. The controller may further receive environmental data from the onboard sensor. In response to the received status data and the received environmental data, the controller may actuate the output indicator in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria. Advantageously, the ASTLA may provide supplemental low-cost sensing capability.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventor: Robert T. Fayfield
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Publication number: 20190139377Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a tower light assembly having an output indicator responsive to an onboard sensor in accordance with a predetermined environmental parameter threshold. In an illustrative example, an augmented sensing tower light assembly (ASTLA) may include a light tower assembly having a controller configured to receive status data from monitored equipment. The controller may further receive environmental data from the onboard sensor. In response to the received status data and the received environmental data, the controller may actuate the output indicator in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria. Advantageously, the ASTLA may provide supplemental low-cost sensing capability.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventor: Robert T. Fayfield
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Publication number: 20190064034Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a vibrational sensing system (VSS) including an accelerometer and a data processor, which determines an “operational state” of a mechanical drive unit, the processor further employing the “operational state” to gate learning of long-term vibrational data to exclude collection of non-operational data, the long-term data collected to calculate alarm thresholds. For example, vibrations from a target motor are sensed by a coupled accelerometer. Vibrational data from the accelerometer is fed into a data processor which determines the operational state of the motor. The operational state (e.g., on/off indication) may gate data collection such that data is only acquired during on-time, which may advantageously create accurate baselines from which alarm thresholds may be generated, and nuisance alarms may be avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Ryan Kornetzke
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Patent number: 9466213Abstract: Indicator light devices are useful in many applications for indicating properties of physical spaces respectively associated therewith and in physical proximity thereto. The indicator light devices are network-enabled and self-powered, and capable of participating in coordinated power-managed operation to provide a sufficient service life and lower installation and replacement costs. The indicator light devices may be used with or without associated sensors. The various embodiments described herein use various power management techniques singly or in combination to greatly increase the service life of self-power indicator light devices without diminishing their effectiveness in the application.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2016Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Roman York Marjamaa
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Publication number: 20160148509Abstract: Indicator light devices are useful in many applications for indicating properties of physical spaces respectively associated therewith and in physical proximity thereto. The indicator light devices are network-enabled and self-powered, and capable of participating in coordinated power-managed operation to provide a sufficient service life and lower installation and replacement costs. The indicator light devices may be used with or without associated sensors. The various embodiments described herein use various power management techniques singly or in combination to greatly increase the service life of self-power indicator light devices without diminishing their effectiveness in the application.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Roman York Marjamaa
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Patent number: 9286804Abstract: Indicator light devices are useful in many applications for indicating properties of physical spaces respectively associated therewith and in physical proximity thereto. The indicator light devices are network-enabled and self-powered, and capable of participating in coordinated power-managed operation to provide a sufficient service life and lower installation and replacement costs. The indicator light devices may be used with or without associated sensors. The various embodiments described herein use various power management techniques singly or in combination to greatly increase the service life of self-power indicator light devices without diminishing their effectiveness in the application.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.Inventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Roman York Marjamaa
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Publication number: 20120280793Abstract: Indicator light devices are useful in many applications for indicating properties of physical spaces respectively associated therewith and in physical proximity thereto. The indicator light devices are network-enabled and self-powered, and capable of participating in coordinated power-managed operation to provide a sufficient service life and lower installation and replacement costs. The indicator light devices may be used with or without associated sensors. The various embodiments described herein use various power management techniques singly or in combination to greatly increase the service life of self-power indicator light devices without diminishing their effectiveness in the application.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Roman York Marjamaa
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Publication number: 20090207770Abstract: A wireless sensor and actuator network includes a number of wireless nodes, each of which may be connected to any one or combination of analog sensors, digital sensors, and actuators, and is powered by an autonomous power supply such as a battery or solar panel. Since autonomous power sources may not have sufficient voltage for powering many types of analog sensors, digital sensors, and actuators, power management techniques are used in the node and in the autonomous power supply as needed to enable effective and long life operation of the node and connected devices. These power management techniques include the use of a low impedance energy reservoir and a variable voltage boost converter whose output voltage magnitude, duration, and operating times are software configurable and controllable. The power management techniques are particularly useful for operating a wide range of different types of sensors and actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2009Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Gregory Robert Storms
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Patent number: 7107666Abstract: An ultra-miniature magnetic device generally comprises a conductive winding and a magnetic core. The conductive winding includes an upper conductor and a lower conductor. The magnetic core is of an elongate rectangular or oval shape having two elongate sections and two short sections. The lower conductor is preferably positioned below the elongate sections of the magnetic core while the upper conductor is preferably positioned above the elongate sections of the magnetic core. The lower and upper conductors are electrically connected by conducting via structures that are formed in sequential steps using semiconductor processing technology. The result is a coil winding around the elongate sections, with the short sections being preferably free of windings. The process provides an advantage of avoiding shorting between the via structures and the magnetic core caused by overetching when etching the via holes.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: BH ElectronicsInventors: Fred C. Hiatt, John E. DeCramer, Robert T. Fayfield, Richard J. Rassel
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Patent number: 7025831Abstract: Apparatus and process for conditioning a generally planar substrate, contained in a chamber isolatable from the ambient environment and fed with a conditioning gas which includes reactive gas. The apparatus includes a support for supporting the substrate in the chamber, the substrate being in a lower pressure reaction region of the chamber. A gas inlet is provided for feeding conditioning gas into a gas inlet region of the chamber which is at a higher pressure than the lower pressure reaction region so that the pressure differential causes the conditioning gas to flow toward the surface of the substrate wherein the conditioning gas component will chemically react with and condition the substrate surface, both said higher and lower pressure regions operating in a viscous flow regime.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1999Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: FSI International, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery W. Butterbaugh, David C. Gray, Robert T. Fayfield, Kevin Siefering, John Heitzinger, Fred C. Hiatt
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Patent number: 7005850Abstract: A magnetic sensor system and a method for installing magnetic sensors for detecting metal objects that allows ease of manipulation, control and access. A carrier conduit is used to position a magnetic sensor in an outer conduit. The outer conduit may be disposed beneath a surface where objects to be detected may be positioned. Alternatively, a conduit having multiple channels may be placed in a pathway. Magnetic sensors may be placed in the channels and a top placed over the conduit. Multiple embodiments for orienting the magnetic sensor systems are provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Sensonix, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Charles R. Dolezalek
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Publication number: 20040164734Abstract: A magnetic sensor system and a method for installing magnetic sensors for detecting metal objects that allows ease of manipulation, control and access. A carrier conduit is used to position a magnetic sensor in an outer conduit. The outer conduit may be disposed beneath a surface where objects to be detected may be positioned. Alternatively, a conduit having multiple channels may be placed in a pathway. Magnetic sensors may be placed in the channels and a top placed over the conduit. Multiple embodiments for orienting the magnetic sensor systems are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Sensonix, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Fayfield, Charles R. Dolezalek
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Publication number: 20040084211Abstract: A z-axis package for an electronic device and a method for making the z-axis packaging for the electronic device. The z-axis package is inexpensive to manufacture and can be assembled with automated surface mount equipment by the end user.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2002Publication date: May 6, 2004Applicant: Sensonix, Inc.Inventor: Robert T. Fayfield