Patents by Inventor Robert W. Lewis
Robert W. Lewis 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: 8318104Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste comprises a gravity drop steam heating tower for heating the waste to the biological kill temperature using pressurized steam, a first feed member for feeding the waste to be sterilized to the gravity drop steam heating tower, and a vaporization system. The vaporization system includes a heating chamber for facilitating vaporization of liquids in the waste, a conveying member for conveying the waste from the lower end portion of the gravity drop steam heating tower into and through the heating chamber, and a vaporization chamber for receiving the waste from the heating chamber and for releasing vapor entrained in the waste into the vaporization chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Inventors: Robert W. Lewis, Timothy Barrett
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Publication number: 20110165035Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste comprises a gravity drop steam heating tower for heating the waste to the biological kill temperature using pressurized steam, a first feed member for feeding the waste to be sterilized to the gravity drop steam heating tower, and a vaporization system. The vaporization system includes a heating chamber for facilitating vaporization of liquids in the waste, a conveying member for conveying the waste from the lower end portion of the gravity drop steam heating tower into and through the heating chamber, and a vaporization chamber for receiving the waste from the heating chamber and for releasing vapor entrained in the waste into the vaporization chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: Robert W. Lewis, Timothy Barrett
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Patent number: 7931860Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste comprises a gravity drop steam heating tower for heating the waste to the biological kill temperature using pressurized steam, a first feed member for feeding the waste to be sterilized to the gravity drop steam heating tower, and a vaporization system. The vaporization system includes a heating chamber for facilitating vaporization of liquids in the waste, a conveying member for conveying the waste from the lower end portion of the gravity drop steam heating tower into and through the heating chamber, and a vaporization chamber for receiving the waste from the heating chamber and for releasing vapor entrained in the waste into the vaporization chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2006Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Inventors: Robert W. Lewis, Timothy Barrett
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Publication number: 20110070124Abstract: An integrated sterilization and materials handling system for sterilizing and handling items such as medical waste, paper, or other things comprises a cart for carrying a removable bin for holding the items to be sterilized, and a sterilization chamber that receives the bin when it is removed from the cart. The various embodiments include a bin that is dumpable with the cart using existing dumping apparatus, a bin that pivots on the cart to permit dumping of the items from the bin by tilting the bin, and a bin used primarily in a dry heat sterilization process of the invention when sterilizing items that are not to be discarded after sterilization to facilitate loading and unloading of the bin. The system has thermal energy booster plates mounted in the sterilization chamber for providing dry radiant heat to the chamber, and the system may vary process times, process pressures, and process temperatures to predetermine settings that correlate to the weight of the items to be sterilized.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventor: Robert W. Lewis
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Patent number: 7815851Abstract: An integrated sterilization and materials handling system for sterilizing and handling items such as medical waste, paper, or other things comprises a cart for carrying a removable bin for holding the items to be sterilized, and a sterilization chamber that receives the bin when it is removed from the cart. The various embodiments include a bin that is dumpable with the cart using existing dumping apparatus, a bin that pivots on the cart to permit dumping of the items from the bin by tilting the bin, and a bin used primarily in a dry heat sterilization process of the invention when sterilizing items that are not to be discarded after sterilization to facilitate loading and unloading of the bin. The system has thermal energy booster plates mounted in the sterilization chamber for providing dry radiant heat to the chamber, and the system may vary process times, process pressures, and process temperatures to predetermine settings that correlate to the weight of the items to be sterilized.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Inventor: Robert W. Lewis
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Publication number: 20090088924Abstract: A vehicle fleet management information system identifies location and direction of movement of each vehicle in a fleet in real-time, and automatically reports such information, as well as status of predetermined events in which the vehicle is engaged, directly to the fleet manager. Each fleet vehicle has an assigned time slot to transmit its reporting information over a communications network without interfering with transmissions from other vehicles in their own respective time slots. A timing control phase lock loop (PLL) provides precise time synchronization for timing corrections from a global positioning system (GPS) based time reference. A dual band full-duplex interface of the network has TDMA on one-half and broadcast on the other half. Microprocessor time processing units in components of the network perform precise clock synchronization. Space diversity performed on received vehicle transmitted messages avoids data corruption.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: John R. Coffee, David A. Dye, Robert W. Lewis, Kevin M. Marvin, Robert D. Sleeper
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Patent number: 7489993Abstract: A vehicle fleet management information system identifies location and direction of movement of each vehicle in a fleet in real-time, and automatically reports such information, as well as status of predetermined events in which the vehicle is engaged, directly to the fleet manager. One aspect relates to automated reporting of status of a ready mix slurry material truck having a mixer drum. A sensor detects the begin pour event by detecting the mixer drum being run in a discharge direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: John R. Coffee, David A. Dye, Robert W. Lewis, Kevin M. Marvin
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Patent number: 6892131Abstract: A vehicle fleet management information system for identification of location and direction of movement of each vehicle in the fleet in real-time and automatic communication directly with management offices to report its location and heading, and status of predetermined events in which the vehicle may be engaged. One example is a cement delivery truck which monitors location, speed and status information such as start pour, pouring, end pour, wash and leave job, and automatically transmits this information with a management office without requiring affirmative action by the vehicle operator.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: John R. Coffee, Richard W. Rudow, Robert F. Allen, Mark Billings, David A. Dye, Mark L. Kirchner, Robert W. Lewis, Kevin M. Marvin, Robert D. Sleeper, William A. Tekniepe
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Patent number: 6867393Abstract: A steam sterilization system for sterilizing medical waste comprises a cart for carrying a removable bin for holding medical waste, and a sterilization chamber that receives the bin when it is removed from the cart. The cart has wheels mounted thereon to provide mobility to the cart, and the cart has a rail assembly positioned at each side end portion. The bin for holding medical waste the bin being removably mountable to the cart, and the bin has wheels mounted on each side wall of the bin and spaced such that the wheels engage the rail assemblies of the cart when the bin is being loaded onto the cart and such that the wheels engage the rail assemblies of the cart when the bin is being removed from the cart.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Inventor: Robert W. Lewis
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Publication number: 20040039504Abstract: A vehicle fleet management information system for identification of location and direction of movement of each vehicle in the fleet in real-time and automatic communication directly with management offices to report its location and heading, and status of predetermined events in which the vehicle may be engaged. Each fleet vehicle is assigned a unique time slot to transmit its reporting information over a communications network without substantially interfering with transmissions from other vehicles in their own respective time slots. Precise time synchronization is provided by a timing control PLL which provides timing corrections as necessary from GPS based time reference. The network includes a dual band full-duplex interface with TDMA on one-half of the interface and broadcast on the other half. Additionally, time processing units of microprocessors in components throughout the network perform precise clock synchronization.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: FLEET MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.Inventors: John R. Coffee, Richard W. Rudow, Robert F. Allen, Mark Billings, David A. Dye, Mark L. Kirchner, Robert W. Lewis, Kevin M. Marvin, Robert D. Sleeper, William A. Tekniepe
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Patent number: 6611755Abstract: A vehicle fleet management information system identifies location and direction of movement of each vehicle in a fleet in real-time, and automatically reports such information, as well as status of predetermined events in which the vehicle is engaged, directly to the fleet manager. Each fleet vehicle has an assigned time slot to transmit its reporting information over a communications network without interfering with transmissions from other vehicles in their own respective time slots. A timing control phase lock loop (PLL) provides precise time synchronization for timing corrections from a global positioning system (GPS) based time reference. A dual band full-duplex interface of the network has TDMA on one-half and broadcast on the other half. Microprocessor time processing units in components of the network perform precise clock synchronization. Space diversity performed on received vehicle transmitted messages avoids data corruption.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1999Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Trimble Navigation Ltd.Inventors: John R. Coffee, Richard W. Rudow, Robert F. Allen, Mark Billings, David A. Dye, Mark L. Kirchner, Robert W. Lewis, Kevin M. Marvin, Robert D. Sleeper, William A. Tekniepe
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Patent number: 6446582Abstract: An apparatus and method for extending a gas feedline through a vapor barrier enclosure simplifies and reduces the costs associated with manufacture and installation while establishing a seal between the vapor barrier and the feedline.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Thach Duong, Conrad Boehnlein, Robert W. Lewis
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Patent number: 5941468Abstract: Containerized medical waste is treated by shredding, and then passing the shredded material, by means of a screw conveyor, through a direct steam impingement stage and a dehydration stage in which the material is brought into contact with a hot surface to vaporize moisture and thereafter passed through a low pressure chamber in which the vapor is drawn off.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1998Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Sterile Technology Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Lewis, Randall G. McKee
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Patent number: 5812394Abstract: An object-oriented development system for developing control schemes for facilities includes a device diagramming component for describing a physical description of a facility and a logical definition of a control scheme for the facility. The device diagramming component includes a mode for selecting device symbols representative of equipment or control functions used in facilities. The device symbols are selected from an object-oriented repository containing a plurality of device symbols and device objects. Certain types of device symbols relate to device objects containing logical instructions and configuration information relating to the represented equipment or control functions. The device diagramming component also includes a mode for interrelating in a graphical manner the selected device symbols and their corresponding device objects into a device diagram representing the physical description of the facility and the logical definition of the control scheme for the facility.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1995Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Control Systems InternationalInventors: Robert W. Lewis, Matthew A. Tanner, Timothy K. Walker
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Patent number: 5799883Abstract: Containerized medical waste is treated by a process in which the materials are carried by a conveyor under a negative pressure to a multiple-stage shredder. Sodium hypochlorite is added at several points in the shredder section of the apparatus. The output of the shredder is compressed and the liquid component which is separated out is recirculated. The compressed solid is conveyed through a conveyor in which the temperature is maintained at a level just under 212.degree. F. by the introduction of steam. The pressure is maintained at or below atmospheric pressure at all points in the system to prevent release of contaminated materials into the atmosphere. By using the combination of sodium hypochlorite and steam, it is possible to eliminate live microorganisms entirely while still taking advantage of low pressure to avoid accidental release of contaminated materials.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1996Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: Sterile Technology Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Lewis, Randall G. McKee, William Jones
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Patent number: 5673903Abstract: There is provided an apparatus which is used to temporarily support one end of a cross piece during construction of a deck or fence rail. The apparatus is in the form of a C-shaped frame having an elongated base plate and a pair of leg plates extending from each end of the base plate. An adjustable clamp member is attached to one of the legs for securing the apparatus to a first vertical beam. A platform is attached to the other leg and receives one end of the cross piece for holding that end of the cross piece in position on one beam while the other end is secured to a second adjacent spaced apart beam. Once a cross piece has been attached to the two adjacent beams, the clamp may be flipped over and the other side of the clamp may be attached to the second beam so that another cross piece may be abutted against the first cross piece and attached between the second beam and a third beam. The apparatus enables cross pieces to be attached to beams by one person.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1995Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Inventor: Robert W. Lewis
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Patent number: 5570845Abstract: Containerized medical waste is treated by a process in which the materials are carried by a conveyor under a negative pressure to a multiple-stage shredder. Sodium hypochlorite is added at several points in the shredder section of the apparatus. The output of the shredder is compressed and the liquid component which is separated out is recirculated. The compressed solid is conveyed through a conveyor in which the temperature is maintained at a level just under 212.degree. F. by the introduction of steam. The pressure is maintained at or below atmospheric pressure at all points in the system to prevent release of contaminated materials into the atmosphere. By using the combination of sodium hypochlorite and steam, it is possible to eliminate live microorganisms entirely while still taking advantage of low pressure to avoid accidental release of contaminated materials.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1995Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Assignee: Sterile Technology Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Lewis, Randall G. McKee, William Jones
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Patent number: 4733583Abstract: A lug wrench for loosening and tightening lug nuts on a vehicle wheel having a shaft with a socket at one end and yoke radially extending from the shaft pivotally connected to a moment arm bar such that the shaft can be rotated between a first position at an midpoint of the moment arm bar and the second position substantially at an extremity of the moment arm bar, a remote end of the moment arm bar away from the shaft having a multiplier bar pivotally connected thereto adapted to fold over on to the moment arm bar and attached thereto by means of a retaining clip. When both bars are linearly extended there is mechanical advantage when loosening the lug nut. When the bars are folded upon each other, overtightening is precluded.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1986Date of Patent: March 29, 1988Inventor: Robert W. Lewis
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Patent number: 4606790Abstract: A multi-ply, fibrous material-based, conductive structure, and a method of making such a structure, which comprises as an integral structural member thereof at least one ply having an integral, continuous, uninterrupted, electroconductive barrier capable of intercepting and dissipating any electrostatic charges or discharges coming into contact with the structure. The ply provided with the electroconductive barrier can, during manufacture, be preselectively positioned with relation to the other, non-conductive plies comprising the structure to meet the specific performance demands of a user of the structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1984Date of Patent: August 19, 1986Assignee: Container Corporation of AmericaInventors: Roger W. Youngs, Robert W. Lewis, Robert N. Kussman, John R. Hurtt
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Patent number: 4398825Abstract: To inspect a ball while it is spinning, a semicircular array of balanced light sources illuminate the ball, each source being directional to illuminate a restricted zone. An array of light detectors adjacent the sources are arranged for each to detect specularly reflected light from the ball originating from a limited number of light sources and a detector channel for each detector analyzes changes in received light to detect ball surface defects. No lenses are required and the sources and detectors are formed to allow compact packaging near the ball surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1981Date of Patent: August 16, 1983Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Robert W. Lewis