Patents by Inventor Sam W. Taliaferro

Sam W. Taliaferro 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).

  • Method and apparatus for quantitatively determining whether at least one of two or more ferromagnetic components is missing from an assembly
    Patent number: 5034690
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for verifying the presence or, conversely, determining that one or more ferromagnetic components is missing from an inspected assembly. The apparatus includes a scanning head that creates a magnetic field. An assembly having one or more ferromagnetic components is located in a predetermined position relative to the magnetic field. A load cell subassembly of the scanning head produces an output signal representative of its movement, which movement is proportional to the number and location of ferromagnetic components in the assembly. The apparatus further includes a processing network that processes the output signal in order to provide an indication as to whether or not one or more ferromagnetic components is missing from the assembly. In conjunction with such processing, previously obtained reference values are compared with the determined magnitude obtained by processing the output signal from the load cell subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventor: Sam W. Taliaferro
  • Method and apparatus having load cell responsive to movement of a magnetic field generator for differentiating between materials
    Patent number: 4866383
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus consisting of a device for generating a magnetic field mounted for movement relative to a product sitting in or moving through its field which is suspected of carrying at least one metal component which will cause the generator to move either toward or away therefrom because of either the attractive or repulsive forces, or both, caused by the presence of this metal or these metals. A load-responsive element in the form of a load cell is connected to the field generator so as to sense its movememnt if any and output a signal evidencing such movement. A detector is connected to receive the output signal from the load cell and use this information to initiate an appropriate response to the presence of the metal or metals causing the displacement of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Inventor: Sam W. Taliaferro
  • Magnetic trap
    Patent number: 4784762
    Abstract: A magnetic trap has a magnetically transparent sheet to one side of which a magnet is mounted to produce a magnetic field to the other side. A Hall effect sensor of a meter is mounted adjacent the magnet so as to sense the presence of ferrous debris collected in the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Inventor: Sam W. Taliaferro