Patents by Inventor William E. Miller
William E. Miller 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: 11975539Abstract: A marking system includes a valve body including an orifice plate including multiple orifices and multiple micro-valves. Each micro-valve includes an actuating beam movable from a closed position in which a corresponding one of the orifices is sealed by a portion of the actuating beam such that the micro-valve is closed, into a peak position in response to application of a control signal. A controller is configured to generate a control signal for each of the actuating beams, each control signal including a drive pulse having a predetermined voltage such that the actuating beam moves from the closed position into the peak position in which the corresponding orifice is open and returns to the closed position in a characteristic period, wherein the drive pulse has a duration that substantially corresponds to the characteristic period such that the actuating beam is in the closed position after the drive pulse is complete.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Matthews International CorporationInventors: William A. Buskirk, Steven E. Flego, Charles C. Haluzak, John Whitlock, Eric R. Miller, Ken Trueba, Jeff Hess
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Publication number: 20240124795Abstract: The instant disclosure is generally directed to low viscosity, low volatility lubricating compositions. The lubricating composition of the instant disclosure includes an oil of lubricating viscosity that contains a lubricating base oil and a hydrocarbon oil. The hydrocarbon oil makes up least 20 wt % of the oil of lubricating viscosity and has a kinematic viscosity of less than 3.7 c St at 100° C. and a NOACK volatility (measured by ASTM D5800) of less than 25 wt %. The lubricant composition further includes a polyalkenyl succinimide dispersant, and, optionally, other formulation additives. The lubricating compositions have been shown to increase fuel economy in internal combustion engines.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: The Lubrizol CorporationInventors: James D. Burrington, John R. Johnson, William Storms-Miller, Patrick E. Mosier, Christopher M. Rasik
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Publication number: 20240115301Abstract: A bone screw comprises a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a minor diameter. The shaft including a core having an angled surface relative to the axis. The angled surface extending from the minor diameter adjacent a proximal portion of the shaft to a distal portion of the shaft, and a wall disposed about the angled surface. The wall including at least one thread having an external thread form. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC.Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Rodney Ray Ballard, Keith E. Miller, William Alan Rezach
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Patent number: 11950784Abstract: Described here are devices for closing one or more tissues, and handles for controlling these devices. Generally, the devices described here comprise a snare loop assembly, wherein the snare loop assembly comprises a snare and a suture loop, and a handle for controlling the snare loop assembly. In some variations the snare loop assembly may comprise a retention member that may releasably connect the suture loop to the snare. In other variations the devices comprise one or more force-reducing suture locks to help prevent the suture loop from inadvertently disengaging from the snare loop assembly. In still other variations, the excess-suture management features. The handles described here may be configured to remove excess suture from a suture loop, and may also be configured to release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Russell A. Seiber, Eduardo Sager, Jr., Gary H. Miller, Maria Garcia, Ryan Douglas Helmuth, Arnold M. Escano, Douglas Todd Ellison, William E. Cohn
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Patent number: 11938733Abstract: A micro-valve includes an orifice plate having a first surface, a second surface and an orifice extending from the first surface to the second surface. An actuating beam is disposed in spaced relation to the orifice plate. The actuating beam includes a base portion and a cantilevered portion. The base portion is separated from the orifice plate by a predetermined distance. The cantilevered portion extends from the base portion such that an overlapping portion thereof overlaps the orifice. The actuating beam is movable between a closed position and an open position. The micro-valve also includes a sealing structure including a sealing member disposed at the overlapping portion of the cantilevered portion. When the actuating beam is in the closed position, the cantilevered portion is positioned such that the sealing structure seals the orifice so as to close the micro-valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Matthews International CorporationInventors: William A. Buskirk, Steven E. Flego, Charles C. Haluzak, John Whitlock, Eric R. Miller, Glenn J. T. Leighton
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Patent number: 8258442Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
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Patent number: 7722757Abstract: A method and device for the production of hydrogen from water and electricity using an active metal alloy. The active metal alloy reacts with water producing hydrogen and a metal hydroxide. The metal hydroxide is consumed, restoring the active metal alloy, by applying a voltage between the active metal alloy and the metal hydroxide. As the process is sustainable, only water and electricity is required to sustain the reaction generating hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: William E. Miller, Victor A. Maroni, James L. Willit
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Publication number: 20100116817Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
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Patent number: 7668445Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
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Patent number: 7510677Abstract: Injection molding method and apparatus for ejecting a molded plastic article from a mold. A lifting structure and/or step is provided with a lifting portion which is configured to contact substantially one half of an end of the molded plastic article along a line substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction. Since the molded plastic article is lifted by its end, the article does not have to be solidified at its interior, thus allowing earlier removal of the article from the mold, reducing cycle time. A tapered surface forms an acute angle with respect to the lifting portion to form a tight seal with the mold, preventing leakage. Preferably, the neck ring engages only an outer circumferential portion of the molded plastic article during a majority of a mold opening stroke.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.Inventors: William E. Miller, Lingxin Dong, Frank Favot, Michael Marshall, Walter Paegel, Randy Yakimishyn
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Publication number: 20080080844Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
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Publication number: 20070163850Abstract: An aerodynamic disc wheel assembly includes a pair of generally symmetrical hourglass shaped sidewalls extending from a hub to a brake engaging portion of a wheel. The sidewalls include a radially inwardly positioned widened hub portion, a radially outwardly disposed brake engaging portion, and a two part central portion extending between the hub portion and the brake engaging portion. The assembly further includes an oval shaped end cap for engaging the disc wheel to spinningly receive a bicycle hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2007Publication date: July 19, 2007Inventors: Brad J. Addink, William E. Miller
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Patent number: 7221862Abstract: A water heater control for an electric water heater operates according to at least one fixed hardware and/or software temperature limit and a variable software temperature limit. The control monitors a temperature of water in a tank of the electric water heater to determine if the temperature exceeds the fixed hardware and/or software temperature limit. If the temperature exceeds the fixed temperature limit, the control turns off one or more heating elements of the electric water heater. The variable software temperature limit is indicative of a desired user temperature and an offset temperature. If the temperature exceeds the variable software temperature limit, the control turns off the one or more heating elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, IncorporatedInventors: William E. Miller, Richard Miu
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Patent number: 7217402Abstract: A method of producing metal chlorides is disclosed in which chlorine gas is introduced into liquid Cd. CdCl2 salt is floating on the liquid Cd and as more liquid CdCl2 is formed it separates from the liquid Cd metal and dissolves in the salt. The salt with the CdCl2 dissolved therein contacts a metal which reacts with CdCl2 to form a metal chloride, forming a mixture of metal chloride and CdCl2. After separation of bulk Cd from the salt, by gravitational means, the metal chloride is obtained by distillation which removes CdCl2 and any Cd dissolved in the metal chloride.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: United States of America Department of EnergyInventors: William E. Miller, Zygmunt Tomczuk, Michael K. Richmann
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Patent number: 7049523Abstract: Multi-member cables which are comprised of two or more components (including component cables and non-cable components) held together by at least one adhesive element placed between the components, and methods for manufacturing such cables. Multi-member cables which are comprised of jacketed cables whose jackets are adhered together without the use of an adhesive element, such as by co-forming the jackets, and methods for manufacturing such cables are also discussed. Generally, the components will be separated from the multi-member cable by an installer, although other methods may also be used.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Belden Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian R. Shuman, Thomas L. Rodeghero, Galen M. Gareis, William E. Miller, Charles R. Barnett
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Patent number: 7011736Abstract: A improved device and process for recycling spent nuclear fuels, in particular uranium metal, that facilitates the refinement and recovery of uranium metal from spent metallic nuclear fuels. The electrorefiner device comprises two anodes in predetermined spatial relation to a cathode. The anodese have separate current and voltage controls. A much higher voltage than normal for the electrorefining process is applied to the second anode, thereby facilitating oxidization of uranium (III), U+, to uranium (IV), U+4. The current path from the second anode to the cathode is physically shorter than the similar current path from the second anode to the spent nuclear fuel contained in a first anode shaped as a basket. The resulting U+4 oxidizes and solubilizes rough uranium deposited on the surface of the cathode. A softer uranium metal surface is left on the cathode and is more readily removed by a scraper.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: William E. Miller, Eddie C. Gay, Zygmunt Tomczuk
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Patent number: 6991746Abstract: The present invention relates to a new high functionality MDI. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric allophanates based on diphenylmethane diisocyanate having an NCO group content of 12 to 30%, prepolymers thereof, and processes for the production of these compositions. The prepolymers are stable liquids having NCO group contents of about 10 to about 28%.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience LLCInventors: William E. Slack, Hersel T. Kemp, II, William E. Miller
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Patent number: 6989124Abstract: Injection molding method and apparatus for ejecting a molded plastic article from a mold. A lifting structure and/or step is provided with a lifting portion which is configured to contact substantially one half of an end of the molded plastic article along a line substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction. Since the molded plastic article is lifted by its end, the article does not have to be solidified at its interior, thus allowing earlier removal of the article from the mold, reducing cycle time. A tapered surface forms an acute angle with respect to the lifting portion to form a tight seal with the mold, preventing leakage. Preferably, the neck ring engages only an outer circumferential portion of the molded plastic article during a majority of a mold opening stroke.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.Inventors: William E. Miller, Lingxin Dong, Frank Favot, Michael Marshall, Walter Paegel, Randy Yakimishyn
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Patent number: 6887399Abstract: The present invention relates to a new high functionality MDI. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric allophanates based on diphenylmethane diisocyanate having an NCO group content of 12 to 30%, prepolymers thereof, and processes for the production of these compositions. The prepolymers are stable liquids having NCO group contents of about 10 to about 28%.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience LLPInventors: William E. Slack, Hersel T. Kemp, II, William E. Miller
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Patent number: D507977Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, IncorporatedInventors: Richard E. Welch, Tung-Sheng Yang, William E. Miller