Patents by Inventor William R. Smith-Vaniz

William R. Smith-Vaniz 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).

  • Patent number: 10809918
    Abstract: Options for handling write operations may be selected based on a determined probability that a read operation for a portion of data will occur while the data portion is still in an I/O cache as a result of a write operation. As used herein, a “read-after-write event (“RAW”) is an occurrence of a read operation for a portion of data while the data portion is still in an I/O cache as a result of a write operation. The probability of a RAW may be determined by applying Bayesian inference, and may include applying exponential smoothing to calculations made on historical I/O information so that more recent I/O events have greater weight in determining RAW probability. Based on the determined RAW probability, write data may either be journaled in a write journal or written to a cache slot and de-staged to a physical storage device as part of write-in-place processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Owen Martin, Mark J. Halstead, William R. Smith-Vaniz
  • Publication number: 20200249838
    Abstract: Options for handling write operations may be selected based on a determined probability that a read operation for a portion of data will occur while the data portion is still in an I/O cache as a result of a write operation. As used herein, a “read-after-write event (”RAW?) is an occurrence of a read operation for a portion of data while the data portion is still in an I/O cache as a result of a write operation. The probability of a RAW may be determined by applying Bayesian inference, and may include applying exponential smoothing to calculations made on historical I/O information so that more recent I/O events have greater weight in determining RAW probability. Based on the determined RAW probability, write data may either be journaled in a write journal or written to a cache slot and de-staged to a physical storage device as part of write-in-place processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Owen Martin, Mark J. Halstead, William R. Smith-Vaniz
  • Patent number: 4808916
    Abstract: A self contained sensor module mounted on a power transmission line. The module is capable of measuring various parameters such as line current, voltage, conductor temperature and ambient temperature. The parameter values are processed by sensor electronics which digitize and periodically transmit the values to a ground receiver. The module power supply is coupled to the transmission line conductor by a transformer. The line conductor extends through a magnetic core in the module housing. A secondary shunt magnetic core is provided to limit induction of high voltages as a result of excess current flowing through the transmission line conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Smith-Vaniz
  • Patent number: 4795973
    Abstract: A self contained hot stick mounted radio transmitting module may be permanently mounted on or temporarily pushed against the power conductor of an electrical transmission line. The module is capable of measuring the potential difference between the conductor and ground. The module digitizes and transmits the value of the potential difference to a ground receiver. The module is donut shaped and opens like a pair of jaws. The contact with the power line is accomplished via a resilient conductive elastomer that covers the surfaces in contact with the power conductor. The potential difference between ground and the power conductor is measured with an operational amplifier in an integrating configuration to convert the leakage current from the module to ground into a proportional voltage from a low impedance source. The integrator outputs a voltage proportional to the current flowing into the equivalent capacitance formed by the outer surface of the module and ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Smith-Vaniz, John R. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 4796027
    Abstract: Self contained radio transmitting modules are mounted on power conductors at various places along electrical transmission lines. The modules are capable of measuring current, voltage, frequency and power factor (or the Fourier components thereof), the temperature of the conductor and the temperature of the ambient air. Up to fifteen modules may transmit on a single channel to a single local receiver. Each module transmits at intervals which are an integral number. The intervals between transmissions of all modules do not have a common factor and the average interval is the desired transmission rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Smith-Vaniz
  • Patent number: 4794328
    Abstract: A "hot-stick" mountable sensor module for attachment and removable from a live power transmission line. A tool is insertable into a mounted module to attach the module to the tool and permit removal of the module from the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
    Inventors: Roosevelt A. Fernandes, William R. Smith-Vaniz, John E. Burbank, III, Richard L. Sieron
  • Patent number: 4734604
    Abstract: A friction braking system located entirely inside an induction motor of an appliance quickly stops rotation of the rotor in the appliance motor, for example such as a food processor, whenever the A.C. electrical power is turned off. Thus, rotation of any tool being operated in the appliance is quickly stopped, whenever the electrical power is interrupted. The rotor in the induction motor is axially slidably mounted on the motor shaft and is keyed to the shaft for permitting axial shifting displacement of the rotor relative to the stator while preventing any angular displacement of the rotor relative to the shaft. Consequently, the rotor and shaft always turn and stop as a function unit. A friction brake lining is affixed within the motor housing offset from the axis of the motor shaft as far as practicable. A disc brake mounted onto the rotor has an annular friction braking surface positioned for engagement against the brake lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Cuisinarts, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl G. Sontheimer, William R. Smith-Vaniz
  • Patent number: 4723220
    Abstract: Self contained radio transmitting state estimator modules are mounted on power conductors on both sides of power transformers in electrical substations and on power conductors at various places along electrical transmission lines. They are electrically isolated from ground and all other conductors. These modules are capable of measuring current, voltage, frequency and power factor (or the fourier components thereof) the temperature of the conductor, and the temperature of the ambient air. The modules transmit these parameters to local receivers. The receivers are connected by an appropriate data transmission link, to a power control center which allows determination of the state of the power system. The module measures the Fourier components of voltage and current over a number of cycles and transmits the components to the local receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Smith-Vaniz
  • Patent number: 4714893
    Abstract: Self contained radio transmitting state estimator modules are mounted on power conductors on both sides of power transformers in electrical substations and on power conductors at various places along electrical transmission lines. They are electrically isolated from ground and all other conductors. These modules are capable of measuring current, voltage, frequency and power factor (or the fourier components thereof) the temperature of the conductor, and the temperature of the ambient air. The modules transmit these parameters to local receivers. The receivers are connected by an appropriate data transmission link, to a power control center which allows determination of the state of the power system. Appropriate control signals are transmitted back to the electrical switchgear of the system to bring it to the appropriate optimum state. Direct local control may also be effected, for example, the prevention of overloading a transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Smith-Vaniz, Richard L. Sieron
  • Patent number: 4689752
    Abstract: Self contained radio transmitting state estimator modules are mounted on power conductors on both sides of power transformers in electrical substations and on power conductors at various places along electrical transmission lines. They are electrically isolated from ground and all other conductors. These modules are capable of measuring current, voltage, frequency and power factor (or the Fouier components thereof), the temperature of the conductor and the temperature of the ambient air. The modules transmit these parameters to local receivers. The receivers are connected by an appropriate data transmission link to a power control center which allows determination of the state of the power system. Appropriate control signals are transmitted back to the electrical switchgear of the system to bring it to the appropriate optimum state. Direct local control may also be effected, for example, the prevention of overloading a transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
    Inventors: Roosevelt A. Fernandes, William R. Smith-Vaniz
  • Patent number: 4635055
    Abstract: A self contained hot stick mounted radio transmitting module may be temporarily pushed against the power conductor of an electrical transmission line. The module is capable of measuring the temperature of the conductor, and the temperature of the ambient air. It may also measure the electrical potential of the conductor. An alternative module is also capable of measuring current, potential, frequency and power factor (or the Fourier components thereof). The modules transmit these parameters to a local receiver where the data may be displayed. The receiver also may be connected by an appropriate data transmission link, to a power control center.The modules are donut shaped and open like a pair of jaws. One or more spring loaded temperature probes are located such that they may be pushed against a power line when a "donut" is mounted to a hot stick with the jaws open.Power to an open module is supplied by a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
    Inventors: Roosevelt A. Fernandes, William R. Smith-Vaniz, John E. Burbank, III, Richard L. Sieron
  • Patent number: 4148480
    Abstract: An acoustic pin detecting and locating device is disclosed, comprising a linear array of transducers mounted on each kickback wall. A microprocessor sequentially energizes each transducer with a short burst of high frequency pulses; the reflections from standing pins to the transmitting transducer (direct data) and the next adjacent transducer (cross data) are gated into separate a/d converters. The converters are sampled periodically to divide the signal return to each transducer into a plurality of range cells. The direct data and cross data returns to each transducer array from two data fields. Analysis of these two fields provides the information needed for detection of the location of each standing pin. The data return to each transducer after each acoustic burst is peaked by comparing the magnitudes of echo signal returns in adjacent range cells. A string is formed for each significant return, including the x,y coordinate position of the return; the weight of the return and its first and second moments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: AMF Incorporated
    Inventors: William R. Smith-Vaniz, Reginald A. Kaenel