Patents by Inventor William W. Spencer

William W. Spencer 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: 5540417
    Abstract: A vehicle supplementary spring assembly is adapted to supplement the spring force provided by a leaf spring of the vehicle. The spring assembly includes an elongate coil spring which forms an axially extending passage having a wall of helical configuration defined by the inner surface of the coils of the coil spring. A first anchoring insert is configured to be in threaded engagement with the wall of the passage and is adapted to be screwed into one end of the coil spring. A first connector member is connected to the anchoring insert and is adapted to connect the supplementary spring assembly to a first reaction point on the vehicle. A second connector member is connected to the other end of the coil spring and is adapted to connect the supplementary spring assembly to a second reaction point on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: William W. Spencer
  • Patent number: 4725116
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple pass optical rotary joint which can simultaneously transmit optical signals along two or more channels in either of two directions. The joint uses a rotor and a stator to each of which is connected a plurality of optical fibers. Within the joint reflecting mirrors are used to redirect off-axis optical signals onto the joint axis, with relative rotation occurring while the signals are on-axis. A rotating member for each channel has a mirror for reflecting the on-axis signal portion off-axis to a receptor fiber. Alignment between the rotating member and the receptor fiber, as well as drive for the rotating member, is provided by a pair of magnets of opposite polarity, one being secured to the rotating member and the other being secured to the rotor. The magnetic interaction ensures synchronous rotation of the rotor and the rotating member. Specific embodiments in which transmission losses can be minimized are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Nova Scotia Research Foundation Corp.
    Inventors: William W. Spencer, John B. Oliver