Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Armstrong Teasdale LLP
  • Patent number: 8319682
    Abstract: A method examining an object using millimeter-wave signals includes: (a) providing at least two millimeter-wave signal sources; (b) transmitting at least two millimeter-wave signals having at least two different frequencies from the signal sources illuminate the object; (c) in no particular order: (1) determining whether a return reflected signal is above a threshold level; [a] if yes, processing the return signal to identify object shape; [b] if not, processing another return signal; and (2) determining whether a return intermodulation product or harmonic signal is detected; [a] if yes, processing the return signal to identify object nature; [b] if not, processing another return signal; (d) determining whether checked all return signals; (1) if not, processing another return signal; (2) if yes, proceeding to step (e); (e) determining whether results are satisfactory; (1) if not, changing frequency of at least one of the wave signals; (2) if yes, terminating the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8317919
    Abstract: An improved system based on the Czochralski process for continuous growth of a single crystal ingot comprises a low aspect ratio, large diameter, and substantially flat crucible, including an optional weir surrounding the crystal. The low aspect ratio crucible substantially eliminates convection currents and reduces oxygen content in a finished single crystal silicon ingot. A separate level controlled silicon pre-melting chamber provides a continuous source of molten silicon to the growth crucible advantageously eliminating the need for vertical travel and a crucible raising system during the crystal pulling process. A plurality of heaters beneath the crucible establish corresponding thermal zones across the melt. Thermal output of the heaters is individually controlled for providing an optimal thermal distribution across the melt and at the crystal/melt interface for improved crystal growth. Multiple crystal pulling chambers are provided for continuous processing and high throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Solaicx, Inc.
    Inventor: David L Bender
  • Patent number: 8317135
    Abstract: A flexible mounting assembly allows relative movement between a top and a bottom structural member of an air frame, for instance, a helicopter. The flexible mounting assembly comprises a vertical frame member and an isolation frame member where one of the vertical frame member and the isolation frame member has a pin and the other of the vertical frame member and the frame isolation member has an aperture adapted to slidingly receive the pin in a way to accommodate relative vertical motion therebetween while substantially restraining lateral movement therebetween. The flexible mounting assembly may also include a horizontal shear wall assembly extending between adjacent vertical frame members that accommodates relative vertical motion between top and bottom structural members while substantially restraining lateral movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sabreliner Corporation
    Inventors: Don E. Carter, Randy L. Barton
  • Patent number: 8317920
    Abstract: A directional solidification furnace includes a crucible for holding molten silicon and a lid covering the crucible and forming an enclosure over the molten silicon. The crucible also includes an inlet in the lid for introducing inert gas above the molten silicon to inhibit contamination of the molten silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: MEMC Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven L. Kimbel, Jihong (John) Chen, Richard G. Schrenker, Lee W. Ferry
  • Patent number: 8317094
    Abstract: A method for displaying loyalty program information on a payment card using a computer coupled to a database is described. The payment card includes a processing device coupled to a display screen. The method includes receiving, at the computer, a loyalty program request message that includes payment card identification data. The payment card identification data is associated with the payment card. The method also includes determining that the payment card is registered in a loyalty program based on the payment card identification data and cardholder account data stored in the database. The method also includes electronically generating a loyalty program response message that includes loyalty program update data. The method further includes transmitting the loyalty program update data from the computer to the payment card for displaying as loyalty program information on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: MasterCard International Incorporated
    Inventor: Garrett Delos Lehman
  • Patent number: 8319182
    Abstract: A system for the measurement of degradation of electrical wire insulation is described. The system includes an infrared (IR) spectrometer, a fiber optic cable having a first end and a second end, where the first end is configured to interface to the IR spectrometer, and a clamping device for engaging the electrical wire to be tested for insulation degradation. The second end of said fiber optic cable is mounted within the clamping device such that the second end is adjacent the wire insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven Kenneth Brady, Paul H. Shelley, Paul Griffin Vahey
  • Patent number: 8321797
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture for generating and using virtual reality simulations to conduct market research and related activities. An immersive visualization center may be used to manage relationships with customers, choosers, shoppers, and users. The visualization center may allow customers (or other relevant parties) to interact with virtual representations of products or solutions in a virtual reality environment appropriate for the product. The immersive visualization center may also include a physical mock-up of the environment and or products simulated by the virtual reality simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Cheryl A. Perkins
  • Patent number: 8316615
    Abstract: A tower assembly for use with a modular tower is provided. The tower assembly includes a plurality of assembly panels each including a pair of opposing circumferential edges, and, a plurality of connectors for use in coupling adjacent assembly panels of the plurality of assembly panels to one another, each connector of the plurality of connectors including an outer flange, an inner flange, and a spacer extending therebetween, the outer flange is spaced a distance from the inner flange such that a first slot and a second slot are defined between the outer and inner flanges, each of the first and the second slots is sized to receive one of the assembly panel circumferential edges therein to enable the adjacent assembly panels to be coupled to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Balaji Haridasu, Biao Fang, Danian Zheng
  • Patent number: 8321071
    Abstract: A method and systems for controlling a speed of a vehicle are provided. The control system includes an input device configured to receive a required time of arrival (RTA) at a waypoint and a processor communicatively coupled to said input device, said processor programmed to automatically determine a dynamically adjustable range for an autothrottle control using an RTA error and a speed control tolerance, the RTA error representing a difference between an estimated time of arrival (ETA) and the RTA, the speed control tolerance representing a tolerance range about the vehicle speed profile. The control system also includes an output device communicatively coupled to said processor, said output device is configured to transmit at least one of a thrust control signal and a drag control signal to a speed control system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Joel Kenneth Klooster
  • Patent number: 8317765
    Abstract: A packaged tampon and applicator assembly includes a tampon and an applicator assembled together with the tampon and adapted to facilitate insertion of the tampon in a user. A wrapper has an interior space and sealingly encloses the tampon and applicator assembly in the interior space. The wrapper includes a line of weakness formed therein to facilitate tearing of the wrapper along the line of weakness to facilitate opening a portion thereof to provide an opening in the wrapper through which the tampon and applicator assembly is removed from the wrapper. The wrapper is further configured to inhibit separation of the opened portion from the wrapper. The remainder of the wrapper defines a pocket sized for receiving the entire applicator therein following use of the applicator to insert the tampon in the user. Should mention facilitation of the opening via a line of weakness (i.e. perforation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrienne Rae Loyd, Marcus David Weiher, Carrie Nicole Pateras, Daniel Thomas LaBash, Thomas W. VanDenBogart, Gary John Borkowski
  • Patent number: 8313711
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for mixing liquid components. Quantities of two or more liquid components are transferred from pressurized source reservoirs to one or more destination locations by means of a fluid outlet that includes a dispense valve, and the two or more liquid components are mixed in the destination locations to create a plurality of fluid mixtures. Two or more dispensing technologies can be combined to provide for increased efficiency in the dispensing of high volume liquid components. The amounts of liquid components being dispensed can be monitored during the dispensing to provide feedback control of the dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Freeslate, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Brown, Hyeok Hahn, Peter Calcavecchio, Jason Gao
  • Patent number: 8313660
    Abstract: A conductive wire includes a thermoplastic filament having a circumference and a plurality of coating layers dispersed about the circumference of the thermoplastic filament. The coating layers include a plurality of conductive layers comprising aligned carbon nanotubes dispersed therein and at least one thermoplastic layer between each pair of conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas K. Tsotsis
  • Patent number: 8314158
    Abstract: This invention relates to an osmotically compacted polyelectrolyte complex having a first region and a second region, the first region having a greater modulus than the second region and a method for preparing such an article. The article comprising the polyelectrolyte complex is produced by contacting a polyelectrolyte complex with a solution comprising an osmolyte at a concentration sufficient to compact the polyelectrolyte complex. The compaction process is terminated before the entire article is osmotically compacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph B. Schlenoff
  • Patent number: 8315930
    Abstract: A method for delivering energy to an electric vehicle includes coupling the electric vehicle to an energy delivery point via a connector, receiving a unique identifier of the electric vehicle via the connector, determining an account associated with the identifier, delivering an amount of energy to the electric vehicle via the connector, and determining a transaction amount based on the amount of energy delivered to the electric vehicle by the energy delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nathan Bowman Littrell
  • Patent number: 8311687
    Abstract: A method and systems for controlling an aircraft during descent are provided. The control system includes an input device configured to receive a speed margin for the vehicle and a processor communicatively coupled to the input device wherein the processor is programmed to automatically determine a flight path of the vehicle that is shallower than an idle flight path for the vehicle and generate a flight control surface control signal configured to maintain the determined flight path using the received speed margin. The control system further includes an output device communicatively coupled to the processor. The output device is configured to transmit the flight control surface control signal to a flight control system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventor: Michael John Bakker
  • Patent number: 8310333
    Abstract: Modular fuse holder assemblies for configurable panelboards are specifically adapted to meet the needs of photovoltaic fuses and solar powered systems. Fuse rejection features, safety features, and remote monitoring features are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Joseph James Ventura, Matthew Rain Darr, Xuecheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8310080
    Abstract: A yaw assembly for use in a wind turbine. The yaw assembly includes a shaft coupled to a yaw drive assembly. The shaft extends outwardly from said yaw drive assembly. A pinion is operatively coupled to the shaft. A slip assembly is positioned between the pinion and the shaft. The slip assembly is configured to facilitate selectively rotating the pinion with respect to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Saravanan Ramanujam
  • Patent number: 8307874
    Abstract: Methods and machines for changing tires on a wheel rim are disclosed. The machine includes a drive shaft having a drive axis that can positioned at different angles for convenience of the machine operator to mount a variety of differently-sized wheel rims to the drive shaft without undue lifting and handling of the wheel rims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Douglas S. Hanneken, Michael D. Gerdes
  • Patent number: 8309464
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the manufacture of silicon wafers, and more particularly to edge etching apparatus and methods for etching the edge of a silicon wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry F. Erk, Peter D. Albrecht, Eugene R. Hollander, Thomas E. Doane, Judith A. Schmidt, Roland R. Vandamme, Guoqiang (David) Zhang
  • Patent number: 8310796
    Abstract: A switching circuit for use in a power converter is provided. The switching circuit includes an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) including a gate terminal, a collector terminal, and an emitter terminal, a gate drive circuit electrically coupled to the gate terminal and configured to switch the IGBT on and off, and, a temperature drift resistant clamp circuit electrically coupled between the gate terminal and the collector terminal of the IGBT, the temperature drift resistant clamp circuit configured to maintain a voltage at the collector terminal below a threshold voltage and facilitate reducing the effects of temperature on operation of the switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Gregory Wagoner