Patents Represented by Attorney Fletcher Yoder P.C.
  • Patent number: 8352394
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel techniques for validating laboratory data values for properties of interest of products produced by a process system. In particular, samples of the product may be sent to a laboratory testing facility, where laboratory testing procedures may be used to obtain the laboratory data values for the property of interest. The laboratory data values may be sent to a control system which includes a laboratory data validation module. The laboratory data validation module may be capable of validating the laboratory data values of the property of interest by comparing the laboratory data values of the property of interest with predicted values generated by a model. The model may be created using inputs such as laboratory and measured data values of the property of interest as well as laboratory and measured data values of other properties of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kent Stephenson, David G. Hoch, L. Paul Collete, III
  • Patent number: 8342150
    Abstract: A load control system, in certain aspects, may be configured to decrease the amount of noise pollution of a prime mover (e.g., engine) of a service pack in that it may not require the prime mover to operate at higher discrete operating speeds to deliver small amounts of air from the air compressor. The load control system may also only increase the speed of the prime mover to a minimum discrete speed required, keeping noise at a minimum. The load control system may also maximize fuel efficiency by not operating the prime mover at the highest discrete speed at all times. More specifically, the lower operating speeds may lead to less fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventor: Ross Renner
  • Patent number: 8346063
    Abstract: An exemplary method of operating a recording device comprises acquiring a title of a recorded program when a recording operation begins. The exemplary method further comprises determining, at a first specific time period after a next-occurring hour of the clock or after a next-occurring half hour of the clock during the recording operation, whichever occurs first, whether the recording operation started within a second specific time period, the second specific time period being between the first specific time period and thirty minutes, storing as the title of the recorded program the title acquired when the recording operation began if the recording operation was not started within the second specific time period, and reacquiring the title of the recorded program if the recording operation was started within the second specific time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Shenzhen TCL New Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Mark Gilmore Mears, Mark Alan Logan
  • Patent number: 8342794
    Abstract: A system includes a compressor and a control system. The control system includes a processor and associated memory. The control system is configured to receive feedback comprising a thermodynamic characteristic or a mechanical characteristic of the compressor. Also, the control system is configured to generate an indication of a surge event or a stall event in the compressor based on the feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Serge Staroselsky, William Charles Jost, Mel Gabriel Maalouf, Andriy Andreyev, Michael Tolmatsky
  • Patent number: 8338971
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling an internal combustion engine driving a generator/welder or a stand-alone generator. Controlling the engine may include altering the engine speed based upon a detected demand on the generator and/or operating parameters of a welder. For example, the engine speed may be increased based on a detected draw on the generator and/or the operating parameters of the welder. In addition, the engine speed may be automatically decreased to a non-standard idle speed or the engine may be automatically turned off if no demand is detected for a period of time. Additionally, the engine speed may be increased if only frequency-insensitive demands are detected on the generator. Combinations of these and further methods may be executed. Various devices are provided for implementing the above methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: David Edwin Radtke, Daniel C. Fosbinder, Joseph Carl Gitter
  • Patent number: 8339810
    Abstract: A ground power unit having a power supply unit capable of accepting a wide range of AC input voltages and producing one or more DC power signals for powering components of the GPU is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply unit includes a rectifier that converts an AC input power to a DC link power. The power supply unit includes a gate driving circuit that has a power MOSFET transistor which, under the control of a PWM controller, produces a switched DC signal. The DC link power and the output of the gate drive circuitry are provided to a transformer, which modulates the signals and produces a first DC output power signal that is load independent and a second DC output power signal that is load dependent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Milind Ratnaparkhi, Keith Welker
  • Patent number: 8335081
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to tuning the flow of cooling air across converter and inverter heat sinks in a motor drive system. More specifically, present techniques relate to motor drive duct systems including heat sinks with separate, sequential heat sink fin sections disposed in a common cooling air path and having different geometries to optimize the flow of cooling air across and between fins of the separate heat sink fin sections. For example, the heat sink fin sections may have different fin lengths, fin heights, fin counts, fin pitch (e.g., distance between adjacent fins), and so forth. Each of these different geometric characteristics may be tuned to ensure that temperatures and temperature gradients across the heat sinks are maintained within acceptable ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce W. Weiss
  • Patent number: 8322781
    Abstract: A hybrid cross bar is provided, such as for supporting a vehicle dash board. The cross bar is supported, directly or indirectly, on at least one body location of the vehicle by a deformation element. The deformation element has a first sub-region enclosed by a plastic encapsulation. A second sub-region of the deformation element has a deformation region outside of the plastic encapsulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Paul Angenheister, Thomas Beer, Alfred Mai, Klaus Kierspel, Norberto Silva, Jochen Zimmermann, Viktor Arbanas, Michael Maag, Carsten Manneck, Max Oertle, Christian Dornscheidt, Matthias Hein, Martin Hinz, Mark Hirt, Peter Seyfried, Markus Zörnack
  • Patent number: 8325478
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to efficiently cooling converter and inverter components of a drive system. Present techniques relate to a motor drive duct system that facilitates efficient cooling and access to motor drive components. The motor drive duct system includes duct channel paths that are parallel and adjacent to one another. The duct system includes a converter section that houses a converter heat sink, an inverter section that houses an inverter heat sink, an exhaust section, and an air inlet section. The converter section and the inverter section are configured to be attached and detached from each other at end sections that are angled to receive one another. Further, the inverter section, converter section, and air inlet section are configured to roll into and out of a cabinet, which facilitates access to field wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn T. Siracki, Kim James Rosswurm, Patrick J. Riley, Jeremy J. Keegan
  • Patent number: 8322632
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a spray device including a first liquid passage configured to flow a first liquid in a generally downstream direction toward a spray tip. The spray device also includes a second liquid passage configured to flow a second liquid in a generally upstream direction such that the second liquid impinges upon the first liquid at an outlet to the second liquid passage. The upstream direction is substantially opposite from the downstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Bradley P. Walter
  • Patent number: 8322143
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system includes a staggered multi-nozzle assembly. The staggered multi-nozzle assembly includes a first fuel nozzle having a first axis and a first flow path extending to a first downstream end portion, wherein the first fuel nozzle has a first non-circular perimeter at the first downstream end portion. The staggered multi-nozzle assembly also includes a second fuel nozzle having a second axis and a second flow path extending to a second downstream end portion, wherein the first and second downstream end portions are axially offset from one another relative to the first and second axes. The staggered multi-nozzle assembly further includes a cap member disposed circumferentially about at least the first and second fuel nozzles to assemble the staggered multi-nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jong Ho Uhm, Thomas Edward Johnson
  • Patent number: 8325479
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to tuning the flow of cooling air across converter and inverter heat sinks in a motor drive system. More specifically, present techniques relate to motor drive duct systems having parallel cooling air duct channels dedicated to providing cooling air for a converter heat sink and an inverter heat sink, respectively. In particular, a first duct channel through an inverter duct and a converter duct is dedicated to providing cooling air to the converter heat sink without cooling the inverter heat sink, whereas a second duct channel through the inverter duct and the converter duct is dedicated to providing cooling air to the inverter heat sink without cooling the converter heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn T. Siracki, Patrick J. Riley
  • Patent number: 8319466
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for detecting ground faults (i.e., line-to-ground faults) in electrical power conversion systems. In particular, the embodiments described herein include a common mode voltage booster module configured to calculate a common mode voltage boost factor and a common mode voltage boost function based on a plurality of voltage commands for the system. The common mode voltage boost factor and/or the common mode voltage boost function may be applied to the voltage commands to generate boosted voltage commands which, when applied to an inverter or converter, source current indicative of ground faults in the system. More specifically, the common mode voltage boost factor may be multiplied by a common mode voltage calculated by a common mode voltage calculator and summed with the voltage commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Rodriguez Valdez, Russel J. Kerkman, Rangarajan Tallam
  • Patent number: 8321187
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for simulating components and processes using discrete, variable-granularity, component-specific data relating to energy consumption or other sustainability factors. Simulations can be analyzed and optimized to facilitate forecasting of sustainability factors and determine advantageous modifications to the components or processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip John Kaufman, Marcia Elaine Walker
  • Patent number: 8316462
    Abstract: A system enables transmitting a torch angle and/or a torch-to-workpiece distance error to a welding operator when these parameters are outside of a preset optimal range via real time audio cues. Weld characteristics are communicated via audio signals, which indicate to the welding operator the direction and severity of the torch angle error. Audio cues, such as pulsed or continuous tones, are used to communicate torch-to-workpiece distance to the welding operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 8309045
    Abstract: A system includes an emissions control system. The emissions control system includes a chemical injection conduit. The emissions control system also includes a chemical injector coupled to the chemical injection conduit, wherein the chemical injector is configured to output an emissions control chemical into the chemical injection conduit. The emissions control system further includes a wave generator coupled to the chemical injection conduit, wherein the wave generator is configured to output multiple waves that propagate through the chemical injection conduit into a flow path of combustion products to drive improved mixing of the emissions control chemical with the combustion products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tian Xuan Zhang, David Michael Chapin, Robert Warren Taylor, David Kelly Moyeda, Peter Martin Maly
  • Patent number: 8307975
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a posimetric pump guide configured to mount in a port of a posimetric pump. The posimetric pump guide includes a first flow splitter defining first and second distribution channels into first and second passages in the posimetric pump. The first flow splitter includes a first pair of shroud walls spaced apart about a first disc opening. The posimetric pump guide also includes an abutment extending crosswise to the first flow splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yichuan Fang, Steven Craig Russell, Kellan William McCarthy
  • Patent number: 8307657
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes a turbine engine. The turbine engine includes a combustor that includes a hollow annular wall having a combustor liner. The turbine engine also includes first flow path in a first direction through the hollow annular wall. The turbine engine further includes a second flow path in a second direction that is opposite the first direction through the hollow annular wall. The second flow path may include one or more film holes configured to supply a cooling film to a downstream end portion of the combustor liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ronald James Chila
  • Patent number: 8307655
    Abstract: An air cooling hood offset from an exterior of the transition piece to define an air cooling passage between the air cooling hood and the exterior of the transition piece, wherein the air cooling hood comprises a plurality of air outlets disposed along the exterior of the transition piece, and the plurality of air outlets is configured to expel an airflow from the air cooling passage away from the exterior of the transition piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald James Chila, David William Cihlar
  • Patent number: 8308131
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a ball valve including a body and a ball disposed within the body. The ball valve also includes a stem disposed within an opening in the ball. The stem is removable by passage through the opening into a bore of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Gutmann, John M. Saldivar