Patents Represented by Law Firm Quarles & Brady
  • Patent number: 8203310
    Abstract: An energy storage module for use in an electric vehicle, such as a lift truck, is disclosed. The energy storage module includes a bank of super capacitors or ultra-capacitors which are connected between the battery and the load. In operation, the energy storage module charges the capacitors, and uses the charged capacitors to level the load on the battery, limiting spikes in current draw, and assuring a substantially smooth discharge profile, wherein the battery discharge is substantially steady state. The energy storage module further includes sensors for determining when the battery and load are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Patrick McCabe
  • Patent number: 8203454
    Abstract: A wheelchair alarm system and method for preventing falls for patients at risk by recognizing the gesture of a patient attempting to stand. The wheelchair alarm system uses an array of proximity sensors and pressure sensors to create a map of the patient's sitting position, and then uses gesture recognition algorithms to determine when a patient is attempting to stand up. The wheelchair alarm system responds with light and voice alarms that can encourage the patient to remain seated and/or to make use of the system's integrated nurse-call function. The wheelchair alarm system can be seamlessly integrated into existing hospital WiFi networks, sending messages to the nurse call system as well as providing the patient's location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Heather-Marie Callanan Knight, Jae-Kyu Lee, Hongshen Ma, Lauren Kattany
  • Patent number: 8196464
    Abstract: Wear of a pump is estimated using a process that involves operating the pump to drive a hydraulic actuator that moves a member. The actual speed of the member is determined and the speed of the pump is sensed. Pressure of fluid conveyed from the pump to the hydraulic actuator also is sensed. A predicted speed of the member is calculated based on the speed of the pump and the pressure of the fluid. The predicted speed is compared to the actual speed and the result is employed to provide an indication of a degree of wear of the pump. The difference between the predicted speed and the actual speed increases as the pump wear increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: John Bryant Kirk, Jeff Greene, Paul Patrick McCabe
  • Patent number: 8196526
    Abstract: A worksurface arrangement comprising at least a first support member, a first worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a first vertical height and extending to a first side from the first support member, a second worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a second vertical height and extending to a second side opposite the first side of the first support member and a housing including, a front cover extending below the first worksurface forming member, a substantially vertical upper back cover extending downward from the first worksurface forming member substantially to the second vertical height proximate the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the upper back cover and the front cover bound an upper housing cavity width and a lower back cover extending below the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the lower back cover and the front cover bound a lower housing cavity width that is la
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Rheault, Karl J. Mead, George K. Vangelatos
  • Patent number: 8198419
    Abstract: The present invention provides glycorandomaized structures and combinatorial methods for rapidly generating a diverse library of glycorandomized structures, comprising incubating one or more aglycons and a pool of NDP-sugars in the presence of a glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase may be one that is associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites, or one which is putatively associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites. The glycosyltransferase may show significant flexibility with respect to its NDP-sugar donors and/or its aglycons. NDP-sugar donors may be commercially available, or may be produced by utilizing mutant or wild type nucleotidyltransferases significant flexibility with respect to their substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Jon Thorson
  • Patent number: 8198486
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for generating propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols from biomass using hydrogen produced from the biomass. The methods involve reacting a portion of an aqueous stream of a biomass feedstock solution over a catalyst under aqueous phase reforming conditions to produce hydrogen, and then reacting the hydrogen and the aqueous feedstock solution over a catalyst to produce propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and the other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols. The disclosed methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated hydrocarbons without the need for hydrogen from an external source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy D. Cortright
  • Patent number: 8198512
    Abstract: A method for the creation of high pigment yellow or golden beets is described. High pigment yellow beets have enhanced levels of betaxanthins while limiting the abundance of betacyanins so that the beets themselves are yellow. The beets are useful as a table food having enhanced nutritional value because of the enhanced pigment concentration and also as a source of pigment itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Irwin L. Goldman, Dwight N. Breitbach
  • Patent number: 8197448
    Abstract: A device for retaining and dispensing a free-flowing substance includes a syringe-like retaining body (12) in which a retaining space (46) is formed. A displaceable piston (22) is axially introduced into the retaining space (46) and the retaining body (12) is provided with a dispensing nozzle (18) on its front end facing away from the piston (22). A locking pin (36) through which at least one transverse channel (44) passes, with an axial channel (42) branching off therefrom, is provided on the inside of the dispensing nozzle (18). In a closed position of the locking pin (36), a flow connection between the retaining space (46) and the transverse channel (44) is blocked. In an activation position of the locking pin (36), the transverse channel (44) is connected to the retaining space (46), so that the free-flowing substance can be dispensed from the retaining space (46) via the transverse channel (44) and the axial channel (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sulzer Mixpac AG
    Inventor: Alberto C. Sogaro
  • Patent number: 8200860
    Abstract: A method to perform a version pre-check of a storage controller command, wherein the method extracts a plurality of objects from a storage controller command, and determines, without querying the storage controller, if each object comprising a method or a method parameter is enabled on that storage controller. If each object comprising a method or a method parameter is enabled on the storage controller, the method indicates success for a version pre-check of the storage controller command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Howard Anderson, Jason Lee Peipelman, Joshua Marshall Rhoades
  • Patent number: 8192609
    Abstract: Disclosed are electrolysis catalysts formed from cobalt, oxygen and fluorine. They can be formed as a coating on an anode by conducting an electrolysis reaction using an electrolyte containing cobalt and fluoride. The catalysts will facilitate the conversion of water to hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, even at pH neutral/room temperature reaction conditions. The resulting hydrogen gas is a means of storing renewable energy for use in hydrogen powered vehicles or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: James B. Gerken, Shannon S. Stahl
  • Patent number: 8194937
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing a high quality image from undersampled image data is provided. The image reconstruction method is applicable to a number of different imaging modalities. Specifically, the present invention provides an image reconstruction method that incorporates an appropriate prior image into the image reconstruction process. Thus, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that requires less number of data samples to reconstruct an accurate reconstruction of a desired image than previous methods, such as, compressed sensing. Another aspect of the invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that produces a time series of desired images indicative of a higher temporal resolution than is ordinarily achievable with the imaging system. For example, cardiac phase images can be produced with high temporal resolution (e.g., 20 milliseconds) using a CT imaging system with a slow gantry rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Guang-Hong Chen
  • Patent number: 8192364
    Abstract: A method and system for quantifying the extent of vaso vasorum with contrast enhanced ultrasound and correlating that quantitative value to the risk for vascular disease is provided. An ultrasound contrast agent is administered to a subject and images are obtained using an imaging method that identifies the uptake of the contrast agent by tissues. The amount of uptake is measured and the corresponding signal intensity change correlated with the amount of vaso vasorum present. Additionally, deformations of the vasculature are measured from the series of ultrasound images and this information is coupled with the quantification of the vaso vasorum to determine a risk index indicative of a subject's risk to vascular disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Joan C Main, Bijoy K Khandheria, A Jamil Tajik, Robert T Hurst, Steven J Lester, Christopher B Kendall, Susan Wilansky
  • Patent number: 8195366
    Abstract: A control system for controlling motion of a pallet truck vehicle includes three modes of operation for controlling coasting of the vehicle. In a first, constant pressure mode, the vehicle coasts for as long as an activation button is depressed. In a second, time controlled mode, the vehicle coasts for a predetermined period of time. In the third, distance controlled mode, the vehicle coasts for a predetermined distance. Each of these functions can be activated from a remote location using a remote activation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Paul P. McCabe, Douglas D Fett, Bryce A. Gregory
  • Patent number: 8187285
    Abstract: A portable and disposable device is provided for processing harvested dermal tissue. The device includes a housing presenting a handle having a gripping surface and a cutting head attached to the handle. A cutting assembly is supported by the cutting head and includes a plurality of spaced cutting blades that are rotatable with respect to the housing. A receptacle is disposed downstream of the cutting assembly and receives the sliced tissue from the cutting blades. The device is thus operable to slice harvested tissue into strips, and further into fine particles, that can be used for transplantation onto a wound site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Tissue Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Elof Eriksson, Christian Baker, W. Robert Allison
  • Patent number: 8187801
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits related to a prognostic, and, in certain embodiments, diagnostic indicator for ovarian cancer which comprises measuring the level of MUC16 bound to immune cells. The level of MUC16 bound to immune cells can by itself be an indicator of disease regression or recurrence, or this indicator can be used in conjunction with assays for serum CA125 and other diagnostic markers. The invention further provides methods and kits related to the detection of ovarian cancer by measuring levels of Siglec-9 expression on immune cells. As well, related methodologies are provided for the detection of preeclampsia in pregnant human subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Manish S. Patankar, Joseph P. Connor, Jennifer A. Belisle
  • Patent number: 8186378
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic valve has a valve body with a longitudinal bore and a cylindrical exterior surface. An annular recess extends around the cylindrical exterior surface and the first port extends from the recess to the bore. A filter is formed by a plate that has a plurality of perforations and which is wrapped around valve body in the recess. The plate has a first end section at which a first tab is created and a second end section overlapping the first end section with a slot through which the first tab extends to secure the first and second end sections together. A spool is slideable into different positions within the bore of the valve body to selectively connect and disconnect the first port and a second. An actuator is operably coupled to move the spool into different positions within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: HUSCO Automotive Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Scott Nordstrom, Kirt Nathaniel Stephens, Edward Aloysius Flynn
  • Patent number: D661127
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Peter Arko, John Hamilton, Matthew Hollingsworth
  • Patent number: D662141
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Britvic Ireland Limited
    Inventor: Jamie Helly
  • Patent number: D662337
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Peter Arko, John R. Hamilton, Matthew Hollingsworth
  • Patent number: D662570
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Jason W. Anderson, Nils G. Johannessen, Kay Lap Gilbert Chan