Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Robert A. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 6409964
    Abstract: Shaped bodies containing particulate iron materials, such as cast pellets, briquettes and the like, with sufficient strength to withstand temperatures of up to at least 1000° C. can be obtained by using a fully hydrated high-alumina cement as the binder. The strength of the pellets at elevated temperatures can be further enhanced by adding small amounts of bentonite, silica fume or other suitable supplementary cementing materials, and super plasticizer. The iron particulate materials, typically having a size range of from about 0.01 mm to 6 mm, include ore fines, sinter fines, BOF and EAF dusts, mill scale, and the like. Powdered carbonaceous material, such as ground coal or coke, may also be added to the pellets. The shaped bodies are suitable for use in blast furnaces, basic oxygen furnaces, and in DRI processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources
    Inventors: Jay Aota, Lucie Morin
  • Patent number: 6411997
    Abstract: A method of determining a connection between a data emitting device and a network device which may carry the data, wherein the network device is comprised of a store for a data source address of a last frame transmitted to the network device and an input traffic count comprising (a) periodically reading the data source address, (b) periodically reading the input traffic count, (c) determining whether the data source address has always stayed the same, (d) in the event the data source address has always stayed the same, determine whether the traffic count has exceeded a predetermined threshold, (e) in the event the result of step (d) is true, indicate that the data source address identifies with acceptable probability a data emitting device directly connected to the network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Loran Network Systems LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Dawes, David Schenkel, Michael Slavitch
  • Patent number: 6407714
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for an antenna array mounted on a moving vehicle. The antenna array is mounted on a disc having two motors which, cooperatively, rotate the disc and rotate a number of antenna elements mounted on the disc. By rotating the antenna elements, the main lobe of the array may be scanned towards a satellite in the elevation plane. To track a moving source from a moving vehicle, one of the motors rotates the disc as a whole, thereby scanning the beam in the azimuth plane. Each antenna element is at an angle to the vertical so that, by rotating the disc to face the direction of the signal source, such as a satellite, a better signal can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: EMS Technologies Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Derek A. Butler, Michael R. Martin, Peter C. Strickland
  • Patent number: 6408032
    Abstract: A circuit for correcting baseline wander in a transmitter which includes a main signal current driver driving a first winding of a two-winding transformer which first winding is in parallel with a termination impedance matching load, in which a compensation current driver is coupled in parallel with the main signal current driver for adding its current to current of the main signal current driver. A correction signal control input is provided to the compensation driver. A sample-and-hold circuit is connected across the first winding, an error amplifier having a first pair of inputs is connected across the first winding and a second pair of inputs are connected to the output of the sample and hold circuit. These provide an error signal resulting from a difference of signals appearing at its respective pairs of inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: PMC-Sierra Ltd.
    Inventors: William Lye, Anthony B. Candage
  • Patent number: 6407716
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dichroic surface with a pointed resonator cross grid pattern that offers enhanced bandwidth and a sharper response between frequency bands. The dichroic surface is fabricated as a self-adhesive decal, conforming the dichroic surface to the surface of the reflector antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: EMS Technologies Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter C. Strickland, Timothy E. Best
  • Patent number: 6407412
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) varactor that takes advantage of the beneficial characteristics of MOS varactors to provide a high maximum to minimum capacitance ratio. By coupling in parallel at least one pair of MOS varactors with similar but shifted capacitance voltage (C-V) curves, the resulting capacitance is generally linear while preserving the desirable large capacitance ratio. A pair of MOS varactors, one with a p+ type gate and one with a n+ doped gate connected in parallel approximates the desired result. However, by adding further varactor elements, with their threshold voltages shifted by either implanting specific properties in their bodies or by providing offset voltages, a more linear C-V curve is attained while preserving the desired capacitance ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: PMC-Sierra Inc.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Iniewski, Sebastian Claudiusz Magierowski
  • Patent number: 6405627
    Abstract: A kit for humanitarian demining operations and explosive ordnance disposal comprising a first sealed container holding a pre-measured amount of flammable nitroparaffin, and a second sealed container which can be opened and resealed, and which contains a product for sensitizing nitroparaffin to detonation using an initiation system. The second sealed container has a volume sufficient to contain both the pre-measured amount of flammable nitroparaffin and the product for sensitizing nitroparaffin to detonation. The kit may also contain an initiation system. Also disclosed is a method of using the kit to neutralize land-mines and unexploded ordnance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Mining Resource Engineering Limited
    Inventor: C. John Anderson
  • Patent number: 6404291
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus relating to a PLL circuit for frequency synthesizer applications. By using a composite PFD large and small phase variations between a reference signal and the divider output are compensated for. The composite phase frequency detector (PFD) has both a digital phase frequency detector (digital PFD) and an analog phase detector (analog PD) with the digital PFD compensating for large phase differences and the analog PD compensating for smaller phase differences. The PLL automatically chooses between these two components in the composite PFD by controlling the pulse width of the divider output. This is accomplished by synchronizing the dead zone of the digital PFD with the active pulse width of the divider output and by similarly synchronizing the phase detector window of the analog PD to be within both the dead zone of the digital PFD and the active pulse width of the divider output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Philsar Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. D. Riley
  • Patent number: 6400146
    Abstract: A sensor head with multiple sensors for ACFM based crack detection and sizing. An alternating current electromagnetic yoke is used to induce a uniform magnetic field on the surface of the test piece. A reference coil in the sensor head detects the background field strength of the magnetic field. Multiple sensors, the axis of each of which is in an angled relationship to the reference coil, detect variations in the magnetic field. The sensor coil axes can be chosen to detect and size both angled and straight cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada as represented by the Ministry of Natural Resources
    Inventor: George Roy
  • Patent number: 6390110
    Abstract: A modular transportable collective protection system for the decontamination and containment of personnel in a toxic free area. A contamination containment area is provided through which personnel are decontaminated prior to entering the toxic free area. The migration of contaminants is prevented by causing a purge of clean filtered air from the toxic free area to the contamination control area and to the exterior environment. A blower and filter unit provides air to the toxic free area to maintain an over pressure therein, ensuring that all entry to the toxic free area is through a flow of clean air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Louis Brown
  • Patent number: 6371177
    Abstract: A head for a tree delimbing machine having a boom. The head combines a topping knife assembly with a butting saw assembly and a gripping arms assembly in a single unit. The improved head simplifies not only the delimbing operation but also the topping and butting operations as well. The head combines all three operations into one device and can be retrofitted on to existing boom-type delimbing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Alain Larente
  • Patent number: 6361657
    Abstract: A flexible mounting for use in the forming section of a twin forming fabric paper making machine consisting essentially of a base member supported by the paper making machine structure to which is attached a flexible C-shaped beam. The C-shaped beam has one edge attached to the base member, and a fabric contacting blade attachment means at the other edge. A pressurized loading tube is located within the C-shaped beam between the base member and the second edge of the C-shaped beam. When the pressurized loading tube is loaded, the C-shaped beam flexes thus allowing the blade to move initially into contact with a forming fabric. As the pressurized tube is further loaded, the contact face of the blade is moved into further engagement with the forming fabric. In a preferred construction, the wrap angle of the fabrics at or about the blade leading edge can be minimized. The mounting thus can diminish wear of the fabric as it passes over the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas R. McPherson
  • Patent number: 6351732
    Abstract: Audio signals are presented to a user by separating the audio signals into plural discrete frequency components extending from a low frequency to a high frequency, translating each of the frequency components into control signals, and applying the control signals to an array of light emitting devices for sensing by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventors: Elmer H. Hara, Edward R. McRae
  • Patent number: 6339313
    Abstract: A controller controls a switch bank which can shunt a voltage source in parallel with each fuel cell in a stack. By controlling the voltage of the voltage source, the current through the fuel cell is directly controlled. By increasing the anode potential of the fuel cell through control of the voltage source, poisons deposited on the electrocatalyst are removed, thereby rejuvenating the fuel cell. Each fuel cell in a stack can be treated in turn, causing a reduction of the effects of electrocatalyst poison on stack performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Estco Battery Management Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Adams, Christopher L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6338027
    Abstract: A method and system for determining canopy coverage to a golf green to assist in increasing sunlight exposure of the green. The system allows users to enter data regarding the golf green, surrounding foliage, and other topographical and man-made features surrounding the green. The system can then plot the sun's path for a specific date and simulate shadows cast on the green by the surrounding foliage and features. Furthermore, the system allows the user to generate what-if data, allowing projected effects on canopy coverage to be viewed before any modifications to the canopy are carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Arborcom Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Fulton
  • Patent number: 6337590
    Abstract: An improved edge-triggered fully digital delay locked loop (DLL), which maintains reliable synchronization from startup and in spite of system clock jitter is described. An internal clock signal is synchronized with a reference clock signal by propagating the reference clock signal through a variable digital delay path. A wide phase detection region surrounds a selected rising edge of the internal clock signal. The DLL loop is open as long as the internal clock signal and a target edge of the reference clock signal are not simultaneously within the phase detection region. To achieve a DLL locked condition, the variable delay is increased from a minimum setting until the edge of the phase detection region is shifted in time just past the target edge of the reference clock. Once the DLL loop has been closed, a clock jitter filter is enabled to reject reference clock jitter effects on the DLL locked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Mosaid Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Bruce Millar
  • Patent number: 6334467
    Abstract: A flat woven papermaker's forming fabric having a paper side layer and a machine side layer interconnected by pairs of weft binder yarns. Each of the binder yarn pair members in sequence interweaves with a portion of the paper side layer warp yarns in segments of the weft yarn path so as to complete an unbroken weft path in the paper side layer weave pattern, and to provide an internal paper side layer float. Each of the binder yarn pair floats interlaces with a machine side layer warp yarn so as to bind the paper and machine side layers together. To recess the binder yarns from the plane of fabric wear the interlacing point is located at or near the midpoint of an internal float in the machine side layer warp yarn. The number of paper side layer weft yarns located between each of the pairs of intrinsic weft yarns is irregular within one repeat of the overall fabric weave pattern. The location of the paper side layer internal floats also determines the interlacing locations with the machine side layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Barrett, Dale B. Johnson, Rick Stone
  • Patent number: 6327725
    Abstract: An orthopaedic pillow, including an adjustable neck support. The body of the pillow is comprised of pre-formed visco-elastic foam, which has an interior cavity, longitudinally disposed near the edge of the pillow on which a user's neck is intended to rest. An inflatable airtight chamber is disposed within the cavity or slot, for providing adjustable support to the user's neck. The level of neck support can be quickly and easily adjusted using a hand-operated pump. The pump can be neatly stored within a contoured cavity at one end of the pillow. The pillow has a removable cloth cover with an opening on the end, which enables the user to access the pump, and a closure device for closing the opening. The pillow increases user comfort levels, and assists in reducing neck and back pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: S.V.M. Orthopedic Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Alain C. Veilleux, Judith J. Stanfield, Charles N. D. Martin
  • Patent number: 6327318
    Abstract: A delay compensation circuit for a delay locked loop which includes a main delay line having a fine delay line comprising fine delay elements and a coarse delay line comprising coarse delay elements, the main delay line being controlled by a controller, the delay compensation circuit comprising: an adjustable fine delay for modeling a coarse delay element, a counter for controlling the adjustable fine delay to a value which is substantially the same as that of a coarse delay element, a circuit for applying a representation of the system clock to the delay compensation circuit, and a circuit for applying the fine delay count from the counter to the controller for adjusting the fine delay line of the main delay line to a value which is substantially the same as that of a coarse delay element of the main delay line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Mosaid Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Gurpreet Bhullar, Graham Allan
  • Patent number: 6324284
    Abstract: A handset comprising a sealed unit receiver and a loudspeaker, first apparatus for providing sound from the receiver to the ear of a user when the ear of the user is sealed to the handset, and second apparatus for providing sound from both the receiver and from the loudspeaker to the ear of the user when the ear of the user is only partly sealed to the handset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Larry E. Hawker, Walter Dolezal