Patents Represented by Attorney Robert G. Crooks
  • Patent number: 7302353
    Abstract: A method, and apparatus for carrying it out, for processing pulses derived from a radiation detector, those pulses having already been resolved by a pulse-height analyzer into channels having respective addresses indicative of their respective heights. The method includes steps of receiving a plurality of channel-address values from the pulse-height analyzer, averaging over a window selected ones of the channel-address values to obtain an average channel address for the selected channel-address values, and using the average channel address to increment the content of a spectrum channel. Speed and accuracy of execution of the method may be optimized if a criterion for selecting channel-address values for averaging is made variable so as to permit recycling of the channel addresses and so as to avoid counting losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Valentin T. Jordanov
  • Patent number: 7269523
    Abstract: A method, and apparatus for carrying it out, for processing pulses derived from a radiation detector, those pulses having already been resolved by a pulse-height analyzer into channels having respective addresses indicative of their respective heights. The method includes steps of receiving a plurality of channel-address values from the pulse-height analyzer, averaging over a window selected ones of the channel-address values to obtain an average channel address for the selected channel-address values, and using the average channel address to increment the content of a spectrum channel. Speed and accuracy of execution of the method may be optimized if a criterion for selecting channel-address values for averaging is made variable so as to permit recycling of the channel addresses and so as to avoid counting losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Valentin T. Jordanov
  • Patent number: 6639506
    Abstract: A method and device, employing positive-temperature-coefficient material, for sensing plural properties of a fluid, such as temperature and flow rate. Can be used in a wind gauge or in a device for sensing position of mechanical elements such as valve diaphragms. Single sensor device, with energy and ohmic resistors, produces two voltages which completely characterize temperature and flow rate of fluid under study.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Lansense, LLC
    Inventor: Donald G. Landis
  • Patent number: 6559771
    Abstract: A sensing and measuring circuit, employing a positive-temperature-coefficient sensing device, for detecting the presence and approximately measuring the quantity or concentration of heat-absorptive substances such as water. May be used for sensing a quantity of rainfall or irrigation water, or for detecting and giving an alarm or initiating remediation for leakage of water, oil, or other fluids from confinement to an unauthorized location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Lansense, LLC
    Inventor: Donald G. Landis
  • Patent number: 6549136
    Abstract: A sensor and associated circuitry for sensing and reacting to the presence of a fluid or other material having heat capacity. A positive-temperature-coefficient device initiates a switching step when the amount of heat-capacity material reaches a certain level, or is totally absent. The switching step may trigger an alarm or control circuit to rectify the fluid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Lansense, LLC
    Inventor: Donald G. Landis
  • Patent number: 6411192
    Abstract: A method and device, employing positive-temperature-coefficient material, for sensing plural properties of a fluid, such as temperature and flow rate. Can be used in a wind gauge or in a device for sensing position of mechanical elements such as valve diaphragms. Single sensor device, with energy and ohmic resistors, produces two voltages which completely characterize temperature and flow rate of fluid under study.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Lansense, LLC
    Inventor: Donald G. Landis
  • Patent number: 5860805
    Abstract: A dual-function scavenger system, especially useful in conjunction with ovens for processing semiconductor materials, wherein the spent process gases from the ovens are separated from their residual thermal energy for disposition through discrete channels. Back diffusion of atmospheric air into the ovens is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Lansense, LLC
    Inventor: Donald G. Landis
  • Patent number: 5739443
    Abstract: A carrier for supporting a monitoring device during passage of the carrier and the monitoring device through a processing machine. The carrier is especially adapted for conveying temperature-recording instrumentation following circuit boards undergoing mass soldering of surface-mount and/or through-hole components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Roger I. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5659862
    Abstract: A developer roll for use in electrophotographic copying machines and printers. The roll has a coating which is electrically conductive. Also disclosed are the materials comprising the roll and its coating, and a process for formulating the materials and for applying them to the surface of the roll by powder-coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Nashua Corporation
    Inventors: Meftah U. Mahmud, John F. Coburn, Robert G. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5375196
    Abstract: Three terms (X,Y,"Error") are combined in a single floating-point number in an advanced microprocessor to compute pixel addresses. The floating-point number is reconverted to integer form in multiplexers operating in a mode determined by slope, relative to unity, of the line to be defined by the pixels. The output of the multiplexers is enhanced by a look-up table to produce color data, which are converted to analog form for display. Speed of operation is greatly augmented by the use of floating-point arithmetic to compute the pixel addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: CalComp Inc.
    Inventors: Bala R. Vatti, Mark R. Duckworth, Robert L. Hammond
  • Patent number: 5372384
    Abstract: A wheeled simulator for enabling the practice of ski turns on "dry land." In particular, both edging of the simulated skis and preferential weighting of the "outside" simulated ski contribute to tightening of the turn to prevent a fall by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: David R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5325109
    Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for use in the "color-graphics board" of a computer having a pictorial output visualizable in color. It is particularly suitable for use with computers of the Macintosh type of configuration, but is by no means limited to computers of that type. The invention affords to the operator of the computer the ability to select various bit levels for the pixels which together comprise the display of the computer. The bit levels may be selected at will depending upon the necessary degree of resolution and color selectability that characterize the diverse possible uses of the visual display of the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: CalComp Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Duckworth
  • Patent number: 5265210
    Abstract: This method and apparatus are suitable for inclusion in the "graphics circuit board" of a personal computer. The digital output of the computer is used to plot a series of "pixel pairs" which, taken together, closely approximate the desired path of a line to be drawn on a display device such as a color cathode-ray tube. The addresses and relative intensities of the pixels of each pair and of the series are computed so as to produce a line that is substantially free from the "jaggies" resulting from "aliasing" in prior-art apparatus. Computation of addresses relies upon both integer and floating-point numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: CalComp Inc.
    Inventors: Bala R. Vatti, Robert L. Hammond
  • Patent number: 5218842
    Abstract: According to the method of this invention, a ski to be tested is supported at its mid-point and near its tip and tail respectively. It is clamped at the mid-point and just aft of the tip of the ski. The afterbody and the forebody of the ski are deflected through predetermined distances, whereupon the force necessary to produce the deflection is measured by a strain gauge. Similarly, the forces produced in the ski when the forebody of the ski is twisted by the application of a couple thereto to produce a predetermined torsional deflection are measured and recorded. The disclosure includes a suitable tip station, center station, and tail station mounted on an elongated base, which may comprise a pair of hollow metal cylinders that act as reservoirs for storage of compressed air for actuation of pneumatic means for application of forces to the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Pro-Flex, Inc.
    Inventors: Dell K. Tower, Jr., Kevin F. Ice, Robert E. Doucette
  • Patent number: 5216918
    Abstract: Mass flow of a fluid flowing in a conduit is detected by mounting an active device in thermal contact with an external wall of the conduit, the active device being characterized by a positive temperature coefficient of resistance of at least 10%/.degree.C. for a range of temperatures, driving the active device to operate within the temperature range, and detecting mass flow based on the resistance of the active device. In another aspect, a passive temperature sensor is arranged to sense the temperature of the fluid at one position along the conduit, the passive temperature sensor being substantially non-self-heating, an active device is positioned to exchange heat at another position along the conduit, the conduit having a resistance dependent on temperature, and mass flow is detected based on signals from the active device and from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Integrated Control Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Landis, David E. Linzy, John H. Fabricius
  • Patent number: 5205089
    Abstract: This portable shelter assembly includes a weather-proof container suitable to be mounted on a pair of support bars atop a vehicle. When the vehicle is at a stand still and the shelter assembly is to be made ready for occupancy, the container unfolds to become a deck or platform on which the occupants can sleep. Attached to the deck are a pair of arch members hingedly connected thereto and a folding arch member having knee joints so that all can collapse into the container or be erected to support a tent canopy to shelter the occupants. The shelter assembly should be balanced atop the vehicle, both in its collapsed and its erected positions.Various means are provided for fastening the shelter assembly to the vehicle. The tent may have associated therewith a screen house for protection against insects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Matthew S. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 5193912
    Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for removably mounting a thermocouple in intimate thermal contact with an electrical component or other object whose temperature is to be accurately sensed and measured. The apparatus comprises a probe having a miniaturized "gripper" or a spring-biased sensor for perceiving the temperature at a precisely defined point. Provision is made for shielding the thermocouple from ambient gases that might degrade the desired temperature perception. Various provisions are made for removably mounting the shielded thermocouple on or in contact with a circuit board or an independent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Roger I. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5061944
    Abstract: This Yagi-Uda-type antenna includes also a sleeve embracing the dipole. The sleeve may be a closed cylindrical element surrounding the dipole or it may comprise a pair of discrete elements forming an "open sleeve". The dipole, sleeve, reflector, and director elements may be in filamentary form, or they may be fabricated from stripline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Lockheed Sanders, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Powers, Russell J. Cyr
  • Patent number: D349211
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Gregg W. Cerato
  • Patent number: D359397
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventor: Steve K. McPhee