Patents Assigned to Wilmington Research and Development Corporation
  • Patent number: 8348731
    Abstract: A technique for cooling equipment racks that contain multiple individual devices, such as computers, that each have their own internal cooling fans. An air passage (“shunt tube”) is placed between a compartment inside the rack, and the ambient air outside the rack, or between compartments inside the rack. Sensors inside the air passage detect movement of the air inside the passage, and thus indirectly measure the presence of a differential pressure. The preferred sensor embodiment uses temperature sensors, and takes advantage of the differences of the air temperatures inside the computer rack, and outside the computer rack (or between internal computer rack compartments) to determine if the air is moving through the air passage, and which direction the air is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Wilmington Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Johnson, Stephen B. Boyd
  • Patent number: 6566634
    Abstract: An induction heating system having an induction source, a heating element heated from the induction source and a circuit energized by the induction source. The circuit can be a controller which includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the heating element, and a feedback loop formed between the temperature sensor and the induction source. The heating element can be mounted within a housing to form an induction heated container for holding items to be heated. Such a container can be used in commercial food warming and holding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Wilmington Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen B. Boyd, Douglas A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6547220
    Abstract: A control system for a pneumatic hoist limits the velocity or acceleration of a load attached to the hoist. The control system includes a controller and a valve. The controller provides a variable gain between an actuator, which controls the speed of the hoist, and the valve, which controls fluid flow into the hoist, thereby controlling the velocity or acceleration of the load. As the velocity or the acceleration of the load reaches a predetermined maximum value, the control system proportionally reduces the gain between the actuator and the valve, thereby closing the valve and reducing the velocity or acceleration of the hoist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Wilmington Research and Development Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6534753
    Abstract: An induction heating system having an induction source, a heating element heated from the induction source, a power supply energized by the induction source and a circuit powered by the power supply. The circuit can be a controller which includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the heating element, and a feedback loop formed between the temperature sensor and the induction source. The heating element can be mounted within a housing to form an induction heated container for holding items to be heated. Such a container can be used in commercial food warming and holding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Wilmington Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen B. Boyd, Douglas A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020008102
    Abstract: An induction heating system having an induction source, a heating element heated from the induction source and a circuit energized by the induction source. The circuit can be a controller which includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the heating element, and a feedback loop formed between the temperature sensor and the induction source. The heating element can be mounted within a housing to form an induction heated container for holding items to be heated. Such a container can be used in commercial food warming and holding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: Wilmington Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen B. Boyd, Douglas A. Johnson