Patents Examined by Christopher E Everett
  • Patent number: 11169508
    Abstract: A computing system for receiving operational data including process parameters generated by sensors in a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Laycock, Mark Bertinetti, Rahul Nath
  • Patent number: 11169491
    Abstract: A series connection having multiple safety switches. Here, the series connection includes wiring connecting the safety switches. The safety switches can output signals. Depending on the registration of these signals by additional safety switches of the series connection it will be detected whether the wiring is laid out for connecting a master, and whether such a master is connected. Depending on this, the operation of the safety switches is predetermined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Euchner GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Timo Siefert, Melissa Joos, Frederic Hahn, Zeiler Gerd
  • Patent number: 11162702
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for validating the installation and operation of a fault detection and diagnostic module that monitors a component of an HVAC system. A remote diagnostic server is in operative communication with the HVAC system, and with the fault detection and diagnostic module. A user device communicates data to the remote diagnostic server that defines an association between the fault detection and diagnostic module and the HVAC system. The remote diagnostic server initiates an installation validation by sending a command to the HVAC system that causes the monitored component to initiate an event that is expected to be reported by the fault detection and diagnostic module. For example, a fan motor is turned on. If correctly installed, the fault detection and diagnostic module senses the event, and reports the event to the remote diagnostic server, which confirms the association. The remote diagnostic server sends a message to the user device indicating the result of the validation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel John Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Carl L. Garrett, Christopher Blake Smith, Bradley T. Wilson, James W. Barnard
  • Patent number: 11137160
    Abstract: A space controller and method for determining energy savings of the space controller are provided. The method includes estimating, by one or more processing circuits, a steady state gain of a controlled variable of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; determining, by the one or more processing circuits, an actual runtime that HVAC equipment of the HVAC system is in an on state based on a first setpoint or schedule; predicting, by the one or more processing circuits, a reduction of runtime that the HVAC equipment is in the on state for a second setpoint or schedule based on the actual runtime and the steady state gain; and adjusting, by the one or more processing circuits, the first setpoint or schedule to the second setpoint or schedule based on the reduction of runtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Timothy I. Salsbury, John M. House
  • Patent number: 11126213
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing power supplied over an electric power grid from at least one power supply source. A coordinator manages communications between at least one server and the at least one power supply source, wherein the server is operable to initiate power commands, wherein the communications comprise an actual amount of power supply available for the electric power grid from the at least one power supply source, and wherein the at least one power supply source is operable to provide power supply to the electric power grid based on the power commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CAUSAM ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11119463
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods and devices for facilitating object-based cross-domain industrial automation control. An object library comprising a plurality of objects may be maintained. One or more of the objects may represent physical counterparts for use in an industrial automation process. Each object of the plurality of objects in the object library may have at least one property that an automated control device operation can be programmed to act on. Each object of the plurality of objects may also have at least one property that a human machine interface component can utilize in generating display elements corresponding to the objects for display on the human machine interface. When modifications to objects in the object library are received, those modifications may be automatically deployed and incorporated in controller logic and HMI graphics and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Stump, Srdjan Josipovic, Matthew R. Ericsson, Michael D. Kalan, Anthony Carrara, Christopher W. Como, Sharon M. Billi-Duran
  • Patent number: 11110667
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating fabrication of a composite part. An illustrative method includes loading a Numerical Control (NC) program that directs layup of tows by a fiber placement machine to create a laminate for curing into a composite part, identifying tow information recited in the NC program, applying inputs based on the tow information to a neural network that has been trained with measurements describing tow placement within other laminates that have been laid-up, and reporting likelihood of a fabrication discrepancy that is out of tolerance, based on an output of the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael Yee-Chih Wang, Jeffrey Lawrence Miller, Jonas Beuchert, Roger Erh Hsiang Chen
  • Patent number: 11112773
    Abstract: A cluster tool assembly includes a vacuum transfer module, a process module having a first side connected to the vacuum transfer module. An isolation valve having a first side and a second side, the first side of the isolation valve coupled to a second side of the process module. A replacement station is coupled to the second side of the isolation valve. The replacement station includes an exchange handler and a part buffer. The part buffer includes a plurality of compartments to hold new or used consumable parts. The process module includes a lift mechanism to enable placement of a consumable part installed in the process module to a raised position. The raised position provides access to the exchange handler to enable removal of the consumable part from the process module and store in a compartment of the part buffer. The exchange handler of the replacement station is configured to provide a replacement for the consumable part from the part buffer back to the process module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Trussell, Alan J. Miller, John Daugherty, Alex Paterson
  • Patent number: 11112774
    Abstract: A numerical controller determines whether or not block prefetching from a program is sufficient based on whether at least one block subsequent to a predetermined reference block, which exists after a running block of the program and is needed to execute the reference block, has been prefetched or not. If the determination result is that prefetching is not sufficient, block prefetching from the program is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhito Oonishi
  • Patent number: 11115628
    Abstract: Provided is a surveillance system, including: a trailer having wheels, a mast, and a trailer towing coupler; a camera coupled to the mast; a cellular modem communicatively coupled to the camera and operative to transmit video captured by the camera; a command center server operative to remotely receive and store data describing operation of a fluid-handling device and to receive the transmitted video and send the video to a user in response to a request from a web browser of the user; a power storage device; and a solar panel coupled to the power storage device such that the solar panel charges the power storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SitePro, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Phillips, Greg Stout, David Bateman
  • Patent number: 11103397
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a support structure comprising a base and a patient support surface to support a patient. An actuator system facilitates movement of the patient support surface relative to a floor surface. One or more sensors are responsive to changes in position of the patient support surface caused by the actuator system. A controller is operably coupled to the one or more sensors and the actuator system. The controller is configured to operate the actuator system to move the patient support surface and to monitor the movement of the patient support surface by sensing positions of the patient support surface over time. The controller is further configured to identify a frictional load event on the actuator system during movement in a present cycle and associate the frictional load event with a sensed position of the patient support surface in the present cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Alan Mansfield, Thomas Alan Puvogel, Michael Hayes
  • Patent number: 11096862
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Potucek, James Murdock, James Carter, Gregory Fournier, Arthur W. Johnson, III, Ray Denkewicz, David Blaine, Jason DeBruin, Vance Willis, Bruce Aubrey, Scott Petty, Jason Parcell, Craig Horrocks
  • Patent number: 11092936
    Abstract: A machine control device is configured to include a measurement unit that measures regarding a state of a controlled object handled by a machine apparatus, a determination unit that determines a constraint determination value by comparing the measurement result by the measurement unit with a predetermined constraint condition, control units and that perform operation control for the machine apparatus based on the constraint determination value determined by the determination unit according to the relationship set for the constraint determination value and the operation control, and a learning unit that reconfigures the relationship between the constraint determination value and the operation control when the constraint determination value changes due to the operation control performed by the control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: RESONEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Maegawa, Keiko Ikemoto, Akira Sassa
  • Patent number: 11095151
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for electric power grid element and network management are disclosed. At least one grid element constructed and configured for electrical connection and for internet protocol (IP)-based network communication with a server operatively coupled with a memory. The at least one grid element is automatically and/or autonomously transformed into at least one active grid element after automatically communicating an initial message to the server for registration. The at least one active grid element functions actively within the electric power grid. The at least one active grid element has a profile comprising an energy usage pattern or an energy supply pattern. The at least one active grid element sends and receives messages to and from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: CAUSAM ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11067962
    Abstract: A machine tool has a tool and a workpiece clamped into a workpiece holder on a workpiece table and a tool. The workpiece table is rotatable about a rotation axis in a position-controlled manner by a plurality of complete revolutions, and the tool is movable at least parallel to the rotation axis in a position-controlled manner. While the workpiece table is rotated, the tool is placed at least temporarily against the workpiece on a side substantially facing away from the workpiece table, machines the workpiece, and the tool is at a distance being at least equal to a predefined minimum distance from the rotation axis. The first workpiece holder is displaced in a direction that has a component towards or away from the rotation axis on the workpiece table in a position-controlled manner during the machining of the first workpiece by the first tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jochen Bretschneider
  • Patent number: 11061042
    Abstract: A system is provided to automatically monitor and control the operation of a microfluidic device using machine learning technology. The system receives images of a channel of a microfluidic device collected by a camera during operation of the microfluidic device. Upon receiving an image, the system applies a classifier to the image to classify the operation of the microfluidic device as normal, in which no adjustment to the operation is needed, or as abnormal, in which an adjustment to the operation is needed. When an image is classified as normal, the system may make no adjustment to the microfluidic device. If, however, an image is classified as abnormal, the system may output an indication that the operation is abnormal, output an indication of a needed adjustment, or control the microfluidic device to make the needed adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Giera, Eric B. Duoss, Du Nguyen, William Smith, Sachin Subhash Talathi, Aaron Creighton Wilson, Congwang Ye
  • Patent number: 11061374
    Abstract: A building management system comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor of the plurality of sensors configured to detect a condition of the building is disclosed. The system may further comprise a memory for storing one or more events, each event configured to identify an action from a sequence of sensed conditions, a communications module configured to communicate with a remote device over a network, and a controller operatively coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, the memory, and the communications module. The controller may be configured to compare the plurality of sensed conditions to the one or more events to identify an action and determine what, if any response is required, and if a response is required, provide a notification to the remove device via the communications module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Young, Soumitri Kolavennu, Christopher Heintzelman, Joseph Bodkin, John Cronin
  • Patent number: 11059229
    Abstract: In some examples, a request to print a first three-dimensional (3D) part is received. In response to determining that the first 3D part is not similar to any 3D part referred to by an information base, a representation of the first 3D part is extracted, an indication to conduct an operation to produce a design rule for the first 3D part is sent. In response to determining that the first 3D part is similar to a matching 3D part referred to by the information base, a design rule for the matching 3D part is retrieved to print the first 3D part, where the design rule for the matching 3D part specifies a dependency of a property of the matching 3D part on an aspect associated with printing the matching 3D part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sunil Kothari, Jun Zeng, Kristopher Li, Goffril Obegi, Lihua Zhao, Gary J. Dispoto, Viseth Sean, Tod Heiles
  • Patent number: 11054805
    Abstract: A display device acquires and displays information on a machine tool that includes a spindle for relatively rotating workpiece and a cutting tool and feed axes for relatively feeding the workpiece and the cutting tool and that performs machining on the workpiece while making the cutting tool and the workpiece swing relatively, and includes: a first information display unit that displays first information indicating a position to which the cutting tool is relatively fed with respect to the workpiece; a second information display unit that displays second information indicating a relationship between the phase of the spindle and the positions of the feed axes; and a range selection unit that selects part of the first information as a selection range, and the second information display unit changes the display range of the second information such that the display range corresponds to the selection range selected by the range selection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusaku Oho, Kenta Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11048228
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a lossless protection procedure may be applied to control distribution of a print geometry of an industrial asset item. For example, an item definition data store may contain electronic records defining a geometry of the industrial asset item. A signature identifier encoder platform may determine a unique signature identifier associated with the industrial asset item and modify the geometry of the industrial asset item to encode therein information about the unique signature identifier. In some cases, for example, this may be done by adjusting a scanning pattern of a fill region (e.g., stripe, checkerboard, etc.) or a support structure of the industrial asset item. An authentication platform may then receive, from a sensor (e.g., an X-ray), a measured characteristic parameter of an item to be authenticated and determine a signature identifier of the item (which can be used to authenticate the item).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John William Carbone, Benjamin Edward Beckmann, Michael Solomon Idelchik