Patents Examined by Hugh Jones
  • Patent number: 8744814
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for protecting a component in a power supply circuit. The arrangement comprises determination of an electric quantity constituting a load on the component, which electric quantity constituting a load on the component is determined repeatedly while the component is exposed to the load. The arrangement also comprises estimation of instantaneous load capacity of the component, which estimation of instantaneous load capacity is performed using a limitation criterion set for the load capacity of the component. This limitation criterion indicates the longest possible operating time of the component under a given loading condition. For the limitation criterion, a representation with respect to the electric quantity constituting a load on the component is provided, and a limitation criterion corresponding to the defined electric quantity constituting a load on the component is derived repeatedly from the said representation while the component is exposed to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esa Putkinen, Hannu Lehtinen
  • Patent number: 8738342
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to improve design, manufacture and performance of oilfield equipment and well tools using three dimensional (3D) scanning technology and one or more feedback loops. Manufacturing processes and techniques associated with a well tool may be evaluated based on comparing “as built” 3D data with a design data file for the well tool. Based on differences between “as built” 3D data and the design data file, one or more changes in associated manufacturing procedures and/or techniques may be made. Computational fluid dynamic applications may be used to simulate fluid flow characteristics of a well tool using associated design data file, “as built” 3D data and/or after use 3D data. The associated design data file, manufacturing procedures and/or procedures for use of the well tool may be modified based on comparing simulated fluid flow data with desired fluid flow characteristics for the well tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Lind, Kevin L. Glass
  • Patent number: 8731892
    Abstract: Systems and program product for creating and calibrating production and injection well models for a reservoir, are provided. An example of a system for creating and calibrating well models can include a well performance modeling computer and well performance modeling program product. The well performance modeling program product can include instructions that when executed by the well performance modeling computer cause the computer to perform operations including those for performing a comprehensive retrieval or gathering of required data components, feeding the gathered data into well performance software to thereby develop a model of the well, performing an initial calibration of the well model, performing a total system calibration on the well model, and performing a recalibration to fine tune the well model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Ahmad Tariq Al-Shammari
  • Patent number: 8731884
    Abstract: In one aspect, a scintillation generator for simulation of aero-optical and atmospheric turbulence is described. A first deformable mirror is illuminated using collimated light from a source laser beam. In one aspect, movement of a first deformable mirror is controlled to modulate a reflected laser beam to induce wave-front phase errors onto the reflected laser beam to simulate propagation of the reflected laser beam through near-field aero-optical disturbance. In one aspect, the reflected laser beam is focused onto a second deformable mirror to form a near-field beam. In one aspect, movement of the second deformable mirror is controlled to modulate a reflection of the near-field laser beam to induce amplitude fluctuations onto the reflected near-field laser beam to simulate propagation of the reflected near-field laser beam through far-field atmospheric turbulence. The second deformable mirror is in a Fourier plane of the first deformable mirror. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael I. Jones, Christopher J. Iannello, Guy L. Love, Gary J. Baker
  • Patent number: 8725480
    Abstract: An exemplary arrangement for determining set point values for controllable elements in a network that includes a management system for driving elements of the network and a plurality of processing units. The arrangement also includes at least one simulation unit with a simulation environment for generating a hydraulic simulation model of the network, and an optimization unit with an optimization environment for converting and simplifying the hydraulic simulation model. The optimization environment receives exported data from the simulation environment, generates a simplified optimization model from the exported data through an algorithm that is implemented through program code executed by a processor, and uses the optimization model and at least one of received additional data and measurement and field data to calculate optimized flow charts as temporally changeable set point value series for driving elements in the network and providing the driven elements to the management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Frederik Blank, Markus Gauder, Werner A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8725482
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for characterizing the pores of reticulated framework structures and using these characteristics to predict the actual performance characteristics of the reticulated framework structures as membranes for gas separation, and other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Haldoupis, Seda Keskin, Sankar Nair, David S. Sholl
  • Patent number: 8718990
    Abstract: A method of improving the high-speed uniformity of tire performance that reduces low and/or high harmonics. The method includes determining a force variation that is created by rotation of a first tire, having a first tread design, at high speed. A second order harmonic of the force variation is analyzed. A second tire design is generated that circumferentially shifts one or more ribs of the first tread design to minimize the second order harmonic alone or in combination with other order harmonics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Tao Song, Karl E. Sundkvist
  • Patent number: 8712754
    Abstract: A method, including: receiving, at a processing device, an input, wherein the input includes a first model of data flows between a proposed Network Monitoring and Control (NMC) unit and devices connected to the proposed NMC unit, wherein the first model is based on a Request for Proposal (RFP) and the data flows are defined by data types and primitives conforming to a modeling formalism; and comparing, by using the processing device, the first model with a second model, wherein the second model is a model of data flows between a previously developed NMC unit and devices connected to the previously developed NMC unit, wherein the second model is based on a prior RFP and the data flows are defined by data types and primitives conforming to the modeling formalism, wherein the comparison identifies differences between the data flows of the first and second models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Xiping Song
  • Patent number: 8694291
    Abstract: Waveform analysis is performed to identify and characterize power-consuming devices operating on a building electrical circuit. Current waveforms are measured from the building circuit with electrical devices operating thereon. The waveforms are separated into wavelets and analyzed to identify a representative wavelet model which is transmitted to a server for analysis. The server compares the representative wavelet model to a predictive model built from waveform signatures of known electrical devices operating on a circuit. When the predictive model matches the representative wavelet model, the electrical devices contributing to the representative wavelet, their operating mode(s) (e.g., “on”, “off”, “paused”, “hibernating”) and/or their performance state(s) (e.g., normal operation, deterioration, or failure modes) can be identified. This information can be communicated as feedback to the consumer to facilitate more efficient and more cost-effective energy usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Verdigris Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Chu, Eric Ping Wu, Yungnun Mark Chung, Bertrand J. Kuo
  • Patent number: 8688425
    Abstract: At least one transport property for a subsurface region is calculated from derivative seismic data by generating a model relating at least one derivative seismic rock property of a subsurface region to at least one transport property for the subsurface region. At least one transport property is calculated by applying the generated transport property model. Transport phenomena may be simulated with a transport model using at least one transport property generated by applying the model. A model describing evolution of the at least one transport property may be generated within the subsurface region over time, e.g., to facilitate basin modeling of the subsurface region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Shauna K. Oppert, Michael E. Farrell, Jonathan Stewart, Rene Jonk, Scott A. Barboza
  • Patent number: 8682639
    Abstract: This invention allows code emulation in a memory system by implementing a fixed location and size emulation segment that is only accessible to emulation requests, and may be mapped to any area of the physical memory space by the Extended Memory Controller. All areas of the memory space are visible to the emulation process, whether there is a functional segment mapped to that area or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph R. M. Zbiciak, Jason L. Peck
  • Patent number: 8682622
    Abstract: A method for analyzing roadway information includes receiving a first set of elevation data points defining at least a portion of an existing surface, receiving a second set of elevation data points defining at least a portion of an intended surface, comparing the first set of elevation data points to the second set of elevation data points to determine whether a relative elevation difference exists between corresponding data points of the first set of elevation data points and the second set of elevation data points, and generating an automated report displaying a comparison of the first set of elevation data points to the second set of elevation data points. The report provides information useful for planning pavement projects and/or maintaining the paved road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: GOMACO Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Brenner, Raymond J. Bumann, III, Gary L. Godbersen, James W. Honea
  • Patent number: 8670959
    Abstract: An analysis method takes an input model of a real world process with an output parameter, with multiple input parameters. The complexity of regions of the model is determined to locate regions of low complexity, that is to say low sensitivity of the output parameters to the input parameters. The input parameters may be ordered and the results displayed on view of a two dimensional surface starting with the first parameter and ending with the last. The display may represent the value of the output parameter by the length of a bar on the relevant part of the two dimensional surface. A combination of automatic parameter ordering and/or user input may be used to locate suitable regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard Taylor, Chris Tofts
  • Patent number: 8660826
    Abstract: A diving computer, a computer program, and a method for determining ascent time in a diving computer. Determining ascent time is accomplished by initially receiving initial data on the available gases and measuring the prevailing pressure and diving time. Then, based on information received in connection with the initial data, the gases are divided into at least primary (A) and secondary (B) gases, and an optimal dive plan is calculated based on the initial data of the primary gases (A), the prevailing pressure, and a surfacing model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventors: Toni Lauri Leskelä, Kari Markus Mäkiniemi, Erik Arvid Lindman
  • Patent number: 8650014
    Abstract: An iterative reconstruction method to reconstruct an object includes determining, in a series of iteration steps, updated objects, wherein each iteration step includes determining a data model from an input object, and determining a stop-criterion of the data model on the basis of a chi-square-gamma statistic. The method further includes determining that the stop-criterion of the data model has transitioned from being outside the limitation of a preset threshold value to being inside the limitation, ending the iterations, and selecting one of the updated objects to be the reconstructed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Amos Yahil
  • Patent number: 8650009
    Abstract: A continuous emissions model system is described that employs an emissions model that can determine emissions values from a plant for use in place of sensed emission data in the event of failure or lack of communication from a sensor. The emissions model itself receives inputs that may be based upon sensed data. Each emissions model input may be substituted with a modeled input. The modeled inputs, as well as the emissions model outputs maybe biased to render them more accurate. If any one of the emissions model inputs fails (e.g., becomes unavailable or is clearly erroneous), the corresponding modeled input may be utilized so long as the modeled input passes an acceptability test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Butler Forbes, Michael Eugene Sugars, Walter Edgar Hayes, IV, Eugene Boe, Scott Lawrence Jost, Richard Andrew Hovan, Keith Alex Smith
  • Patent number: 8645105
    Abstract: A development application can be configured to facilitate editing multiple fragments already associated with an interface design simultaneously using a graphic design application, with the fragments arranged in a logical form supported by the graphic design application. The logical form of the artwork fragments as provided to the graphic design application can correspond to the relationship between different elements of the interface design using the respective fragments. Fragments may correspond to different components, parts of components, and part states, for instance. A method can comprise accessing data defining an interface component and comprising a plurality of logically arranged elements of the component. The method can comprise extracting the artwork and arranging the artwork into a form compatible with a graphic design application. The artwork can be edited in a graphic design application and then re-integrated into the data defining the design elements of the interface after editing is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark Shepherd, Narciso Jaramillo, Robert Tyler Voliter, Michael Schiff
  • Patent number: 8639484
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for manufacturing complex parts and devices which utilize a CAD environment to design a part or device to be created (FIG. 1); Boolean, scaling, smoothing, mirroring, or other operations to modify the CAD design; a software interface to convert the CAD designed part (Data Process System) or device into a heterogeneous material and multi-part assembly model (Design Input Model) which can be used for multi-nozzle printing; and a multi-nozzle system to print the designed part or device using different, specialized nozzles (Tissue substitutes).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Wei Sun, Jae Hyun Nam, Andrew Leete Darling, Saif Khalil
  • Patent number: 8639489
    Abstract: Software for controlling processes in a heterogeneous semiconductor manufacturing environment may include a wafer-centric database, a real-time scheduler using a neural network, and a graphical user interface displaying simulated operation of the system. These features may be employed alone or in combination to offer improved usability and computational efficiency for real time control and monitoring of a semiconductor manufacturing process. More generally, these techniques may be usefully employed in a variety of real time control systems, particularly systems requiring complex scheduling decisions or heterogeneous systems constructed of hardware from numerous independent vendors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick D. Pannese, Vinaya Kavathekar, Peter van der Meulen
  • Patent number: 8635052
    Abstract: A method of transforming an input stratigraphic grid SGrid which represents a region including one or more geological discontinuities is now disclosed. At least one target cell that is local to one or more geological discontinuities is transformed by displacing at least one target vertex of the target cell of the input SGrid in a selected direction that: i) is selected to approximate a local tangent of the reference horizon; and ii) is oriented from the target vertex to a representative manifold representing one of the geological discontinuities and/or an intersection between two or more of the geological discontinuities. A magnitude of a displacement by which the target vertex is moved is determined according to a non-Euclidian distance between the target vertex of the target cell of the input SGrid and the representative manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Paradigm Ltd.
    Inventors: Jean-Laurent Mallet, Wan-Chiu Li, Jean-Claude Dulac