Patents Examined by John R. Cottingham
  • Patent number: 8442665
    Abstract: A system is disclosed including a three-dimensional object having a non-conforming region, and a photogrammetry device adapted to scan the three-dimensional object. The system further includes optical reference targets and a controller structured to perform functions of repairing the three-dimensional object. The controller commands the photogrammetry device to scan the three-dimensional object, and calculates a nominal surface location and contour for the three-dimensional object. The controller further commands the photogrammetry device to scan the non-conforming region of the three-dimensional object, and calculates a material removal tool path comprising a path adapted to remove material from the object located beyond the nominal surface location and contour. The controller generates a solid model of the damaged region of the object based on the nominal surface location and contour, and computes a material addition tool path according to the solid model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Krause
  • Patent number: 8370124
    Abstract: An emulation system includes a central time source generating a time reference and an emulated spacecraft control processor which contains an embedded processor that provides an emulated input/output interface to communicate simulated spacecraft data. The embedded processor processes the simulated spacecraft data and contains a real time clock engine having a real-time clock period. The system further has a first simulation that processes attitude control system data from the emulated spacecraft control processor to simulate an attitude control system of the spacecraft in real-time. The first simulation engine operative to produce sensor data for input to the emulated spacecraft control processor based on the simulated system dynamics and adjusts the real time clock period in response to the time reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Gold, John D. Haskell, David L. Koza, Michael J. Surace, Steven R. Zammit
  • Patent number: 8364326
    Abstract: A group of sensor devices is connected to the power line and configured for collecting power usage information and enabling power management to reduce the carbon foot print of the home, as well as to provide local area networking. In one embodiment of the invention, the devices include an intelligent master sensor and its sub-sets, such as a communication and power management sensor and a power control switch sensor. The master device is configured to collect, compile, and communicate the collected data via the web or other communication medium to the outside world. The master device also receives and distributes control instructions that are used to control the power usage via the associated switches in the home or office. The sensors are used in the home or office environment to provide integrated sensing and control of home power usage and power management, while establishing a LAN having communication capability, including streaming media delivery capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation
    Inventors: Mingyao Xia, Eric Grubel, Dan Castellano
  • Patent number: 8364320
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the highly precise regulation of load-variable heat sources or heat sinks, and to a device for controlling the temperature of a dynamic heat source, especially of pump diodes for solid-state lasers. According to said method, the calculated mean value of the forward flow temperature and the return flow temperature is preset as an actual value for regulating the power, in order to ensure a stabilization of the heat source even without any information on the type of thermal load and the heat quantity to be dissipated, by the mean reference temperature for the heat flow to or from the temperature-controlling medium being maintained at a constant value irrespective of the heat quantity to be dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Arges Gesellschaft für Industrieplanung und Lasertechnik M.B.H.
    Inventors: Markus Guggenmos, Martin Hartmann
  • Patent number: 8358364
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes one or more first receivers, a transmitter and a change module. The first receivers are configured to receive a command signal which instructs change of a power control state from another electronic apparatus. The transmitter is configured to transmit, to the another electronic apparatus, standby-capability information that includes a communication method adopted by the first receivers and a signal form specifying the command signal. The change module is configured to change the power control state when the first receivers receive the command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Keiji Saito, Takeshi Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8352092
    Abstract: A method and system for workload balancing to assist in power grid load management. The method includes receiving a request to perform a task at a site powered by connection to an AC power grid, the task comprising either data processing or manufacturing an article; measuring an AC frequency of the AC power grid to obtain a current AC frequency; and performing or not performing the task at the site based on the current AC frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Jensen Boss, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, Julianne Frances Haugh, Anne R. Sand
  • Patent number: 8340832
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the computerized management system for controlling energy consumption for energy consumers using a smart meter may include a database that contains contract provisions for energy consumers. Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the system include a database interface adapted to allow the system to access the contract provisions to optimize energy consumption based upon available energy. The system may also include a managing data component that is adapted to manage data between the database and the smart meter. In exemplary embodiments, a communication network connecting the system to the database and the smart meter may be included. Additionally, some exemplary embodiments of the system include a protocol converting component that is adapted to act as an interface for application programming or protocol converting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Liebert Corporation, Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford M. Nacke, Jon VanDonkelaar, Daniel R. Borneo, Ted Justice, Mark Eiseman, Andrew Holtom, Craig E. Kasper
  • Patent number: 8340803
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a technique that avoids occurrence of interference among multiple placement heads, when multiple placement heads simultaneously access a circuit board, and a pallet which is arranged in one direction with respect to the circuit board. When the component placement part 150 having the multiple placement heads simultaneously pick up the components from the pallet 160 and simultaneously place the components on the circuit board, the controller 140 specifies a pair of component groups to be picked up simultaneously from the pallet 160 by the multiple placement heads and places the components on the circuit board, so that an area where the multiple placement heads move in overlapping manner is minimized, and the placement heads respectively pick up the components included in the pair of component groups being specified and place the components on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Instruments Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Chida, Takahiro Nakano, Koichi Izuhara, Yoshiyuki Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 8339260
    Abstract: A hazardous area in the region surrounding a reel transport of a reel changer is secured. A contactless protective device is located at the access boundaries of the region. This protective device can be deactivated for feeding and/or removing a known object and comprises an evaluation unit. The protective device is configured as a light curtain that is comprised of a plurality of light beams that run in parallel to each other. The evaluation unit includes an assembly for detecting the sequence of the interruption of the light beams during the feeding and/or the removal of an object. Based on the detected sequence of interruption of the light beams, a known object, that is permitted to access the hazardous area, is detected. The protective device is deactivated in this situation. Securing the hazardous area further includes the provision of a second contactless protective device that is permanently active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Katja Paula Krieger, Manfred Wilhelm Maierhöfer, Klaus Karl Müller, Josef Herbert Olbort, Karlheinz Rahner, Senad Ugljesa
  • Patent number: 8332075
    Abstract: Controllers for controlling heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems are provided. The controllers include graphical user interfaces for user adjustment of system settings. The graphical user interfaces also may be designed to present information that facilitates user understanding of system operations. In certain embodiments, the controllers may allow users to adjust balance point and/or LTCO temperature values. In these embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may include slide bars for adjusting the balance point and/or LTCO temperature values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ralph Harrod, Bradley A. Beers, Grant E. Carmichael, Brian D. Rigg
  • Patent number: 8332076
    Abstract: A wind farm with plural wind turbines which are connectible to a farm grid that is in turn connectible to an electricity supply mains via a connection point, wherein the wind farm features the following: a central control system, which determines a correction value for a local desired value for one or plural wind turbines by way of a first regulator, depending on an actual value of an electric variable before or after the connection point, and a turbine control for at least one wind turbine, which determines a local desired value for an electric variable to be generated by the wind turbine by way of a second regulator, depending on an actual value of an electric variable measured in the farm grid, wherein the turbine control determines the sum of the local desired value and the correction value as the total desired value for the electric variable of the wind turbine to be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Fischle, Ulrich Harms, Mark Jurkat, Kay Richter
  • Patent number: 8326464
    Abstract: A return fan control system for an HVAC system comprises a supply fan control loop, a return fan control loop and a building pressure control system. The supply fan control loop comprises a duct pressure controller arranged to control a supply fan to a duct pressure setpoint. The return plenum pressure control loop comprises a return plenum pressure controller arranged to automatically control a return fan to a return plenum pressure setpoint determined by a setpoint reset function. The building pressure control system is operable to control a building pressure. The building pressure control system may comprise a building pressure control loop and an outside air control loop cooperatively arranged to control an exhaust damper in response to an outside air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Clanin
  • Patent number: 8326441
    Abstract: In the case of a control system (1) for a plurality of consumers (10) arranged in a distributed manner, in particular for lamp operating devices, having at least one command generator (5), a control line (2) which connects the command generator (5) with each consumer (10) and associated with each consumer (10) a transmission and reception unit (11) provided for communication with the command generator (5), an operating address is allocated to each consumer (10) via which the consumer (10) can be contacted by the command generator (5). In accordance with the invention there is associated with each consumer (10) a memory element (20), separate from the consumer (10), for storing the operating address, wherein the memory element (20) is connected with the associated consumer (10) via the control line (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Zumtobel Lighting GmbH
    Inventors: Karlheinz Fenkart, Bernhard Klocker
  • Patent number: 8321037
    Abstract: A station address displayed in a display field W5 coincides with a station address of the PLC to which this personal computer is connected. Further, bit addresses of respective output variables are displayed in a display field W1. For example, a corresponding bit corresponding to a check box whose address of the output variable is 00L1E and whose station address of the destination PLC is 2 is an output schedule definition bit Rb1E in an output schedule definition frame RF02 stored in a first storing unit TBL1. Therefore, a value of the output schedule definition bit Rb0E is defined as 0 (output is not scheduled). When an OK button W4 is clicked, respective output schedule definition frames are transferred to a PLC 10 and then are stored in the first storing unit TBL1 respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Araki
  • Patent number: 8321062
    Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine that includes a flow control system includes operating the wind turbine in a first mode, operating the wind turbine in a second mode that is different than the first mode, acquiring operational data of the wind turbine during at least the second mode, determining an effectiveness of the flow control system using the acquired operational data, and performing an action based on the effectiveness of the flow control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jacob Johannes Nies, Wouter Haans
  • Patent number: 8315747
    Abstract: In an electronic device whose source of electric power is a fuel cell and which has a heat radiator that radiates heat by evaporating water generated in accordance with electric power generation of the fuel cell, there are provided a use condition detector that detects use condition of the electronic device, a heat radiation suppression discriminator that discriminates whether to suppress heat radiation by the heat radiator based on use condition detected by the use condition detector, and a heat radiation suppression controller that controls to suppress heat radiation by the heat radiator as a result of the discrimination by the heat radiation suppression discriminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8306670
    Abstract: A system for protecting, controlling, and monitoring substation devices of a power system, includes a spare protection and control unit that, when there is a failure in a protection and control unit from among protection and control units that perform a protection and control operation for the substation devices, downloads unit information including software and a device setting value of failed protection and control unit from a database unit and functions as an alternative unit for the failed protection and control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeto Oda
  • Patent number: 8306668
    Abstract: A system is disposed at a location of a utility commodity subscriber for informing the subscriber of and controlling utility commodity usage. The system includes utility meters, an information and control apparatus, and a first and second data communication link. The meters measure usage and generate usage signals. The information and control apparatus includes a microprocessor, a memory, a clock, and a user interface. The first data communication link is between the utility meters and the information and control apparatus, and the second data communication link is between the information and control apparatus and one or more central locations. The second communication link also provides rate information to the information and control apparatus and utility commodity usage data to the one or more central locations. The microprocessor computes an accumulated cost of utility commodity for a predetermined period of time. Information related to the accumulated cost is output to the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: USCL Corporation
    Inventors: Tomer D. Tamarkin, Robert S. Block, Phillip M. Fine
  • Patent number: 8301290
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method of correcting systematic, design-based, parametric variations on integrated circuit chips to minimize circuit limited yield loss. Processing information and a map of a chip are stored. The processing information can indicate an impact, on a given device parameter, of changes in a value for a specification associated with a given process step. The map can indicate regional variations in the device parameter (e.g., threshold voltage). Based on the processing information and using the map as a guide, different values for the specification are determined, each to be applied in a different region of the integrated circuit chip during the process step in order to offset the mapped regional parametric variations. A process tool can then be selectively controlled to ensure that during chip manufacturing the process step is performed accordingly and, thereby to ensure that the regional parametric variations are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Culp, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Kirk D. Peterson, Jed H. Rankin
  • Patent number: 8301286
    Abstract: A remote high-performance computing material joining and material forming modeling system (100) enables a remote user (10) using a user input device (20) to use high speed computing capabilities to model materials joining and material forming processes. The modeling system (100) includes an interface module (200), an application module (300), a computing module (400), and a scheduling module (500). The interface module (200) is in operative communication with the user input device (20), as well as the application module (300), the computing module (400), and the scheduling module (500). The application module (300) is in operative communication with the interface module (200) and the computing module (400). The scheduling module (500) is in operative communication with the interface module (200) and the computing module (400). Lastly, the computing module (400) is in operative communication with the interface module (200), the application module (300), and the scheduling module (500).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Edison Welding Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudarsanam S. Babu, Chris Conrardy, Shuchi P. Khurana, Wei Zhang, Wei Gan