Patents by Inventor A. J. Edwards

A. J. Edwards has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11466715
    Abstract: A connector assembly may include a body including a first aperture and a second aperture; a rotating member disposed at least partially in the first aperture; and/or a mating member having a portion disposed at least partially in the second aperture. The rotating member may be configured to rotate to limit movement of the mating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Chris J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 11443178
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to implement a hardened neural network framework. A data processing system is configured to implement a hardened neural network engine that operates on a neural network to harden the neural network against evasion attacks and generates a hardened neural network. The hardened neural network engine generates a reference training data set based on an original training data set. The neural network processes the original training data set and the reference training data set to generate first and second output data sets. The hardened neural network engine calculates a modified loss function of the neural network, where the modified loss function is a combination of an original loss function associated with the neural network and a function of the first and second output data sets. The hardened neural network engine trains the neural network based on the modified loss function to generate the hardened neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Interntional Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Edwards, Taesung Lee, Ian M. Molloy, Dong Su
  • Publication number: 20220107843
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating components can include: determining, by a first application executing on a client device, a need to perform a sharable functional task; identifying a first software component installed on the client device and capable of performing a first variation of the sharable functional task; identifying a second software component installed on the client device and capable of performing a second variation of the sharable functional task, wherein the second variation of the sharable functional task is functionally overlapping with and not identical to the first variation; identifying a set of characteristics of both the first software component and the second software component; selecting the second software component for performing the sharable functional task based on the set of characteristics, where the set of characteristics includes at least a version number; and delegating performance of the sharable functional task to the second software component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew John Joseph LaMantia, Brian James Buck, Stephen J. Edwards, William Neil Robinson
  • Publication number: 20220084701
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor comprises a nuclear reactor core disposed in a pressure vessel. An isolation valve protects a penetration through the pressure vessel. The isolation valve comprises: a mounting flange connecting with a mating flange of the pressure vessel; a valve seat formed into the mounting flange; and a valve member movable between an open position and a closed position sealing against the valve seat. The valve member is disposed inside the mounting flange or inside the mating flange of the pressure vessel. A biasing member operatively connects to the valve member to bias the valve member towards the open position. The bias keeps the valve member in the open position except when a differential fluid pressure across the isolation valve and directed outward from the pressure vessel exceeds a threshold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: John D. Malloy, III, Matthew W. Ales, Michael J. Edwards, Ronald C. Watson, Andrew C. Whitten
  • Publication number: 20220051819
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor is configured with a primary coolant loop for transferring heat away from the nuclear reactor core. In a shutdown event, the primary coolant pump may stop pumping primary coolant through the reactor core, resulting in decay heat buildup within the reactor core. An inertial energy coast down system can store kinetic energy while the nuclear reactor is operating and then release the stored kinetic energy to cause the primary coolant to continue to flow through the nuclear reactor core to remove decay heat. The inertial energy coast down system may include an impeller and a flywheel having a mass. During normal reactor operation, the flowing primary coolant spins up the impeller and flywheel, and upon a shutdown event where the primary coolant pump stops pumping, the flywheel and impeller can cause the primary coolant to continue to flow during a coast down of the flywheel and impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Robert A. Corbin, Michael J. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20220051818
    Abstract: Alternative designs for a modular test reactor are presented. In one aspect, a molten fuel salt nuclear reactor includes a vessel defining a reactor volume, the vessel being open-topped and otherwise having no penetrations. A neutron reflector is provided within the vessel and displacing at least some of the reactor volume, the neutron reflector defining a reactor core volume. A plurality of heat exchangers are contained within the vessel above the neutron reflector. A flow guide assembly is provided within the neutron reflector that includes a draft tube draft tube separating a central portion of the reactor core volume from an annular downcomer duct. Fuel salt circulates from the reactor core volume, through the heat exchangers, into the downcomer duct and then back into the reactor core volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Francesco Deleo, Michael J. Edwards, Gregory T. Markham, James A. Roecker, Noor Ullah, Daniel J. Walter, Kent E. Wardle
  • Patent number: 11237875
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating components can include: determining, by a first application executing on a client device, a need to perform a sharable functional task; identifying a first software component installed on the client device and capable of performing a first variation of the sharable functional task; identifying a second software component installed on the client device and capable of performing a second variation of the sharable functional task, wherein the second variation of the sharable functional task is functionally overlapping with and not identical to the first variation; identifying a set of characteristics of both the first software component and the second software component; selecting the second software component for performing the sharable functional task based on the set of characteristics, where the set of characteristics includes at least a version number; and delegating performance of the sharable functional task to the second software component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: LOOKOUT, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew John Joseph LaMantia, Brian James Buck, Stephen J. Edwards, William Neil Robinson
  • Publication number: 20220015545
    Abstract: A seat adjuster may include a support member and a fluid bladder. The support member may have a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end may be connectable to a seat frame such that the support member is disposed at least partially below a suspension portion of said seat frame. The fluid bladder may be disposed at least partially between the support member and said suspension portion. The fluid bladder may be configured to support said suspension portion. A change or adjustment of a volume of the fluid bladder may change or adjust the support provided to said suspension portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Adam Freeman Lea, Darren Legh, David Jordan, Pete Ford, Chris Morrison, Antony Baxter, Chris J. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20220005619
    Abstract: A simple nuclear reactor in which most of the reflector material is outside of the reactor vessel is described. The reactor vessel is a cylinder that contains all of the fuel salt and a displacement component, which may be a reflector, in the upper section of the reactor vessel. Other than the displacement component, the reflector elements including a radial reflector and a bottom reflector are located outside the vessel. The salt flows around the outside surface of the displacement component through a downcomer heat exchange duct defined by the exterior of the displacement component and the interior surface of the reactor vessel. This design reduces the overall size of the reactor vessel for a given volume of salt relative to designs with internal radial or bottom reflectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, JR., Phillip Berg, Michael T. Blatnik, Michael J. Edwards, Gregory T. Markham, Daniel J. Walter
  • Publication number: 20210390627
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, data may be received indicative of a plurality of insurance claims along with an indication of an appropriate claim segment classification for each insurance claim. A first claim handler may then be automatically selected for a first insurance claim based at least in part on: (i) a first segment classification associated with the first insurance claim, (ii) numbers of other insurance claims currently assigned to claim handlers, and (iii) load factors associated with claim handlers. An indication of the selected first claim handler may then be transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Paul J. Edwards, Keren Shemesh
  • Publication number: 20210380492
    Abstract: Methods and ceramic matrix composite articles formed thereby, as well as systems for making such ceramic matrix composite articles and carrying out such methods are disclosed herein. The methods include preparing a ceramic matrix composite by steps including (a) providing reinforcing fiber, such as carbon fiber, for impregnation; (b) heat treating the reinforcing fiber; (c) impregnating the heat treated reinforcing fiber with a composition comprising a ceramic forming polymer to form a fiber reinforced, ceramic forming polymer pre-preg; and (d) heat molding the fiber reinforced, ceramic forming polymer pre-preg to form a molded ceramic matrix composite article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth Church, Timothy J. Edwards, Terry A. Herb, Christopher Corrado
  • Publication number: 20210372447
    Abstract: A connector assembly may include a body including a first aperture and a second aperture; a rotating member disposed at least partially in the first aperture; and/or a mating member having a portion disposed at least partially in the second aperture. The rotating member may be configured to rotate to limit movement of the mating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: Chris J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 11188683
    Abstract: An apparatus for intrusion detection includes processing circuitry, a switch, signal detection circuitry, and an analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”). The processing circuitry is coupled to send a challenge signal to a device when the device is coupled to the processing circuitry. The switch is coupled to be enabled and disabled by the processing circuitry. The switch is for coupling to the device to receive a response signal in response to the challenge signal sent by the processing circuitry. The signal detection circuitry is coupled to receive the response signal in via the switch, when the processing circuitry enables the switch. The ADC is coupled to take measurements of the signal detection circuitry at a first output. The processing circuitry is coupled to the ADC and configured to analyze whether an intruder is present in the device based on the measurements of the signal detection circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Nathan J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 11188789
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method comprising receiving a training set comprising a plurality of data points, where a neural network is trained as a classifier based on the training set. The method further comprises, for each data point of the training set, classifying the data point with one of a plurality of classification labels using the trained neural network, and recording neuronal activations of a portion of the trained neural network in response to the data point. The method further comprises, for each classification label that a portion of the training set has been classified with, clustering a portion of all recorded neuronal activations that are in response to the portion of the training set, and detecting one or more poisonous data points in the portion of the training set based on the clustering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bryant Chen, Wilka Carvalho, Heiko H. Ludwig, Ian Michael Molloy, Taesung Lee, Jialong Zhang, Benjamin J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 11189385
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor comprises a nuclear reactor core disposed in a pressure vessel. An isolation valve protects a penetration through the pressure vessel. The isolation valve comprises: a mounting flange connecting with a mating flange of the pressure vessel; a valve seat formed into the mounting flange; and a valve member movable between an open position and a closed position sealing against the valve seat. The valve member is disposed inside the mounting flange or inside the mating flange of the pressure vessel. A biasing member operatively connects to the valve member to bias the valve member towards the open position. The bias keeps the valve member in the open position except when a differential fluid pressure across the isolation valve and directed outward from the pressure vessel exceeds a threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: BWXT mPower, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Malloy, III, Matthew W. Ales, Michael J. Edwards, Ronald C. Watson, Andrew C. Whitten
  • Patent number: 11154446
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a portable chair for a disabled individual is disclosed. The portable chair includes a webbing configured to support at least a back and legs of the individual and a plurality of handles around the webbing and weaved together to support the webbing. The handles are configured for lifting the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Dana J. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20210299037
    Abstract: An oral pharmabiotic system is disclosed for improving oral, dental, and systemic health by repopulating and reshaping the flora within a patient's oral environment in a manner that overcomes the deficiencies of prior oral probiotic products. By formulating the pharmabiotic system as a strip for adhesive placement within a patients' oral cavity, preferably against the buccal mucosa, alveolar mucosa, oral labial mucosa, or a dental appliance, and configuring the parameters of the strip such that neither disadhesion nor complete dissolution occurs for at least a period of at least three hours during daytime use and at least six hours during nighttime use, the probiotic payload contained within may remain in the oral cavity for a sufficient length of time required for the probiotics to activate, replicate, and displace existing harmful oral pathobiotics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventor: Steven J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 11132444
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for evaluating a trained machine learning model to determine whether the machine learning model has a backdoor trigger. The mechanisms process a test dataset to generate output classifications for the test dataset, and generate, for the test dataset, gradient data indicating a degree of change of elements within the test dataset based on the output generated by processing the test dataset. The mechanisms analyze the gradient data to identify a pattern of elements within the test dataset indicative of a backdoor trigger. The mechanisms generate, in response to the analysis identifying the pattern of elements indicative of a backdoor trigger, an output indicating the existence of the backdoor trigger in the trained machine learning model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wilka Carvalho, Bryant Chen, Benjamin J. Edwards, Taesung Lee, Ian M. Molloy, Jialong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210287815
    Abstract: Apparatuses for reducing or eliminating Type 1 LOCAs in a nuclear reactor vessel. A nuclear reactor including a nuclear reactor core comprising a fissile material, a pressure vessel containing the nuclear reactor core immersed in primary coolant disposed in the pressure vessel, and an isolation valve assembly including, an isolation valve vessel having a single open end with a flange, a spool piece having a first flange secured to a wall of the pressure vessel and a second flange secured to the flange of the isolation valve vessel, a fluid flow line passing through the spool piece to conduct fluid flow into or out of the first flange wherein a portion of the fluid flow line is disposed in the isolation valve vessel, and at least one valve disposed in the isolation valve vessel and operatively connected with the fluid flow line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: John D. Malloy, III, Michael J. Edwards
  • Patent number: D940874
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventor: Kendrick J. Edwards