Patents by Inventor Alan Majors
Alan Majors 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).
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Publication number: 20240102388Abstract: A system for controlling a turbine valve is provided. The system includes a hydraulic pilot valve section being moveable in a first direction and a second direction; a main hydraulic valve section being moveable in a first direction to close the turbine valve and a second direction to open the turbine valve; a position demand indicating a desired position of the turbine valve; a first feedback indicating an actual position of the hydraulic pilot valve section; and aa second feedback indicating an actual position of the main hydraulic valve section. The system also includes a pilot valve error; a main valve error; a turbine valve error; and a pilot valve adjustment moving the hydraulic pilot valve section in response to the turbine valve error. The turbine valve error is repeatedly determined and the pilot valve adjustment repeatedly moves the hydraulic pilot valve section to minimize the turbine valve error.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Camilo Lopez, Mark Foltz, Steve Miller, Kevin Dowdell, Mark Wieland, Alan Majors
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Patent number: 11939820Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Helmerich & Payne, Inc.Inventors: Jerry Ray Prescott, Joel Ferland, Matthew Wyatt MacDaniels, Christopher Alan Major, Patrick L. Gustafson, Robert Lee Stauder, Bernard L. Cook, DeWayne Speer
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Patent number: 11814964Abstract: A control system is provided for a turbine valve. The turbine valve has a first coil and a second coil to control or sense movement of a mechanical valve positioner. Two valve positioners are provided with each valve positioner having two drive circuits to drive the first and second coils. Switches are provided such that only one drive circuit is connected to each coil at a time. The control system may also include a hydraulic pilot valve section and a main hydraulic valve section. Feedbacks are used to determine a pilot valve error and a main valve error which are combined to determine a turbine valve error. The turbine valve error is repeatedly determined to minimize the error.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Camilo Lopez, Mark Foltz, Steve Miller, Kevin Dowdell, Mark Wieland, Alan Majors
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Patent number: 11773721Abstract: A turbine speed probe diagnostic system is provided. The turbine includes a speed probe and a speed reading circuit. A speed lead connects the speed probe and speed reading circuit together to transmit speed signals from the speed probe to the speed reading circuit. A speed probe diagnostic circuit is also provided for connection to the speed lead. An isolation switch is provided to isolate the speed probe diagnostic circuit during normal operation when the speed reading circuit is receiving speed signals from the speed probe. When no speed signals are being received, the isolation switch closes and the speed probe diagnostic circuit performs a test on the speed probe or speed lead.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Camilo Lopez, Mark Foltz, Steve Miller, Kevin Dowdell, Mark Wieland, Alan Majors
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Patent number: 11486251Abstract: A speed control system and a power load balance detector for a turbine is provided. The speed control system includes a speed wheel with a plurality of teeth. A timer stores a time stamp when each of the teeth passes by a speed probe. A first speed estimate is determined for overspeed protection, and a second speed estimate is determined for operational speed control. The power load balance detector trips or shuts down the turbine when an unbalance is above a first threshold and the speed of the turbine is above a second threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Camilo Lopez, Mark Foltz, Steve Miller, Kevin Dowdell, Mark Wieland, Alan Majors, Xudong Yang
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Publication number: 20220154602Abstract: A control system is provided for a turbine valve. The turbine valve has a first coil and a second coil to control or sense movement of a mechanical valve positioner. Two valve positioners are provided with each valve positioner having two drive circuits to drive the first and second coils. Switches are provided such that only one drive circuit is connected to each coil at a time. The control system may also include a hydraulic pilot valve section and a main hydraulic valve section. Feedbacks are used to determine a pilot valve error and a main valve error which are combined to determine a turbine valve error. The turbine valve error is repeatedly determined to minimize the error.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Camilo Lopez, Mark Foltz, Steve Miller, Kevin Dowdell, Mark Wieland, Alan Majors
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Patent number: 11225867Abstract: A breaker between two electrical circuits is provided that is closed when electrical properties in both of the electrical circuits are matching. Two check circuits are provided for comparing electrical properties of the two electrical circuits. Each of the check circuits sets a corresponding authorization to close the breaker. The breaker is only closed if both check circuits set an authorization to close the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Camilo Lopez, Mark Foltz, Steve Miller, Kevin Dowdell, Mark Wieland, Alan Majors
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Publication number: 20210340824Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Jerry Ray PRESCOTT, Joel FERLAND, Matthew Wyatt MACDANIELS, Christopher Alan MAJOR, Patrick L. GUSTAFSON, Robert Lee STAUDER, Bernard L. COOK, DeWayne SPEER
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Patent number: 11098535Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.Inventors: Jerry Ray Prescott, Jr., Joel Ferland, Matthew Wyatt MacDaniels, Christopher Alan Major, Patrick L. Gustafson, Robert Lee Stauder, Bernard Cook, DeWayne Speer
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Publication number: 20210054741Abstract: A turbine speed probe diagnostic system is provided. The turbine includes a speed probe and a speed reading circuit. A speed lead connects the speed probe and speed reading circuit together to transmit speed signals from the speed probe to the speed reading circuit. A speed probe diagnostic circuit is also provided for connection to the speed lead. An isolation switch is provided to isolate the speed probe diagnostic circuit during normal operation when the speed reading circuit is receiving speed signals from the speed probe. When no speed signals are being received, the isolation switch closes and the speed probe diagnostic circuit performs a test on the speed probe or speed lead.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Camilo Lopez, Mark Foltz, Steve Miller, Kevin Dowdell, Mark Wieland, Alan Majors
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Publication number: 20210054765Abstract: A control system is provided for a turbine valve. The turbine valve has a first coil and a second coil to control or sense movement of a mechanical valve positioner. Two valve positioners are provided with each valve positioner having two drive circuits to drive the first and second coils. Switches are provided such that only one drive circuit is connected to each coil at a time. The control system may also include a hydraulic pilot valve section and a main hydraulic valve section. Feedbacks are used to determine a pilot valve error and a main valve error which are combined to determine a turbine valve error. The turbine valve error is repeatedly determined to minimize the error.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Camilo Lopez, Mark Foltz, Steve Miller, Kevin Dowdell, Mark Wieland, Alan Majors
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Publication number: 20210054790Abstract: A speed control system and a power load balance detector for a turbine is provided. The speed control system includes a speed wheel with a plurality of teeth. A timer stores a time stamp when each of the teeth passes by a speed probe. A first speed estimate is determined for overspeed protection, and a second speed estimate is determined for operational speed control. The power load balance detector trips or shuts down the turbine when an unbalance is above a first threshold and the speed of the turbine is above a second threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Camilo Lopez, Mark Foltz, Steve Miller, Kevin Dowdell, Mark Weland, Alan Majors, Xudong Yang
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Patent number: 10849635Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for use in tissue repair. The system includes a cannulated guide, an obturator configured for insertion through the guide, a drill configured for insertion through the guide, and an anchor delivery tool configured for insertion through the guide.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Peter Klindt Sorensen, Matthew Edwin Koski, Paul Alexander Torrie, Daniel B. Ellis, Roy Alan Majors, James Joseph Sullivan
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Publication number: 20200024914Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Jerry Ray Prescott, JR., Joel Ferland, Matthew Wyatt MacDaniels, Christopher Alan Major, Patrick L. Gustafson, Robert Lee Stauder, Bernard Cook, DeWayne Speer
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Publication number: 20180360474Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for use in tissue repair. The system includes a cannulated guide, an obturator configured for insertion through the guide, a drill configured for insertion through the guide, and an anchor delivery tool configured for insertion through the guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Peter Klindt Sorensen, Matthew Edwin Koski, Paul Alexander Torrie, Daniel B. Ellis, Roy Alan Majors, James Joseph Sullivan
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Patent number: 10092303Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for use in tissue repair. The system includes a cannulated guide, an obturator configured for insertion through the guide, a drill configured for insertion through the guide, and an anchor delivery tool configured for insertion through the guide.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Peter Klindt Sorensen, James Joseph Sullivan, Paul Alexander Torrie, Matthew Edwin Koski, Roy Alan Majors
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Patent number: 8918997Abstract: A method provides for assembling a wind turbine blade from at least two blade segments, with each of the blade segments having a pressure side shell member, a suction side shell member, internal support structure, and ends with joint sections that are offset span-wise from the pressure side shell member to the suction side shell member. The blade segments are aligned in an end-to-end orientation and moved into a mating configuration with relative movement that includes overlapping the respective joint sections of adjacent blade segments. The overlapped joint sections are subsequently moved into engagement with each other and joined along respective joint profiles at a chord-wise joint.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Steven Alan Kyriakides, Scott Gabell Riddell, Alan Majors Walker
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Publication number: 20130091705Abstract: A method provides for assembling a wind turbine blade from at least two blade segments, with each of the blade segments having a pressure side shell member, a suction side shell member, internal support structure, and ends with joint sections that are offset span-wise from the pressure side shell member to the suction side shell member. The blade segments are aligned in an end-to-end orientation and moved into a mating configuration with relative movement that includes overlapping the respective joint sections of adjacent blade segments. The overlapped joint sections are subsequently moved into engagement with each other and joined along respective joint profiles at a chord-wise joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Steven Alan Kyriakides, Scott Gabell Riddell, Alan Majors Walker
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Publication number: 20130035692Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for use in tissue repair. The system includes a cannulated guide, an obturator configured for insertion through the guide, a drill configured for insertion through the guide, and an anchor delivery tool configured for insertion through the guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Inventors: Peter Klindt Sorensen, James Joseph Sullivan, Paul Alexander Torrie, Matthew Edwin Koski, Roy Alan Majors
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Publication number: 20110224727Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a suture anchor. The suture anchor includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body including threads along at least a partial length of the body and at least one through hole, the threads including a profile such that the threads located near the distal end of the body include a first shape and the threads located near the proximal end of the body include a second shape different from the first shape. Delivery devices and anchor dilators are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Mark Edwin Housman, Paul Steven Vincuilla, Richard Mark Lunn, Julie Kennelly Tripodi, Roy Alan Majors, Paul Leo Salvas, Roland Francis Gatturna