Patents by Inventor Alan SCHMIDT
Alan SCHMIDT 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: 20240152148Abstract: A system and method are provided that enable improved or optimized traffic flow through intersections with conditional convoying based on path network analysis. In some embodiments, the system and/or method comprise: an autonomous first agent traveling along a first path through an intersection; an autonomous second agent traveling along a second path; and at least one processor configured to selectively grant or deny the second agent access to the intersection based, at least in part, on the first agent's travel relative to the intersection.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2023Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Jeff Hoskinson, Nicholas Alan Melchior, Benjamin George Schmidt
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Publication number: 20240150159Abstract: A robotic vehicle, such as an autonomous mobile robot (AMR), is provided, comprising a chassis, a navigation system, and a load engagement portion, a plurality of sensors, including an object detection sensor, and a load interaction system. The AMR is configured to perform a load drop and a load pickup within a zone without using predetermined load pick up and drop off locations within the zone. The AMR can determine where to place a load within the zone based on proximity to another object or physical structure within the zone. A location of the zone on the AMR's route can be trained, but pickup and drop locations within the zone can be untrained and undefined in advance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2023Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Nicholas Alan Melchior, Andrew Dempsey Tracy, Benjamin George Schmidt, Ryan Young, Livia Phillips
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Publication number: 20240111585Abstract: Provided are a resource management system and method, which can be implemented in the context of autonomously navigating vehicles, such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). A route and a graph network are provided, wherein the graph network comprises interconnected nodes representing resources in an environment. The resources include shared spaces and non-shared spaces accessible by the vehicle navigating the route. A resource manager module analyzes the route based on the graph network to determine one or more sets of related shared spaces on the route; applies an ordering algorithm to generate a hierarchy associated with each set of related shared spaces; and, for each set of related shared spaces, generates a set of behaviors to be executed by the vehicle to request access to the set of related shared spaces based on the associated hierarchy.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Nicholas Alan Melchior, Benjamin George Schmidt, Andrew Dempsey Tracy
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Patent number: 11943881Abstract: An arc flash management system including a cabinet having multiple walls surrounding electrical equipment capable of producing arc flash, at least one aperture within one of the walls, and an arc exhaust attachment emanating from at least one of the apertures for directing possible arc flash away from the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Hollinger, Alan Schmidt
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Patent number: 11502674Abstract: An analog switch includes a first field effect transistor (FET) which has a first terminal coupled to an input voltage terminal, a second terminal coupled to a common source, and a control terminal coupled to a common gate. The switch includes a second FET which has a first terminal coupled to an output voltage terminal, a second terminal coupled to the common source, and a control terminal coupled to the common gate. The switch includes a switched current source which has an input coupled to a high voltage supply terminal and an output coupled to the common gate. The switch includes a clamp circuit which has a first terminal coupled to the common gate, a second terminal coupled to the common source, and a third terminal coupled to the low voltage supply terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Thomas Alan Schmidt, Vikas Suma Vinay
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Patent number: 11489519Abstract: An analog switch includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a common gate, and a common source. The switch includes a current source which has a first input coupled to a first voltage supply, a control input coupled to receive a gate boost signal, and an output coupled to the common gate. The current source supplies a boost gate current to the common gate during a boost period and supplies a reduced gate current during a second period different than the boost period. The switch includes a clamp circuit which has a first terminal coupled to the common gate, a second terminal coupled to the common source, and a third terminal. The switch includes a Vgs detection circuit which provides the gate boost signal responsive to a conduction of current through the clamp circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Thomas Alan Schmidt, Sean Patrick McEnroe
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Publication number: 20220124918Abstract: An arc flash management system including a cabinet having multiple walls surrounding electrical equipment capable of producing arc flash, at least one aperture within one of the walls, and an arc exhaust attachment emanating from at least one of the apertures for directing possible arc flash away from the cabinet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Hollinger, Alan Schmidt
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Publication number: 20220021380Abstract: An analog switch includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a common gate, and a common source. The switch includes a current source which has a first input coupled to a first voltage supply, a control input coupled to receive a gate boost signal, and an output coupled to the common gate. The current source supplies a boost gate current to the common gate during a boost period and supplies a reduced gate current during a second period different than the boost period. The switch includes a clamp circuit which has a first terminal coupled to the common gate, a second terminal coupled to the common source, and a third terminal. The switch includes a Vgs detection circuit which provides the gate boost signal responsive to a conduction of current through the clamp circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Thomas Alan Schmidt, Sean Patrick McEnroe
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Publication number: 20220021381Abstract: An analog switch includes a first field effect transistor (FET) which has a first terminal coupled to an input voltage terminal, a second terminal coupled to a common source, and a control terminal coupled to a common gate. The switch includes a second FET which has a first terminal coupled to an output voltage terminal, a second terminal coupled to the common source, and a control terminal coupled to the common gate. The switch includes a switched current source which has an input coupled to a high voltage supply terminal and an output coupled to the common gate. The switch includes a clamp circuit which has a first terminal coupled to the common gate, a second terminal coupled to the common source, and a third terminal coupled to the low voltage supply terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Thomas Alan Schmidt, Vikas Suma Vinay
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Publication number: 20200378841Abstract: An indicator tab comprising a thermochromic material is mounted in thermal contact with an electrical component in an enclosure. An observation port in a cover of the enclosure is juxtaposed with the indicator tab enabling visual observation of the thermochromic material indicating a temperature of the component. Each indicator tab comprises a visible portion on one end of an arm where the thermochromic material is located and a fastening portion on the other end thermally contacting the component. The indicator tab is composed of a material having a high thermal conductivity to efficiently conduct heat toward the visible portion. In an enclosure where the components are close together, the arm may be composed of a high electrical resistivity material to avoid creating a short circuit with other components. Alternately, in an enclosure where the components are not closely positioned, the arm may be composed of a metallic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2019Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Daniel HOLLINGER, Alan SCHMIDT
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Patent number: 8313229Abstract: An agitation system including a motor that is capable of measuring the torque output of the motor required to mix a suspension. The motor is attached to an agitator which is placed in a suspension to be measured. The agitator is placed in the suspension and the agitation system is turned on for a period of time. This period determined by the type of agitator used and the characteristics of the suspension. When the suspension is well mixed and the torque measurement on the agitator becomes stable, the agitation system is stopped. The suspension is allowed to sit without agitation for a period of time and the agitation system is started again. After a period of time the agitation system is started and the amount of torque needed to begin turning the agitator is measured.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Michael Joe Brannon, Craig Alan Schmidt
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Publication number: 20110152164Abstract: A wet wipe that is formed from a nonwoven structure that comprises a matrix of at least one meltblown fibrous material and at least one secondary fibrous material is disclosed. A weight ratio of the at least one secondary fibrous material to the at least one meltblown fibrous material may be between about 40/60 to about 90/10. Additionally, the nonwoven structure has a first side with a textured surface having a three-dimensional texture that includes a plurality of peaks and valleys and a second side with a substantially planar surface. The nonwoven structure includes about 150 to about 600 wt. % of a liquid solution to prepare a wet wipe. The difference in a cleaning pickup percentage between the first side and the second side of the wet wipe is less than 30%, more desirably less than 20%, and even more desirably less than 15%.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Kenneth Bradley Close, Lisa Lynne Nickel, Michael Alan Schmidt, Paulin Pawar, Corey William Bucher, William George Stoeger
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Publication number: 20100202245Abstract: An agitation system including a motor that is capable of measuring the torque output of the motor required to mix a suspension. The motor is attached to an agitator which is placed in a suspension to be measured. The agitator is placed in the suspension and the agitation system is turned on for a period of time. This period determined by the type of agitator used and the characteristics of the suspension. When the suspension is well mixed and the torque measurement on the agitator becomes stable, the agitation system is stopped. The suspension is allowed to sit without agitation for a period of time and the agitation system is started again. After a period of time the agitation system is started and the amount of torque needed to begin turning the agitator is measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Michael Joe Brannon, Craig Alan Schmidt
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Patent number: 7487183Abstract: To reduce the amount of additional coding required each time end users request new email notifications, based on a combination of specific field values, a new process for end-user email notifications is used to provide the user or database owner/administrator the ability to create these specific rules more easily. Each time an update is done in the master work flow document, the new process cycles through the filter rules and will provide the relevant email to the end-user. Other embodiments or examples are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2008Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Jeffrey Alan Schmidt
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Patent number: 7406901Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting and threading a sheet of material is described. The apparatus can facilitate the transfer of a sheet from a sheet forming machine to a processing machine, and can halt the feeding of sheet material to the processing machine. When the processing machine is ready to receive more sheet material, the apparatus cuts the sheet and feeds the newly formed sheet to the processing machine.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Michael Alan Schmidt, Paul Kerner Pauling, Joel Andrew Cowden
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Patent number: 7399796Abstract: A jettable non-curable support material composition useful for three-dimensional ink jet printing comprising at least one fatty alcohol and at least one abietic rosin ester alcohol, wherein the support material has a melting point between about 50° C. to about 65° C. and a freezing point between about 45° C. to about 55° C.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.Inventors: Pingyong Xu, Stephen A. Ruatta, Kris Alan Schmidt, Vu A. Doan
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Patent number: 7378460Abstract: A UV curable composition useful for three-dimensional inkjet printing comprising (i) at least one UV curable urethane (meth)acrylate resin; (ii) at least one wax; (iii) at least one (meth)acrylate diluent; (iv) at least one photoinitiator; and (v) at least one polymerization inhibitor; wherein the amount of wax (ii) is sufficient to phase change the UV curable composition after jetting.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2004Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kris Alan Schmidt, Vu A. Doan, Pingyong Xu, John S. Stockwell, Susan Kay Holden
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Publication number: 20080037363Abstract: An agitation system including a motor that is capable of measuring the torque output of the motor required to mix a suspension. The motor is attached to an agitator which is placed in a suspension to be measured. The agitator is placed in the suspension and the agitation system is turned on for a period of time. This period determined by the type of agitator used and the characteristics of the suspension. When the suspension is well mixed and the torque measurement on the agitator becomes stable, the agitation system is stopped. The suspension is allowed to sit without agitation for a period of time and the agitation system is started again. After a period of time the agitation system is started and the amount of torque needed to begin turning the agitator is measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Michael Joe Brannon, Craig Alan Schmidt
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Patent number: 7176253Abstract: A jettable non-curable support material composition useful for three-dimensional ink jet printing comprising at least one fatty alcohol and at least one abietic rosin ester alcohol, wherein the support material has a melting point between about 50° C. to about 65° C. and a freezing point between about 45° C. to about 55° C.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.Inventors: Pingyong Xu, Stephen A. Ruatta, Kris Alan Schmidt, Vu A. Doan
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Patent number: 7036550Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional object includes the steps of forming a mixture that contains a binder and a least one of aluminum or a first aluminum-base alloy into a green composite, removing the binder from said green composite, forming a porous perform structure, reacting the aluminum or first aluminum base alloy with nitrogen to form a rigid and continuous skeleton and infiltrating the porous structure with molten aluminum or second aluminum base alloy to form the three-dimensional object with near theoretical density. The green composite may be formed by an additive process such as computer aided rapid prototyping, for example, selective laser sintering. The method facilitates the rapid manufacture of aluminum components by an inexpensive technique that provides high dimensional stability and high density.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: University of QueenslandInventors: Graham Barry Schaffer, Timothy Barry Sercombe, Kenneth J. Newell, Kris Alan Schmidt