Patents by Inventor Andrew Karl

Andrew Karl 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: 11352537
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide methods of drying lecithin in a batch reaction, comprising the steps of obtaining lecithin-containing material (derived from a crude refining stream) comprising 15-50% water, 10-30% acetone insoluble matter, and 10-20% free fatty acid; adding a fatty acid source (also derived from a crude refining stream) to the lecithin-containing material composition to obtain a lecithin/fatty acid reaction mixture; and blowing dry gas through the gum/fatty acid reaction mixture to obtain a resultant dried lecithin fatty acid blend having a water content of less than 2%. The resultant dried lecithin fatty acid blend may be used in asphalt or oil field applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Todd L. Kurth, Suzanne Stauduhar, Andrew Karl
  • Patent number: 11332935
    Abstract: Described herein is a coupling device, associated parts and a method of use thereof. In one aspect, a coupling device is described comprising a sleeve with an inner surface that encloses at least part of at least one elongated element to be coupled; and at least one deformation means fitted with interference between, and causing local deformation about, at least part of the inner surface of the sleeve and/or an adjacent outer surface of the at least one elongated element. A deformation means insertion tool, a coupling sleeve, a deformation means, and a method of coupling at least one element are also described. The described coupling device, associated parts and a method of use offer the ability to couple together different elements in a strong and/or ductile manner, coupling being tuneable as needed to suit the preferred application. The coupling described may overcome art issues associated with bulky size of coupling, in particular, radial protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Coupler Solutions Limited
    Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Peter John Scott, Benjamin Woods, James Gray Gibson
  • Patent number: 11316404
    Abstract: Described herein is a device comprising members in a kinematic relationship. The kinematic relationship is at least partially governed by at least one magnetically induced force that introduces a force threshold that, in effect, provides a threshold to part movement and confers a degree of hysteresis, preventing movement until a sufficiently large energizing force is applied. The effect may be further altered by use of an additional magnetically induced force interaction with at least one further member to urge or slow movement once started and/or to prevent movement once a new position is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: EDDY CURRENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Christopher James Allington
  • Patent number: 11293182
    Abstract: Described herein is a coupling device, associated parts and a method of use thereof. In one aspect, a coupling device is described comprising a sleeve with an inner surface that encloses at least part of at least one elongated element to be coupled; and at least one deformation means fitted with interference between, and causing local deformation about, at least part of the inner surface of the sleeve and/or an adjacent outer surface of the at least one elongated element. A deformation means insertion tool, a coupling sleeve, a deformation means, and a method of coupling at least one element are also described. The described coupling device, associated parts and a method of use offer the ability to couple together different elements in a strong and/or ductile manner, coupling being tuneable as needed to suit the preferred application. The coupling described may overcome art issues associated with bulky size of coupling, in particular, radial protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Coupler Solutions Limited
    Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Peter John Scott, Benjamin Woods, James Gray Gibson
  • Patent number: 11280131
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment may provide a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment may include a covering material (e.g., a cellular shade fabric or a roller shade fabric), a drive assembly for raising and lowering the covering material, and a motor drive unit including a motor configured to drive the drive assembly to raise and lower the covering material. The motorized window treatment may comprise one or more battery packs configured to receive batteries for powering the motor drive unit. The batteries may be located out of view of a user of the motorized window treatment (e.g., in a headrail or in a battery compartment). The motorized window treatment may use various power-saving methods to lengthen the lifetime of the batteries, e.g., to reduce the motor speed to conserve additional battery power and extend the lifetime of the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt, Samuel F. Chambers
  • Patent number: 11266917
    Abstract: Described herein is an assembly and methods of use thereof for controlling or governing the relative speed of motion between the assembly parts via eddy current formation. The assembly and methods also may minimize the number of parts required and may minimize the number of moving parts thereby increasing the mechanical durability of the assembly compared to art designs that may have more moving parts and greater part complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Eddy Current Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20210396013
    Abstract: Described herein is a coupling device, associated parts and a method of use thereof. In one aspect, a coupling device is described comprising a sleeve with an inner surface that encloses at least part of at least one elongated element to be coupled; and at least one deformation means fitted with interference between, and causing local deformation about, at least part of the inner surface of the sleeve and/or an adjacent outer surface of the at least one elongated element. A deformation means insertion tool, a coupling sleeve, a deformation means, and a method of coupling at least one element are also described. The described coupling device, associated parts and a method of use offer the ability to couple together different elements in a strong and/or ductile manner, coupling being tuneable as needed to suit the preferred application. The coupling described may overcome art issues associated with bulky size of coupling, in particular, radial protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Peter John Scott, Benjamin Woods, James Gray Gibson
  • Publication number: 20210367498
    Abstract: Described herein are eddy current brakes and associated methods of their use, particularly configurations that have a kinematic relationship with at least two rotational degrees of freedom used to tune operation of the brake or apparatus in which the brake is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
  • Publication number: 20210359585
    Abstract: Described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of using eddy current interactions to resist relative movement between members, the magnetic flux about an eddy current region being modified beyond an inherent drag effect resulting from a simple magnetic pole arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
  • Publication number: 20210348347
    Abstract: A road safety rail system comprising at least one continuous rail, or a plurality of sequentially connected system rails, forming a main body of a barrier, which are supported above ground by one or more ground engaging posts, wherein the system also comprises a terminal end section (TES) having an upstream end and a downstream end, the TES including: a stationary component comprising one or more standard terminal end (STE)-rails at the downstream end connected to at least one formed terminal end (FTE)-rail located at the upstream end of the TES, the STE rails being supported at a set horizontal axis height above ground level by a plurality of posts; wherein the at least one FTE-rail(s)-include(s) a twist from a primarily vertical orientation to a primarily horizontal orientation; Wherein the at least one FTE rail(s) bends down from a set horizontal axis height Y above ground level to a horizontal axis height being at, or near ground level; a moving energy absorbing component comprising an impact head incl
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Karl DIEHL, Andrew Michael SARRATT, Kenneth Lloyd READMAN, Alexander Peter Hannibal NEWMAN, Andrew John Beale, Christopher James ALLINGTON, Leigh Robert BROWN
  • Publication number: 20210316697
    Abstract: Variable behaviour control mechanism with a variety of motion characteristics, the mechanism comprising means to measure a plurality of motion characteristics and to activate systems when a threshold of the motion characteristics is reached. The mechanism described is, for example, a vehicle seat belt and the mechanism minimises or prevents unwanted activation of line extension or retraction of the seat belt. A first mechanism is described where activation occurs between at least one primary system and at least one secondary system when a combination of the sensed motion characteristics achieves a threshold. A second mechanism is described where activation occurs between at least one primary system and at least one secondary system when at least one sensed motion characteristic achieves a threshold, the threshold being modified based on at least one further motion characteristic. A method of use of the above mechanisms is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Karl DIEHL, Peter SCOTT, Benjamin WOODS, Lincoln FROST
  • Publication number: 20210295441
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining an indication of whether a vehicle in a collision is a total loss. The method may include (1) receiving a first set of sensor data and telematics data associated with a first vehicle; (2) receiving a second set of sensor data and telematics data associated with a second vehicle; (3) determining a make, model, and age of the first vehicle; (4) determining a direction and an amount of a crash force exerted upon the first vehicle based upon the first and second sets of sensor data and telematics data; and (5) determining the indication of whether the first vehicle is a total loss based upon the make, model, and age of the first vehicle, and based upon the direction and amount of the crash force. By determining the indication of total loss based upon such data, time may be saved and resources may be conserved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Christina P. Mullen, Jeffrey S. Myers, Andrew Karl Pulkstenis, Stephen Russell Prevatt, Robert T. Trefzger
  • Patent number: 11123580
    Abstract: Line dispensing devices include a coupling transmission, a retraction mechanism, and a rotor that rotates around a shaft. Rotation of the rotor causes a portion of at least one pivotable member to move into and out of a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Eddy Current Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Bruce John Robertson
  • Patent number: 11114930
    Abstract: Described herein are eddy current brakes and associated methods of their use, particularly configurations that have a kinematic relationship with at least two rotational degrees of freedom used to tune operation of the brake or apparatus in which the brake is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: EDDY CURRENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
  • Publication number: 20210257897
    Abstract: Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Christopher James Allington, Kevin Andrew Wright
  • Publication number: 20210245787
    Abstract: Trolley systems and associated rails and tracks are described, the trolleys having an integrated brake system that can be adapted to slow or stop the trolley based on various control inputs (internal or external). The track system may be formed from either or both of a series of tensioned cables or tracks that are interconnected with transition system and the trolleys described, able to transition between track systems. The track system may be fitted with additional braking elements to govern motion of the trolley along a track system. Additionally, the track may be fitted with other elements that provide an external input into the trolley to modify the braking operation of the trolley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Peter David Cochetas, Andrew Karl Diehl, Daniel Charles Lewis, Alexander Peter Hannibal Newman, Macaulay James Pye, Mark Harinui Thomson
  • Publication number: 20210231180
    Abstract: Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using a system that governs a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
  • Patent number: 11050336
    Abstract: Described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of using eddy current interactions to resist relative movement between members, the magnetic flux about an eddy current region being modified beyond an inherent drag effect resulting from a simple magnetic pole arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: EDDY CURRENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
  • Publication number: 20210162245
    Abstract: Described herein are energy absorbing apparatuses and methods of their use that utilize varying energy absorbing relationships between the apparatus members to absorb an energy input. The energy absorbing process occurs via a material forming process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Dave Walters
  • Patent number: 11009089
    Abstract: Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using a system that governs a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Eddy Current Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters