Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Smith

Bruce A. Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20220162529
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing constituent materials from brewer's spent grains (BSG) for making packaging and/or products. The spent grains are arranged into a set of balanced constituent materials of approximately 80% to 90% grains, 10% to 20% hops, and less than 1% of spices by weight. This set of constituent materials is then formed into products, such as paper and packaging. The paper can be used to create labels or other carriers for beverages, especially for bottled beverages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Darin MCKNIGHT, Jason KELLY, Bruce SMITH, Ray A. TOMS
  • Patent number: 11324323
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a structural lattice structure having a first stiffness, and a compressive lattice structure supported by the structural lattice structure and having a second stiffness less than the first stiffness. A skin lattice structure is supported by the compressive lattice structure, wherein the skin lattice structure is resistant to shear deformation in response to a normal force and is expandable in a direction transverse to the normal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Carl V. Forslund, III, John Richard Hamilton, Kurt R. Heidmann, James Ludwig, Bruce Smith, Aaron Michael Porterfield
  • Publication number: 20220126226
    Abstract: Filter media, such as electret-containing filtration media for filtering gas streams (e.g., air), are described herein. In some embodiments, the filter media may be designed to have desirable properties such as stable filtration efficiency over the lifetime of the filter media, increased normalized gamma, relatively low pressure drop (i.e. resistance), and/or relatively low basis weight. In certain embodiments, the filter media may be a composite of two or more types of fiber layers where each layer may be designed to enhance its function without substantially negatively impacting the performance of another layer of the media. For example, one layer of the media may be designed to have a relatively low basis weight and/or a relatively high air permeability, and another layer of the media may be designed to have stable filtration efficiency and/or a relatively high efficiency throughout the filter media's lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Syed Gulrez, Jeremy Andrew Collingwood, Sudheer Jinka, Bruce Smith, Mark A. Gallimore
  • Publication number: 20220105453
    Abstract: Filter media, such as electret-containing filtration media for filtering gas streams (e.g., air), are described herein. In some embodiments, the filter media may be designed to have desirable properties such as stable filtration efficiency over the lifetime of the filter media, increased normalized gamma, relatively low pressure drop (i.e. resistance), and/or relatively low basis weight. In certain embodiments, the filter media may be a composite of two or more types of fiber layers where each layer may be designed to enhance its function without substantially negatively impacting the performance of another layer of the media. For example, one layer of the media may be designed to have a relatively low basis weight and/or a relatively high air permeability, and another layer of the media may be designed to have stable filtration efficiency and/or a relatively high efficiency throughout the filter media's lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Sudheer Jinka, Bruce Smith, Mark A. Gallimore
  • Patent number: 11283683
    Abstract: A system may include multiple network devices that communicate within a network domain, and a centralized control device configured to perform operations. The operations may include receive a request to modify one or more policies regarding traffic within the network domain, and in response to receiving the request, capture a snapshot of the network domain before modification of the one or more policies. The operations may also include, in response to receiving the request, generate a prediction of the network domain after modification of the one or more policies, and compare the snapshot of the network domain to the prediction of the network domain. The operations may additionally include, based on the comparison of the snapshot and the prediction, provide a predicted impact on the network domain, and, based on the predicted impact being above a threshold, provide an indication that the predicted impact is above the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Rodney Bruce Smith
  • Publication number: 20220054961
    Abstract: Filter media, such as electret-containing filtration media for filtering gas streams (e.g., air), are described herein. In some embodiments, the filter media may be designed to have desirable properties such as stable filtration efficiency over the lifetime of the filter media, increased normalized gamma, relatively low pressure drop (i.e. resistance), and/or relatively low basis weight. In certain embodiments, the filter media may be a composite of two or more types of fiber layers where each layer may be designed to enhance its function without substantially negatively impacting the performance of another layer of the media. For example, one layer of the media may be designed to have a relatively low basis weight and/or a relatively high air permeability, and another layer of the media may be designed to have stable filtration efficiency and/or a relatively high efficiency throughout the filter media's lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventor: Bruce Smith
  • Publication number: 20210402250
    Abstract: Among other things, a rowing technology includes a first rowing machine having an electromagnetic brake providing a resistance to a rower of the machine in each rowing stroke of a series of rowing strokes of the rower An electronic controller causes the resistance of the electromagnetic brake to vary over each rowing stroke in a profile that emulates resistance to which another rower in a shell on water or on a second rowing machine is subjected in each rowing stroke of a corresponding series of rowing strokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Bruce Smith, Chris Paul, Christopher Evans, Gerhard Pawelka, William Burke, Harald Quintus-Bosz, Klaus Renner
  • Patent number: 11130017
    Abstract: Among other things, a rowing technology includes a first rowing machine having an electromagnetic brake providing a resistance to a rower of the machine in each rowing stroke of a series of rowing strokes of the rower An electronic controller causes the resistance of the electromagnetic brake to vary over each rowing stroke in a profile that emulates resistance to which another rower in a shell on water or on a second rowing machine is subjected in each rowing stroke of a corresponding series of rowing strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Hydrow, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Smith, Chris Paul, Christopher Evans, Gerhard Pawelka, William Burke, Harald Quintus-Bosz, Klaus Renner
  • Patent number: 11077394
    Abstract: Filter media, such as electret-containing filtration media for filtering gas streams (e.g., air), are described herein. In some embodiments, the filter media may be designed to have desirable properties such as stable filtration efficiency over the lifetime of the filter media, increased normalized gamma, relatively low pressure drop (i.e. resistance), and/or relatively low basis weight. In certain embodiments, the filter media may be a composite of two or more types of fiber layers where each layer may be designed to enhance its function without substantially negatively impacting the performance of another layer of the media. For example, one layer of the media may be designed to have a relatively low basis weight and/or a relatively high air permeability, and another layer of the media may be designed to have stable filtration efficiency and/or a relatively high efficiency throughout the filter media's lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventor: Bruce Smith
  • Publication number: 20210187421
    Abstract: Filter media comprising a non-wetlaid backer are generally provided. In some embodiments, a filter media comprises a non-wetlaid fiber web and further comprises one or more further fiber webs. The further fiber web(s) may include an efficiency layer and/or a prefilter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: David T, Healey, Bruce Smith, Jennifer Dana Leary, Greg Wagner Farell
  • Publication number: 20210178304
    Abstract: Filter media, such as electret-containing filtration media for filtering gas streams (e.g., air), are described herein. In some embodiments, the filter media may be designed to have desirable properties such as stable filtration efficiency over the lifetime of the filter media, increased normalized gamma, relatively low pressure drop (i.e. resistance), and/or relatively low basis weight. In certain embodiments, the filter media may be a composite of two or more types of fiber layers where each layer may be designed to enhance its function without substantially negatively impacting the performance of another layer of the media. For example, one layer of the media may be designed to have a relatively low basis weight and/or a relatively high air permeability, and another layer of the media may be designed to have stable filtration efficiency and/or a relatively high efficiency throughout the filter media's lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Sudheer Jinka, Bruce Smith, Mark A. Gallimore
  • Patent number: 11034576
    Abstract: An upholstery system for forming a curved furniture surface includes two surfaces that form a corner, two planar elements that are each positioned on one of the two surfaces, and a plurality of contoured elements positioned between the two planar elements and along the corner. Each of the plurality of contoured elements includes a curved surface. The system also includes at least one piece of fabric that includes at least three sections, which are connected to each other in a series such that adjacent sections form a connection portion. The system further includes a plurality of clips positioned on each of the two surfaces. The at least three sections of the at least one piece of fabric are positioned over the planar elements and the plurality of contoured elements. The connected portion of adjacent sections of the at least one piece of fabric is connected to the plurality of clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Smith, Ryan McGovern, Rolf Pascal Hien, Mark Spoelhof, Greg Opatik, Kade Roggentine
  • Patent number: 11018937
    Abstract: A method may include identifying a first set of values indicative of a present state of a software-defined network (SDN). The method may further include receiving one or more proposed changes to the SDN via an interface. The method may also include determining, based on the one or more proposed changes to the SDN, a potential state of the SDN and a second set of values indicative of the potential state of the SDN. The method may further include generating a change index based on a comparison of the first set of values with the second set of values. The method may also include providing the change index via the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Rodney Bruce Smith
  • Publication number: 20210093090
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a structural lattice structure having a first stiffness, and a compressive lattice structure supported by the structural lattice structure and having a second stiffness less than the first stiffness. A skin lattice structure is supported by the compressive lattice structure, wherein the skin lattice structure is resistant to shear deformation in response to a normal force and is expandable in a direction transverse to the normal force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Carl V. Forslund, III, John Richard Hamilton, Kurt R. Heidmann, James Ludwig, Bruce Smith, Aaron Michael Porterfield
  • Publication number: 20210060378
    Abstract: Among other things, a rowing exercise machine includes a movable inertial element, an eddy current brake coupled to the movable inertial element, a rowing grip coupled to the movable inertial element, and control circuitry coupled to the eddy current brake to cause a resistance to motion of the rowing grip during part of a rowing stroke. The resistance to motion of the rowing grip during the drive phase of the rowing stroke conforms to a target feel for a rower. The target feel corresponds to a feel for a rower of a target other rowing exercise machine or other target feel of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Bruce Smith, Klaus Heribert Renner, William Churchill Taliaferro Burke, Jose Oscar Mur-Miranda, Christopher Olin Evans
  • Patent number: 10897832
    Abstract: A fan control system includes a fan and a target device. The fan control system includes a controller to control the rotation speed of the fan. The controller controls the rotation speed according to a time-variable rate of current consumed by the target device. Particularly, when the time-variable rate of current exceeds a threshold, the controller controls the fan to operate at a maximum rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jenseng J S Chen, Jung-Tai Chen, Tsung-Yu Chen, Edward Yu-Chen Kung, Tzongli Lin, Bruce A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10888164
    Abstract: An office system including a first component and a second component moveable relative to the first component. A distance and/or force multiplier is disposed between and coupled to the first and second components. The distance and/or force multiplier includes a shape memory material, wherein the shape memory material is contractible between at least a non-energized state and an energized state in response to an application of energy. The distance and/or force multiplier moves the second component relative to the first component when the shape memory material is contracted to the energized state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Norman, Timothy Swieter, Ryan E. Schmidt, Mark McKenna, Robert Scheper, Bruce Smith
  • Publication number: 20200391148
    Abstract: Filter media including a waved filtration layer are described herein. The filtration layer may be held in a waved configuration by a support layer. In some cases, the filtration layer may have a combination of characteristics (e.g., mean flow pore size, basis weight, amongst others) that can lead to enhanced filtration performance (e.g., reduced air permeability decrease), in particular, in high humidity environments. The filter media may be used to form a variety of filter elements for use in various applications. In some embodiments, at least a surface of the filtration layer is hydrophilic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Bruce Smith, David T. Healey, Ingrid Rückert, Siqiang Zhu
  • Patent number: D921409
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Bruce Smith, Mark Spoelhof, Kurt R. Heidmann, Pascal Hien
  • Patent number: D921410
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Bruce Smith, Mark Spoelhof, Kurt R. Heidmann, Pascal Hien