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).

  • Patent number: 10449474
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Bruce Smith, David T. Healey, Ingrid Staisch
  • Patent number: 10441909
    Abstract: Filter media incorporating one or more filtration layers that include fibers including fiber portions orientated at a non-zero angle with respect to a surface of the filtration layer are provided. In some embodiments, at least a part of the fiber portions are positioned at an angle of at least 20 degrees (e.g., between 46 degrees and 90 degrees, or between 61 degrees and 90 degrees) with respect to a surface of the filtration layer or an outer or cover layer of the media. This orientation of fiber portions may result in an increased efficiency (e.g., average efficiency and/or initial efficiency) compared to similar filter media that do not include such oriented fiber portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Arash Sahbaee, Bruce Smith
  • Patent number: 10426267
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a body support member having laterally spaced opposite sides and longitudinally spaced ends. The body support member has a curvature in least one of the lateral and longitudinal directions, wherein the curvature is changeable between at least first and second configurations. The body support member includes a shape memory material extending in at least one of the lateral and longitudinal directions, wherein the shape memory material is attached to the body support member at two spaced apart locations. 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 shape memory material biases the flexible body support member between the first and second configurations when the shape memory material is contracted to the energized state. Other office systems incorporating shape memory materials are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Norman, Timothy D. Swieter, Ryan E. Schmidt, Mark Mckenna, Robert Scheper, Bruce Smith
  • Patent number: 10230945
    Abstract: A system may receive an instruction to execute a test represented by code in a test file. The system may initialize a first process instance associated with executing the test. The system may initialize a second process instance associated with loading the test file and executing the test. The second process instance may be different from the first process instance. The system may load the test file using the second process instance. The system may execute the test using the first process instance, the second process instance, and the test file without loading the test file into the first process instance. The system may update the test file during execution of the test without interrupting execution of the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Accenture Global Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Jeremy Bruce-Smith
  • Publication number: 20190036782
    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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventor: Rodney Bruce Smith
  • Publication number: 20190036776
    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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventor: Rodney Bruce Smith
  • Publication number: 20180352677
    Abstract: A fan control method for a computer system is provided. The computer 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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jenseng JS Chen, Jung-Tai Chen, Tsung-Yu Chen, Edward Yu-Chen Kung, Tzongli Lin, Bruce A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10149407
    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: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    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: 10130007
    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: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    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
  • Publication number: 20180272258
    Abstract: Filter media comprising a waved filtration layer having a gradient in a property and associated methods are provided. The waved filtration layer may include fibers that form one or more fiber webs. In some embodiments, the diameter of the fibers may vary across at least a portion of the thickness of the waved filtration layer to produce a gradient in fiber diameter. The gradient may be designed to impart beneficial properties to the filter media, such as low pressure drop and long lifetime. In some embodiments, the gradient may be characterized by mathematical equations that describe the change in fiber diameter across at least a portion of the thickness of the waved filtration layer. The filter media, described herein, may be particularly well-suited for applications that involve filtering liquids, though the media may also be used in other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: David T. Healey, Bruce Smith, Arash Sahbaee, Mark A. Gallimore, Maxim Silin
  • Publication number: 20180243674
    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: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Syed Gulrez, Jeremy Andrew Collingwood, Sudheer Jinka, Bruce Smith, Mark A. Gallimore
  • Publication number: 20180236389
    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: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Sudheer Jinka, Bruce Smith, Mark A. Gallimore
  • Publication number: 20180236385
    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, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Sudheer Jinka, Bruce Smith, Mark A. Gallimore
  • Publication number: 20180236384
    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: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventor: Bruce Smith
  • Patent number: D830750
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Yuka Hiyoshi, Bruce Smith, William Bennie, Irfan Kachwalla, James Ludwig, Jessica Nebel, Santiago Carral O'Gorman, Madison Scheper
  • Patent number: D830751
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Yuka Hiyoshi, Bruce Smith, William Bennie, Irfan Kachwalla, James Ludwig, Jessica Nebel, Santiago Carral O'Gorman, Madison Scheper
  • Patent number: D830752
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Yuka Hiyoshi, Bruce Smith, William Bennie, Irfan Kachwalla, James Ludwig, Jessica Nebel, Santiago Carral O'Gorman, Madison Scheper
  • Patent number: D846296
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Smith, William Bennie, Yuka Hiyoshi, Irfan Kachwalla, James Ludwig, Jessica Nebel, Santiago Carral O'Gorman, Madison Scheper
  • Patent number: D847525
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Smith, William Bennie, Yuka Hiyoshi, Irfan Kachwalla, James Ludwig, Jessica Nebel, Santiago Carral O'Gorman, Madison Scheper
  • Patent number: D854839
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Yuka Hiyoshi, Mark Spoelhoff, William Bennie, Rolf Pascal Hien, Irfan Kachwalla, James Ludwig, Jessica Nebel, Santiago Carral O'Gorman, Madison Scheper, Bruce Smith