Patents by Inventor Bruce Ellison
Bruce Ellison 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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Patent number: 10612664Abstract: System including a rotary seal created by a dual-wiper gasket. In exemplary embodiments, the system may comprise a mounting portion and a gimbal assembly. The gimbal assembly may include a first gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the mounting portion for rotation of the first gimbal about a first axis, and a second gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the first gimbal for rotation of the second gimbal about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The system also may comprise a gasket encircling the first axis and creating a rotary seal between the mounting portion and the first gimbal. The gasket may have an inner wiper encircled by an outer wiper, with both wipers disposed in circumferentially sealed engagement with the mounting portion or the first gimbal.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: James H. Weaver, Bruce Ellison, Chris L. Watkins
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Publication number: 20180094729Abstract: System including a rotary seal created by a dual-wiper gasket. In exemplary embodiments, the system may comprise a mounting portion and a gimbal assembly. The gimbal assembly may include a first gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the mounting portion for rotation of the first gimbal about a first axis, and a second gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the first gimbal for rotation of the second gimbal about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The system also may comprise a gasket encircling the first axis and creating a rotary seal between the mounting portion and the first gimbal. The gasket may have an inner wiper encircled by an outer wiper, with both wipers disposed in circumferentially sealed engagement with the mounting portion or the first gimbal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: James H. Weaver, Bruce Ellison, Chris L. Watkins
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Patent number: 9531928Abstract: A gimbal assembly may include an imbalance compensation system having a driver operatively connected to a movable weight. A controller may determine a compensating position for the movable weight to counterbalance an effective moment imparted on the gimbal assembly by one or more movable components therein. The controller may command the driver to relocate the movable weight to the compensating position.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Bruce Ellison, Kevin E. Jones
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Patent number: 9298014Abstract: Imaging systems in which an undedicated optical component—i.e., a component that would be present in the system even in the absence of image stabilization—is configured to undergo corrective motion and/or other correction of image data, and thus to function as a stabilization component. The stabilization component may be a mirror and/or a lens, and a positioner may be provided to tilt, rotate, and/or otherwise precisely adjust the position and orientation of the stabilization component to improve image resolution, compensate for platform motions such as platform vibration, and/or improve image tracking. Because an undedicated optical component functions as the stabilization component, the stabilization occurs upstream, rather than downstream, from separation (if any) of the incoming image data into two or more beams.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Clifford J. Luty, Bruce A. Dickerson, Bruce Ellison, John L. Miller
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Publication number: 20160014309Abstract: A gimbal assembly may include an imbalance compensation system having a driver operatively connected to a movable weight. A controller may determine a compensating position for the movable weight to counterbalance an effective moment imparted on the gimbal assembly by one or more movable components therein. The controller may command the driver to relocate the movable weight to the compensating position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Bruce Ellison, Kevin E. Jones
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Patent number: 8798450Abstract: A gimbal system. The gimbal system may include space-saving features configured to accommodate one or more payload components, thus increasing the payload capacity of the gimbal ball without necessarily increasing the outer dimensions of the gimbal ball. Alternatively, or in addition, the gimbal system may include a motor configured to move at least one gimbal relative to another gimbal about a first axis, with the motor peripherally mounted distal the axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Aicher, Gregory D. Dent, Bruce Ellison, James H. Weaver, John M. Wiltse
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Patent number: 8711223Abstract: System, including method and apparatus, for imaging with a vehicle-mounted camera having an optical axis that is restricted from angular displacement, in response to vibration, by passive stabilization via a set of vibration isolators.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventor: Bruce Ellison
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Publication number: 20120327230Abstract: System, including method and apparatus, for imaging with a vehicle-mounted camera having an optical axis that is restricted from angular displacement, in response to vibration, by passive stabilization via a set of vibration isolators.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: Bruce ELLISON
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Publication number: 20110226955Abstract: Imaging systems in which an undedicated optical component—i.e., a component that would be present in the system even in the absence of image stabilization—is configured to undergo corrective motion and/or other correction of image data, and thus to function as a stabilization component. The stabilization component may be a mirror and/or a lens, and a positioner may be provided to tilt, rotate, and/or otherwise precisely adjust the position and orientation of the stabilization component to improve image resolution, compensate for platform motions such as platform vibration, and/or improve image tracking. Because an undedicated optical component functions as the stabilization component, the stabilization occurs upstream, rather than downstream, from separation (if any) of the incoming image data into two or more beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Clifford J. Luty, Bruce A. Dickerson, Bruce Ellison, John L. Miller
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Patent number: 7862188Abstract: Imaging systems in which an undedicated optical component—i.e., a component that would be present in the system even in the absence of image stabilization—is configured to undergo corrective motion and/or other correction of image data, and thus to function as a stabilization component. The stabilization component may be a mirror and/or a lens, and a positioner may be provided to tilt, rotate, and/or otherwise precisely adjust the position and orientation of the stabilization component to improve image resolution, compensate for platform motions, and/or improve image tracking. Because an undedicated optical component functions as the stabilization component, the stabilization occurs upstream, rather than downstream, from separation (if any) of the incoming image data into two or more beams.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Clifford J. Luty, Bruce A. Dickerson, Bruce Ellison, John L. Miller
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Publication number: 20100171377Abstract: A gimbal system. The gimbal system may include space-saving features configured to accommodate one or more payload components, thus increasing the payload capacity of the gimbal ball without necessarily increasing the outer dimensions of the gimbal ball. Alternatively, or in addition, the gimbal system may include a motor configured to move at least one gimbal relative to another gimbal about a first axis, with the motor peripherally mounted distal the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Aicher, Gregory D. Dent, Bruce Ellison, James H. Weaver, John M. Wiltse
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Patent number: 7671311Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for driving airflow along a surface of a gimbal. The systems may comprise a gimbal apparatus including a payload and also including a gimbal mount supporting a first gimbal and a second gimbal. The first gimbal may be coupled pivotally to the gimbal mount. The second gimbal may be coupled pivotally to and supported by the first gimbal. The second gimbal may be coupled to and may support the payload. The gimbal apparatus may orient the payload by pivotal movement of the first and second gimbals relative to the gimbal mount about at least two nonparallel axes. The system also may comprise a fan mounted to the first gimbal. The systems also may comprise operating the fan to drive airflow through a gap disposed between the first and second gimbals.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Bruce Ellison, John L. Miller, Gerard A. Morelli, Bruce A. Dickerson
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Publication number: 20080158679Abstract: Imaging systems in which an undedicated optical component—-i.e., a component that would be present in the system even in the absence of image stabilization—is configured to undergo corrective motion and/or other correction of image data, and thus to function as a stabilization component. The stabilization component may be a mirror and/or a lens, and a positioner may be provided to tilt, rotate, and/or otherwise precisely adjust the position and orientation of the stabilization component to improve image resolution, compensate for platform motions, and/or improve image tracking. Because an undedicated optical component functions as the stabilization component, the stabilization occurs upstream, rather than downstream, from separation (if any) of the incoming image data into two or more beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Clifford J. Luty, Bruce A. Dickerson, Bruce Ellison, John L. Miller
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Patent number: 7264220Abstract: A gimbal system. The gimbal system may include space-saving features configured to accommodate one or more payload components, thus increasing the payload capacity of the gimbal ball without necessarily increasing the outer dimensions of the gimbal ball. Alternatively, or in addition, the gimbal system may include a motor configured to move at least one gimbal relative to another gimbal about a first axis, with the motor peripherally mounted distal the axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gregory D. Dent, James H. Weaver, John M. Wiltse, Bruce Ellison
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Publication number: 20070194170Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for driving airflow along a surface of a gimbal, thereby cooling the system and potentially allowing operation at higher ambient temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2006Publication date: August 23, 2007Inventors: Bruce Ellison, John Miller, Gerard Morelli, Bruce Dickerson
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Publication number: 20060071134Abstract: A gimbal system. The gimbal system may include space-saving features configured to accommodate one or more payload components, thus increasing the payload capacity of the gimbal ball without necessarily increasing the outer dimensions of the gimbal ball. Alternatively, or in addition, the gimbal system may include a motor configured to move at least one gimbal relative to another gimbal about a first axis, with the motor peripherally mounted distal the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2004Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Gregory Dent, James Weaver, John Wiltse, Bruce Ellison
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Patent number: 4422811Abstract: A new and improved hole saw construction providing a low cost hole saw mandrel with improved driving capability. A unique drive washer cooperates with radial stiffening ribs on a hole saw blade to effect the improved driving capability.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1981Date of Patent: December 27, 1983Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand CompanyInventors: Bruce Ellison, James A. DeCarteret