Patents by Inventor Bruce L. Mims

Bruce L. Mims 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: 11911197
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for x-ray sensing for intraoral tomography. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes detecting an x-ray pulse based on energy received at one or more pixels of a pixel array. The method also includes integrating the energy received at each of the pixels of the array of pixels, in response to the detection, wherein the energy received at each of the pixels is associated with the x-ray pulse. The method further includes multiplexing readouts of analog signals from the array of pixels into two or more parallel channels. The method further includes simultaneously converting (or otherwise in parallel) the analog signals of each of the channels into digital signals and storing the digital signals in memory as frames of data. The method may further include, for example, transmitting the frames of data from the memory, over a Universal Serial Bus, to an imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley K. Searing, Marc K. Thacher, Kwang Bo Cho, Hung T. Do, Stephen W. Mims, Bruce E. Willy, Glen L. Collier, Douglas W. Teeter, George Y. Wang
  • Patent number: 4846620
    Abstract: A system to assemble a large number of component parts that are located in various positions and brought together to an assembly position. The system contemplates a pair of intermediate stations located adjacent to the assembly position to which a supply of components are brought prior to being moved to the assembly position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Contact Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce L. Mims
  • Patent number: 4824311
    Abstract: A system to assemble a large number of component parts that are located in various positions and brought together to an assembly position. The system contemplates an intermediate station located adjacent to the assembly position to which a supply of components are brought prior to being moved to the assembly position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Bruce L. Mims
  • Patent number: 4699678
    Abstract: A device for servicing fabric that is composed primarily of man made fibers such as polyester. The device includes a heated cutting element and two channels that smooth and form the melted edges of the fabric to a desired contour and thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: Bruce L. Mims
  • Patent number: 4607782
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for soldering miniaturized electrical components to the surface of PC boards. A layer of solder paste is provided, into which the contact portions of electrical component leads are pressed. The component with solder paste adhering to the leads is moved to its placement station on the board and placed thereon with the leads contacting their respective pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Contact Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce L. Mims
  • Patent number: 4529473
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding apparatus for providing a closure on plastic film bags wherein the end of the film bags is gathered, twisted or not twisted, and then welded to provide a hermetic seal, includes an anvil having a recess into which the gathered plastic material is placed for welding. The side of the recess is lined with low friction material, such as nylon or Teflon, to accomodate a sliding fit between the resonator and the anvil recess. Absent a close fit between the anvil side surface and the resonator side surface, bag material will escape into such space, thereby preventing a hermetic seal. The low friction material prevents destruction of the opposing surfaces subjected to high intensity vibrational forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Branson Ultrasonics Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce L. Mims
  • Patent number: 4313778
    Abstract: An ultrasonic seaming method and apparatus for continuously bonding thermoplastic material are disclosed. A movable anvil is disposed opposite the output end of a horn for providing a gap through which the thermoplastic material is conveyed. The anvil cyclically is moved away from the face of the horn and immediately thereafter is urged under slight adjustable pressure against the underside of the material and then is clamped in position for a predetermined period of time or an amount of material feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Branson Ultrasonics Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce L. Mims
  • Patent number: 4047657
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining metal workpieces using high frequency vibratory energy includes applying short bursts of high frequency energy to the workpieces to be joined and the constant monitoring of the power supplied during the applied bursts of energy. Responsive to the power exceeding a predetermined level, high frequency vibratory energy is applied to the workpieces for a predetermined time interval for creating welds exhibiting consistent quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: Branson Ultrasonics Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce L. Mims