Patents by Inventor Bruce Roberts

Bruce Roberts 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).

  • Fold wing tip having stub spar
    Patent number: 9908612
    Abstract: A wing includes a wing tip hinged to a main wing section. The wing tip includes a stub spar extending past an end of the wing tip. When the wing tip is extended, the stub spar extends into the main wing section to react a moment load across a length of the stub spar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Bruce Robert Fox
  • Crop Machine with an Electronically Controlled Hydraulic Cylinder Flotation System
    Publication number: 20170359955
    Abstract: In a crop harvesting machine there is provided a pair of hydraulic float cylinders for a header relative to a vehicle, where a float pressure to the cylinders is directly controlled by an electronic control supplying a variable control signal to a PPRR valve arrangement to maintain the float pressure at a predetermined value. At the set pressure a predetermined lifting force is provided to the header. A position sensor is used to generate an indication of movement and/or acceleration. The electronic control is arranged, in response to changes in the sensor signal, to temporarily change the control signal to vary the lifting force and thus change the dynamic response of the hydraulic float cylinder. In order to reduce static friction so that the system can react quickly, an arrangement is provided for causing relative reciprocating movement in an alternating wave pattern between the piston and cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: James Thomas Dunn, Graham Michael Leverick, Russell George Lyons, Bruce Robert Shearer
  • Crop Machine with an Electronically Controlled Hydraulic Cylinder Flotation System
    Publication number: 20170359954
    Abstract: In a crop harvesting machine there is provided a pair of hydraulic float cylinders for a header relative to a vehicle, where a float pressure to the cylinders is directly controlled by an electronic control supplying a variable control signal to a PPRR valve arrangement to maintain the float pressure at a predetermined value. At the set pressure a predetermined lifting force is provided to the header. A position sensor is used to generate an indication of movement and/or acceleration. The electronic control is arranged, in response to changes in the sensor signal, to temporarily change the control signal to vary the lifting force and thus change the dynamic response of the hydraulic float cylinder. In order to reduce static friction so that the system can react quickly, an arrangement is provided for causing relative reciprocating movement in an alternating wave pattern between the piston and cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: James Thomas Dunn, Graham Michael Leverick, Russell George Lyons, Bruce Robert Shearer
  • System and method for rendering three-dimensional scenes by a computer graphics processor using orthogonal projection
    Patent number: 9842425
    Abstract: A method is provided for rendering a three dimensional scene upon an electronic processor based system such as a computer, cellular phone, games console or other device. The method involves rendering a three dimensional scene by activating pixels of an electronic display device using a perspective projection for some portions of the scene and an orthogonal projection for others. A far less computationally expensive orthogonal projection is used for rendering other portions of the scene which meet a predetermined condition. The method results in a rendered scene displayed by pixels of the display device that appears overall to have been realistically rendered using a perspective transformation. However, since portions of the rendered scene have been rendered using an orthogonal projection, the method is computationally less expensive than rendering using only perspective projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Euclideon Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce Robert Dell
  • METHOD FOR EDITING A GENETIC SEQUENCE
    Publication number: 20170175143
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, polynucleotides, cells, compositions, and treatment methods that involve channeling a genomic nucleotide sequence. Generally, the method includes introducing a donor polynucleotide and a nucleotide that encodes an enzyme that cuts at least one strand of DNA into a cell that has a genomic sequence in need of editing, allowing the enzyme to cut at least one strand of the genomic sequence, and allowing the donor sequence to replace the genomic sequence in need of editing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Jakub Tolar, Bruce Robert Blazar, Daniel Francis Voytas, Mark John Osborn
  • Halting the Sickle Bar of a Sickle Cutting apparatus at a Predetermined Position
    Publication number: 20170127609
    Abstract: A sickle cutting system is mounted on a header for forward travel over ground having a standing crop thereon and includes a cutter bar with a plurality of knife guards and at least one sickle bar with a drive system for driving the sickle bar through repeated cycles of reciprocating movement from start-up of the system through to a shut-down. The drive system includes an arrangement to halt the sickle bar on shut-down at a predetermined position of the knife blades relative to the knife guards and preferably the position where the blades lie intermediate two knife guards. The system can be halted by either a physical stop member at the required position or by detecting the position of the sickle bar during operation and causing it to halt the required position. The detection can be carried out by counting pulses generated by markers on a rotary member of the drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: James Thomas Dunn, Bruce Robert Shearer
  • TREATMENT OF GVHD
    Publication number: 20170112832
    Abstract: The invention relates to treatment of graft versus host disease (GVHD) using compounds that inhibit ROCK2. In preferred aspects, the present invention provides methods for the treatment of GVHD, including chronic GVHD (cGVHD) using compounds having the formulae 1-XXV, as set forth herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Alexandra ZANIN-ZHOROV, Bruce Robert BLAZAR, Ryan FLYNN
  • Bidirectional Communication Between an Infant Receiving System and a Remote Device
    Publication number: 20170079448
    Abstract: An infant device, such as in infant swing, establishes a wireless connection with a parent's existing portable electronic device, such as a smartphone. The portable electronic device sends messages to control any of the functions associated with the infant device. The portable electronic device also sends video and voice to be output at the infant device, allowing the child to remotely see and hear the parent's face and voice. The infant device sends messages with status information on the system enabling the portable electronic device to remotely monitor the system. The infant device also sends messages to the parent's existing portable electronic device containing audio and/or video information recorded from the child, allowing the parent to remotely see and hear the child in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Cordier, Kurt J. Huntsberger, John W. Taylor
  • DYNAMIC CODE ASSIGNMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENT OF AN ITEM
    Publication number: 20170046656
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer program products are provided. In an example embodiment, a communication comprising form fields is received. A form field corresponding to first item information for a first item is identified. A textual item description for the first item is extracted from the form field. A code schedule is accessed and one or more codes are determined for the first item based on the textual item description and the code schedule. An item database is queried to identify second items that are relevant to the first item and a confidence level for each of the codes is determined based on the relevant second items. If a confidence level corresponding to one of the codes is greater than a configurable confidence level, a first code is selected from the codes. An item database is updated to reflect the first code being assigned to the first item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Barry Alan Bramble, Christopher Bernard Maiocco, Christopher Martin Rubio, Bruce Robert Petlock
  • TALEN-BASED GENE CORRECTION
    Publication number: 20160367588
    Abstract: The invention is directed to transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)-mediated DNA editing of disease-causing mutations in the context of the human genome and human cells to treat patients with compromised genetic disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Osborn, Jakub Tolar, Bruce Robert Blazar, Daniel Voytas
  • Bidirectional communication between an infant receiving system and a remote device
    Patent number: 9510693
    Abstract: An infant device, such as in infant swing, establishes a wireless connection with a parent's existing portable electronic device, such as a smartphone. The portable electronic device sends messages to control any of the functions associated with the infant device. The portable electronic device also sends video and voice to be output at the infant device, allowing the child to remotely see and hear the parent's face and voice. The infant device sends messages with status information on the system enabling the portable electronic device to remotely monitor the system. The infant device also sends messages to the parent's existing portable electronic device containing audio and/or video information recorded from the child, allowing the parent to remotely see and hear the child in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Cordier, Kurt J. Huntsberger, John W. Taylor
  • Magnetic switch actuators
    Patent number: 9460875
    Abstract: Magnetic switches are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a mount and a switch actuator assembly coupled to the mount. The switch actuator assembly includes a body, a trigger, and a first magnet oriented to be attracted to a second magnet. Movement of the body from a first position to a second position is to cause relative movement between the first magnet and the second magnet and relative movement between the trigger and a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Penning, Robert Lynn LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
  • TOP OF RAIL APPLICATOR AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20160264159
    Abstract: A top of rail (TOR) applicator has a bar positioned in a housing and an exit orifice on the upper portion of the bar for delivering a friction control composition to the crown of a railhead. The upper portion of the bar slopes away from the friction control composition exit orifice. The bar may be composed of an elastomer such as polyurethane. A passageway may extend from an inlet port to the exit orifice. The friction reduction composition is pumped into the inlet port, through the passageway to the exit orifice and then onto the crown of the railhead. The friction reduction composition may be thixotropic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Dalton Lee Graham, Bruce Robert Wise, Kelvin Ray Adkins, Alejandro Medrano, Randall Krinker, Kelvin Chiddick, Kyle Wilson, David Birdwell
  • Multi-channel aspirated smoke detector
    Patent number: 9373238
    Abstract: An aspirated smoke detector includes a manifold coupled to a smoke sensing chamber of the smoke detector. The manifold couples ambient smoke from a plurality of locations to the smoke sensing chamber. A location of the origin of the smoke can be determined by associating a member of a plurality of a different type of smoke sensor with each of the locations. When smoke is detected in the sensing chamber, the members of the plurality can be interrogated to determine the location of the origin of the smoke in the sensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Scott R. Lang, Bruce Robert Griffith
  • Methods and apparatus for displaying three-dimensional orientation of a steerable distal tip of an endoscope
    Patent number: 9357901
    Abstract: A system for graphically visualizing an orientation of a steerable distal portion of an elongate instrument is disclosed. The system includes an instrument having an elongate body. The elongate body includes a proximal portion and a steerable distal portion. The system also includes at least one tensioning member attached to said steerable distal portion, wherein the actuation of said at least one tensioning member results in an approximate y-bend and an approximate x-bend of said steerable distal portion, and wherein said approximate y-bend and approximate x-bend define an approximate overall bend of said steerable distal portion. The system further includes a graphical user interface and an icon representing said approximate overall bend on said graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Eno, Amir Belson, David Blaha, David Mintz, Bruce Robert Woodley
  • TENDON-ACTUATED ARTICULATING INSTRUMENTS, AND RELATED SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20160151908
    Abstract: A steerable device may comprise an elongate, flexible body comprising a plurality of articulatable segments along at least part of a length of the body, a plurality of coil pipes extending in a spiral configuration along the articulatable segments, a plurality of tendons respectively received within the plurality of coil pipes, and an actuator coupled to the plurality of tendons, the actuator being configured to apply an actuation force to the tendons to selectively actuate articulation of the articulatable segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Woodley, Joshua Oen, Aaron W. Brown, Christopher A. Julian, Keith P. Laby, Wade A. Keller, Lawrence Kerver, Marc S. Kriedler, Scott J. Reiner, Katherine Whitin
  • Systems and methods for enhancing firmware
    Patent number: 9348618
    Abstract: A measuring instrument includes at least one processor having at least one processor internal resource. The measuring instrument may also include at least one hardware component external to the processor and at least one storage component. Firmware may be stored in the storage component and is accessible by the processor. The firmware includes at least one application; a virtualized hardware system having routines that emulate at least one processor internal resource; and at least one application programming interface between the application and the virtualized hardware system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Aclara Meters LLC
    Inventors: Robert Patrick Keeney, Bruce Robert Ladeau, Rajeswara Rao Pasupuleti
  • Thermally assisted gravity drainage (TAGD)
    Patent number: 9279316
    Abstract: A method for producing bitumen or heavy oil from a reservoir, the method comprising: defining at least one lateral section of the reservoir for placement of patterns of heater wells above a producer well; placing the producer well at a substantially centered location at or adjacent to the bottom of the reservoir within each of the lateral sections; placing a triangular pattern of heater wells above the producer well; placing a regular or non-regular pentagonal pattern of heater wells, or a portion thereof, at or above the triangular pattern of heater wells; heating the reservoir with the triangular and pentagonal patterns of heater wells to conductively heat the reservoir and reduce the viscosity of the bitumen or heavy oil; and producing bitumen or heavy oil with the producer well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ATHABASCA OIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce Roberts, Doug Beattie, Tarek Hamida
  • TUTOR MODEL BUILDING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160042297
    Abstract: A tutor model building system includes a user interface device having a monitor to present to a user a predetermined learning interface of a problem requiring a solution and an input device for the user to enter data showing actions taken to arrive at a solution into the system, a computer to capture the actions entered by the developer user and to generate a behavior demonstration associated with the actions entered and to combine a plurality of behavior demonstrations created from a plurality of user entered data to a behavior graph, and an output device to provide the behavior graph to an authoring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: RAYTHEON BBN TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rohit Kumar, Matthew E. Roy, R. Bruce Roberts
  • Diesel fuel engine injection system and method therefor
    Patent number: 9249745
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of injecting natural gas into a diesel fuel engine for combustion with diesel fuel therein. One aspect includes injecting natural gas into an air-stream of an engine air intake or manifold, measuring the percentage of natural gas injected into the airstream or other efficiency gauge, varying the rate of injection of natural gas into the airstream in response to the measured percentage of natural gas therein and injecting the natural gas at a pre-determined rate so as to maintain an natural gas concentration in the air intake stream in the range of 0.6% to 3.0% by volume of natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Tek Solutions Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Derek Robert Watkins, Bruce Robert Watkins, Keith Murray Rumbel