Patents by Inventor Charles Edward Downs

Charles Edward Downs 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: 8829894
    Abstract: A control device is provided configured to provide user control signals. The control device comprises a magnetic flux sensing unit configured to provide two-dimensional angular orientation information with respect to a magnetic field acting on the magnetic flux sensing unit, and the user control signals are dependent on the two-dimensional angular orientation information. The control device further comprises a magnet arrangement comprising at least two permanent magnets configured to generate the magnetic field. The magnet arrangement and the magnetic flux sensing unit are arranged to be reoriented relative to one another within a predetermined range of movement, and the at least two permanent magnets are arranged relative to the magnetic flux sensing unit such that the magnetic field experienced by the magnetic flux sensing unit is substantially uniform throughout the predetermined range of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Penny & Giles Controls Limited
    Inventors: Dev Kumar Banerjee, Charles Edward Downs
  • Publication number: 20140083225
    Abstract: A control module for an electrically powered wheelchair is configured to generate control signals for the electrically powered wheelchair in response to user input. The control module comprises: a base portion; a joystick configured to generate the control signals corresponding to user movement of the joystick relative to the base portion; and a pivotable screen mount configured to provide a mount on the base portion for a display screen on which information relating to operation of the electrically powered wheelchair can be displayed to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Penny & Giles Controls Limited
    Inventors: Charles Edward DOWNS, David Huw Taylor, Jolyon Michael CRANE, Malcolm BENNETT
  • Publication number: 20120025809
    Abstract: A control device is provided configured to provide user control signals. The control device comprises a magnetic flux sensing unit configured to provide two-dimensional angular orientation information with respect to a magnetic field acting on the magnetic flux sensing unit, and the user control signals are dependent on the two-dimensional angular orientation information. The control device further comprises a magnet arrangement comprising at least two permanent magnets configured to generate the magnetic field. The magnet arrangement and the magnetic flux sensing unit are arranged to be reoriented relative to one another within a predetermined range of movement, and the at least two permanent magnets are arranged relative to the magnetic flux sensing unit such that the magnetic field experienced by the magnetic flux sensing unit is substantially uniform throughout the predetermined range of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Dev Kumar Banerjee, Charles Edward Downs
  • Patent number: 6918281
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of calibrating sensors within a gas detector (36) having a housing containing a gas inlet whereby gas can diffuse from the inlet to the sensors. The gas inlet in the housing is held against part (34) of the calibration apparatus to form a sealed gas interface between the apparatus and the detector; a source (10) of pressurized calibration gas is connected to the apparatus, and a predetermined dose of calibration gas is delivered to the interface between the detector (36) and the calibration apparatus (34) at a predetermined pressure. The source (10) of pressurized calibration gas may contain single or multiple calibration doses and, if the former, the calibration apparatus includes a dosing system such as cylinder (14) for metering individual doses of calibration gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Zellweger Analytics Limited
    Inventors: Michael Sussman, Charles Edward Downs, Tom Ford, David Smith
  • Publication number: 20030167821
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of calibrating sensors within a gas detector (36) having a housing containing a gas inlet whereby gas can diffuse from the inlet to the sensors. The gas inlet in the housing is held against part (34) of the calibration apparatus to form a sealed gas interface between the apparatus and the detector; a source (10) of pressurised calibration gas is connected to the apparatus, and a predetermined dose of calibration gas is delivered to the interface between the detector (36) and the calibration apparatus (34) at a predetermined pressure. The source (10) of pressurised calibration gas may contain single or multiple calibration doses and, if the former, the calibration apparatus includes a dosing system such as cylinder (14) for metering individual doses of calibration gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Sussman, Charles Edward Downs, Tom Ford, David Smith