Patents by Inventor Charles Hill
Charles Hill 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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Publication number: 20220282692Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a pressurized fuel supply, and a fuel injector fluidly connected to the pressurized fuel supply. The fuel injector includes a valve seat plate forming a valve seat, an injection control valve, and a nozzle cavity. A filter, which can include a 2-dimensional filter, is positioned partially within the valve seat plate and partially within an injector body to filter an incoming flow of high-pressure fuel. The valve seat plate and filter are integrated in a valve seat plate and filter assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Manjunath Bannur Nagaraja, Benjamin Ray Tower, Venkata R. Tatikonda, Adam Charles Hill
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Publication number: 20220268234Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel injector, and a fueling control unit electrically connected to a solenoid actuator in the fuel injector. The fueling control unit is structured to energize and deenergize the solenoid actuator to lift and return an armature coupled with an injection control valve. The fueling control unit also reenergizes the solenoid actuator with an armature retarding current while the armature is in flight to stabilize closing of the injection control valve. The armature retarding current can be used to electronically trim the fuel injector to limit an error in a quantity of injected fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Adam Charles Hill
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Patent number: 11300068Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel injector, and a fueling control unit electrically connected to a solenoid in the fuel injector. The fueling control unit energizes the solenoid with a lift current pulse to lift an armature, then energizes the solenoid with a separate capture current pulse to capture the armature at a lifted position. The solenoid is deenergized a dwell time while the armature is in flight toward the lifted position. Armature lifting speed is retarded based on the deenergizing of the solenoid so as to limit bouncing of a valve pin in the fuel injector against a stop. The techniques assist in linearizing a fuel delivery curve.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2021Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Adam Charles Hill, Zhenyu Li
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Patent number: 11248575Abstract: A fuel injector body includes a body that includes an at least partially annular configuration defining a longitudinal axis, a circumferential direction, and a radial direction. A first counterbore and a first cavity extend from the first end toward the second end, and an external interface portion including a sealing surface is disposed axially between the first end and a shoulder. The first cavity defines a bottom surface and a peripheral surface, and the body also includes a leak passage extending from the bottom surface that is in communication with the first cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Stephen Robert Lewis, Manjunath Bannur Nagaraja, Venkata R. Tatikonda, Adam Charles Hill
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Patent number: 11230062Abstract: A system for part location and long-range scanning of large additively manufactured structures and method for using the same. In some embodiments, the method for locating and scanning a three-dimensional (3D) object comprises scanning a first portion of the 3D object from a first position via a long-range scanner on a mobile platform, determining whether additional portions of the 3D object require scanning, moving the long-range scanner via the mobile platform to a second position based on said determination that additional portions of the 3D object require scanning, and aligning each portion of the scanned 3D object.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: LOCAL MOTORS IP, LLCInventors: Alexis Fiechter, Timofei Novikov, Robert Bedsole, Kyle Rowe, Charles Hill, David Riha
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Patent number: 11174827Abstract: A fuel injector body includes an at least partially annular configuration defining a longitudinal axis, a circumferential direction, and a radial direction. A first counterbore and a first cavity extend from the first end toward the second end, and an external interface portion includes a sealing surface disposed axially between the first end and a shoulder. The first cavity defines a bottom surface and a peripheral surface defining a first cavity diameter, and the sealing surface defines a sealing surface diameter. A ratio of the sealing surface diameter to the first cavity diameter ranges from 0.3 to 4.4.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Venkata R. Tatikonda, Manjunath Bannur Nagaraja, Stephen Robert Lewis, Adam Charles Hill
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Patent number: 11070931Abstract: A speaker assembly is provided having a plurality of transducers disposed on a speaker body and configured to produce an audio beam being steerable based on at least one audio beam parameter. A light assembly is arranged on the speaker body and configured to produce a light output that varies based at least one audio beam parameter. The light output varies to provide a visual reference as the audio beam is steered.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATEDInventors: Jason Walker, Emil Badal, Charles Hill, Ulrich Horbach
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Publication number: 20210046694Abstract: An additively manufactured structure and methods for making and using same. In a method for making the structure, the structure can be printed using a single bead, according to a single toolpath, according to an open toolpath, or a combination thereof. Advantageously, printing efficiency can be improved. Geometry, size and/or shape of the structure can be selected with more flexibility. An exemplary method can form an overhang without using an infill or a support structure. Furthermore, the overhang can be formed accurately in an easy manner without a need of accurate positioning of the infill or the support structure. The printing process can be simplified. An alternative exemplary method can form a wall section that terminates by connecting to another wall section. Advantageously, the wall sections can be strong because of the mutual support and appearance of the terminated wall section can be improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2019Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: KYLE ROWE, David RIHA, Charles HILL, Alexis FIECHTER, Robert BEDSOLE, Billy HUGHES
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Patent number: 10894582Abstract: A method of deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the method comprising loading the AUVs into a deployment device; submerging the deployment device containing the AUVs after the AUVs have been loaded into the deployment device; towing the submerged deployment device containing the AUVs with a surface vessel; deploying the AUVs from the submerged deployment device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and operating a thruster of each AUV after it has been deployed so that it moves away from the submerged deployment device. A method of retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is also disclosed, the method comprising towing a submerged retrieval device with a surface vessel; loading the AUVs into the submerged retrieval device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and after the AUVs have been loaded into the submerged retrieval device, lifting the submerged retrieval device containing the AUVs out of the water and onto the surface vessel.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: AUTONOMOUS ROBOTICS LIMITEDInventors: David Alexander William Grant, Arran James Holloway, James Charles Hill, William James Birdsall
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Publication number: 20200267494Abstract: A speaker assembly is provided having a plurality of transducers disposed on a speaker body and configured to produce an audio beam being steerable based on at least one audio beam parameter. A light assembly is arranged on the speaker body and configured to produce a light output that varies based at least one audio beam parameter. The light output varies to provide a visual reference as the audio beam is steered.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATEDInventors: Jason WALKER, Emil BADAL, Charles HILL, Ulrich HORBACH
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Patent number: 10671753Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for sensitive data handling frameworks for user applications are provided herein. An exemplary method includes receiving subsets of structured user content consolidated into associated flattened representations, the associated flattened representations having a mapping to the structured user content and accompanied by at least lengths and offset information relating to the mapping. The method includes individually parsing the subsets of structured user content to classify portions as comprising sensitive content corresponding to one or more predetermined data schemes and, for each of the portions, identifying an associated offset and length for the portion relating to the subsets of structured user content, and indicating at least the associated offset and length to the user application for marking of the sensitive content in a user interface to the user application.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Phillip David Allen, Ryan Charles Hill, Bradley Jacob Zimnisky
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Patent number: 10645516Abstract: An audio system is provided. The audio system has a first speaker assembly having a first steerable audio beam and a second speaker assembly having a second steerable audio beam. A control system is in communication with the first and second speaker assemblies and is programmed to receive a sweet-spot input signal indicative of a sweet-spot area having stereo surround sound. The controller commands the first and second speaker assemblies to adjust at least one of parameter of the first and second steerable audio beams so that the second steerable audio beam intersects the first steerable audio beam to form the sweet-spot area at the intersection.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATEDInventors: Ulrich Horbach, Emil Badal, Charles Hill
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Patent number: 10631115Abstract: A speaker assembly is provided having a plurality of transducers disposed on a speaker body and configured to produce an audio beam being steerable based on at least one audio beam parameter. A light assembly is arranged on the speaker body and configured to produce a light output that varies based at least one audio beam parameter. The light output varies to provide a visual reference as the audio beam is steered.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATEDInventors: Jason Walker, Emil Badal, Charles Hill, Ulrich Horbach
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Patent number: 10575115Abstract: A speaker assembly is provided having a plurality of transducers disposed on a speaker body and configured to produce an audio beam being steerable based on at least one audio beam parameter. A light assembly is arranged on the speaker body and configured to produce a light output that varies based at least one audio beam parameter. The light output varies to provide a visual reference as the audio beam is steered.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATEDInventors: Jason Walker, Emil Badal, Charles Hill, Ulrich Horbach
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Publication number: 20190322032Abstract: An additively manufactured structure and methods for making and using same. An object can be printed at least partially on an attachment portion. The attachment portion can be bonded to the object upon the printing. The object does not need to be removed from the attachment portion. The need of providing a print surface to allow easy removal of the object is eliminated. The object can be a flat panel and can eliminate the need of printing a large flat layer using additive manufacturing. The attachment portion can be cut prior to the printing, so no trimming needs to be performed after the printing. The attachment portion can be made of a material that has one or more selected properties to expand functionalities of the object. A secondary operation for attaching the attachment portion to the object after the printing can be eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: David Riha, Alexis Fiechter, Robert Bedsole, Charles Hill, Timofei Novikov, Kyle Rowe
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Publication number: 20190322047Abstract: Methods and apparatus for additive manufacturing. In a method for additive manufacturing, a build sheet can be positioned on a print substrate of a printer. An object can be printed on the build sheet. The object can be detached from the build sheet. Advantageously, the build sheet can prevent the object from shifting on the build sheet during printing. Removing the build sheet from the object does not result in significant deformation or bending of the object. Damage to the object can be prevented. The object does not require additional cleaning or finishing for removing any residual or material. The build sheet can be ready for reuse. The build sheet can advantageously have mechanical strength to sustain removal of the build sheet from the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: David Riha, Alexis Fiechter, Robert Bedsole, Charles Hill, Timofei Novikov, Kyle Rowe
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Patent number: 10427763Abstract: A submersible device (2) for deploying or retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the submersible device comprising: two or more platforms (130) arranged in a stack (3a, 3b), wherein each platform is configured to carry two or more of the AUVs; a port (300, 310); and a transfer mechanism (200) comprising a transfer device (210) arranged to load or unload the AUVs onto or from the platforms, and an actuator arranged to move the transfer device between the platforms and the port in order to transfer the AUVs between the platforms and the port.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Autonomous Robotics LimitedInventors: David Alexander William Grant, Arran James Holloway, James Charles Hill, William James Birdsall
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Publication number: 20190255777Abstract: A system for part location and long-range scanning of large additively manufactured structures and method for using the same. In some embodiments, the method for locating and scanning a three-dimensional (3D) object comprises scanning a first portion of the 3D object from a first position via a long-range scanner on a mobile platform, determining whether additional portions of the 3D object require scanning, moving the long-range scanner via the mobile platform to a second position based on said determination that additional portions of the 3D object require scanning, and aligning each portion of the scanned 3D object.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Alexis Fiechter, Timofei Novikov, Robert Bedsole, Kyle Rowe, Charles Hill, David Riha
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Publication number: 20190224909Abstract: An additively manufactured structure and methods for making and using same. In a method for making the structure, a first layer structure can be formed. A second layer structure can be formed on the first layer structure and a support structure. The support structure can be removed from the second layer structure. The second layer structure can include an overhang structure that does not deform or break after the support structure is removed. The support structure can provide support to the second layer structure during printing. Strong bridging capability of the second layer structure is not required. The support structure can be quick and easy to make. The support structure can be reusable and does not add weight to the printed structure. The support structure can be easily removed after completing of printing. Installation of the support structure can be fast without significantly interfering with printing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: David Riha, Alexis Fiechter, Robert Bedsole, Charles Hill, Timofei Novikov, Kyle Rowe
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Publication number: 20190015624Abstract: An inflatable float tank for providing a therapeutic sensory deprivation session. The inflatable float tank includes opaque inflatable sidewalls including a drop-stitch material. The drop stitch material includes opposing walls with stitched threads extending at acute angles from one another. When uninflated these internal stitch structures are allowed to collapse and provide substantially foldable and pliable deflated sidewalls as opposed to substantially rigid sidewalls upon inflation. The inflatable float tank is filled with float solution including water and Epsom salt heated to skin temperature so as to provide a highly buoyant float environment with a lack of sensory stimulation. The inflatable float tank exhibiting improved insulation within the tank and ease of assembly. The inflatable float tank and assembly thereof doesn't require rigid support structures such as poles and joints.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Applicant: ZEN FLOAT CO. LLCInventors: WILLIAM CHARLES HILL, SHANE JOSEPH STOTT, SEAN GALE STOTT