Patents by Inventor Charles Hoff

Charles Hoff 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: 8894018
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method to break down, destabilize, or destroy an in flight wake vortex shed from an aircraft's wing. The wingtip has a winglet mounted to an extremity of the wing, and means for actuating displacement of the winglet relative to the wing. The winglet is displaced from a stationary position, in which the in flight wake vortex is stable, to a continuous moving condition, in which the winglet is displaced to a secondary temporary stationary position, remote from the initial stationary position, and having any angle relative to a plane extending through a vertical, longitudinal, or lateral axis of the aircraft to alter the winglet's angle of attack, and persisting in the moving condition as long as required to break down, destabilize or destroy the in flight wake vortex. The invention includes a wingtip arrangement for use in the method and an aircraft including the wingtip arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: University of the Witwatersrand
    Inventors: Michael Frederick Boer, Anthony Charles Hoffe
  • Publication number: 20130001367
    Abstract: This invention discloses a wingtip (10) arrangement for an aircraft wing comprising at least one winglet (12) movably mountable to an extremity (16) of the wing (14); and actuating means (18) connected to the winglet for actuating in use displacement of the winglet relative to the wing thereby altering the winglet's angle of attack and displacing same from an initial stationary position in which an in flight wake vortex shed from the wing is stable to a moving condition, in which the winglet is displaced to any selectable angle relative to a plane extending through a vertical, longitudinal, or lateral axis of the aircraft, to destabilize said in flight wake vortex. The invention extends to an aircraft including the wingtip arrangement and a method of reducing in flight wake vortices in which the wingtip arrangement is actuated and displaced to destabilize an in flight wake vortex shed from an extremity of an aircraft's wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Frederick Boer, Anthony Charles Hoffe
  • Publication number: 20070159918
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations. The apparatus may be referred to as a system which includes a number of discrete components which cooperate together to ultimately deliver micro-ingredients to a desired location, such as a feed mixer containing a feed ration. Structure is provided for storing, measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically conveying the micro-ingredients. Measuring of the micro-ingredients may be achieved by loss in weight, gain in weight, or volumetric metering methods. Pneumatic transport may be achieved either by a single transport line, or a plurality of transport lines. The system is operated by a control unit which controls components of the system to achieve delivery of specified amounts and types of micro-ingredients to the feed ration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: LEXTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Hoff, Steve Freeman
  • Publication number: 20070145068
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations. The apparatus may be referred to as a system which includes a number of discrete components which cooperate together to ultimately deliver micro-ingredients to a desired location, such as a feed mixer containing a feed ration. Structure is provided for storing, measuring, dispensing, and conveying the micro-ingredients. Measuring of the micro-ingredients may be achieved by loss in weight, gain in weight, or volumetric metering methods. Transport by a liquid carrier such as water may be achieved by providing one or a plurality of conveyance pumps connected to a transport line. The system is operated by a control unit which controls components of the system to achieve delivery of specified amounts and types of micro-ingredients to the feed ration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: LEXTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Hoff, Greg Moore
  • Publication number: 20060216332
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives or supplements to feed rations. The amount of each particular micro-ingredient to be delivered to a feed ration may be determined by a bulk density measurement. Alternatively, bulk density measurement may be used in combination with existing weight measurement and volumetric metering methods for multiple micro-ingredients. Delivery by bulk density requires determination of a bulk density value along with use of a dispensing device that dispenses a calculated amount of the micro-ingredient ration. The dispensing calculation may be achieved by analysis of delivery time, pulse count, or some other quantitative measure such as magnitude. Use of bulk density as a measurement technique eliminates the requirement for use of scales in the micro-ingredient delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Applicant: Lextron, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Freeman, Charles Hoff
  • Publication number: 20050263541
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations. The apparatus may be referred to as a system which includes a number of discrete components which cooperate together to ultimately deliver micro-ingredients to a desired location, such as a feed mixer containing a feed ration. Structure is provided for storing, measuring, dispensing, and conveying the micro-ingredients. Measuring of the micro-ingredients may be achieved by loss in weight, gain in weight, or volumetric metering methods. Transport by a liquid carrier such as water may be achieved by providing one or a plurality of conveyance pumps connected to a transport line. The system is operated by a control unit which controls components of the system to achieve delivery of specified amounts and types of micro-ingredients to the feed ration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Hoff, Greg Moore
  • Publication number: 20050024988
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations. The apparatus may be referred to as a system which includes a number of discrete components which cooperate together to ultimately deliver micro-ingredients to a desired location, such as a feed mixer containing a feed ration. Structure is provided for storing, measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically conveying the micro-ingredients. Measuring of the micro-ingredients may be achieved by loss in weight, gain in weight, or volumetric metering methods. Pneumatic transport may be achieved either by a single transport line, or a plurality of transport lines. The system is operated by a control unit which controls components of the system to achieve delivery of specified amounts and types of micro-ingredients to the feed ration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Hoff, Steve Freeman
  • Patent number: 4096366
    Abstract: This loss-of-vacuum detecting means for a vacuum circuit breaker utilizes input information derived from the current transformers of the overcurrent-sensing means typically present in medium voltage switchgear. In this overcurrent-sensing means, the current transformer secondaries for the respective phases of the switchgear are connected in parallel with each other across a shorting conductor; and in series with each secondary is the operating coil of an overcurrent relay. Connected in the shorting conductor is an "a" switch that is closed when the vacuum circuit breaker is closed and is opened when the circuit breaker is opened. Rectifying means is connected across said switch for developing a d.c. voltage when said switch is opened and one or more of said secondary windings is energized. Time-delay relay means is arranged to be energized by said d.c. voltage and is operable when the voltage thereacross exceeds a predetermined level for a predetermined minimum period following opening of said switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Charles Hoff Titus