Patents by Inventor Charles W. Bowman

Charles W. Bowman 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).

  • Linear position sensor using a coaxial resonant cavity
    Patent number: 5519326
    Abstract: An apparatus (102) is adapted to detect the linear extension (position), velocity and acceleration of a hydraulic cylinder (108). The hydraulic cylinder (108) defines a variable length coaxial resonant cavity (112). Under the control of a controller (228), an RF transmitting section (114) and an RF receiving section (116) are used to determine the resonant frequency of the cavity. The resonant frequency of the cavity (112) is determined by comparing a received signal with a threshold and detecting slope intercept conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ali A. Bitar, Charles W. Bowman, Denny E. Morgan
  • Linear position sensor using a coaxial resonant cavity
    Patent number: 5491422
    Abstract: An apparatus (102) is for detecting the linear extension (position), velocity and acceleration of a hydraulic cylinder (108). The hydraulic cylinder (108) defines a variable length coaxial resonant cavity (112). Under the control of a controller (228), an RF transmitting section (114) and an RF receiving section (116) are used to determine the resonant frequency of the cavity. The resonant frequency of the cavity (112) is determined by comparing a received signal with a threshold and detecting slope intercept conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ali A. Bitar, Charles W. Bowman, Denny E. Morgan
  • Linear position sensor using a coaxial resonant cavity
    Patent number: 5438274
    Abstract: An apparatus (102) is adapted to detect the linear extension (position), velocity and acceleration of a hydraulic cylinder (108). The hydraulic cylinder (108) defines a variable length coaxial resonant cavity (112). Under the control of a controller (228), an RF transmitting section (114) and an RF receiving section (116) are used to determine the resonant frequency of the cavity. The resonant frequency of the cavity (112) is determined by comparing a received signal with a threshold and detecting slope intercept conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar
    Inventors: Ali A. Bitar, Denny E. Morgan, Charles W. Bowman
  • Solar hot water generator
    Patent number: 4314545
    Abstract: A solar hot water generating system is disclosed which comprises a vertically pivotable heat exchanger automatically pivotable by means of a timer-actuated electric motor. The heat exchanger is fluidly connected to an insulated storage tank which retains the thermal values of the heated fluid. The system is adapted to provide hot water for domestic and industrial uses, such as heating, air conditioning, and the generation of electricity by operation of a turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Inventor: Charles W. Bowman