Patents by Inventor Christopher Ferguson
Christopher Ferguson 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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Patent number: 10481588Abstract: A conformal seat insert for an adjustable vehicle seat, the conformal seat insert comprising an insert frame, the insert frame having one or more insert reference features for locating the insert frame on a seat frame of the vehicle seat in a predetermined position relative to the seat frame, and a contoured support surface formed in the insert frame, the contoured support surface having a crew reference point corresponding to an acromial point of a shoulder of a seat occupant of the adjustable vehicle seat, the crew reference point being a datum from which an eye position of the seat occupant is established relative to instrumentation of an aerospace vehicle in which the adjustable vehicle seat is located.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael C. McCarley, Christopher Ferguson
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Patent number: 10421548Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat includes a seat frame forming a seat back, the seat frame being configured to couple with an aerospace vehicle; a seat pan coupled to the seat frame, where one or more of the seat frame and the seat pan is configured to couple the seat pan to the seat frame in one of a plurality of positions relative to the seat frame so that an eye position of a seat occupant relative to instrumentation within the aerospace vehicle is decoupled from a size of the seat occupant.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael C. McCarley, Kent Clark, Melanie L. Weber, Norman G. Ring, Christopher Ferguson
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Publication number: 20190112078Abstract: A multifaceted instrument console for use by an operator. In one embodiment, an instrument console for a vehicle comprises a primary mounting surface positioned directly in front of an operator of the vehicle, and a plurality of auxiliary mounting surfaces each being contiguous with the primary mounting surface or another one of the auxiliary mounting surfaces. Each of the auxiliary mounting surfaces is angled with respect to a contiguous mounting surface toward the operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: April 18, 2019Inventors: Jonnathan O. Medina-Espitia, Debra Sue Owen, Christopher Ferguson, Xavier D. Simon, Stephen S. Gauvain
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Patent number: 10156176Abstract: A method for diagnosing NOx sensors in an exhaust aftertreatment system includes suspending reductant dosing in an exhaust aftertreatment system; purging a reductant deposit in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system of the exhaust aftertreatment system; adjusting at least one of an ignition timing and an engine speed for an engine to adjust an engine out nitrogen oxide (NOx) amount; receiving measured SCR inlet NOx data from a SCR inlet NOx sensor and measured SCR outlet NOx data from a SCR outlet NOx sensor; determining a phase shift between the measured SCR inlet and SCR outlet NOx data; applying the determined phase shift to the SCR outlet NOx data; and determining a diagnostic feature based on the SCR inlet NOx data and the phase shifted SCR outlet NOx data regarding a state of the SCR inlet and outlet NOx sensors.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Cummins, Inc.Inventors: Andrew W. Osburn, Christopher Ferguson, Tony James Hall, Brian P. Liimatta
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Publication number: 20180208334Abstract: A conformal seat insert for an adjustable vehicle seat, the conformal seat insert comprising an insert frame, the insert frame having one or more insert reference features for locating the insert frame on a seat frame of the vehicle seat in a predetermined position relative to the seat frame, and a contoured support surface formed in the insert frame, the contoured support surface having a crew reference point corresponding to an acromial point of a shoulder of a seat occupant of the adjustable vehicle seat, the crew reference point being a datum from which an eye position of the seat occupant is established relative to instrumentation of an aerospace vehicle in which the adjustable vehicle seat is located.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Michael C. McCARLEY, Christopher FERGUSON
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Publication number: 20180208319Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat includes a seat frame forming a seat back, the seat frame being configured to couple with an aerospace vehicle; a seat pan coupled to the seat frame, where one or more of the seat frame and the seat pan is configured to couple the seat pan to the seat frame in one of a plurality of positions relative to the seat frame so that an eye position of a seat occupant relative to instrumentation within the aerospace vehicle is decoupled from a size of the seat occupant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Michael C. McCARLEY, Kent CLARK, Melanie L. WEBER, Norman G. RING, Christopher FERGUSON
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Publication number: 20180119950Abstract: A flare burner for burning combustible waste gases with a manifold, at least two arms, and a plurality of outlets disposed on the plurality of arms. The arms may be perpendicular to the manifold. The arms may also extend outwardly from the manifold. The arms may extend into annuli, to produce oppositely flowing exit gas. A curved dispersing surface may be disposed above the manifold. The arms may comprise a curvilinear shape, or include both a linear and a curvilinear portion. The arms are unequal in length and may curve in an opposite direction from each other. The outlets are configured and spaced such that flame is short relative to size of the flare burner.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Matthew A. Martin, Kurt E. Kraus, Christopher Ferguson, Stefano Bietto
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Publication number: 20180003098Abstract: A method for diagnosing NOx sensors in an exhaust aftertreatment system includes suspending reductant dosing in an exhaust aftertreatment system; purging a reductant deposit in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system of the exhaust aftertreatment system; adjusting at least one of an ignition timing and an engine speed for an engine to adjust an engine out nitrogen oxide (NOx) amount; receiving measured SCR inlet NOx data from a SCR inlet NOx sensor and measured SCR outlet NOx data from a SCR outlet NOx sensor; determining a phase shift between the measured SCR inlet and SCR outlet NOx data; applying the determined phase shift to the SCR outlet NOx data; and determining a diagnostic feature based on the SCR inlet NOx data and the phase shifted SCR outlet NOx data regarding a state of the SCR inlet and outlet NOx sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: Cummins, Inc.Inventors: Andrew W. Osburn, Christopher Ferguson, Tony James Hall, Brian P. Liimatta
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Patent number: 9784166Abstract: A method for diagnosing NOx sensors in an exhaust aftertreatment system includes suspending reductant dosing in an exhaust aftertreatment system; purging a reductant deposit in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system of the exhaust aftertreatment system; adjusting at least one of an ignition timing and an engine speed for an engine to adjust an engine out nitrogen oxide (NOx) amount; receiving measured SCR inlet NOx data from a SCR inlet NOx sensor and measured SCR outlet NOx data from a SCR outlet NOx sensor; determining a phase shift between the measured SCR inlet and SCR outlet NOx data; applying the determined phase shift to the SCR outlet NOx data; and determining a diagnostic feature based on the SCR inlet NOx data and the phase shifted SCR outlet NOx data regarding a state of the SCR inlet and outlet NOx sensors.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Andrew W. Osburn, Christopher Ferguson, Tony James Hall, Brian P. Liimatta
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Patent number: 9776948Abstract: A process for production of dialkyl succinate from bio-succinic acid feedstock where solid bio-succinic acid is fed to a reactor to react with alkanol by autocatalytic esterification. Products from the reactor including unreacted succinic acid, mono alkyl ester, dialkyl ester, alkanol, water and impurities are sent to a reaction distillation column for esterification of succinic acid and further esterification of mono alkyl ester with upflowing alkanol. The bottoms products from the reaction distillation column including residual succinic acid, mono alkyl ester, dialkyl ester, impurities and alkanol are sent to a bottoms stream separation zone where di-alkyl ester is separated from alkanol, succinic acid, mono alkyl ester and impurities. The tops products from the reaction distillation column including alkanol, water and organic components are sent to a top stream distillation zone where alkanol is separated from water and organic components. The organic components are recycled to the reaction zone column.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Johnson Matthey Davy Technologies LimitedInventors: Martin Lucas Smidt, Ian Campbell, Graham Reed, Paul Gordon, Christopher Ferguson
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Patent number: 9527796Abstract: A process for the production of dialkyl succinate from a bio-succinic acid feedstock commencing by feeding bio-succinic acid to a reaction distillation column to enable esterification of the succinic acid. The feedstock is passed co-currently with upflowing alkanol such that an esterification reaction occurs. An overhead vapor stream is removed from the reaction distillation column comprising di-ester, alkanol, water of esterification and organic components. The vapor stream is sent to an alkanol separation column where alkanol is separated from the water of esterification and organic components. A side draw is removed from the alkanol separation column comprising partially immiscible organic and aqueous phases. The side draw is passed to a phase separation apparatus where the partially immiscible organic and aqueous phases are separated. The organic phase is passed to a column where the dialkyl succinate is recovered from residual water and other organic components.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Johnson Matthey Davy Technologies LimitedInventors: Martin Lucas Smidt, Ian Campbell, Graham Reed, Paul Gordon, Christopher Ferguson
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Publication number: 20160272568Abstract: A process for production of dialkyl succinate from bio-succinic acid feedstock where solid bio-succinic acid is fed to a reactor to react with alkanol by autocatalytic esterification. Products from the reactor including unreacted succinic acid, mono alkyl ester, dialkyl ester, alkanol, water and impurities are sent to a reaction distillation column for esterification of succinic acid and further esterification of mono alkyl ester with upflowing alkanol. The bottoms products from the reaction distillation column including residual succinic acid, mono alkyl ester, dialkyl ester, impurities and alkanol are sent to a bottoms stream separation zone where di-alkyl ester is separated from alkanol, succinic acid, mono alkyl ester and impurities. The tops products from the reaction distillation column including alkanol, water and organic components are sent to a top stream distillation zone where alkanol is separated from water and organic components. The organic components are recycled to the reaction zone column.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2014Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Martin Lucas Smidt, Ian Campbell, Graham Reed, Paul Gordon, Christopher Ferguson
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Publication number: 20160264508Abstract: A process for the production of dialkyl succinate from a bio-succinic acid feedstock commencing by feeding bio-succinic acid to a reaction distillation column to enable esterification of the succinic acid. The feedstock is passed co-currently with upflowing alkanol such that an esterification reaction occurs. An overhead vapour stream is removed from the reaction distillation column comprising di-ester, alkanol, water of esterification and organic components. The vapour stream is sent to an alkanol separation column where alkanol is separated from the water of esterification and organic components. A side draw is removed from the alkanol separation column comprising partially immiscible organic and aqueous phases. The side draw is passed to a phase separation apparatus where the partially immiscible organic and aqueous phases are separated. The organic phase is passed to a column where the dialkyl succinate is recovered from residual water and other organic components.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2014Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Martin Lucas Smidt, Ian Campbell, Graham Reed, Paul Gordon, Christopher Ferguson
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Publication number: 20160186630Abstract: A method for diagnosing NOx sensors in an exhaust aftertreatment system includes suspending reductant dosing in an exhaust aftertreatment system; purging a reductant deposit in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system of the exhaust aftertreatment system; adjusting at least one of an ignition timing and an engine speed for an engine to adjust an engine out nitrogen oxide (NOx) amount; receiving measured SCR inlet NOx data from a SCR inlet NOx sensor and measured SCR outlet NOx data from a SCR outlet NOx sensor; determining a phase shift between the measured SCR inlet and SCR outlet NOx data; applying the determined phase shift to the SCR outlet NOx data; and determining a diagnostic feature based on the SCR inlet NOx data and the phase shifted SCR outlet NOx data regarding a state of the SCR inlet and outlet NOx sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2014Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Andrew W. Osburn, Christopher Ferguson, Tony James Hall, Brian P. Liimatta
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Patent number: 9267683Abstract: A method and a process to treat coke generated from a process application. The method includes the steps of recovering a mixture of coke particles and water or steam removed from at least one process application vessel. The mixture is directed to a cyclonic separator utilizing centrifugal force and gravity. Water is separated from the mixture in the cyclonic separator. Coke particles are separated from the mixture in the cyclonic separator and are directed to a thermal oxidizer. Coke particles are oxidized and gasified in the thermal oxidizer to produce gas and reduced particulate matter. The gas and reduced particulate matter are thereafter directed to a burner in the process application vessel.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Christopher Ferguson, Subhash Tiwari, Matthew Martin
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Patent number: 9238199Abstract: A combined flow mixing, tempering and noise suppressing apparatus for a selective catalytic reduction system, and method of use thereof is provided. The suppressing apparatus is positioned downstream of a gas input duct of the selective catalytic reduction system in order to provide improved flow uniformity and reduced noise at the entrance to the SCR system with minimal pressure loss. The combined flow mixing, tempering and noise suppressing apparatus includes lobe depressions that extend toward a centerline axis of a gas input duct of the selective catalytic reduction system and alternating lobe protrusions leading away from the centerline axis. The combined flow mixing, tempering and noise suppressing apparatus can include a means for introducing a secondary stream, such as an air manifold or an air bustle in fluid communication with the selective catalytic reduction system.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Matthew Martin, Kurt Kraus, Christopher Ferguson, Brian Duck, Richard Martin
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Patent number: 9067176Abstract: An ammonia injection grid covered with sound adsorption material for a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that provides uniform distribution of ammonia to the SCR catalyst in NOX reduction systems and provides noise suppression for heat recovery steam generation systems, packaged boilers, simple cycle catalyst systems and fired heaters for superior operational efficiency. The ammonia injection grid covered with sound adsorption material includes an injection tube having at least one nozzle for injecting ammonia into a flow of flue gas. The ammonia injection grid also includes a corrugated turbulence enhancer covered with sound adsorption material associated with the injection tube to generate turbulent wake to enhance turbulent mixing and noise suppression.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Christopher Ferguson
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Publication number: 20150041014Abstract: An ammonia injection grid covered with sound adsorption material for a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that provides uniform distribution of ammonia to the SCR catalyst in NOX reduction systems and provides noise suppression for heat recovery steam generation systems, packaged boilers, simple cycle catalyst systems and fired heaters for superior operational efficiency. The ammonia injection grid covered with sound adsorption material includes an injection tube having at least one nozzle for injecting ammonia into a flow of flue gas. The ammonia injection grid also includes a corrugated turbulence enhancer covered with sound adsorption material associated with the injection tube to generate turbulent wake to enhance turbulent mixing and noise suppression.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Christopher Ferguson
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Publication number: 20110244390Abstract: This invention pertains to a donor element for use with a receiver element in an imagable assemblage for light-induced transfer of material from the donor element to the receiver element. Specifically, this invention relates to such a donor element comprising a copolymer based on styrene and maleic anhydride.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2007Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventors: Thomas C. Felder, Christopher Ferguson, Richard Paul Pankratz, Julian Neal Robinson, Debra S. Strickland
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Patent number: 7763411Abstract: A donor element useful in an assemblage for imaging by exposure to light comprises a support layer, a light-to-heat conversion layer disposed adjacent the support layer containing a light absorber, and a transfer layer disposed adjacent the light-to-heat conversion layer opposite the support layer. The donor element also includes a release-modifier disposed between the support layer and the transfer layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Thomas C. Felder, Robert William Eveson, Christopher Ferguson, James R. Joiner, Moira Logan, Richard Paul Pankratz, Fredrick Claus Zumsteg, Jr.