Patents by Inventor Christopher K. Smith

Christopher K. Smith 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: 11988144
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine including an engine core including a turbine, compressor, combustor to combust a fuel, and core shaft connecting the turbine and compressor; a fan upstream of the engine core; a fan shaft; a gearbox that receives an input from the core shaft and outputs drive to the fan via the fan shaft; a primary oil loop system to supply oil to the gearbox; and a heat exchange system. The method includes controlling the heat exchange system to adjust fuel viscosity to be lower than or equal to 0.58 mm2/s on entry to the combustor at cruise conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Craig W Bemment, Alastair G Hobday, Benjamin J Keeler, Christopher P Madden, Andrea Minelli, Andrew T Smith, Peter Swann, Martin K Yates
  • Patent number: 11978042
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for setting credentials for accounts, or cards associated with accounts, are provided. A queue of credentials may be maintained for facilitating access to at least one account of a user. Credentials in the queue may be automatically generated using information provided by the user without additional input from the user. A deactivation event relating to the account may be detected, in response to which one credential for the account may be deactivated. A new credential from the queue may be activated to facilitate access to the account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
    Inventors: Gerard K. Cohen, Michelle D. Green, Christopher P. Smith
  • Patent number: 11939237
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Otis L. Clapp, Stanley B. Smith, III, Stephen M. Ent
  • Publication number: 20240075815
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, an energy storage device supported by the chassis and configured to provide electrical power to a prime mover, wherein activation of the prime mover selectively drives the refuse vehicle, a body for storing refuse therein supported by the chassis, a first hydraulic pump configured to convert electrical power into hydraulic power, a second first hydraulic pump configured to convert electrical power into hydraulic power, and a motor coupled to at least one of the body or the chassis and configured to drive the first hydraulic pump and drive the second hydraulic pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey Koga, Emily Davis, Jerrod Kappers, Vince Schad, Robert S. Messina, Christopher K. Yakes, Vincent Hoover, Clinton T. Weckwerth, Zachary L. Klein, John Beck, Brendan Chan, Skylar A. Wachter, Nader Nasr, Chad K. Smith, Logan Gary, Derek A. Wente, Shawn Naglik, Mike J. Bolton, Jacob Wallin, Quincy Wittman, Christopher J. Rukas, Dylan Hess, Jason Rice, Zhenyi Wei, Bashar Amin, Catherine Linsmeier, Joshua D. Rocholl, Dale Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11414530
    Abstract: Described herein are polymeric composites that can include a kaolin filler dispersed within a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The kaolin filler can exhibit an aspect ratio of from 20 to 50, as measured by laser scattering, a mean particle size of from 0.75 microns to 2 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the kaolin filler exhibits a ratio of aspect ratio to mean particle size ranges from 4 to 5, as measured by laser scattering. In some embodiments, less than 30% by weight of the kaolin filler exhibits a particle size of less than 0.5 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph. The composites can exhibit improved mechanical properties such as flexural strength, tensile strength, and heat deflection temperature. The composites can be used to form articles, for example, by thermoforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Burgess Pigment Company
    Inventors: Dickey S. Shurling, Bradley S. Courson, Christopher K. Smith, Christopher J. Fagouri, Ronald C. Jones
  • Publication number: 20220010095
    Abstract: Described herein are polymeric composites that can include a kaolin filler dispersed within a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The kaolin filler can exhibit an aspect ratio of from 20 to 50, as measured by laser scattering, a mean particle size of from 0.75 microns to 2 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the kaolin filler exhibits a ratio of aspect ratio to mean particle size ranges from 4 to 5, as measured by laser scattering. In some embodiments, less than 30% by weight of the kaolin filler exhibits a particle size of less than 0.5 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph. The composites can exhibit improved mechanical properties such as flexural strength, tensile strength, and heat deflection temperature. The composites can be used to form articles, for example, by thermoforming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Dickey S. Shurling, Bradley S. Courson, Christopher K. Smith, Christopher J. Fagouri, Ronald C. Jones
  • Publication number: 20200015930
    Abstract: Implantable and/or insertable devices having a near-IR fluorescing material that allows the device to be visualized through a patient's skin. Also described herein are apparatuses for imaging devices having a near-IR fluorescing material, and methods of imaging devices having a near-IR fluorescing material from within the body, including methods of modifying an implanted device having near-IR fluorescing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher K. SMITH, John F. BLACK, Gilbert S. CLARKE
  • Publication number: 20190350672
    Abstract: Implantable and/or insertable devices having a near-IR fluorescing material that allows the device to be visualized through a patient's skin. Also described herein are apparatuses for imaging devices having a near-IR fluorescing material, and methods of imaging devices having a near-IR fluorescing material from within the body, including methods of modifying an implanted device having near-IR fluorescing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher K. SMITH, John F. BLACK, Gilbert S. CLARKE
  • Publication number: 20100010339
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel vascular access port for administering chemotherapeutics and the like that are subintimally implanted and attached to the fascia. By inclusion of one or more UV fluorescing polymers in the port a healthcare worker can shine a UV light in the area of the port and use the fluorescing polymer to find the injection site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher K. Smith, John R. Ross