Patents by Inventor Colin A. Roberts

Colin A. Roberts 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: 9823107
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a system for insulating a flow meter that includes a thermal tube sensor housing. The thermal tube sensor housing may include a housing cavity that holds a sensor tube, a temperature sensor, and a heater for determining a flow rate of a fluid. In some embodiments, the heater imparts thermal energy onto the sensor tube. In some embodiments, the housing cavity additionally holds an insulator for reducing leakage of the heat from the housing cavity. In still some embodiments, the insulator includes a plurality of beads and a binder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Alicat Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil W. Hartman, Colin A. Roberts, Marcus A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9791307
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include systems and methods for detecting flow of a fluid. One embodiment of a system includes a flow body, a thermal tube sensor housing, and a computing device. In some embodiments, the flow body includes an inlet for receiving the fluid and an outlet for expelling the fluid, the thermal tube sensor housing includes a sensor tube that includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, and the sensor tube is configured with a cross position where a first portion of the sensor tube crosses paths with a second portion of the sensor tube, reducing a thermo-siphoning effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Alicat Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil W. Hartman, Colin A. Roberts, Marcus A. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20160258801
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a system for insulating a flow meter that includes a thermal tube sensor housing. The thermal tube sensor housing may include a housing cavity that holds a sensor tube, a temperature sensor, and a heater for determining a flow rate of a fluid. In some embodiments, the heater imparts thermal energy onto the sensor tube. In some embodiments, the housing cavity additionally holds an insulator for reducing leakage of the heat from the housing cavity. In still some embodiments, the insulator includes a plurality of beads and a binder material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: Alicat Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil W. Hartman, Colin A. Roberts, Marcus A. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20160258797
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include systems and methods for detecting flow of a fluid. One embodiment of a system includes a flow body, a thermal tube sensor housing, and a computing device. In some embodiments, the flow body includes an inlet for receiving the fluid and an outlet for expelling the fluid, the thermal tube sensor housing includes a sensor tube that includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, and the sensor tube is configured with a cross position where a first portion of the sensor tube crosses paths with a second portion of the sensor tube, reducing a thermo-siphoning effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: Alicat Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil W. Hartman, Colin A. Roberts, Marcus A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8584647
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a driver input module, a cylinder actuation module, and an active fuel management (AFM) module. The driver input module generates a fuel saver mode (FSM) signal having a first state based upon a driver input. The cylinder actuation module selectively disables at least one of a plurality of cylinders of an engine based upon a deactivation signal having a first state. The AFM module generates the deactivation signal based on at least one engine parameter and at least one threshold. The at least one threshold is modified when the FSM signal has the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Colin A. Roberts, Richard H. Clutz, Robert Paul Black, Kevin J. Storch, Alfred E. Spitza, Jr., Richard L. Tiberg, William S. Beggs, Bala K. Murthy, Terrence E. Connolly, Mike M. McDonald, William C. Albertson, Eric S. Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20090173311
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a driver input module, a cylinder actuation module, and an active fuel management (AFM) module. The driver input module generates a fuel saver mode (FSM) signal having a first state based upon a driver input. The cylinder actuation module selectively disables at least one of a plurality of cylinders of an engine based upon a deactivation signal having a first state. The AFM module generates the deactivation signal based on at least one engine parameter and at least one threshold. The at least one threshold is modified when the FSM signal has the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Colin A. Roberts, Richard H. Clutz, Robert Paul Black, Kevin J. Storch, Alfred E. Spitza, JR., Richard L. Tiberg, William S. Beggs, Bala K. Murthy, Terrence E. Connolly, Mike M. Mc Donald, William C. Albertson, Eric S Kaufman
  • Patent number: 7306542
    Abstract: A throttle control method includes generating a throttle request based on a drag torque request and setting a throttle command equal to the throttle request when the throttle request is less than a throttle idle maximum. A throttle maximum increase is determined when the throttle request is greater than the throttle idle maximum and the throttle command is determined based on the throttle maximum increase. The throttle is controlled based on the throttle command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Kerfegar K. Katrak, Colin A. Roberts, Matthew Squire
  • Patent number: 7069773
    Abstract: An engine fault diagnostic system includes a diagnostic module that generates a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) error signal and that generates a mass air flow (MAF) error signal. A security module generates an air flow fault when the MAP error signal exceeds a MAP threshold and the MAF error signal exceeds a MAF threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Stempnik, Colin A. Roberts, Kerfegar K. Katrak, Paul A. Bauerle, Bruce A. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4299010
    Abstract: A system of removing the pelt or skin from a carcass of an animal and in particular a sheep which involves working up the carcass so that the skin is removable substantially as an envelope from trunk regions, clamping the worked up pelt and inserting a trunk encircling device between the clamped worked up pelt and the trunk of the carcass thereby clearing the skin therefrom and clearing the rear legs of the animal by causing movement of the carcass relative to the inserted device which results in the rear legs of the carcass being pulled up within the skin envelope to thus clear the skin from the rear legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignee: A. J. Park & Son
    Inventors: Angus A. J. Robertson, Carey J. France, Colin A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4275481
    Abstract: Apparatus for machine scalping and possibly total pelting of a worked up carcass of an animal such as a sheep which uses a composite roller capable of being machine rotated in at least one rotational direction, the roller having a first portion and a second portion movable with respect to each other so as to clamp before the rolling off of the scalp and to release upon reversal after previous operation the grip on the scalp. The apparatus is actuable so as to cause the phased movements required for first gripping the pelt for scalping and then the release of any pelt removed by the composite roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Inventors: Colin A. Roberts, John S. Nelson, David E. Annan, Angus A. J. Robertson