Patents by Inventor Dale Francis

Dale Francis 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: 8157018
    Abstract: An improved multi-bolt and nut torque wrench for installing and removing bolts or nuts from flanged joints or the like which includes a plurality of torque stations having a plurality of high torque wrenches for engaging the heads of the bolts or nuts during a high torque phase of removal or installation; a plurality of low-torque motors operatively engaged with the wrenches for rotating the bolts or nuts during the low torque phase of removal or installation; a source of hydraulic fluid for driving the low-torque motors during the low-torque phase, and driving the high-torque wrenches during the high torque phase; and a mechanism for switching between the two phases depending on the torque needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Francis Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Francis, Nicholas Francis, William P. Bernard, Oswald J. Bernard, Lan Hiscox, Brian Compton, Arthur Jones
  • Patent number: 8128622
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to electrosurgical pencils having variable controls. In one aspect, the electrosurgical pencil, includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery blade being connected to a source of electrosurgical energy, an activation button supported on the housing, the activation button being movable from a first position to at least a subsequent position, and a transducer electrically connected between the activation button and the source of electrosurgical energy. The transducer is configured to transmit an electrical output signal to the electrosurgical energy source correlating to the movement of the activation button. The source of electrosurgical energy correspondingly supplies an amount of electrosurgical energy to the electrocautery blade dependant upon the electrical output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Ronald J Podhajsky, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Arlan James Reschke
  • Publication number: 20120006564
    Abstract: An improved multi-bolt and nut torque wrench for installing and removing bolts or nuts from flanged joints or the like which includes a plurality of torque stations having a plurality of high torque wrenches for engaging the heads of the bolts or nuts during a high torque phase of removal or installation; a plurality of low-torque motors operatively engaged with the wrenches for rotating the bolts or nuts during the low torque phase of removal or installation; a source of hydraulic fluid for driving the low-torque motors during the low-torque phase, and driving the high-torque wrenches during the high torque phase; and a mechanism for switching between the two phases depending on the torque needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Dale Francis, Nicholas Francis, William P. Bernard, Oswald J. Bernard, Lan Hiscox, Brian Compton, Arthur Jones
  • Patent number: 8020626
    Abstract: An improved multi-bolt and nut torque wrench for installing and removing bolts or nuts from flanged joints or the like which includes a plurality of torque stations having a plurality of high torque wrenches for engaging the heads of the bolts or nuts during a high torque phase of removal or installation; a plurality of low-torque motors operatively engaged with the wrenches for rotating the bolts or nuts during the low torque phase of removal or installation; a source of hydraulic fluid for driving the low-torque motors during the low-torque phase, and driving the high-torque wrenches during the high torque phase; and a mechanism for switching between the two phases depending on the torque needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventors: Dale Francis, Nicholas Francis, William P. Bernard, Oswald J. Bernard, Lan Hiscox, Brian Compton, Arthur Jones
  • Patent number: 7959633
    Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil is provided which includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery blade is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil also includes at least one activation switch supported on the housing which is configured and adapted to complete a control loop extending from the source of electrosurgical energy. At least one voltage divider network is also supported on the housing and is electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Joe Don Sartor, Arlen James Reschke, David Nichols Heard, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Ronald J. Podhajsky, Steven Paul Buysse, Mark Huseman
  • Patent number: 7856540
    Abstract: Provided are a system and article of manufacture for removing alias addresses from an alias address pool. A plurality of alias addresses are assigned to an alias address pool, wherein the alias addresses in the alias address pool are capable of being dynamically assigned to a device to service I/O requests to the device. An operation is initiated by a process to remove a specified alias address from the alias address pool. An indicator is set to prevent additional processes from removing one alias address from the alias address pool in response to initiating the operation. The specified alias address is removed from the alias address pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Donald Norberg, Scott Brady Compton, Dale Francis Riedy, Jr., Harry Morris Yudenfriend
  • Patent number: 7797577
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for reassigning storage volumes from a failed processing system to a surviving processing system. A first processing system detects a failure of a second processing system. The first processing system determines device groups of storage devices managed by the failed second processing system and determines for each determined device group, hosts that connect to storage devices in the device group. The first processing system sends, for each device group, a unit check to each determined host indicating failure of each device group through one storage device in the device group to which the determined host connects. The determined hosts execute instructions to terminate any I/O operations in progress on the storage devices in the device group in response to the unit check indicating failure of one storage device in the device group and issue, a command to one storage device for the device group to end the busy condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Kalos, Dale Francis Riedy, Jr., Richard Anthony Ripberger, Harry Morris Yudenfriend
  • Patent number: 7702879
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for assigning alias addresses to base addresses. An assignment is provided of base addresses to the devices. The base addresses are used to access the devices assigned to the base addresses. An assignment is provided of a plurality of alias addresses to an alias address pool. The alias addresses in the alias address pool are capable of being dynamically assigned to the devices to service I/O requests to the devices. An Input/Output (I/O) request to access one target device comprising one of the devices is processed. A determination is made as to whether the base address assigned to the target device is available. One alias address is assigned to the target device in response to determining that the base address is not available. The I/O request is issued to the assigned alias address to transmit the request to the target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Harry Morris Yudenfriend, Matthew Joseph Kalos, Richard Anthony Ripberger, Kenneth M. Trowell, Dale Francis Riedy, Jr., Juan Alonso Coronado
  • Publication number: 20100025046
    Abstract: An improved multi-bolt and nut torque wrench for installing and removing bolts or nuts from flanged joints or the like which includes a plurality of torque stations having a plurality of high torque wrenches for engaging the heads of the bolts or nuts during a high torque phase of removal or installation; a plurality of low-torque motors operatively engaged with the wrenches for rotating the bolts or nuts during the low torque phase of removal or installation; a source of hydraulic fluid for driving the low-torque motors during the low-torque phase, and driving the high-torque wrenches during the high torque phase; and a mechanism for switching between the two phases depending on the torque needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Dale FRANCIS, Nicholas Francis, William P. Bernard, Oswald J. Bernard, Lan Hiscox, Brian Compton, Arthur Jones
  • Patent number: 7516284
    Abstract: Provided is a method for removing alias addresses from an alias address pool. A plurality of alias addresses are assigned to an alias address pool, wherein the alias addresses in the alias address pool are capable of being dynamically assigned to a device to service I/O requests to the device. An operation is initiated by a process to remove a specified alias address from the alias address pool. An indicator is set to prevent additional processes from removing one alias address from the alias address pool in response to initiating the operation. The specified alias address is removed from the alias address pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Donald Norberg, Scott Brady Compton, Dale Francis Riedy, Jr., Harry Morris Yudenfriend
  • Publication number: 20090043976
    Abstract: Provided are a system and article of manufacture for removing alias addresses from an alias address pool. A plurality of alias addresses are assigned to an alias address pool, wherein the alias addresses in the alias address pool are capable of being dynamically assigned to a device to service I/O requests to the device. An operation is initiated by a process to remove a specified alias address from the alias address pool. An indicator is set to prevent additional processes from removing one alias address from the alias address pool in response to initiating the operation. The specified alias address is removed from the alias address pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig Donald Norberg, Scott Brady Compton, Dale Francis Riedy, JR., Harry Morris Yudenfriend
  • Patent number: 7472463
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing compressed, gas-stabilized tampons are disclosed. The gas-stabilized tampons include tampons having preferably multiple folds for improved leakage protection and comfort through improved expansion characteristics. The number of folds can vary from 3 to 20 and greater. The process includes the step of forcing a gas through the compressed tampon. The gas can include steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Steven Ray Gilbert, Matthew Howard Wasson, Edward Paul Carlin, Margaret Henderson Hasse, Dale Francis Bittner, Douglas Toms
  • Publication number: 20080301495
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for reassigning storage volumes from a failed processing system to a surviving processing system. A first processing system detects a failure of a second processing system. The first processing system determines device groups of storage devices managed by the failed second processing system and determines for each determined device group, hosts that connect to storage devices in the device group. The first processing system sends, for each device group, a unit check to each determined host indicating failure of each device group through one storage device in the device group to which the determined host connects. The determined hosts execute instructions to terminate any I/O operations in progress on the storage devices in the device group in response to the unit check indicating failure of one storage device in the device group and issue, a command to one storage device for the device group to end the busy condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Kalos, Dale Francis Riedy, JR., Richard Anthony Ripberger, Harry Morris Yudenfriend
  • Patent number: 7437608
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for reassigning storage volumes from a failed processing system to a surviving processing system. A first processing system detects a failure of a second processing system. The first processing system determines device groups of storage devices managed by the failed second processing system and determines for each determined device group, hosts that connect to storage devices in the device group. The first processing system sends, for each device group, a unit check to each determined host indicating failure of each device group through one storage device in the device group to which the determined host connects. The determined hosts execute instructions to terminate any I/O operations in progress on the storage devices in the device group in response to the unit check indicating failure of one storage device in the device group and issue, a command to one storage device for the device group to end the busy condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Kalos, Dale Francis Riedy, Jr., Richard Anthony Ripberger, Harry Morris Yudenfriend
  • Publication number: 20080059729
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for removing alias addresses from an alias address pool. A plurality of alias addresses are assigned to an alias address pool, wherein the alias addresses in the alias address pool are capable of being dynamically assigned to a device to service I/O requests to the device. An operation is initiated by a process to remove a specified alias address from the alias address pool. An indicator is set to prevent additional processes from removing one alias address from the alias address pool in response to initiating the operation. The specified alias address is removed from the alias address pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig Donald Norberg, Scott Brady Compton, Dale Francis Riedy, Harry Morris Yudenfriend
  • Patent number: 7244257
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to electrosurgical pencils having variable controls. In one aspect, the electrosurgical pencil, includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery blade being connected to a source of electrosurgical energy, an activation button supported on the housing, the activation button being movable from a first position to at least a subsequent position, and a transducer electrically connected between the activation button and the source of electrosurgical energy. The transducer is configured to transmit an electrical output signal to the electrosurgical energy source correlating to the movement of the activation button. The source of electrosurgical energy correspondingly supplies an amount of electrosurgical energy to the electrocautery blade dependant upon the electrical output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Ronald J. Podhajsky, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Arlan James Reschke
  • Patent number: 7179258
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has opposable seal surfaces on its jaws for grasping and sealing vessels and vascular tissue. Inner and outer instrument members allow arcuate motion of the seal surfaces. An open lockbox provides a pivot with lateral support to maintain alignment of the lateral surfaces. Ratchets on the instrument members hold a constant closure force on the tissue during the seal process. A shank portion on each member is tuned to provide an appropriate spring force to hold the seal surfaces together. During surgery, the instrument can be used to grasp and clamp vascular tissue and apply bipolar electrosurgical current through the clamped tissue. In one embodiment, the seal surfaces are partially insulated to prevent a short circuit when the instrument jaws are closed together. In another embodiment, the seal surfaces are removably mounted on the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Steven Paul Buysse, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Robert Luzzi, Kirk Bryan Olson, Kate Ryland Lawes, Daniel Lee Trimberger, II, Mathew Erle Mitchell, Jenifer Serafin Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7156844
    Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil is provided which includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery blade is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil also includes at least one activation switch supported on the housing which is configured and adapted to complete a control loop extending from the source of electrosurgical energy. At least one voltage divider network is also supported on the housing and is electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Arlan James Reschke, Steven Paul Buysse, David Nichols Heard, Joe Don Sartor, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Patent number: 7156842
    Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil is provided which includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery blade is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil also includes at least one activation switch supported on the housing which is configured and adapted to complete a control loop extending from the source of electrosurgical energy. At least one voltage divider network is also supported on the housing and is electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Joe Don Sartor, Arlen James Reschke, David Nichols Heard, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Ronald J. Podhajsky, Steven Paul Buysse, Mark Huseman
  • Patent number: D535396
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Arlan James Reschke, Steven Paul Buysse, David Nichols Heard, Joe Don Sartor, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Ronald J. Podhajsky