Patents by Inventor Dale H. Smith

Dale H. 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).

  • Publication number: 20240131886
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Dee Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Michael Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett, Christopher T. Bate, Michael Patrick Cutter
  • Patent number: 7197950
    Abstract: A temperature controlled hydraulic fluid supply circuit (12) includes a first hydraulic fluid reservoir (18), that has an initial hydraulic fluid (20), and a temperature controlled housing (45). A second hydraulic fluid reservoir (26) is fluidically coupled to the first hydraulic fluid reservoir (18), resides within the temperature controlled housing (45), and has a controlled hydraulic fluid (14) that is supplied to a test device (16). A circulation device (60) circulates a temperature altering fluid (62) through the temperature controlled housing (45) and adjusts the temperature of the controlled hydraulic fluid (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Maxwell, Dale H. Smith, Marcus A. Topp
  • Patent number: 6910252
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing a fastener from a corresponding aperture defined by a workpiece that reduces or eliminates damage to the fastener and/or the workpiece. The apparatus includes a pulling plug for engaging the head of the fastener, and a drive shaft operably connected to the pulling plug. The apparatus further includes a lever member that is urged into operable contact with the workpiece. In operation, the head end of a fastener is engaged by the pulling plug. Thereafter, the lever member is moved into contact with the workpiece. The drive shaft is then retracted while the lever member continues to be urged into operable contact with and to push against the workpiece without positively engaging the workpiece. As such, the pulling plug is also moved away from the surface of the workpiece to remove the fastener from the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond Q. Draggie, Scott D. Maxwell, Dale H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040187284
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing a fastener from a corresponding aperture defined by a workpiece that reduces or eliminates damage to the fastener and/or the workpiece. The apparatus includes a pulling plug for engaging the head of the fastener, and a drive shaft operably connected to the pulling plug. The apparatus further includes a lever member that is urged into operable contact with the workpiece. In operation, the head end of a fastener is engaged by the pulling plug. Thereafter, the lever member is moved into contact with the workpiece. The drive shaft is then retracted while the lever member continues to be urged into operable contact with and to push against the workpiece without positively engaging the workpiece. As such, the pulling plug is also moved away from the surface of the workpiece to remove the fastener from the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond Q. Draggie, Scott D. Maxwell, Dale H. Smith