Patents by Inventor Daniel Blair
Daniel Blair 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: 9068903Abstract: A system, method, and computer storage configured for determining period-ending positions of multiple parts movable by select actuation of corresponding active materials. The operations include receiving, from a work-source sensor, work-source input indicating a distance moved by the work source and a direction of the movement, and determining, based on the work-source input and a first and second status histories, corresponding to a first and a second part, respectively, first and second distances travelled by the parts, respectively. Operations also include calculating, based on the first and second distances determined and first and second period-starting positions, corresponding to the first and second parts, respectively, first and second period-ending positions for the first and second parts, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, James M. Lombardi, Crescenzio Pelino, Daniel Blair
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Patent number: 9035579Abstract: An actuator system for use in selectively engaging an input to an output. The actuator system includes an input sub-system having an input component configured to connect to an input element which is in turn connected to a work source. The actuator system also includes an output sub-system being connectable to the input sub-system for receiving work from the work source via the input sub-system. The actuator system further includes an actuator sub-system having an active material and an actuating component. The actuator sub-system is configured so that the active material, when activated, causes the actuating component to move from a first state to a second state to disengage the input and output sub-systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, James M Lombardi, Crescenzio Pelino, Daniel Blair
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Patent number: 8960098Abstract: A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a vessel containing a fluid of selected viscosity and having a turbine rotatably mounted on a shaft in the interior. A braking cable is secured to a reel on the turbine shaft outside the cylinder and routed through a pulley to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include turbine blades of adjustable dimensions, so that the braking force may be controlled. The system may also include a counterweight suspended by a retraction cable which is coupled to the turbine shaft to rewind the braking cable on the reel for repeated use.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Inventors: Daniel Blair Boren, Mira De Avila-Shin, David B. Golay, Nickolaus W. Hill, Samuel D. Meyer, Ilona K. Phipps-Morgan
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Patent number: 8922185Abstract: A device, system, and method for global maximum power point tracking comprises monitoring an output power of a DC power source while executing a maximum power point tracking algorithm and adjusting a maximum power point tracking command signal in response to the output power being less than a reference output power. The command signal is adjusted until the output power exceeds a previous output power by a reference amount. The command signal may be a voltage command signal, a current command signal, an impedance command signal, a duty ratio command signal, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Ehlmann, Daniel Blair, Eric Martina, Patrick Chapman, Brian Kuhn
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Patent number: 8783190Abstract: A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a cylinder having a closed end and a piston slidably mounted in the interior. A braking cable is secured to the piston and routed through an opening in the closed end of the cylinder to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include a relief valve to release compressed air from the cylinder, so that the braking force may be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Inventors: Daniel Blair Boren, Brett J. Epstein, Joel C. Haas, Jesse E. Miller, Gary P. Prus
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Publication number: 20140081513Abstract: A system, method, and computer storage configured for determining period-ending positions of multiple parts movable by select actuation of corresponding active materials. The operations include receiving, from a work-source sensor, work-source input indicating a distance moved by the work source and a direction of the movement, and determining, based on the work-source input and a first and second status histories, corresponding to a first and a second part, respectively, first and second distances travelled by the parts, respectively. Operations also include calculating, based on the first and second distances determined and first and second period-starting positions, corresponding to the first and second parts, respectively, first and second period-ending positions for the first and second parts, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, James M. Lombardi, Crescenzio Pelino, Daniel Blair
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Publication number: 20130239842Abstract: A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a cylinder having a closed end and a piston slidably mounted in the interior. A braking cable is secured to the piston and routed through an opening in the closed end of the cylinder to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include a relief valve to release compressed air from the cylinder, so that the braking force may be controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: ADVENTURE HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Daniel Blair Boren, Brett J. Epstein, Joel C. Haas, Jesse E. Miller, Gary P. Prus
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Publication number: 20130239843Abstract: A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a vessel containing a fluid of selected viscosity and having a turbine rotatably mounted on a shaft in the interior. A braking cable is secured to a reel on the turbine shaft outside the cylinder and routed through a pulley to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include turbine blades of adjustable dimensions, so that the braking force may be controlled. The system may also include a counterweight suspended by a retraction cable which is coupled to the turbine shaft to rewind the braking cable on the reel for repeated use.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: ADVENTURE HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Daniel Blair Boren, Mira De Avila-Shin, David B. Golay, Nickolaus W. Hill, Samuel D. Meyer, Ilona K. Phipps-Morgan
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Publication number: 20130239841Abstract: A trolley transport system comprising at least two supports aligned in proximity to the cable, a pulley rotatably mounted to each support, a drive motor in mechanical communication with one of the pulleys, a continuous loop line suspended from the pulleys, an attachment device secured to the line, a connecting line secured to the attachment device; and a transport block slidably mounted on the cable and removably attached to the connecting line.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Adventure Holdings LLCInventor: Daniel Blair Boren
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Publication number: 20130061523Abstract: An actuator system for use in selectively engaging an input to an output. The actuator system includes an input sub-system having an input component configured to connect to an input element which is in turn connected to a work source. The actuator system also includes an output sub-system being connectable to the input sub-system for receiving work from the work source via the input sub-system. The actuator system further includes an actuator sub-system having an active material and an actuating component. The actuator sub-system is configured so that the active material, when activated, causes the actuating component to move from a first state to a second state to disengage the input and output sub-systems. In another embodiment, the present technology includes a pinch-protection system that determines whether a present value for a work-source physical characteristic exceeds a running average by at least a preset offset value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicants: DYNALLOY, INC., GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: NILESH D. MANKAME, JAMES HOLBROOK BROWN, ARAGORN ZOLNO, JAMES M. LOMBARDI, CRESCENZIO PELINO, DANIEL BLAIR
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Publication number: 20130016536Abstract: A device, system, and method for global maximum power point tracking comprises monitoring an output power of a DC power source while executing a maximum power point tracking algorithm and adjusting a maximum power point tracking command signal in response to the output power being less than a reference output power. The command signal is adjusted until the output power exceeds a previous output power by a reference amount. The command signal may be a voltage command signal, a current command signal, an impedance command signal, a duty ratio command signal, or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: SOLARBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Jonathan Ehlmann, Daniel Blair, Eric Martina, Patrick Chapman, Brian Kuhn
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Patent number: 8327770Abstract: A trolley for transporting the rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope, the trolley having a mounting plate configured with a connection point to receive the rider's harness, a pulley rotatably mounted to the mounting plate to support the plate on the cable or rope, and a friction shoe mounted on the plate forward of the pulley to contact the upper portion of the cable or rope, wherein the connection point is located beneath the cable or rope between the centers of the pulley and the friction shoe. The apparatus may also provide a manually operated brake handle to allow the rider to selectively apply braking force to reduce the speed of the trolley on the cable as desired.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Inventors: Daniel Blair Boren, Brett J. Epstein, Jason B. Hickman, David J. W. Lovinger, Gary P. Prus, James R. Wilson, Jr.
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Patent number: 8234980Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a rider between two points on a cable or rope, having a plurality of supports configured to suspend the cable or rope between two points of unequal elevation and a trolley for transporting the rider supported by a harness on the cable or rope, the trolley having a mounting plate configured with a connection point to receive the rider's harness, a pulley rotatably mounted to the mounting plate to support the plate on the cable or rope, and a friction shoe mounted on the plate forward of the pulley to contact the upper portion of the cable or rope, wherein the connection point is located beneath the cable or rope between the centers of the pulley and the friction shoe.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Adventure Holdings LLCInventors: Daniel Blair Boren, Brett J. Epstein, Joel C. Haas, Jason B. Hickman, Gary P. Prus, David J. W. Lovinger, James R. Wilson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120137924Abstract: A trolley for transporting the rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope, the trolley having a mounting plate configured with a connection point to receive the rider's harness, a pulley rotatably mounted to the mounting plate to support the plate on the cable or rope, and a friction shoe mounted on the plate forward of the pulley to contact the upper portion of the cable or rope, wherein the connection point is located beneath the cable or rope between the centers of the pulley and the friction shoe. The apparatus may also provide a manually operated brake handle to allow the rider to selectively apply braking force to reduce the speed of the trolley on the cable as desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: ADVENTURE HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Daniel Blair Boren, Brett J. Epstein, Jason B. Hickman, David J. W. Lovinger, Gary P. Prus, James R. Wilson, JR.
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Publication number: 20100243374Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a rider between two points on a cable or rope, having a plurality of supports configured to suspend the cable or rope between two points of unequal elevation and a trolley for transporting the rider supported by a harness on the cable or rope, the trolley having a mounting plate configured with a connection point to receive the rider's harness, a pulley rotatably mounted to the mounting plate to support the plate on the cable or rope, and a friction shoe mounted on the plate forward of the pulley to contact the upper portion of the cable or rope, wherein the connection point is located beneath the cable or rope between the centers of the pulley and the friction shoe.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: Adventure Holdings LLCInventors: Daniel Blair Boren, Brett J. Epstein, Joel C. Haas, Jason B. Hickman, David J.W. Lovinger, Gary P. Prus, James R. Wilson, JR.
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Publication number: 20060200103Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid regenerated standard viscose fibre. The fibre according to the invention has a cross section the area of which is larger than the area of the largest equilateral triangle inscribed into said cross section by a factor of less than 2.50 times, preferably less than 2.40 times, especially preferred less than 2.25 times. Furthermore, the fibre according to the invention has a Syngina absorbency as defined hereinbefore of more than 6.0 g/g fibre.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2005Publication date: September 7, 2006Inventors: Josef Schmidtbauer, Heinrich Schmidt, Christoph Boxan, Daniel Blair
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Patent number: 7014250Abstract: A portable structure for use in ice fishing. A two-piece structure that generally includes a lower shell and a separate removable hard cover shell that is installed onto the lower shell is provided. Further, the lower shell is formed as a hull, having a floor surrounded by exterior sidewalls to define an interior well within the lower shell. The cover unit is interfittingly received onto the walls of the sidewalls of the lower shell to complete the enclosure. The separability of the lower shell and the cover allow easy removal of the cover. When being transported, the cover of the shelter is removed, inverted and placed within the lower shell.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Inventor: Daniel Blair
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Publication number: 20050224100Abstract: A water softener particularly for use in a dishwasher. The water softener is located in the dishwasher water supply (238) between the primary supply valve and the wash chamber. The softener includes a resin container (207) with an ion exchange resin (290). Water supplied to the wash chamber optionally passes through the resin container (207). Regenerating brine is developed in a brine container (203). The brine container (203) is supplied manually with solid salt (270) and water diverted into the container from the main supply at an air break (201). In the regenerating cycle brine is delivered from the brine container (203) to the resin container (207) by a pump (206). The duty cycle of the pump (206) determines the degree of regeneration of the resin (290).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2003Publication date: October 13, 2005Inventors: Stephen Maunsell, Daniel Blair
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Publication number: 20050173944Abstract: A portable structure for use in ice fishing is disclosed. The present invention provides a two piece structure that generally includes a lower shell and a separate removable hard cover shell that is installed onto the lower shell. Further, the lower shell is formed as a hull, having a floor surrounded by exterior sidewalls to define an interior well within the lower shell. The cover unit is interfittingly received onto the walls of the sidewalls of the lower shell to complete the enclosure. The separability of the lower shell and the cover allow easy removal of the cover. When being transported, the cover of the shelter is removed, inverted and placed within the lower shell to reduce the exposure of the structure during transport and reduce the volume of space necessary for storing the shelter when not in use. The construction provides that when the two pieces are joined together a rigid lightweight structure is created that is capable of floating itself and its occupants in the event of an ice failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2005Publication date: August 11, 2005Inventor: Daniel Blair