Patents by Inventor David G. Allen

David G. Allen 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: 6930493
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the concentration of a detergent in a detergent solution. A capacitive sensor is exposed to the detergent solution, and electrical properties of the capacitive sensor are responsive to changes in the concentration of detergent in the detergent solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: STERIS Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert J. Kaiser, David G. Allen, Michael A. Centanni, Mark D. McGinley
  • Patent number: 6737598
    Abstract: An electrical switch is provided that includes a housing having at least one contact retention chamber formed therein. The housing includes an opening in one wall of the contact retention chamber through which an actuator is extended. A contact assembly is movably mounted within the contact retention chamber of the housing. The contact assembly has at least one contact that is movable along an arcuate path aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The actuator includes an insulated over-molded portion that retains a conductive member therein. The conductive member is configured to engage the contact. The housing slidably retains the actuator to permit movement of the actuator and the conductive member along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The actuator drives the contacts along the arcuate path between engaged and disengaged positions with the conductive member as the actuator moves along the longitudinal axis of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: David G. Allen, Mehmet U. Sayman, Liviu N. Dan
  • Patent number: 6637127
    Abstract: An air flow detecting system is provided for monitoring air flow in a dryer system. The dryer system has an exhaust passage through which air from a drying compartment flows. The air flow detecting system includes a detector for monitoring a rate at which air from the drying compartment travels through the exhaust passage, and a signal generator. The signal generator is responsive to the detector and generates an electrical signal for which at least one of phase, frequency, voltage, or current varies over a continuous range based on a measured flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan Reede, Marc Villeneuve, David G. Allen
  • Publication number: 20030147238
    Abstract: A hydroelectric generator is provided for driving electrical components. The generator includes a housing configured to be connected to a water supply and includes an inlet port and a discharge port arranged at opposite ends thereof. The housing includes a linear passageway extending along a straight path entirely through the housing that is configured to convey water from the inlet port to the discharge port. The hydroelectric generator also includes a power generator mounted in the passageway and configured to convert energy from water flowing through the passageway into electric power. The generator includes magnets and a coil centered within the passageway with at least one of the coil and magnets being adapted to be rotated relative to the housing in response to flowing water. The hydroelectric generator includes an electric output from the power generator delivering electrical power to an electrical component connected to the power generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: David G. Allen, Greg Porter, Ron Bouffard
  • Publication number: 20030061728
    Abstract: An air flow detecting system is provided for monitoring air flow in a dryer system. The dryer system has an exhaust passage through which air from a drying compartment flows. The air flow detecting system includes a detector for monitoring a rate at which air from the drying compartment travels through the exhaust passage, and a signal generator. The signal generator is responsive to the detector and generates an electrical signal for which at least one of phase, frequency, voltage, or current varies over a continuous range based on a measured flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Ivan Reede, Marc Villeneuve, David G. Allen
  • Patent number: 5403472
    Abstract: A process of and apparatus for determining when the effective bromine contained in a polybromide impregnated resin cartridge used in a water disinfection system is depleted. The bromine content of the supply water is measured. When the bromine content falls below a pre-determined level, a comparative circuit is actuated to initiate flow of the supply water through a bromine cartridge assembly. At the same time, a timing cycle is initiated. The bromine content is continuously monitored and if it does not rise above the pre-determined level during the life of the timing cycle then an signal is output to indicate that the bromine cartridge is depleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Howell Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Miers, David G. Allen, Bruce G. Merrill
  • Patent number: 5348663
    Abstract: A process of and apparatus for determining when the effective bromine contained in a polybromide impregnated resin cartridge used in a water disinfection system is depleted. The bromine content of the supply water is measured. When the bromine content falls below a desired level, a comparative circuit is actuated to initiate flow of the supply water through a bromine cartridge assembly. At the same time, a timing cycle is initiated. The bromine content is continuously monitored and if it does not rise above the desired level during the life of the timing cycle then an signal is output to indicate that the bromine cartridge is depleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Howell Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Miers, David G. Allen, Bruce G. Merrill
  • Patent number: 5048381
    Abstract: A torque-indicating screwdriver comprises a shaft assembly and a handle. There is also a fastener coupling which enables a fastener to be coupled to an end of the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a torsionally elastic torque transmitter which is preferably a torsion bar which couples the handle to the fastener coupling. An indicator is also provided and is coupled between the handle and the fastener coupling to provide an indication of the relative torque applied through the torsionally elastic torque transmitter to the fastener coupling by rotation of the handle. In addition, or as an alternative, the indicator may be coupled between the handle and the fastener coupling to provide an indication of the peak torque applied through the torsionally elastic torque transmitter to the fastener coupling by rotation of the handle so that the indicator remains at the peak indication until it is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: MHH Engineering Co., Ltd. of Bramley, Etc.
    Inventors: David G. Allen, Terence C. Bullen
  • Patent number: 4949602
    Abstract: The wrench is for use with a bolt having an axial bore in which is located a pin. The pin is rotatable within the bore until the bolt is tensioned near its elastic limit, at which point rotation of the pin relative to the bolt is restrained.The wrench includes a body (12) drivingly carrying via dogs (20) a first socket (16) for engaging and driving a nut on the bolt. A second socket (28) engages a head on the pin. The first and second sockets (16,28) are connected to a common drive, the connection of the second socket (28) being in a coupling in which a pin (46) engages in a detent in a cam cylinder (50).When rotation of the pin relative to the bolt becomes restrain bed, the coupling (46,50) disengages, allowing the cam cylinder (50) to be urged outwardly of the housing (12) by a spring (60), to cause a warning indicator (58) to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: MHH Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert A. Letts, David G. Allen, Terence C. Bullen