Patents by Inventor David Helmick

David Helmick 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: 20240350897
    Abstract: A system includes a nozzle configured to eject a liquid. The system also includes a wall having a surface facing the nozzle, and a thickness extending from the surface. The system also includes one or more capacitance sensors configured to detect, through the thickness of the wall, a presence of the liquid at or adjacent to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Brian Morgan Kirkland, Nathaniel David Helmick, IV
  • Publication number: 20240075401
    Abstract: A system for controlling costumed character interaction includes a character costume configured to be worn by a user. The character costume includes an electromagnet integrated into the character costume. The system also includes a stage prop including a magnetic piece integrated into the stage prop. The system further includes a control interface coupled to the electromagnet. The control interface is configured, via a control signal, to activate and to deactivate the electromagnet to control interaction between the character costume and the stage prop via magnetic interaction between the electromagnet and the magnetic piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Nathaniel David Helmick, Katherine Amanda Novak
  • Publication number: 20230364523
    Abstract: An attraction system includes a ride vehicle configured to move within the attraction system, a display coupled to the ride vehicle, and a control system communicatively coupled to the display. The control system is configured to determine a position and/or orientation of the display within the attraction system and operate the display to present an image based on the position and/or orientation of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Nathaniel David Helmick, IV, Bryan Zebleckes
  • Patent number: 11785697
    Abstract: An attraction system of an amusement park includes a sensor configured to monitor electrostatic buildup associated with the attraction system and a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor. The control system is configured to receive data from the sensor, the data being indicative of an amount of the electrostatic buildup associated with the attraction system, and operate the attraction system based on the data indicative of the amount of the electrostatic buildup associated with the attraction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Nathaniel David Helmick, IV
  • Publication number: 20230311011
    Abstract: An attraction system for an amusement park includes an actuator, an enclosure coupled to the actuator and defining an interior space of the enclosure, a display coupled to the enclosure, positioned within the interior space, and configured to output imagery, and a guest area external to the interior space of the enclosure. The actuator is configured to move the enclosure to drive movement of the display relative to the guest area for entertainment of one or more guests in the guest area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Bryan Zebleckes, Heatherlyn Elizabeth Egan, Nathaniel David Helmick, IV, Elizabeth Anne Sutphin, Rebecca Barbara Dean, Andrew E. Nocar, Elias Varon, Keith Michael McVeen, Gary Lynn Blumenstein, JR., Kimberly Marie Gritzer, Eric Allan Vance, Sarah Anne Kelley, Eric Rae Parr
  • Publication number: 20230288945
    Abstract: A water control system includes at least one water effect device configured to use a water source to emit water responsive to a control signal, a plurality of sensors configured to generate water condition data of a closed-loop water source, and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory may store instructions executable by the processor that cause the controller to receive the water condition data from the plurality of sensors. The controller is also configured to determine whether the water condition data is indicative of a passing water quality or a failing water quality of the closed-loop water source and transmit the control signal to the water effect device to emit water using the closed-loop water source as the water source upon determining that the water condition data is indicative of the passing water quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Nathaniel David Helmick, IV, Michael Anthony Beatrice, Elliot Taylor
  • Publication number: 20230225038
    Abstract: An attraction system of an amusement park includes a sensor configured to monitor electrostatic buildup associated with the attraction system and a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor. The control system is configured to receive data from the sensor, the data being indicative of an amount of the electrostatic buildup associated with the attraction system, and operate the attraction system based on the data indicative of the amount of the electrostatic buildup associated with the attraction system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventor: Nathaniel David Helmick, IV
  • Patent number: 10589182
    Abstract: A water attraction dispatch system includes a water attraction having a plurality of sensors and a dispatch controller. The dispatch controller is configured to receive attraction condition data from the plurality of sensors of the water attraction and determine a dispatch status of the water attraction based on the attraction condition data. The dispatch status may be a permit dispatch status or a deny dispatch status. The dispatch controller is configured to transmit a signal indicative of the dispatch status to a controller of the water attraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: David Helmick, Elliot Taylor, Justin Michael Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20190358550
    Abstract: A water attraction dispatch system includes a water attraction having a plurality of sensors and a dispatch controller. The dispatch controller is configured to receive attraction condition data from the plurality of sensors of the water attraction and determine a dispatch status of the water attraction based on the attraction condition data. The dispatch status may be a permit dispatch status or a deny dispatch status. The dispatch controller is configured to transmit a signal indicative of the dispatch status to a controller of the water attraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: David Helmick, Elliot Taylor, Justin Michael Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20070218300
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of applying a coating to an article. A coating material is disposed on an article. The coating material is accelerated towards the article. And, a solid-phase bond is formed between the coating material and the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: David Helmick, David Burin
  • Publication number: 20070116973
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a coated turbine article comprising a uniform enhanced coating on at least a portion of the turbine article, wherein the enhanced coating comprises a coating material and a structural enhancer, wherein the structural enhancer is selected from the group consisting of oxide, carbide, nitride, intermetallic material, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing, wherein the structural enhancer has an average particle size, as measured along a major axis, of about 0.01 ?m to about 100 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Vinod Pareek, David Helmick
  • Publication number: 20070116884
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for applying a barrier coating comprises: mixing a coating material and a structural enhancer to form a mixture, applying the mixture to a component using thermal spraying to form the coating, and controlling a concentration of the structural enhancer in the coating. The structural enhancer is selected from the group consisting of oxide, carbide, nitride, intermetallic material, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Vinod Pareek, Robert Shalvoy, David Helmick
  • Publication number: 20070116809
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a coated turbine article comprising a uniform enhanced coating on at least a portion of the turbine article, wherein the enhanced coating comprises a coating material and a structural enhancer, wherein the structural enhancer is selected from the group consisting of oxide, carbide, nitride, intermetallic material, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing, wherein the structural enhancer has an average particle size, as measured along a major axis, of about 0.01 ?m to about 100 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Vinod Pareek, David Helmick