Patents by Inventor David Willis
David Willis 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: 11928307Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein provide an operator training system that can train an operator about basic machine movements, operations, and applications, such as asphalt compactor rolling patterns, paving-by-numbers, milling-by-numbers, etc. with the use of a virtual reality headset at any point or time on a work site. The operator training system uses data received from the virtual reality headset and associated hand controls to guide the operator via training scenarios. The operator training system also includes providing immediate feedback on the outcome of the training scenario and may also identify one or more areas of improvement.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: David A. King, Todd Willis Mansell, Eric Remboldt, Matt Peasley
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Patent number: 11927174Abstract: A connection member to connect a blade with an arm of a vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed. The connection member may include a bracket including a bracket plate. A bracket plate curvature may be equivalent to a blade inside portion skin curvature. The bracket plate may include a first connection insert configured to receive a first fastener. The bracket plate may be attached to the blade via the first fastener. The connection member may further include a yoke including a second connection insert configured to receive a second fastener. The yoke may attach to the arm via the second fastener. The connection member may further include a pivotal pin configured to axially attach the bracket with the yoke and a device to attach a fairing to the blade.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2023Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: WIND HARVEST INTERNATIONAL INCInventors: David John Malcolm, Alin Ionut Munteanu, Olamide Ajala Inyang, Antonio Ojeda Monge, Jeffrey Willis
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Publication number: 20230131080Abstract: A reduced drag surface involves a perforated or porous surface exposed to a flowing fluid and a slip interface disposed between the surface and the flowing fluid, wherein the slip interface is formed from an entrapped fluid trapped at the surface. A method for modifying a drag coefficient on a reduced drag surface involves the steps of supplying a fluid to a perforated or porous surface exposed to a flowing fluid, wherein the surface traps the fluid at the surface to form an entrapped fluid and forming a slip interface between the surface and the flowing fluid, wherein the slip interface is formed from the entrapped fluid. An apparatus for a reduced drag surface includes the reduced drag surface described above and a source of fluid fluidically coupled to the surface such that the source supplied fluid to the surface to form the entrapped fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Paul S. Krueger, David A. Willis, Haosen Tan, Denise Cox
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Patent number: 11569817Abstract: A system for generating an offset signal for a capacitive sensor includes a waveform generator configured to generate a waveform, an R-2R ladder circuit having a constant output resistance that is coupled to an output of the waveform generator and is configured to generate the offset signal based on the waveform, and an adjustable capacitor that is connected between an output of the R-2R ladder circuit and a reference voltage. The capacitive sensor includes one or more sensing electrodes coupled to the waveform generator through a capacitance and is configured to generate a sensed signal by sensing an object. The R-2R ladder circuit and the adjustable capacitor are configured to adjust amplitude and phase of the offset signal such that the amplitude and the phase of the offset signal respectively coincide with an amplitude and a phase of the sensed signal when the sensing electrodes do not sense the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Inventors: David Willis, Brent Quist
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Publication number: 20220123748Abstract: A system for generating an offset signal for a capacitive sensor includes a waveform generator configured to generate a waveform, an R-2R ladder circuit having a constant output resistance that is coupled to an output of the waveform generator and is configured to generate the offset signal based on the waveform, and an adjustable capacitor that is connected between an output of the R-2R ladder circuit and a reference voltage. The capacitive sensor includes one or more sensing electrodes coupled to the waveform generator through a capacitance and is configured to generate a sensed signal by sensing an object. The R-2R ladder circuit and the adjustable capacitor are configured to adjust amplitude and phase of the offset signal such that the amplitude and the phase of the offset signal respectively coincide with an amplitude and a phase of the sensed signal when the sensing electrodes do not sense the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: David WILLIS, Brent QUIST
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Publication number: 20220002856Abstract: A steel strip having a metal coating on at least one surface of the strip is disclosed. The strip is characterised in that the coating includes aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy that contains magnesium and the coating has small size spangles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Qiyang Liu, David Willis
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Patent number: 11105307Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a fuel injector. In one example, a fuel injector includes a nozzle tip including a plurality of injection holes, a first needle biased against the nozzle tip via a first biasing member positioned within a first control volume, and a second needle surrounding a portion of the first needle and biased against the first needle and the nozzle tip via a second biasing member positioned within a second control volume. A needle actuator may be energized for different durations of time in order to move one or more of the first needle and the second needle relative to the nozzle tip.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: Jeffrey David Willis
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Patent number: 11048361Abstract: A system for generating a control signal for a capacitive sensor includes a waveform generator configured to generate a digital waveform, a first sigma-delta modulator (SDM) configured to generate a first output corresponding to the control signal based on the digital waveform and first adjustment data and a second SDM configured to generate a second output corresponding to an offset signal based on the digital waveform and second adjustment data. The first SDM is configured to selectively adjust a phase and an amplitude of the control signal and the second SDM is configured to selectively adjust a phase and an amplitude of the offset signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Inventor: David Willis
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Publication number: 20210101304Abstract: A removably mountable abnormal motion detection device for abnormal motion detection of a power tool that includes a reactive device and a control device. The control device includes an abnormal detection system that utilizes a processor, one or more sensors; and a machine learning model trained to determine abnormal motion for the power tool. When it is determined by the control device that an abnormal motion has occurred or is about to occur in the near future, the control device communicates with the reactive device to engage a safety feature of the power tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Applicant: LANTERN HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Chad Thomas GREEN, Joshua David WILLIS
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Patent number: 10722691Abstract: A vaginal insertion portion is disclosed, the vaginal insertion portion including a base portion, a proximal holding portion located on a proximal side of the base portion, and a suction portion located on distal side of the proximal holding portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masakatsu Kawaura, Nao Mandai, Nobuo Takahashi, Thomas J. Fogarty, David Willis, Thomas Howell, Peter Carlotto, Shuji Uemura
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Publication number: 20200071221Abstract: A mixture including glass fragments is located in a containment vessel and is processed in a kiln to form a commercially useful building product. The mixture is initially heated over a first time period to a first temperature intermediate the glass transition point temperature and about 950° C. or 1,100° C. (Section A). At the first temperature the glass fragments slump and bond to each other and the mixture is soaked at this temperature for a second time period (Section B). After reducing the temperature (Section C), the mixture is annealed for another time period (Section D). Finally, the kiln is cooled to allow the mixture to be removed (Section E).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Gregory David Willis, Graeme Lindsay White, Michael Vincent Maher
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Publication number: 20200000569Abstract: A vaginal insertion portion is disclosed, the vaginal insertion portion including a base portion, a proximal holding portion located on a proximal side of the base portion, and a suction portion located on distal side of the proximal holding portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2016Publication date: January 2, 2020Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masakatsu KAWAURA, Nao MANDAI, Nobuo TAKAHASHI, Thomas J. FOGARTY, David WILLIS, Thomas HOWELL, Peter CARLOTTO, Shuji UEMURA
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Patent number: 10420582Abstract: A puncture apparatus is disclosed, which can include an insertion portion that is insertable into a living body, the insertion portion including an urethral insertion portion and a vaginal insertion portion, the urethral insertion portion and the vaginal insertion portion each having at least two sensors; a puncture needle that punctures living body tissues near the insertion portion in a state in which the insertion portion is inserted into the living body, the puncture needle having at least one sensor on a distal portion of the puncture needle; and a monitor configured to receive information relating to a positional relationship between a distal portion of the puncture needle and the insertion portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masakatsu Kawaura, Nao Mandai, Nobuo Takahashi, Thomas J. Fogarty, David Willis, Thomas Howell, Peter Carlotto, Shuji Uemura
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Patent number: 10260446Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for health assessments of a fuel system. In one example, a fuel system includes a low-pressure pump operable to pump fuel from a fuel source at a first pressure, a high-pressure pump operable to increase the first pressure to a second pressure, a valve positioned between the low-pressure pump and the high-pressure pump and operable to control fuel flow to the high-pressure pump, a common fuel rail fluidly coupling the high-pressure pump to a plurality of fuel injectors coupled to cylinders of an engine, and a controller. The controller is operable to adjust an amount of valve electrical current supplied to the valve to reach a commanded pressure of the common fuel rail during cylinder firing conditions, the supplied valve electrical current adjusted based on a valve pre-firing correction factor for the valve obtained based on valve electrical current prior to cylinder firing commencing.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLCInventors: Pradheepram Ottikkutti, Bharath Chandrashekar, Shailesh Nair, Jeffrey David Willis
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Publication number: 20190048820Abstract: Various systems are provided for delivering fuel to an engine. In one example, a system includes a controller and a fluid system configured to maintain a fluid at a pressure downstream of a check valve. The controller may be configured to determine if a leak is present in the fluid system based on a first pressure decay rate of the fluid system, and responsive to identifying that a leak is present in the fluid system, differentiate between an internal leak and an external leak based on a leak flow rate as fluid system pressure decreases.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey David Willis, James Robert Mischler, Leslie Orin Trask, Daniel Yerace
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Patent number: 10161924Abstract: Sensor systems including an interferometer system are disclosed herein. In a general embodiment, the sensor system includes an optical fiber that is embedded into a sample, where the optical fiber has a reflective tip. The optical fiber is optically coupled to a sensor and a detector of the laser interferometer system. The sensor system further includes a computing device or circuit that is configured to receive electrical signals generated by the detector. The laser source is configured to emit light, which is coupled into the optical fiber. The light travels through the optical fiber until the light reaches the reflective tip, where it is reflected back through the optical fiber. The detector is impacted by the reflected light, and generates an electrical signal based upon the reflected light. The computing device generates a value that is indicative of a behavior of the sample based upon the electrical signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Marcus Alexander Chavez, Timothy T. Covert, Michael David Willis
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Patent number: 10125711Abstract: Various systems are provided for delivering fuel to an engine. In one example, a system includes a controller and a fluid system configured to maintain a fluid at a pressure downstream of a check valve. The controller may be configured to determine if a leak is present in the fluid system based on a first pressure decay rate of the fluid system, and responsive to identifying that a leak is present in the fluid system, differentiate between an internal leak and an external leak based on a leak flow rate as fluid system pressure decreases.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey David Willis, James Robert Mischler, Leslie Orin Trask, Daniel Yerace
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Publication number: 20180289341Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
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Publication number: 20180223784Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a fuel injector. In one example, a fuel injector includes a nozzle tip including a plurality of injection holes, a first needle biased against the nozzle tip via a first biasing member positioned within a first control volume, and a second needle surrounding a portion of the first needle and biased against the first needle and the nozzle tip via a second biasing member positioned within a second control volume. A needle actuator may be energized for different durations of time in order to move one or more of the first needle and the second needle relative to the nozzle tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Jeffrey David Willis
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Patent number: 9936925Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: BIOLUCENT, LLCInventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell