Patents by Inventor Dean Banks

Dean Banks 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: 20220227167
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric Anderfaas, Brian Miller, Dean Banks, Jon Charland, David Clemens, Chris Culbertson, Peter LeNoach, Jared Trauernicht
  • Patent number: 11318782
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric Anderfaas, Brian Miller, Dean Banks, Jon Charland, David Clemens, Chris Culbertson, Peter LeNoach, Jared Trauernicht
  • Publication number: 20200098460
    Abstract: A system for uniquely identifying a medication unit such as a pill, a tablet, or a capsule includes a unique identifier located directly on the medication unit that distinguishes the medication unit from any medication unit. The system further includes a database that is hosted on a server device, the database being searchable to identify the medication unit and including the unique identifier and other information associated with the medication unit. The system further includes a scanner that scans the unique identifier to provide the unique identifier o a user device that communicates with the server device via a network to identify the medication unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: EPIS Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Willard Dean Banks, William Stuart Carroll, II, Roger Rolan Roff, John Bellamy
  • Publication number: 20190344613
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric Anderfaas, Brian Miller, Dean Banks, Jon Charland, David Clemens, Chris Culbertson, Peter LeNoach, Jared Trauernicht
  • Patent number: 10381878
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining an operational configuration of a wireless power adapter. The method includes determining whether the wireless power adapter is calibrated to supply a legacy device with electrical energy. The method further includes, in response to determining that the wireless power adapter is not calibrated to supply the legacy device with electrical energy, delivering a first power signal to the legacy device via a first electrical coupling member. The method also includes detecting a response of the legacy device to receiving the first power signal, and based on the response of the legacy device, determining an operational configuration of the wireless power adapter. Furthermore, the method includes configuring the wireless power adapter to operate according to the determined operational configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Michael Grundmann, Brian Adolf, Eric Liu, Mathias Fleck, Samuel Dean Banks, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180072095
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric Anderfaas, Brian Miller, Dean Banks, Jon Charland, David Clemens, Chris Culbertson, Peter LeNoach, Jared Trauernicht
  • Patent number: 9273748
    Abstract: A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean Banks
  • Publication number: 20140110024
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric Anderfaas, Brian Miller, Dean Banks, Jon Charland, David Clemens, Chris Culbertson, Peter LeNoach, Jared Trauernicht
  • Patent number: 8631844
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric Anderfaas, Brian Miller, Dean Banks, Jon Charland, David Clemens, Chris Culbertson, Peter LeNoach, Jared Trauernicht
  • Patent number: 8413773
    Abstract: A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean Banks
  • Publication number: 20110272254
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Anderfaas, Brian Miller, Dean Banks, Jon Charland, David Clemens, Chris Culbertson, Peter LeNoach, Jared Trauernicht
  • Patent number: 7726426
    Abstract: A hub drive includes an in-hub motor and a shifting in-hub transmission coupled with the motor. A hub drive wheel assembly includes a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel. A vehicle includes a chassis, a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel for rotating the wheel with respect to the chassis. A method includes providing a shifting transmission and a motor coupled with the transmission in a hub of a wheel, providing electrical power to the motor, and rotating the motor with the electrical power. The method further includes rotating the transmission with the motor and rotating the wheel with the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Beck, Jon T. Stinchcomb, Wendell H. Chun, David A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Dean Banks
  • Publication number: 20100032254
    Abstract: A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean Banks
  • Patent number: 7600616
    Abstract: A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean Banks
  • Publication number: 20080105504
    Abstract: A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean Banks
  • Patent number: 7234575
    Abstract: A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean Banks
  • Publication number: 20070119669
    Abstract: A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Anderfaas, Dean Banks
  • Publication number: 20070084664
    Abstract: A hub drive includes an in-hub motor and a shifting in-hub transmission coupled with the motor. A hub drive wheel assembly includes a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel. A vehicle includes a chassis, a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel for rotating the wheel with respect to the chassis. A method includes providing a shifting transmission and a motor coupled with the transmission in a hub of a wheel, providing electrical power to the motor, and rotating the motor with the electrical power. The method further includes rotating the transmission with the motor and rotating the wheel with the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Beck, Jon Stinchcomb, Wendell Chun, David Clemens, John Dunne, Dean Banks
  • Patent number: D589873
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Harvey Dean Banks
  • Patent number: D768873
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SHOCKBOTTLE LLC
    Inventors: Roy William Stedman, Timothy Patrick Meyers, Ryan Dean Banks