Patents by Inventor Donald Drake

Donald Drake 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: 20120095606
    Abstract: An energy management system for an appliance comprising an interface to receive a schedule having an off-peak time segment and an on-peak time segment; a control to determine an operation to be performed by the appliance; a mode selecting device to select between an energy management mode and an immediate start mode; and a controller connected to the interface, the control, and the mode selecting device. The controller is arranged such that upon selection of the energy management mode, the controller initiates the operation when a majority of the energy consumption of the operation is within the off-peak time segment; and upon selection of the immediate start mode, the controller initiates the operation immediately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Timothy Worthington, Michael F. Finch, Jeff Donald Drake
  • Publication number: 20120065798
    Abstract: A household energy management system and method for managing multiple appliances is provided comprising: a central controller for managing power consumption of multiple appliances within a household, each appliance including an appliance controller; and, a communication network connecting the central controller to one or more of a utility meter and/or a demand server. The central controller maintains in a memory the managing of power consumption of the multiple appliances. The central controller instructs one or more appliances to shed load demand in response to inputs from the utility meter or demand server. Each appliance controller is configured to respond to shed load instructions from the central controller directed to it or directed to at least one other associated appliance by changing its load demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: MICHAEL F. FINCH, Jeff Donald Drake
  • Publication number: 20120063334
    Abstract: A system and method for managing energy of a home or other structure are disclosed. An energy management system for a home network comprises a central device controller configured to communicate with energy consuming devices, energy generation devices and storage devices at a home. Power/energy measuring devices provide consumption measurements for the home and each device to the controller. A home network router routes communications among various networks for the home. The router provides for a 6LowPan/Zigbee network to communicate with WiFi, Ethernet and the like networked devices of the home.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Jeff Donald Drake
  • Publication number: 20120052517
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing an artificial immune system. The artificial immune system comprises a cell culture comprising T cells, B cells and antigen-primed dendritic cells. The artificial immune system of the present invention can be used for in vitro testing of vaccines, adjuvants, immunotherapy candidates, cosmetics, drugs, biologics and other chemicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicants: VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, SANOFI PASTEUR VAXDESIGN CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. WARREN, Donald DRAKE, III, Janice MOSER, Inderpal SINGH, Haifeng SONG, Eric MISHKIN, John G. TEW
  • Publication number: 20120053746
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a home energy management system for receiving data indicative of a current demand state of an associated utility supplying energy and transmitting data in response. The energy management system comprising at least one home energy consuming system and a controller being configured and arranged to communicate with the at least one home energy consuming system, the controller is capable of automatically responding to the demand signal adopting an opt-in or an opt-out status for the home energy consuming system in compliance or in noncompliance with the demand signal. The controller includes an interface allowing optional programming by an associated user to automatically provide an opt-out response wherein the demand for limiting energy consumption is not recognized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Jeff Donald Drake, Timothy D. Worthington, Joseph M. Brian
  • Publication number: 20120029725
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a hybrid heating system that includes a heat pump and a gas heater is disclosed. Peak demand or pricing information is received from gas and electric utilities, and outdoor ambient temperature data is also fed to a smart hybrid thermostat. A controller processes this data and calculates overall efficiency of operating the heat pump versus the gas heater by accessing stored performance data relating to the heat pump in memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Lafleur, Nagaraju Valluri, John K. Besore, Timothy Dale Worthington, Michael Francis Finch, Jeffrey Donald Drake
  • Publication number: 20120023987
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment and one or more power consuming features/functions including a refrigeration system for cooling the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller adjusts the temperature of the refrigerator and/or freezer from a normal setting to a higher point during an energy saving mode and then back to a normal temperature. The transition between low and high is controlled to reduce energy consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Timothy Dale Worthington, Michael F. Finch, Darin Franks, William Newton, Jeff Donald Drake
  • Publication number: 20120029711
    Abstract: A household energy management system is provided comprising a controller for managing power consumption of multiple devices within a household wherein the controller monitors energy usage data from a utility. The system further provides a utility meter for measuring an amount of energy usage by the household and a user interface through which a user can enter a parameter of the energy usage. The system yet further provides a local generator for generating energy for one or more of the energy consuming devices wherein the controller initiates the generator and changes at least some of the energy usage from the utility to the local generator when the energy usage level is within a predetermined percentage range of the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Timothy Dale Worthington, Michael F. Finch, Jeff Donald Drake, Nagaraju Valluri
  • Patent number: 8080416
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing an artificial immune system. The artificial immune system comprises a cell culture comprising T cells, B cells and antigen-primed dendritic cells. The artificial immune system of the present invention can be used for in vitro testing of vaccines, adjuvants, immunotherapy candidates, cosmetics, drugs, biologics and other chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sanofi Pasteur Vaxdesign Corp.
    Inventors: William L. Warren, Donald Drake, III, Janice Moser, Inderpal Singh, Haifeng Song, Eric Mishkin
  • Patent number: 8071373
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing an artificial immune system. The artificial immune system comprises a cell culture comprising T cells, B cells and antigen-primed dendritic cells. The artificial immune system of the present invention can be used for in vitro testing of vaccines, adjuvants, immunotherapy candidates, cosmetics, drugs, biologics and other chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignees: Sanofi Pasteur Vaxdesign Corp., Virginia Commonwealth University
    Inventors: William L. Warren, Donald Drake, III, Janice Moser, Inderpal Singh, Haifeng Song, Eric Mishkin, John G. Tew
  • Publication number: 20110269176
    Abstract: The present invention incorporates germinal centers (GCs) into three-dimensional (3D) engineered tissue constructs (ETCs). In an embodiment, we have incorporated the GC in the design of an artificial immune system (AIS) to examine immune responses to vaccines and other compounds. Development of an in vitro GC adds functionality to an AIS, in that it enables generation of an in vitro human humoral response by human B lymphocytes that is accurate and reproducible, without using human subjects. The invention also permits evaluation of, for example, vaccines, allergens, and immunogens, and activation of human B cells specific for a given antigen, which can then be used to generate human antibodies. In an embodiment of the present invention the function of the in vitro GC is enhanced by placing FDCs and other immune cells in a 3D ETC; FDCs appear more effective over a longer time (antibody production is sustained for up to about 14 days.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: SANOFI PASTEUR VAXDESIGN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Selva SUKUMAR, Mohey Eldin M. EL SHIKH, John G. TEW, Guzman SANCHEZ-SCHMITZ, Donald DRAKE, III, Luis MOSQUERA, Eric MISHKIN, Anatoly M. KACHURIN, Russell HIGBEE, Conan LI, William L. WARREN, Heather FAHLENKAMP
  • Publication number: 20110264296
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for updating of schedules to a device controlled by an energy management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jeff Donald Drake, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, Michael Francis Finch, Jay Andrew Broniak, Christopher Recio, Joseph Mark Brian
  • Publication number: 20110250620
    Abstract: The present invention incorporates germinal centers (GCs) into three-dimensional (3D) engineered tissue constructs (ETCs). In an embodiment, we have incorporated the GC in the design of an artificial immune system (AIS) to examine immune responses to vaccines and other compounds. Development of an in vitro GC adds functionality to an AIS, in that it enables generation of an in vitro human humoral response by human B lymphocytes that is accurate and reproducible, without using human subjects. The invention also permits evaluation of, for example, vaccines, allergens, and immunogens, and activation of human B cells specific for a given antigen, which can then be used to generate human antibodies. In an embodiment of the present invention the function of the in vitro GC is enhanced by placing FDCs and other immune cells in a 3D ETC; FDCs appear more effective over a longer time (antibody production is sustained for up to about 14 days.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: SANOFI PASTEUR VAXDESIGN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Selva SUKUMAR, Mohey Eldin M. EL SHIKH, John G. TEW, Guzman SANCHEZ-SCHMITZ, Donald DRAKE, III, Luis MOSQUERA, Eric MISHKIN, Anatoly M. KACHURIN, Russell HIGBEE, Conan LI, William L. WARREN, Heather FAHLENKAMP
  • Patent number: 8030070
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of constructing an integrated artificial immune system that comprises appropriate in vitro cellular and tissue constructs or their equivalents to mimic the normal tissues that interact with vaccines in mammals. The artificial immune system can be used to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates in vitro and thus, is useful to accelerate vaccine development and testing drug and chemical interactions with the immune system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sanofi Pasteur Vaxdesign Corp.
    Inventors: Guzman Sanchez-Schmitz, Russell Higbee, Heather Fahlenkamp, Darrell J. Irvine, William L. Warren, Donald Drake, III
  • Patent number: 8003385
    Abstract: The present invention incorporates germinal centers (GCs) into three-dimensional (3D) engineered tissue constructs (ETCs). In an embodiment, we have incorporated the GC in the design of an artificial immune system (AIS) to examine immune responses to vaccines and other compounds. Development of an in vitro GC adds functionality to an AIS, in that it enables generation of an in vitro human humoral response by human B lymphocytes that is accurate and reproducible, without using human subjects. The invention also permits evaluation of, for example, vaccines, allergens, and immunogens, and activation of human B cells specific for a given antigen, which can then be used to generate human antibodies. In an embodiment of the present invention the function of the in vitro GC is enhanced by placing FDCs and other immune cells in a 3D ETC; FDCs appear more effective over a longer time (antibody production is sustained for up to about 14 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Sanofi Pasteur Vax Design Corp.
    Inventors: Selva Sukumar, Mohey Eldin M. El Shikh, John G. Tew, Guzman Sanchez-Schmitz, Donald Drake, III, Luis Mosquera, Conan Li, Anatoly M. Kachurin, Russell Higbee, Heather Fahlenkamp, Eric Mishkin, William L. Warren
  • Patent number: 8003387
    Abstract: The present invention incorporates germinal centers (GCs) into three-dimensional (3D) engineered tissue constructs (ETCs). In an embodiment, we have incorporated the GC in the design of an artificial immune system (AIS) to examine immune responses to vaccines and other compounds. Development of an in vitro GC adds functionality to an AIS, in that it enables generation of an in vitro human humoral response by human B lymphocytes that is accurate and reproducible, without using human subjects. The invention also permits evaluation of, for example, vaccines, allergens, and immunogens, and activation of human B cells specific for a given antigen, which can then be used to generate human antibodies. In an embodiment of the present invention the function of the in vitro GC is enhanced by placing FDCs and other immune cells in a 3D ETC; FDCs appear more effective over a longer time (antibody production is sustained for up to about 14 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Sanofi Pasteur Vaxdesign Corp.
    Inventors: Selva Sukumar, Mohey Eldin M. El Shikh, John G. Tew, Guzman Sanchez-Schmitz, Donald Drake, III, Luis Mosquera, Eric Mishkin, Anatoly M. Kachurin, Russell Higbee, Conan Li, William L. Warren, Heather Fahlenkamp
  • Publication number: 20110202196
    Abstract: A system and method of operating an energy data management and control system has a first communication network to transmit and receive data to and from a user interface, a second communication network to transmit and receive data to and from a Utility company, and a third communication network to access data from and provide data to accessories within a home. The system reformats the data from any of the first, second and third communication networks for communication with another of the first, second and third communication networks, wherein at least one of the communication networks operate on a protocol different from another one of the communications networks. The data defines various operations of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei
  • Publication number: 20110202190
    Abstract: A device configured in a unitary housing which includes a computing device with memory that stores energy information. A power supply and prongs attach to the power supply in the same unitary housing, wherein the prongs are configured to plug into a wall outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei
  • Publication number: 20110202783
    Abstract: A device configured in a unitary displayless housing, including a computing device that stores, manipulates and communicates energy data, and the displayless external surface of the unitary housing, including status indicator lights to show the status of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei
  • Publication number: 20110202198
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the operation of accessories in a home energy management system which manages a plurality of communication networks. The schedules are generated by using a central controller and interacting with a user interface found on a device separate from the central controller. The plurality of schedules are stored in the storage of the central controller, and a current schedule is selected from the stored schedules. The selected schedule is loaded onto an accessory through one of the communication channels for controlling the associate accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei