Patents by Inventor Donald R. Way

Donald R. Way 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: 9297711
    Abstract: A sensor is disclosed herein. The sensor includes a fiber operable to communicate a light wave. The sensor also includes at least first and second Fiber Bragg Gratings disposed along the fiber. The sensor also includes a structure operable to be deformed in a plane of deformation. The at least first and second Fiber Bragg Gratings are disposed on opposite sides of the structure in the plane of deformation. The sensor also includes an interrogation unit operable to receive first and second signals corresponding to first and second wavelengths from the at least first and second Fiber Bragg Gratings. The first signal is associated with the first Fiber Bragg Grating and the second signal is associated with the second Fiber Bragg Grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: The Cleveland Electric Laboratories Company
    Inventors: Mike McNeilly, Donald R Way
  • Publication number: 20140321800
    Abstract: A sensor is disclosed herein. The sensor includes a fiber operable to communicate a light wave. The sensor also includes at least first and second Fiber Bragg Gratings disposed along the fiber. The sensor also includes a structure operable to be deformed in a plane of deformation. The at least first and second Fiber Bragg Gratings are disposed on opposite sides of the structure in the plane of deformation. The sensor also includes an interrogation unit operable to receive first and second signals corresponding to first and second wavelengths from the at least first and second Fiber Bragg Gratings. The first signal is associated with the first Fiber Bragg Grating and the second signal is associated with the second Fiber Bragg Grating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Mike McNeilly, Donald R. Way
  • Patent number: 8433160
    Abstract: A measurement device including a fastener for use in attaching a first member to a second member, in which the fastener has an aperture extending through a length of the fastener, and a first optical fiber located within the aperture, in which the first optical fiber includes at least one fiber Bragg grating sensor. At least a portion of the first optical fiber can be secured within the aperture. A first end of the first optical fiber can be connected to an associated first optical connector and a second end of the first optical fiber can be connected to an associated second optical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Cleveland Electric Laboratories
    Inventors: Nadir Shah, William Keith Chandler, Christopher Madsen, Donald R. Way
  • Publication number: 20120132008
    Abstract: A measurement device may include a loadable member that supports a load and measures the force created in the loadable member by the load. The loadable member may have an aperture and an optical fiber located within the aperture. The optical fiber may include one or more fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Donald R. Way, Michael McNeilly
  • Publication number: 20100329602
    Abstract: A measurement device including a fastener for use in attaching a first member to a second member, in which the fastener has an aperture extending through a length of the fastener, and a first optical fiber located within the aperture, in which the first optical fiber includes at least one fiber Bragg grating sensor. At least a portion of the first optical fiber can be secured within the aperture. A first end of the first optical fiber can be connected to an associated first optical connector and a second end of the first optical fiber can be connected to an associated second optical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Nadir Shah, William Keith Chandler, Christopher Madsen, Donald R. Way
  • Publication number: 20090055071
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system for preventing surges in turbine engines and/or rotating compressors. Furthermore, some embodiments comprise sensors for monitoring engine operating characteristics and detecting surge and pre-surge conditions. Some embodiments also include means for adjusting engine operation in response to sensor data. Still other embodiments relate to methods of preventing surges in turbine engines and/or rotating compressors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Cleveland Electric Laboratories
    Inventors: Donald R. Way, Joel Lantz
  • Patent number: 4645439
    Abstract: A gear pump is provided with a pair of rotatable pumping gears for pumping fluid between inlet and outlet ports formed in a gear pump housing, wherein a portion of the housing is adapted for positional adjustment to reduce internal operating clearances and thereby regenerate pump output performance without requiring pump disassembly or rebuilding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. Way