Patents by Inventor Douglas L. Smith

Douglas L. Smith 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: 11953706
    Abstract: Wavelength-selective films are visibly apparent under the selective wavelength. Wavelength-selective films typically reflect off axis the selected wavelength and therefore can provide high-contrast against a background when applied in a pattern on a substrate. However, it is difficult to apply unique patterned embedded images from film. Disclosed is a cost-effective method and construction of a patterned wavelength-selective image to a substrate. In the disclosed wavelength-selective image, wavelength-selective film particles are applied to an adhesive pattern to create the wavelength-selective image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Kenneth L. Smith, Douglas S. Dunn, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, John A. Wheatley, Bryan T. Whiting, Taylor J. Kobe, Anthony F. Schultz, Duane D. Fansler, Jonah Shaver
  • Patent number: 11920833
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a refrigerant loop having a compressor, where the compressor is configured to circulate a refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a first heat exchanger disposed along the refrigerant loop, where the first heat exchanger is configured to place the refrigerant in a first heat exchange relationship with a working fluid, and an air handling unit having a second heat exchanger, where the second heat exchanger is configured to place the working fluid in a second heat exchange relationship with an airflow, and where the air handling unit is isolated from the first heat exchanger to reduce or eliminate mixing of refrigerant with the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Ryan L. Snider, Rajiv K. Karkhanis, Chandra S. Yelamanchili, Curtis W. Caskey, Kevin R. Stockton, Nicholas P. Mislak, Douglas A. Kester, Troy E. Smith
  • Patent number: 9464876
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for controlling the trajectory of a projectile having two rotationally decoupled sections, wherein the first section is rotationally decoupled from the second section. The first section of the projectile contains a navigation system. The first section also contains an actuator by which aero-control surfaces on the second section are actuated. The second section may have external aero-spin surfaces which provide a torque counter to the rotation of the base projectile. The apparatus and system also includes embodiments having applications for nose sections of projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tacital Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Morris, Paul Lichon, Douglas L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150345909
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for controlling the trajectory of a projectile having two rotationally decoupled sections, wherein the first section is rotationally decoupled from the second section. The first section of the projectile contains a navigation system. The first section also contains an actuator by which aero-control surfaces on the second section are actuated. The second section may have external aero-spin surfaces which provide a torque counter to the rotation of the base projectile. The apparatus and system also includes embodiments having applications for nose sections of projectiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Morris, Paul Lichon, Douglas L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9040885
    Abstract: The invention is a projectile, device and system having a roll control device which may be fixed or deployable, for providing torque counter to the spin of the projectile and providing drag on the projectile. The roll control device includes a guidance collar rotatably attached to the projectile located near a front end of the projectile wherein the guidance collar includes one or more guidance collar aero-surfaces shaped to provide torque counter to the spin on the projectile. The guidance collar aero-surfaces may be controlled by a brake and guidance electronics on the projectile. The invention also includes a body collar fixedly attached to the projectile aft of the guidance collar, wherein the body collar includes one or more body collar aero-surfaces and fixed or deployable drag devices. Another embodiment use only a guidance collar aero-surfaces to orient a fixed drag device relative to an Earth inertial reference frame to create asymmetrical drag on the projectile and thereby altering its trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Morris, Douglas L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120211593
    Abstract: The invention is a projectile, device and system having a roll control device which may be fixed or deployable, for providing torque counter to the spin of the projectile and providing drag on the projectile. The roll control device includes a guidance collar rotatably attached to the projectile located near a front end of the projectile wherein the guidance collar includes one or more guidance collar aero-surfaces shaped to provide torque counter to the spin on the projectile. The guidance collar aero-surfaces may be controlled by a brake and guidance electronics on the projectile. The invention also includes a body collar fixedly attached to the projectile aft of the guidance collar, wherein the body collar includes one or more body collar aero-surfaces and fixed or deployable drag devices. Another embodiment use only a guidance collar aero-surfaces to orient a fixed drag device relative to an Earth inertial reference frame to create asymmetrical drag on the projectile and thereby altering its trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Morris, Douglas L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7412930
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a roll damping apparatus for a spinning projectile having a first section and a second section rotatably attached about a roll axis. The roll damping apparatus comprises a first portion attached to the front section, and a second portion attached to the rear section. The first portion is adapted to cause a braking frictional force to act on the second portion, the braking force being effective to control the spin rate of the front section relative to the rear section. The invention further relates to a spinning projectile having a roll damping apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: General Dynamic Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Smith, Joseph P. Morris
  • Patent number: 7354017
    Abstract: Trajectory is controlled by a control system having fins that de-spin a section of the control system relative to a projectile or missile. The control system also includes aero-surfaces that produce a lift when brought to rotation speed of about 0 Hz relative to a reference frame and a brake that couples the guidance package to the rotational inertia of the projectile or missile. In one example, no electric motor is used in the trajectory control system, saving weight and increasing reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph P. Morris, Douglas L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7345210
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for adjusting a fluid density. In one embodiment, a method for upgrading a petroleum-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction comprises providing a synthetically-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction, wherein the synthetically-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction is derived from synthesis gas, and further wherein the synthetically-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction and the petroleum-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction have a difference in density at 15° C. of at least about 60 kg/m3; and blending both fractions so as to form a blend suitable for use as a diesel or diesel blendstock, wherein the blend has a density at 15° C. equal to or more than about 800 kg/m3; alternatively or additionally, equal to or less than about 860 kg/m3. The blending is also effective in reducing the sulfur content of the petroleum-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction. In preferred embodiments, the synthetically-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction is a Fischer-Tropsch diesel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Anthony R. Maund, Douglas L. Smith, Keith H. Lawson
  • Publication number: 20080061188
    Abstract: Trajectory is controlled by a control system having fins that de-spin a section of the control system relative to a projectile or missile. The control system also includes aero-surfaces that produce a lift when brought to rotation speed of about 0 Hz relative to a reference fame and a brake that couples the guidance package to the rotational inertia of the projectile or missile. In one example, no electric motor is used in the trajectory control system, saving weight and increasing reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: General Dynamics Ordnance and tactical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Morris, Douglas L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20070241990
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically switching display of video signals between a first device and a second device. The system may include a display device with display circuitry for displaying an image on the display in response to a received video signal. The display device may include a first video input port for receiving a first video signal from the first device and a second video input port for receiving a second video signal from the second device. Additionally, the display device may include detection circuitry coupled to the second video input port for detecting the second video signal from the second device, and switch circuitry operable to automatically provide connectivity between the second video input port and the display circuitry to enable display of the second video signal in response to the detection circuitry detecting the second video signal from the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Douglas L. Smith, Henry Wurzburg
  • Patent number: 6489848
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of transconductance circuits formed having two or more class AB transconductor amplifiers coupled in parallel. The class AB transconductor amplifiers have non-linear voltage to current transfer functions and are each designed with an offset chosen such that the combination of the individual nonlinear transfer functions achieve a more linear transconductance circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignees: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., SMSC Analog Technology Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Smith, Robert J. Zakowicz
  • Publication number: 20010038312
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of transconductance circuits formed having two or more class AB transconductor amplifiers coupled in parallel. The class AB transconductor amplifiers have non-linear voltage to current transfer functions and are each designed with an offset chosen such that the combination of the individual nonlinear transfer functions achieve a more linear transconductance circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Douglas L. Smith, Robert J. Zakowicz
  • Patent number: 6188281
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of transconductance circuits formed having a class AB transconductor amplifier coupled in parallel with at least one concave compensation circuit. When the transconductance circuit has only one concave compensation circuit, the concave compensation circuit is designed with no offset so that the concave transconductance gain of the compensation circuit compensates for the convex transconductance gain of the class AB amplifier thereby providing a more linear transconductance circuit. When the transconductance circuit includes multiple concave compensation circuits, they each are designed with an offset chosen such that the combination of the individual concave transfer functions achieve a more linear transconductance circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignees: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., Gain Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas L. Smith, Scott C. McLeod
  • Patent number: 6181204
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of transconductance circuits formed having two or more class AB transconductor amplifiers coupled in parallel. The class AB transconductor amplifiers have non-linear voltage to current transfer functions and are each designed with an offset chosen such that the combination of the individual nonlinear transfer functions achieve a more linear transconductance circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignees: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., Gain Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Smith, Robert J. Zakowicz
  • Patent number: 6166603
    Abstract: The present invention teaches output stages having distortion performance improved relative to prior art class-AB output stage distortion performance. The general concept is to constantly bias the feed-forward circuitry of the output stage into a low-distortion operating state. This can be done through several different methods, each of which has its own particular circuit requirements. For example, in one embodiment the bias circuitry generates a near constant bias current suitable for forcing the feed-forward circuitry into a low-distortion operating state regardless of the output stage output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignees: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., Gain Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Douglas L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6094035
    Abstract: A plurality of amplifying power converter circuits are provided each including a pair of switches being connected between two constant voltage sources and an output node common to each of the switches. Such output node is adapted for connection to a load. Also included is a modulator that serves for opening and closing one of the switches with a first duty cycle and opening and closing another one of the switches with a second duty cycle. The first duty cycle and the second duty cycle are at least partially "overlapped". During modulation, the power converter has a voltage gain at the output node that is greater than unity and exhibits improved distortion characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Gain Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas L. Smith, Robert St. Pierre
  • Patent number: 6021958
    Abstract: A synthetic railroad tie is provided including a plurality of solid ties each constructed from plastic and having a rectangular configuration. A pair of rails are each situated over the ties in perpendicular relationship therewith and residing adjacent one of a pair of end faces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Douglas L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5786729
    Abstract: A compensated bias current circuit for use in an operational amplifier including a differential input stage, a gain stage, and an output driver stage. The compensated bias current circuit includes a PNP current mirror control transistor having an emitter coupled to a first supply voltage conductor, a collector coupled by a first conductor to a first terminal of a current source circuit, and a base connected to a second conductor, with the second conductor connected to first and second PNP current mirror output transistors in the gain stage and a third PNP current mirror output transistor in the output driver stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Burr-Brown Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5754066
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of output stages, buffer circuits, and power amplifiers as well as methods for buffering electrical signals. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an output stage includes an input, an output, an error stage coupled between the input and the output and responsive to a difference between an input signal present on the input and an output signal present on the output, the error stage being operative to generate a current control signal related to the difference between the input signal and the output signal, a current mirror coupled to the error stage and responsive to the current control signal to generate a demand driven current signal related to a magnitude of the current control signal, and an amplification stage coupled between the input and the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignees: Maxim Integrated Products, Gain Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Douglas L. Smith