Patents by Inventor Douglas Waits

Douglas Waits 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: 11859423
    Abstract: An adjustable length counterbalance mechanism for lift doors, frequently used for cargo trailers and garages. The adjustable length torque shaft of the counterbalance mechanism is able to accommodate many different lift door widths and is simpler to install than a fixed length torque shaft. In embodiments, the adjustable torque shaft is comprised of two outer torque shafts, each with a torsion spring and cable drum and a middle torque shaft that can be assembled together. The middle torque shaft can be inserted into each of the outer torque shafts to a selected depth to determine the length of the adjustable torque shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Douglas Wait
  • Publication number: 20210293067
    Abstract: An adjustable length counterbalance mechanism for lift doors, frequently used for cargo trailers and garages. The adjustable length torque shaft of the counterbalance mechanism is able to accommodate many different lift door widths and is simpler to install than a fixed length torque shaft. In embodiments, the adjustable torque shaft is comprised of two outer torque shafts, each with a torsion spring and cable drum and a middle torque shaft that can be assembled together. The middle torque shaft can be inserted into each of the outer torque shafts to a selected depth to determine the length of the adjustable torque shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventor: Douglas Wait
  • Publication number: 20070030137
    Abstract: Information indicating a quantity to be displayed is received. A light pointer is activated based upon the information received. The light pointer is rotated with sufficient speed to generate an arc of light of a predetermined arcuate length to indicate a level of the quantity to be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Stephen Masters, Ingolf Gerber, Douglas Waits
  • Publication number: 20060064227
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling the rate of flow of supplemental fuel to an air intake received by an engine. The operating characteristics of an engine are sensed. An operational window is determined. The operational window defines the optimum operating characteristics of the engine. A memory storage device stores a control map. The control map defines an amount of supplemental fuel to add based upon ranges of operating characteristics of the engine. It is determined whether the sensed operating characteristics are within the optimum operating characteristics defined by the operational window. A control signal is formed to vary the rate of supplemental fuel flow through a trim valve based upon whether the sensed operating characteristics are within the window and according to the control map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Brandon Uhde, Ezell Clarke, Stephen Masters, Douglas Waits
  • Publication number: 20060000460
    Abstract: A system and method of managing the energy stored in a single ignition coil of a distributor inductive ignition for an engine. The engine comprises a plurality of cylinders and the ignition coil has a primary coil current. The ignition coil has a stored energy and a released energy during an ignition period. A pre-dwell time period and a pre-dwell current level is determined. The stored energy of the ignition coil and the released energy of the ignition coil are balanced during the ignition period at least in part by dwelling the primary coil current in the ignition coil at substantially the pre-dwell current level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Stephen Masters, Douglas Waits
  • Publication number: 20050284451
    Abstract: A system and method of adjusting the rate of supplementary fuel flow to an engine while monitoring the operating characteristics of an engine. The amount of pressure to apply to a regulator valve is determined based at least in part upon the operating conditions of the engine and information included in a stored fuel grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Brandon Uhde, Ezell Clarke, Stephen Masters, Douglas Waits
  • Publication number: 20050216132
    Abstract: A engine control device is disclosed for monitoring and controlling the RPM of an engine. The device restricts the over-revving of an engine due to a lack of resistance by monitoring the RPM and determining whether measured RPM indicate a likely lack of resistance causing over-revving of an engine, such as would occur if the tires are slipping relative to the road. The revlimiter may monitor the revolutions per minute of a crankshaft of an engine and, upon certain conditions, may slow the engine when the RPM exceed certain parameters. The revlimiter may slow the engine if the RPM of the crankshaft exceed a target RPM value. The programming of the device may be gear specific. In this manner, the revlimiter serves to prevent engine over-revving and serves as a form of traction control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Stephen Masters, Douglas Waits
  • Publication number: 20050116703
    Abstract: An electronic driver and method for producing an output waveform for use by a tachometer comprises an input line that is connected in series with at least one ignition coil. The at least one ignition coil is driven during at least one current dwell period per an ignition cycle. A signal representative of at least one spark is caused to be generated on the input line by the at least one ignition coil during the at least one current dwell period of the ignition cycle. A controller is coupled to the input line. The controller discriminates between single and multiple sparks over consecutive ignition cycles. The signal is representative of at least one spark received on the input line from the at least one ignition coil. The controller responsively forms an output waveform having substantially equally spaced pulses aligned with the first spark and the output waveform corresponds to the ignition cycle received on the input line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Stephen Masters, Douglas Waits
  • Patent number: 6185712
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) chip wherein a built-in self test determines the IC's optimum electrical performance. A corresponding optimum performance setting is stored in NVRAM on the chip. Upon each chip power-up, the optimum performance setting is retrieved and provided to chip control which sets the chip for its best performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kirihata, Christopher Douglas Wait