Patents by Inventor Dwight D. Colby

Dwight D. Colby 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: 4451894
    Abstract: A liquid gaging system comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor providing a liquid measurement signal relating to a liquid depth at a particular location in a tank. The invention also comprises apparatus for selectively monitoring individual sensors one at a time. The apparatus for selectively monitoring is connected to the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Dougherty, Dwight D. Colby, Jerome A. Fahley, Martin J. Van Dyke
  • Patent number: 4373390
    Abstract: A liquid gaging system comprising a sensor for providing a liquid measurement signal related to a liquid depth at a particular location in a tank. The system further comprises storage apparatus for storing data including characterization parameters, each parameter being based on tank shape and volume and on sensor location, each parameter defining a relationship between a liquid depth and a value related to a liquid quantity. The system also includes determining apparatus for determining a value related to a liquid quantity in the tank based on the liquid measurement signal and the data, the determining apparatus being connected to the sensor and to the storage apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. van Dyke, Dwight D. Colby, William R. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 4355363
    Abstract: A characterized liquid gaging system sensor comprising sensor apparatus for determining a depth of liquid in a tank at a particular location in the tank. The sensor also includes storage apparatus for storing characterization parameters, each parameter being based on tank shape and volume and on the location of the sensor apparatus, each parameter defining a relationship between a liquid depth and a value related to a liquid quantity. The sensor apparatus and the storage apparatus are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight D. Colby, Martin J. van Dyke, William R. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 4352159
    Abstract: The present invention is part of a liquid gaging system and comprises an apparatus for reducing error introduced by an incapacitated sensor. Included are a plurality of sensors, each sensor providing a liquid measurement signal relating to a liquid depth at a particular location in a tank. The invention also comprises apparatus for selectively monitoring the liquid measurement signal of each individual sensor, the apparatus for selectively monitoring being connected to the sensors. Also included is apparatus for identifying at least one sister sensor corresponding to each sensor. The invention further comprises apparatus for determining an estimated liquid depth corresponding to an incapacitated sensor by using the liquid measurement signal of at least one sister sensor corresponding to the incapacitated sensor. The apparatus for determining is connected to the apparatus for selectively measuring and the apparatus for identifying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight D. Colby
  • Patent number: 4337638
    Abstract: The present invention is part of a liquid gaging system and comprises an apparatus for self testing the system. Included is an excitation signal generator apparatus for providing an excitation signal and a precision reference component for providing a precise electrical load. The invention also comprises apparatus for monitoring the precision reference component. Also included is apparatus for connecting the precision reference component to the excitation signal generator apparatus and to the apparatus for monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Leonard, Dwight D. Colby, William R. Dougherty, Jerome A. Fahley, Martin J. van Dyke
  • Patent number: 4258422
    Abstract: A liquid gaging system including a probe for mounting in a tank. A probe for a particular tank produces a length signal dependent upon the length of the probe being immersed in liquid. The system also includes a storage apparatus for storing characterization parameters and a determining apparatus for determining liquid volume in the particular tank based on the length signal and the characterization parameters. In addition, the system includes an apparatus for connecting the storage apparatus to the determining apparatus and an apparatus for connecting the probe to the determining apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Dougherty, Martin J. van Dyke, Dwight D. Colby