Patents by Inventor Frank L. Kerr, III

Frank L. Kerr, III 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).

  • Control systems and methods of providing the same
    Patent number: 8315718
    Abstract: Control systems and methods for controlling certain systems, devices, and apparatus are described. A control system may include a memory and at least one processor. The memory may be operable to store both a Foundation Fieldbus protocol that facilitates communication with one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices and a second protocol that facilitates communication with one or more control devices. The at least one processor may be operable to access both the Foundation Fieldbus protocol and the second protocol, and to control the one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices and the one or more control devices. A network may facilitate communications between the at least one processor and both the one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices using the Foundation Fieldbus protocol and the one or more control devices using the second protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Oliver Caffrey, John Alexander Petzen, III, Dennis Brian King, Frank L. Kerr, III
  • CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PROVIDING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20110082570
    Abstract: Control systems and methods for controlling certain systems, devices, and apparatus are described. A control system may include a memory and at least one processor. The memory may be operable to store both a Foundation Fieldbus protocol that facilitates communication with one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices and a second protocol that facilitates communication with one or more control devices. The at least one processor may be operable to access both the Foundation Fieldbus protocol and the second protocol, and to control the one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices and the one or more control devices. A network may facilitate communications between the at least one processor and both the one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices using the Foundation Fieldbus protocol and the one or more control devices using the second protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul Oliver Caffrey, John Alexander Petzen, III, Dennis Brian King, Frank L. Kerr, III