Patents by Inventor Frank Smith
Frank 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).
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Publication number: 20040186498Abstract: A microkeratome blade (54) that that is fabricated from a wafer (130) is disclosed. The blade (54) includes a notch (110) on its rear surface (106). During fabrication of the blade (54) from the wafer (130), a blade support tab (131) provides a structural interconnection between the wafer (130) and the blade (56). This blade support tab (131) extends within the notch (110) and merges with the blade (56). A score (132) extends across at least part of the blade support tab (131) to facilitate separation of the blade (56) from the wafer (130) by fracturing or the like. This score (132) is positioned such that the surface defined by separating the blade (56) from the wafer (130) at least generally along the score (132) is “disposed within” the notch (110) or recessed relative to a rearwardmost portion of the rear surface (106) of the blade (56).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Stephen Matthew Barnes, Jeffry Joseph Sniegowski, Norman Frank Smith
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Publication number: 20040181927Abstract: A method for providing a cutting tool (20) is disclosed. Multiple cutting blades (56) are fabricated from a wafer (130). This wafer (130) is disposed on a blade handle mounting fixture (224) such that a blade handle (24) may be mounted on each of the individual blades (56). A cutting edge (80) of each blade (56) is maintained in spaced relation to the fixture (224) as these blade handles (24) are being mounted. Thereafter, the wafer (130) is transferred to a blade separation fixture (300). Each blade 56 is suspended above the fixture (300). An appropriate force is transmitted to the individual blades (56) to separate the same from the wafer (130). Separation preferably occurs before the blade (56) contacts the fixture (300). Thereafter, the blade (56) in effect pivots into an inclined position where its cutting edge (80) project at least generally upwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Norman Frank Smith, Samuel Lee Miller, Murray Steven Rodgers
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Publication number: 20040181950Abstract: A cutting tool (20) for a microkeratome (4) is disclosed. This cutting tool (20) includes a blade handle (24) and a separate cutting blade (56). Both the blade handle (24) and cutting blade (56) include features to register or align a cutting edge (80) of the cutting blade (56) with a microkeratome registration surface (28) of the blade handle (24). This microkeratome registration surface (28) of the blade handle (24) interfaces with a cutting tool registration surface (14) of a head assembly (10) of the microkeratome (4) on which the cutting tool (20) is installed. Therefore, the cutting edge (80) of the cutting blade (56) is registered or aligned relative to the cutting tool registration surface (14) of the head assembly (10) of the microkeratome (4).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Murray Steven Rodgers, Norman Frank Smith, Jeffry Joseph Sniegowski, Stephen Matthew Barnes, Paul Jackson McWhorter
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Publication number: 20040182823Abstract: Various methods relating to one or more registration features (94) associated with a cutting blade (56) are disclosed. A masking layer (118) is formed on a wafer (130) and is patterned to define a plurality of mask apertures (122a-c). An anisotropic etch simultaneously forms a first cutting edge surface (72) and at least one registration surface (94) for the blade (56) via the mask apertures 122a and 122b, respectively. The anisotropic etch stops at the same crystallographic plane for both the first cutting edge surface (72) and the registration surface(s) (94). This may be used to accurately register a cutting edge (80) of the blade (56) relative to one or more structures that may be associated with the blade (56).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Murray Steven Rodgers, Norman Frank Smith, Stephen Montague
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Publication number: 20040182824Abstract: A method for fabricating a cutting blade (56) from a wafer (130) is disclosed. The wafer (130) is etched to define part of the perimeter of the blade (56). This etch also defines a blade support (131) that maintains a structural interconnection between the blade (56) and the wafer (130). A score (132) is formed across at least part of the blade support tab (131). Fracturing the blade support tab (131) at least generally along the score (132) at some point in time after the completion of the etch facilitates the separation of the blade (56) from the wafer (130).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Stephen Matthew Barnes, Jeffry Joseph Sniegowski, Norman Frank Smith
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Publication number: 20040181928Abstract: A blade handle mounting fixture (224) is disclosed. A wafer (130) is positioned on the fixture (224). This wafer (130) includes a plurality of cutting blades (56). Blade handles (24) may be mounted on each of the various cutting blades (56) while the wafer (130) is positioned on the fixture (224). Thereafter, the wafer (130) may be removed and transferred to a blade separation fixture (300). Here the blades (56), with handles (24) having been previously mounted thereon, are separated from the wafer (130).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Norman Frank Smith, Samuel Lee Miller, Murray Steven Rodgers
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Patent number: 6688767Abstract: A self-aligning dynamic hinge sleeve for attachment to a pitch hinge in a position that places the hinge sleeve in contact with a pitch bearing. The hinge sleeve is comprised of an inner race, a middle race and an outer race, wherein the middle race is an elastomeric material, or another soft material, that bonds the inner and outer races together and allows the inner race and outer race to rotate with respect to each other. As the pitch hinge transmits forces and moment to a pitch shaft, the dynamic hinge sleeve aligns with a pitch bearing secured onto the pitch shaft. This results in a self-aligning pitch bearing rotor that significantly reduces the level of peak that loads upon a bearing and thereby permits the use of self-lubricating bearings in a rotor.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Edward G. Schellhase, Frank A. Smith, Jr., Steven J. Spear
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Publication number: 20030108258Abstract: A self-aligning dynamic hinge sleeve for attachment to a pitch hinge in a position that places the hinge sleeve in contact with a pitch bearing. The hinge sleeve is comprised of an inner race, a middle race and an outer race, wherein the middle race is an elastomeric material, or another soft material, that bonds the inner and outer races together and allows the inner race and outer race to rotate with respect to each other. As the pitch hinge transmits forces and moment to a pitch shaft, the dynamic hinge sleeve aligns with a pitch bearing secured onto the pitch shaft. This results in a self-aligning pitch bearing rotor that significantly reduces the level of peak that loads upon a bearing and thereby permits the use of self-lubricating bearings in a rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Edward G. Schellhase, Frank A. Smith, Steven J. Spear
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Patent number: 6473830Abstract: In a storage system comprising an array of storage devices, including a processor and memory, a plurality of logical tracks are organized on the storage devices in segments comprising columns striped across the storage devices. A system and method are provided for storing logical tracks in the storage devices. Sequentially logically related logical tracks are stored together in neighborhoods. Logical tracks of the same neighborhood destaged at the same time are assigned to a single open segment with other logical tracks of the same neighborhood type. The time at which open segments are designated as closed segments to be written to the storage devices is based on performance, disk utilization and memory utilization criteria. Logical tracks are never split between segment columns. Also, attempts are made not to split a neighborhood of logical tracks being destaged together between segment columns.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Juan Li, Dung Kim Nguyen, Aare Onton, Kevin Frank Smith, Hai-Fang Yun
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Patent number: 6451949Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of poly(trimethylene carbonate) which comprises reacting trimethylene carbonate, a catalyst, and an alcohol, preferably a polyhydric alcohol, under nitrogen at atmospheric pressure and a moderate temperature, in a stoichiometric ratio to give the desired molecular weight of poly(trimethylene carbonate) in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a salt, preferably an acetate, of an element of Group IA or IIA of the Periodic Table. In an alternative embodiment, high molecular weight poly(trimethylene carbonate) is produced without the use of an initiator, using the same catalyst and longer reaction times.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Wyndham Henry Boon, Roy Frank Smith, David Eric Gwyn, Thomas Clayton Forschner
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Patent number: 6433131Abstract: Disclosed is a modified acrylic coating composition cured with melamine characterized by improved impact resistance which comprises: An acrylic polyol dissolved in a suitable solvent to 40-90% solids; 2 to 50% by weight of said acrylic polyol substituted with a polytrimethylene carbonate polyol selected from a polytrimethylene carbonate diol, a polytrimethylene carbonate triol, or a higher functionality polytrimethylene carbonate polyol; a melamine crosslinking agent; optionally a catalyst; and optionally pigments and other additives commonly used in coatings. Also disclosed in a related embodiment is a melamine/urea formaldehyde polytrimethylene carbonate coating composition that is prepared without acrylic.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2001Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Lichang Zhou, Shelby F. Thames, Oliver W. Smith, Thomas Clayton Forschner, Roy Frank Smith, David Eric Gwyn, Wyndham Henry Boon, Abdulai Mobolaji Dawodu
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Publication number: 20020072995Abstract: The present application provides a method for patent licensing which comprises providing a web site listing a plurality of patents available for unilateral license together with copies of at least one unilateral license for associated with at least one of the listed patents.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventor: Frank A. Smith
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Patent number: 6357183Abstract: The invention relates a water storage and storm water collection and detention system including at least one storage reservoir integrally attached to and extending along the edge of an extremity of a roof of a building structure; wherein the storage reservoir directly receives run-off from the roof. The system further includes at least one outlet, a supply line in communication with the outlet, an overflow outlet, and a float valve assembly connected to the supply line such that the reservoir communicates with a mechanism that allows for the water collected therein to be used with a water consumption apparatus or tap line on demand.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1997Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Inventor: Frank Smith
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Publication number: 20020032835Abstract: In a storage system comprising an array of storage devices, including a processor and memory, a plurality of logical tracks are organized on the storage devices in segments comprising columns striped across the storage devices. A system and method are provided for storing logical tracks in the storage devices. Sequentially logically related logical tracks are stored together in neighborhoods. Logical tracks of the same neighborhood destaged at the same time are assigned to a single open segment with other logical tracks of the same neighborhood type. The time at which open segments are designated as closed segments to be written to the storage devices is based on performance, disk utilization and memory utilization criteria. Logical tracks are never split between segment columns. Also, attempts are made not to split a neighborhood of logical tracks being destaged together between segment columns.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Juan Li, Dung Kim Nguyan, Aare Onton, Kevin Frank Smith, Hai-Fang Yun
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Publication number: 20020010308Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of poly(trimethylene carbonate) which comprises reacting trimethylene carbonate, a catalyst, and an alcohol, preferably a polyhydric alcohol, under nitrogen at atmospheric pressure and a moderate temperature, in a stoichiometric ratio to give the desired molecular weight of poly(trimethylene carbonate) in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a salt, preferably an acetate, of an element of Group IA or IIA of the Periodic Table. In an alternative embodiment, high molecular weight poly(trimethylene carbonate) is produced without the use of an initiator, using the same catalyst and longer reaction times.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Wyndham Henry Boon, Roy Frank Smith, David Eric Gwyn, Thomas Clayton Forschner
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Method and system for transferring energy between robotic mechanisms in an automated storage library
Patent number: 6327519Abstract: A storage library includes a first robotic mechanism having an energy coupler and a second robotic mechanism having an energy coupler. The storage library further includes tracks disposed adjacent to media object storage cells for enabling access to each of the media object storage cells, and powered rails associated with the tracks for providing energy. The first robotic mechanism is movable toward the second robotic mechanism to enable the energy coupler of the first robotic mechanism to couple with the energy coupler of the second robotic mechanism to transfer energy from the first robotic mechanism to the second robotic mechanism. The energy couplers of the first and second robotic mechanisms couple together to transfer energy from the powered rails to the second robotic mechanism. The energy couplers of the first and second robotic mechanisms couple together to transfer energy between on-board energy sources.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Storage Technology CorporationInventors: Timothy C. Ostwald, Frank Smith -
Patent number: 6256705Abstract: In a storage system comprising an array of storage devices, including a processor and memory, a plurality of logical tracks are organized on the storage devices in segments comprising columns striped across the storage devices. A system and method are provided for storing logical tracks in the storage devices. Sequentially logically related logical tracks are stored together in neighborhoods. Logical tracks of the same neighborhood A0 destaged at the same time are assigned to a single open segment with other logical tracks of the same neighborhood type. The time at which open segments are designated as closed segments to be written to the storage devices is based on performance, disk utilization and memory utilization criteria. Logical tracks are never split between segment columns. Also, attempts are made not to split a neighborhood of logical tracks being destaged together between segment columns.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1998Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Juan Li, Dung Kim Nguyen, Aare Onton, Kevin Frank Smith, Hai-Fang Yun
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Patent number: 5802600Abstract: A data processing system dynamically balances allocation of storage areas in a shared coupling facility that is devoted to storage of directory entries and data blocks. Each directory entry includes information regarding the validity of a data block that is locally stored by one or more processor modules in the data processing system. The system includes a coupling facility having a cache memory wherein a first portion is allocated to storage of data blocks and a second portion is allocated to storage of directory entries. Each directory entry, associated with a data block, indicates the validity or invalidity of data contained in a copy of the data block maintained by a connected computer module in its local memory. Each computer module, upon requiring a first data block and determining that (i) the first data block is present in its local memory (i.e., a buffer "hit"), but (ii) is not marked valid and (iii) is not present in the coupling facility (i.e.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kevin Frank Smith, Kelly Carpenter, Gary Malcolm King
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Patent number: 5799324Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing persistent and non-persistent data in a log structured disk array. In a log structured array, data are first collected in a log stored in a buffer. When the buffer is full, the data are written to a disk drive. Persistent data are continually accessed over a long period of time such that, most disk activity is associated with persistent data. Preferably, the persistent data are stored in the part of the disk where access times are minimal (active region), such as in the middle cylinders of a disk. When writing data (including during garbage collection procedure) persistent data is written to the active region and non-persistent data is written to the other regions (inactive region). The persistence of the data is monitored. Persistent data is migrated to the active region and non-persistent is migrated to the inactive region.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1996Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Bruce McNutt, Jaishankar Moothedath Menon, Kevin Frank Smith
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Gas gauging system and method for monitoring battery capacity for battery powered electronic devices
Patent number: 5751134Abstract: A battery management system in the form of a gas gauging system is disclosed for enhancing the monitoring of battery power supply. The battery management system includes a battery powered device and a battery selectively connected to the device for supplying operating power to the device. The system also includes an auxiliary power supply configured for connection with the battery for supplying charging power to the battery. A processor is carried by the device and is configured to enable the battery and the power supply, respectively, for powering the device. The processor is further configurable during connection of the auxiliary power supply to completely discharge the battery from a fully charged state to a fully discharged state via a discharge cycle. The system also includes a detector that is configurable to measure battery capacity during the discharge cycle of the battery. Finally, the system includes an output device for outputting a value based upon the measured battery capacity.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1996Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: Itronix CorporationInventors: Brian Hoerner, Kam Quan, Frank Smith