Patents by Inventor George W. Flathers

George W. Flathers 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: 7843768
    Abstract: The disclosed system uses seismic signaling to locate survivors in a mine collapse. A separate transmitter with a specific pre-selected frequency or frequencies is placed in pre-positioned safety zones of a mine. The system generates frequency-locked, unmodulated seismic energy, which allows rescuers to identify the safety zone where a transmitter is activated. The transmitter comprises an oscillator that generates the signal. The oscillator drives the transducer. The transducer causes the inertial mass to move. The movement of the inertial mass generates the seismic waves, which are conducted through the pressure plate to the earth. The seismic signal is detected then amplified, filtered, converted and then processed. The use of a continuous signal enables the processing unit to identify the frequency of the signal with a very low error rate, using frequency content identification. The disclosure also describes a method for transmitting seismic waves through the earth using the above described system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventors: James C. Squire, Gerald A Sullivan, George W Flathers, III
  • Publication number: 20090257316
    Abstract: The disclosed system uses seismic signaling to locate survivors in a mine collapse. A separate transmitter with a specific pre-selected frequency or frequencies is placed in pre-positioned safety zones of a mine. The system generates frequency-locked, unmodulated seismic energy, which allows rescuers to identify the safety zone where a transmitter is activated. The transmitter comprises an oscillator that generates the signal. The oscillator drives the transducer. The transducer causes the inertial mass to move. The movement of the inertial mass generates the seismic waves, which are conducted through the pressure plate to the earth. The seismic signal is detected then amplified, filtered, converted and then processed. The use of a continuous signal enables the processing unit to identify the frequency of the signal with a very low error rate, using frequency content identification. The disclosure also describes a method for transmitting seismic waves through the earth using the above described system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: VMI Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Squire, Gerald A. Sullivan, George W. Flathers, III
  • Patent number: 6246957
    Abstract: There is provided a method and system for automatically generating navigation route data for a vehicle. The method and system provide for storing in computer readable form at least one path object having a predetermined path object type which corresponds to a distinct predefined path type; and, for selectively reading and executing at least one such path object to generate a composite navigation route for guiding the given vehicle's travel. The composite navigation route may be formed by one or more path components defined by the path object. Each path object includes a plurality of defining parameters for geometrically configuring each path object's corresponding path type to form at least one specific path component. Each path object also includes a predetermined set of instructions for geometrically rendering its path component in accordance with the defining parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: The Mitre Corporation
    Inventors: John N. Barrer, Joyce R. Forman, George W. Flathers, Daniel P. Greenbaum