Patents by Inventor Gregory Francisco

Gregory Francisco 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).

  • Publication number: 20240335654
    Abstract: A band to be worn by a user and for securing a wearable neurostimulation device that stimulates one or more peripheral nerves of a user is provided. The band may include a frame with an engagement structure. The band can have an outside and an inside. The outside can be viewed by the user and the inside faces skin of the user when the band is worn by the user. The neurostimulation device can have an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer wall disposed therebetween. The outer wall can be sized and shaped to be secured within the engagement structure when the neurostimulation device is inserted into the engagement structure from the inside of the band while preventing the neurostimulation device from passing entirely through the engagement structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Gregory T. Schulte, Dustin Bouch, Kyra Wells, Harrison Le, Sami Balbaky, Deanna Harshbarger, Toni-Moi Prince, Tony Francisco, Alexander R. Kent, Shengzhi Li, Jessica M. Liberatore, Samuel Richard Hamner, Mark Shughart, Musa Ozturk, Kathryn H. Rosenbluth
  • Patent number: 12087152
    Abstract: A system includes a building that has a wall that is at least partially covered in a smart paint. The system also includes a sensor that is configured to collect sensor data regarding a condition within the building. The system additionally includes a controller that is operatively coupled to the wall and the smart paint. The controller is configured to receive the sensor data from the sensor, determine whether the condition is present based on the sensor data, and in response to determining the condition is present, cause the smart paint to provide an indication that the condition is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Andre Rene Buentello, Nathan Lee Post, Justin Royell Nash, Gregory David Hansen, Jose L. Romero, Jr., Brian Francisco Shipley
  • Patent number: 12066306
    Abstract: The presently described systems and techniques enable computers to discern impacts and structural weaknesses in objects in a new and cost-effective manner. As capacitive changes (e.g., mutual capacitance between rows or columns of smart coatings) occur in the smart coatings, contact with the object and/or structural weaknesses of the object may be identified, enabling electronic notification and/or action to occur in response to the contact and/or structural weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Andre Rene Buentello, Nathan Lee Post, Justin Royell Nash, Gregory David Hansen, Jose L Romero, Jr., Brian Francisco Shipley
  • Patent number: 12065798
    Abstract: A system for monitoring shifting of a structure includes one or more hardware processors. The system also includes a non-transitory memory, the non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or hardware processors, causes the one or more hardware processors to perform actions. The actions include monitoring the structure for a shift in elevation in a portion of the structure. The actions also include receiving, from a first plurality of sensors, feedback related to a condition of a foundation of a structure. The actions further include determining whether a portion of the foundation of the structure has shifted in elevation based on the feedback. The actions still further include providing a notification when the portion of the structure has shifted in elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Justin Royell Nash, Gregory David Hansen, Nathan Lee Post, Jose L. Romero, Jr., Andre Rene Buentello, Brian Francisco Shipley
  • Patent number: 9070484
    Abstract: A servicing platform for a nuclear reactor refueling floor is provided. In various embodiments, the servicing platform includes a base structured to be anchored to a refueling floor of the nuclear reactor. The servicing platform additionally includes a telescoping mast having a mounting collar at a first end that is rotationally attached to the base, and a personnel work basket pivotally coupled to a second end of the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Jack Toshio Matsumoto, Christopher Welsh, Gregory Francisco
  • Patent number: 8934601
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for grasping and lifting a boiling water reactor (BWR) control rod using a grapple. The grapple may grasp the control rod blade, the fuel support casting and the control rod guide tube of the control rod, to lift and move all three of these components in unison. The grapple includes a frame, a control rod blade hook, a fuel support casting hook(s) and a control rod guide tube hook(s). The control rod guide tube hook(s) may have a distal end that extends through a side flow orifice of a fuel support casting and beyond the confines of a control rod guide tube flow orifice to grasp the control rod guide tube. The distal end of the control rod guide tube hook(s) may include inner and outer landing surfaces, providing respective support for the fuel support casting and control rod guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Whitling, Michael Joseph Gundrum, Mark D. Bardeen, Gregory A. Francisco
  • Patent number: 8824618
    Abstract: Disclosed is an unlatching tool that may be used to unlatch a control rod from a control drive. The unlatching tool may include a baseplate, a first guide member and a second guide member attached to the baseplate, a first frame and a second frame attached to the baseplate, a stepper motor attached to the first frame, a worm drive attached to the first frame, a cable reel shaft attached to the first and second frame, a hose wrapped around the cable reel shaft, and a hook attached to a first end of the hose. The hook may include a cylindrical sleeve having a at least one finger configured to fold and unfold. Disclosed also is a method of unlatching a control rod from a control drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Jack Matsumoto, Robert W. Whitling, Christopher M. Welsh, Gregory A. Francisco
  • Patent number: 8792605
    Abstract: Disclosed is an unlatching tool that may be used to unlatch a control rod from a control drive. The unlatching tool may include a baseplate, a first guide member and a second guide member attached to the baseplate, a first frame and a second frame attached to the baseplate, a stepper motor attached to the first frame, a worm drive attached to the first frame, a cable reel shaft attached to the first and second frame, a hose wrapped around the cable reel shaft, and a hook attached to a first end of the hose. The hook may include a cylindrical sleeve having a at least one finger configured to fold and unfold. Disclosed also is a method of unlatching a control rod from a control drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Jack Matsumoto, Robert W. Whitling, Christopher M. Welsh, Gregory A. Francisco
  • Publication number: 20130082472
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for grasping and lifting a boiling water reactor (BWR) control rod using a grapple. The grapple may grasp the control rod blade, the fuel support casting and the control rod guide tube of the control rod, to lift and move all three of these components in unison. The grapple includes a frame, a control rod blade hook, a fuel support casting hook(s) and a control rod guide tube hook(s). The control rod guide tube hook(s) may have a distal end that extends through a side flow orifice of a fuel support casting and beyond the confines of a control rod guide tube flow orifice to grasp the control rod guide tube. The distal end of the control rod guide tube hook(s) may include inner and outer landing surfaces, providing respective support for the fuel support casting and control rod guide tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Whitling, Michael Joseph Gundrum, Mark D. Bardeen, Gregory A. Francisco
  • Patent number: 8374307
    Abstract: A nut assembly for connecting adjoining poles in a nuclear reactor may include an upper nut and a lower nut. The upper nut may include threads on an inner surface of the upper nut. The lower nut may include threads on an inner surface of the lower nut. The lower nut may include threads on an outer surface of the lower nut. The upper nut may rotate over the lower nut in order to lock the lower nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory A. Francisco, Robert W. Whitling
  • Publication number: 20120114090
    Abstract: Disclosed is an unlatching tool that may be used to unlatch a control rod from a control drive. The unlatching tool may include a baseplate, a first guide member and a second guide member attached to the baseplate, a first frame and a second frame attached to the baseplate, a stepper motor attached to the first frame, a worm drive attached to the first frame, a cable reel shaft attached to the first and second frame, a hose wrapped around the cable reel shaft, and a hook attached to a first end of the hose. The hook may include a cylindrical sleeve having a at least one finger configured to fold and unfold. Disclosed also is a method of unlatching a control rod from a control drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Jack Matsumoto, Robert W. Whitling, Christopher M. Welsh, Gregory A. Francisco
  • Patent number: 8007196
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the system includes a tubular female end portion of the first pole section and a male end portion of the second pole section that is insertable into the female end portion. Additionally, the system includes a locking nut including a body portion and a neck portion and is threadingly engaged with the male end portion. Furthermore, the system includes a biased locking sleeve assembly that includes a locking sleeve having an internal cavity such that the locking sleeve fits over the locking nut neck portion, and a biasing device located within the interior cavity of the locking sleeve for applying opposing forces to the locking nut and the locking sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Robert Whitling, Gregory Francisco, William Dale Jones
  • Patent number: 8002491
    Abstract: A system and a method for securely connecting, or interlocking two pole sections together to ensure that they do not disconnect during use. The system includes a tubular female end portion of the first pole section and a male end portion of the second pole section that is insertable into the female end portion. The system additionally includes a locking nut threadingly engaged with the male end portion that is rotatable on the male end portion to longitudinally transition the locking nut into contact with the female end portion to fixedly interlock the male and female end portions. Furthermore, the system includes a biased locking sleeve assembly slidably and rotatably mounted on a locking assembly portion of the second pole. The locking sleeve assembly can include a locking sleeve and a biased plunger slidingly positioned within an interior of the locking sleeve for applying a locking force to the locking nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Whitling, Gregory Francisco, William Dale Jones
  • Publication number: 20100246749
    Abstract: A nut assembly for connecting adjoining poles in a nuclear reactor may include an upper nut and a lower nut. The upper nut may include first threads on an inner surface of the upper nut. The lower nut may include second threads on an inner surface of the lower nut. The lower nut may include third threads on an outer surface of the lower nut. The upper nut may rotate over the lower nut in order to lock the lower nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory A. FRANCISCO, Robert W. Whitling
  • Patent number: 7787583
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a handling pole including a pole section, a pole adapter connected to one end of the pole section, a spade member connected to the other end of the pole section, and a nut assembly for connecting adjoining poles. The pole adapter may include an upper sleeve and the spade member may include a lower sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory A. Francisco, Robert W. Whitling
  • Patent number: 7764760
    Abstract: Systems and method for tensioning jet pump beam bolts in a nuclear reactor are disclosed. The nuclear reactor may include at least one jet pump with each jet pump having a jet pump beam and a jet pump beam bolt. The system may include an actuating apparatus and a tensioning apparatus. The actuating apparatus may include a socket member for engaging the jet pump beam bolts, a sleeve member for engaging a handling pole, and an actuator hex positioned between the socket member and the sleeve member. The tensioning apparatus may include a base block having an opening for accommodating the jet pump beam bolt, a top plate having an opening for accommodating the actuator hex, and a hydraulic actuator for providing tension to the jet pump beam bolt in accordance to measurements of the actuating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Gregory Francisco
  • Patent number: 7712189
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a handling pole including a pole section, a pole adapter connected to one end of the pole section, and a spade member connected to the other end of the pole section. The pole adapter may include an upper sleeve and the spade member may include a lower sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory A. Francisco, Robert W. Whitling
  • Publication number: 20100020914
    Abstract: A servicing platform for a nuclear reactor refueling floor is provided. In various embodiments, the servicing platform includes a base structured to be anchored to a refueling floor of the nuclear reactor. The servicing platform additionally includes a telescoping mast having a mounting collar at a first end that is rotationally attached to the base, and a personnel work basket pivotally coupled to a second end of the mast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Jack Toshio Matsumoto, Christopher Welsh, Gregory Francisco
  • Publication number: 20100014622
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a handling pole including a pole section, a pole adapter connected to one end of the pole section, a spade member connected to the other end of the pole section, and a nut assembly for connecting adjoining poles. The pole adapter may include an upper sleeve and the spade member may include a lower sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory A. Francisco, Robert W. Whitling
  • Publication number: 20090245924
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the system includes a tubular female end portion of the first pole section and a male end portion of the second pole section that is insertable into the female end portion. Additionally, the system includes a locking nut including a body portion and a neck portion and is threadingly engaged with the male end portion. Furthermore, the system includes a biased locking sleeve assembly that includes a locking sleeve having an internal cavity such that the locking sleeve fits over the locking nut neck portion, and a biasing device located within the interior cavity of the locking sleeve for applying opposing forces to the locking nut and the locking sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Whitling, Gregory Francisco, William Dale Jones