Patents by Inventor J. Hawkins

J. Hawkins 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).

  • Method and apparatus to control a continuously variable transmission
    Patent number: 10190684
    Abstract: A powertrain system including an internal combustion engine rotatably coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is described. A method for controlling the CVT includes determining minimum and maximum CVT input speeds in response to an accelerator pedal position, and monitoring vehicle speed and a CVT input speed. A target CVT input acceleration rate is determined based upon the vehicle speed, and a desired speed ratio is determined that is responsive to the target CVT input acceleration rate. The CVT is controlled based upon the desired speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David H. Vu, Christopher Jay Weingartz, Craig J. Hawkins, Pratap A. Naick
  • Thermal retracting actuator
    Patent number: 10125748
    Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel. Below a preselected temperature the piston is positively locked with a passive release when the preselected temperature is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Judith E. Hodgson
  • Steam generator sludge lance apparatus
    Patent number: 10125976
    Abstract: A sludge lance for a tube and shell steam generator that has a central divider plate that extends substantially the length of a central tube lane substantially bisecting a hand hole through which the tube lane can be accessed. The sludge lance has a nozzle with a spring biased, reciprocally movable plunger that extends against the divider plate and is locked in position by a stream of high pressure cleaning fluid that traverses the nozzle and exits through jets to clean sludge from between the tubes. An alignment tool with a swing arm indexes the jets to assure they are properly aligned with the tube rows and spaced from the divider plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Phillip J. Hawkins
  • Motor drive system and method
    Patent number: 10090878
    Abstract: A system and a method for driving an electrical motor with a drive unit including a wireless transceiver. A user may wirelessly couple a user input device with the transceiver, and use a drive application to, optionally, update configuration information including drive control parameters, update application logic residing in the drive unit, and/or upload performance parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Greg A. Emshwiller, Richard J. Halsey, Christopher J. Hawkins, Douglas C. Lynn, Robert C. Smith, Ross E. Waite, James H. Spreen
  • Transgenic plants with enhanced agronomic traits
    Publication number: 20180258442
    Abstract: This invention provides transgenic plant cells with recombinant DNA for expression of proteins that are useful for imparting enhanced agronomic trait(s) to transgenic crop plants. This invention also provides transgenic plants and progeny seed comprising the transgenic plant cells where the plants are selected for having an enhanced trait selected from the group of traits consisting of enhanced water use efficiency, enhanced cold tolerance, increased yield, enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, enhanced seed protein and enhanced seed oil. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing transgenic seed and plants with enhanced traits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Scott Abad, Thomas R. Adams, Julie A. Alvarez, Mahindra Anuradha, Alice Clara Augustine, Erin Bell, Kristen A. Bennett, Robert J. Bensen, Paolo Castiglioni, Richard Eric Cerny, Xianfeng Chen, Jaishree M. Chittoor-Vijayanath, Farah Deeba, Jill Dcikman, Molian Deng, Stephen Duff, Bradon J. Fabbri, Jason Fenner, Mary Fernandes, Karen Gabbert, Barry S. Goldman, Deborah J. Hawkins, Jacqueline E. Heard, Balasulojini Karunanandaa, Dangyang Ke, John R. Ledeaux, Garrett J. Lee, Savitha Madappa, Donald E. Nelson, Obed Patty, Badami S. Pratesh, Qungang Qi, Ramachandra Dhanalakshmi, G. Ramamohan, Thomas G. Ruff, Rick A. Sanders, Sangeetha Singh, Thomas J. Savage, Beth Savidge, Char Shobha, Rajani Monnanda Somaiah, Padmini Sudarshana, Sreekanta Suma, Jindong Sun, Rebecca L. Thompson-Mize, Dale L. Val, Srikanth Venkatachalayya, Tymagondlu V. Venkatesh, Kammaradi Vidya, Jingrui Wu, Zhidong Xie, Nanfei Xu, Wei Zheng, Rajani Monnanda Somaiah, Meghan Galligan Donnarummo
  • Transgenic plants with enhanced agronomic traits
    Publication number: 20180245095
    Abstract: This invention provides recombinant DNA constructs, transgenic plant nuclei and cells with such recombinant DNA construct for expression of proteins that are useful for imparting enhanced agronomic trait(s) to transgenic crop plants. This invention also provides transgenic plants and progeny seed comprising the transgenic plant cells where the plants are selected for having an enhanced trait selected from the group of traits consisting of enhanced water use efficiency, enhanced cold tolerance, increased yield, enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, enhanced seed protein and enhanced seed oil. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing transgenic seed and plants with enhanced traits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Scott Abad, Jeffrey E. Ahrens, Alice Clara Augustine, Erin Bell, Robert J. Bensen, Srikanth Venkatachalayya, Paolo Castiglioni, Richard Eric Cerny, Jaishree M. Chittoor-Vijayanath, Maureen Daley, Jill Deikman, Molian Deng, Todd DeZwaan, Stephen Duff, Michael D. Edgerton, Bradon J. Fabbri, Jason Fenner, Karen Gabbert, Garrett J. Lee, Barry S. Goldman, Deborah J. Hawkins, Steve He, Xianfeng Chen, Balasulojini Karunanandaa, Paul Loida, Savitha Madappa, Robert J. Meister, Ming Peng, Donald E. Nelson, Anand Pandravada, Obed Patty, Marie Petracek, Rajani Monnanda Somaiah, Monica P. Ravanello, Richard Johnson, Thomas G. Ruff, Rick A. Sanders, Beth Savidge, Steven H. Schwarts, Shobha Char, Padmini Sudarshana, Jindong Sun, Rebecca L. Thompson-Mize, Virginia Ursin, Dale L. Val, Tymagondlu V. Venkatesh, Kammaradi Vidya, K. Vijayalakshmi, Todd C. Weber, Jingrui Wu, Wei Zheng, Zhidong Xie, Dhanalaksmi Ramachandra
  • Pump switching control systems and methods for continuously variable transmissions
    Patent number: 10047860
    Abstract: A target module determines a target ratio between a speed of an input shaft and a speed of an output shaft of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) based on an accelerator pedal position. A maximum rate of change (ROC) module determines a maximum ROC of the target ratio. A switching valve control module, based on a comparison of the maximum ROC and a ROC of the target ratio, selectively actuates a switching valve of the CVT one of (i) from a closed position to an open position and (ii) from the open position to the closed position. The switching valve prevents transmission fluid flow through a flow path between a transmission fluid pump and a pressure regulator valve of the CVT when the switching valve is in the closed position. The switching valve allows transmission fluid flow through the flow path when the switching valve is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Minh Q. Truong, Bret M. Olson, Chinar S. Ghike, Craig J. Hawkins, Steven P. Moorman, Paul G. Otanez
  • STEM GENERATOR SLUDGE LANCE APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20180142885
    Abstract: A sludge lance for a tube and shell steam generator that has a central divider plate that extends substantially the length of a central tube lane substantially bisecting a hand hole through which the tube lane can be accessed. The sludge lance has a nozzle with a spring biased, reciprocally movable plunger that extends against the divider plate and is locked in position by a stream of high pressure cleaning fluid that traverses the nozzle and exits through jets to clean sludge from between the tubes. An alignment tool with a swing arm indexes the jets to assure they are properly aligned with the tube rows and spaced from the divider plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Phillip J. Hawkins
  • Methods for treating cancers
    Patent number: 9974792
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating a cancer in a subject (e.g., a human) in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The subject may be very high risk or high risk for the cancer. The subject who has the cancer may also be refractory to at least one chemotherapy treatment, or is in relapse after treatment with chemotherapy, or both. The cancer may be a hematologic malignancy, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie Di Paolo, Michael J. Hawkins, Jing Hu, Feng Jin, Flordeliza Melchor-Khan, Anita Reddy
  • Steam generator sludge lance apparatus
    Patent number: 9920925
    Abstract: A sludge lance for a tube and shell steam generator that has a central divider plate that extends substantially the length of a central tube lane substantially bisecting a hand hole through which the tube lane can be accessed. The sludge lance has a nozzle with a spring biased, reciprocally movable plunger that extends against the divider plate and is locked in position by a stream of high pressure cleaning fluid that traverses the nozzle and exits through jets to clean sludge from between the tubes. An alignment tool with a swing arm indexes the jets to assure they are properly aligned with the tube rows and spaced from the divider plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Phillip J. Hawkins
  • ANTIBODIES TO MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE 9
    Publication number: 20180002446
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods of use involving binding proteins, e.g., antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) protein (MMP9 is also known as gelatinase-B), such as where the binding proteins comprise an immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain (or functional fragment thereof) and an Ig light chain (or functional fragment thereof).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Joanne I. ADAMKEWICZ, Victoria SMITH, Zung THAI, Michael J. HAWKINS
  • PUMP SWITCHING CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS
    Publication number: 20170350504
    Abstract: A target module determines a target ratio between a speed of an input shaft and a speed of an output shaft of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) based on an accelerator pedal position. A maximum rate of change (ROC) module determines a maximum ROC of the target ratio. A switching valve control module, based on a comparison of the maximum ROC and a ROC of the target ratio, selectively actuates a switching valve of the CVT one of (i) from a closed position to an open position and (ii) from the open position to the closed position. The switching valve prevents transmission fluid flow through a flow path between a transmission fluid pump and a pressure regulator valve of the CVT when the switching valve is in the closed position. The switching valve allows transmission fluid flow through the flow path when the switching valve is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Minh Q. TRUONG, Bret M. OLSON, Chinar S. GHIKE, Craig J. HAWKINS, Steven P. MOORMAN, Paul G. OTANEZ
  • METHODS FOR TREATING CANCERS
    Publication number: 20170258804
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating a cancer in a subject (e.g., a human) in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The subject may be very high risk or high risk for the cancer. The subject who has the cancer may also be refractory to at least one chemotherapy treatment, or is in relapse after treatment with chemotherapy, or both. The cancer may be a hematologic malignancy, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Julie Di Paolo, Michael J. Hawkins, Jing Hu, Feng Jin, Flordeliza Melchor-Khan, Anita Reddy
  • THERMAL RETRACTING ACTUATOR
    Publication number: 20170234305
    Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel. Below a preselected temperature the piston is positively locked with a passive release when the preselected temperature is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: PHILLIP J. HAWKINS, Judith E. Hodgson
  • Methods of treating rheumatoid arthritis using antibodies to matrix metalloproteinase 9
    Patent number: 9732156
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods of use involving binding proteins, e.g., antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) protein (MMP9 is also known as gelatinase-B), such as where the binding proteins comprise an immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain (or functional fragment thereof) and an Ig light chain (or functional fragment thereof).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Gilead Biologics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joanne I. Adamkewicz, Victoria Smith, Zung Thai, Michael J. Hawkins
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20170211700
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a vehicle includes an input member, an output member and a variator assembly including a first pulley rotatably coupled to the input member and a second pulley rotatably coupled to the output. The first and second pulleys are rotatably coupled by a flexible continuous rotatable device. A control system is provided including an instruction set executable to determine an initial variator speed ratio of the variator assembly and detect an event causing a change in an operational state of the vehicle. The control system determines a compensation strategy to adjust the variator speed ratio in response to the change in the operational state of the vehicle and generates an adjusted variator speed ratio based upon the compensation strategy. The control system transmits the adjusted variator speed ratio to the variator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Crystal J. Nassouri, Craig J. Hawkins, Alexander S. Barath
  • Thermal retracting actuator
    Patent number: 9714644
    Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel. Below a preselected temperature the piston is positively locked with a passive release when the preselected temperature is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Judith E. Hodgson, John W. Conrad, Lyman J. Petrosky
  • Methods for treating cancers
    Patent number: 9687492
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating a cancer in a subject (e.g., a human) in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The subject may be very high risk or high risk for the cancer. The subject who has the cancer may also be refractory to at least one chemotherapy treatment, or is in relapse after treatment with chemotherapy, or both. The cancer may be a hematologic malignancy, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie Di Paolo, Michael J. Hawkins, Jing Hu, Feng Jin, Flordeliza Melchor-Khan, Anita Reddy
  • Micro-market display
    Patent number: D808201
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: 365 Retail Markets, LLC
    Inventors: Alex J. Hawkins, Joseph Hessling
  • Micro-market display
    Patent number: D808202
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: 365 Retail Markets, LLC
    Inventors: Alex J. Hawkins, Joseph Hessling