Patents by Inventor Jack Bruce Wallace

Jack Bruce Wallace 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: 8256607
    Abstract: A monitoring system is provided for a moving conveyor belt having a plurality of embedded reinforcing cords and identification tags. A tag reader detects and identifies the identification tags passing by the tag reader while a belt monitor scans the cords to detect a plurality of magnetic reference points and a damage event of at least one cord. A control unit in communication with the belt monitor and the tag reader analyzes the belt monitor to identify the plurality of magnetic reference points and the damage event. The control unit also acquires a belt location on the moving conveyor belt from a belt map based on the detected and identified identification tag and a magnetic reference point from the plurality of magnetic reference points. When a damage event is identified, a location of the damage event is determined by the control unit based on the acquired belt location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Veyanee Technologies Inc., Advanced Imaging Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Michael John Alport, Jacques Frederick Basson
  • Patent number: 8069975
    Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor belt rip detection system with belts having rip detection inserts that can be more easily integrated into conveyor belts at low cost. These rip detection inserts do not adversely affect the durability of the conveyor belt and can be easily replaced in the event of belt damage. This rip detection system also provides a highly reliable early image of belt damage that can facilitate quick repair before extensive belt damage occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Bruce Wallace
  • Patent number: 7942258
    Abstract: A digital processor for use in a conveyor belt rip detector, which provides excitation signals at a selected frequency to inverted and noninverted sensor loops on a conveyor belt and then detects corresponding received signals from the sensor loops. The digital processor then performs FFTs on the corresponding received signals to provide respective received signal frequency spectrums. Next magnitude and phase values of the selected frequency in the respective received signal frequency spectrums are used to determine a qualitative state of the sensor loops. The selected frequency has a lowest detected ambient noise level, and the magnitude value is a normalized magnitude value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, John James Gartland, Richard Herman Blausey, Edward Louis Kerekes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7894934
    Abstract: A remote conveyor belt monitoring system for monitoring an operation of a conveyor belt at a first geographic location. A local HMI is operable to acquire and store data representing conveyor belt conditions and operating characteristics. First and second computers at different geographic locations acquire the data via an internet. Thus, data relating to the operating conditions of the conveyor belt can be remotely consolidated and monitored by computers at different global locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Mauricio Pinto Spaolonzi
  • Publication number: 20110024269
    Abstract: A monitoring system is provided for a moving conveyor belt having a plurality of embedded reinforcing cords and identification tags. A tag reader detects and identifies the identification tags passing by the tag reader while a belt monitor scans the cords to detect a plurality of magnetic reference points and a damage event of at least one cord. A control unit in communication with the belt monitor and the tag reader analyzes the belt monitor to identify the plurality of magnetic reference points and the damage event. The control unit also acquires a belt location on the moving conveyor belt from a belt map based on the detected and identified identification tag and a magnetic reference point from the plurality of magnetic reference points. When a damage event is identified, a location of the damage event is determined by the control unit based on the acquired belt location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: VEYANCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Michael John Alport, Jacques Frederick Basson
  • Patent number: 7810634
    Abstract: A monitoring system is provided for a moving conveyor belt having a plurality of embedded reinforcing cords and identification tags. A tag reader detects and identifies the identification tags passing by the tag reader while a belt monitor scans the cords to detect a plurality of magnetic reference points and a damage event of at least one cord. A control unit in communication with the belt monitor and the tag reader analyzes the belt monitor to identify the plurality of magnetic reference points and the damage event. The control unit also acquires a belt location on the moving conveyor belt from a belt map based on the detected and identified identification tag and a magnetic reference point from the plurality of magnetic reference points. When a damage event is identified, a location of the damage event is determined by the control unit based on the acquired belt location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Veyance Technologies Inc., Advanced Imaging Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Michael John Alport, Jacques Frederick Basson
  • Publication number: 20100235113
    Abstract: A digital processor for use in a conveyor belt rip detector, which provides excitation signals at a selected frequency to inverted and noninverted sensor loops on a conveyor belt and then detects corresponding received signals from the sensor loops. The digital processor then performs FFTs on the corresponding received signals to provide respective received signal frequency spectrums. Next magnitude and phase values of the selected frequency in the respective received signal frequency spectrums are used to determine a qualitative state of the sensor loops. The selected frequency has a lowest detected ambient noise level, and the magnitude value is a normalized magnitude value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: VEYANCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, John James Gartland, Richard Herman Blausey, Edward Louis Kerekes, JR.
  • Patent number: 7740130
    Abstract: A digital processor for use in a conveyor belt rip detector, which provides excitation signals at a selected frequency to inverted and noninverted sensor loops on a conveyor belt and then, detects corresponding received signals from the sensor loops. The digital processor then performs FFTs on the corresponding received signals to provide respective received signal frequency spectrums. Next magnitude and phase values of the selected frequency in the respective received signal frequency spectrums are used to determine a qualitative state of the sensor loops. The selected frequency has a lowest detected ambient noise level, and the magnitude value is a normalized magnitude value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, John James Gartland, Richard Herman Blausey, Edward Louis Kerekes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7740128
    Abstract: A self-synchronizing system and method for conveyor belt sensor operation is disclosed based on the address of an RFID tag in the belt and the location of that tag in the system memory. A moving conveyor belt system has a plurality of sensors spaced along the belt and a sensor reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a sensor passing by the sensor reader. The belt further includes a plurality of identification tags spaced along the belt and a tag reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a tag passing by the tag reader. Associated time and distance target values are acquired from a calibration table for a next sensor (S1) based upon a detected and identified functional tag. Time and distance counters are initiated. The conveyor belt may be stopped in the event that the next sensor (S1) is not detected before the time and distance target values are exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, John James Gartland
  • Publication number: 20100122893
    Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor belt rip detection system with belts having rip detection inserts that can be more easily integrated into conveyor belts at low cost. These rip detection inserts do not adversely affect the durability of the conveyor belt and can be easily replaced in the event of belt damage. This rip detection system also provides a highly reliable early image of belt damage that can facilitate quick repair before extensive belt damage occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Veyance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Bruce Wallace
  • Publication number: 20100025198
    Abstract: A monitoring system is provided for a moving conveyor belt having a plurality of embedded reinforcing cords and identification tags. A tag reader detects and identifies the identification tags passing by the tag reader while a belt monitor scans the cords to detect a plurality of magnetic reference points and a damage event of at least one cord. A control unit in communication with the belt monitor and the tag reader analyzes the belt monitor to identify the plurality of magnetic reference points and the damage event. The control unit also acquires a belt location on the moving conveyor belt from a belt map based on the detected and identified identification tag and a magnetic reference point from the plurality of magnetic reference points. When a damage event is identified, a location of the damage event is determined by the control unit based on the acquired belt location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Michael John Alport, Jacques Frederick Basson
  • Publication number: 20080257692
    Abstract: A conveyor belt includes at least one rip detection sensor having at least two cords, each cord formed in an endless loop and arranged in a signal inverting configuration, and at least one cross connector connecting the at least two cords so as to arrange the at least two cords in a parallel configuration. The sensor provides a redundancy feature such that should one cord break, the remaining cord allows the sensor to continue operation. The parallel configuration of the cords reduces overall resistance of the sensor and extends the sensor life as the conveyor belt wears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: VEYANCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jack Bruce Wallace
  • Publication number: 20080133051
    Abstract: A remote conveyor belt monitoring system for monitoring an operation of a conveyor belt at a first geographic location. A local HMI is operable to acquire and store data representing conveyor belt conditions and operating characteristics. First and second computers at different geographic locations acquire the data via an internet. Thus, data relating to the operating conditions of the conveyor belt can be remotely consolidated and monitored by computers at different global locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Mauricio Pinto Spaolonzi
  • Publication number: 20070278068
    Abstract: A digital processor for use in a conveyor belt rip detector, which provides excitation signals at a selected frequency to inverted and noninverted sensor loops on a conveyor belt and then, detects corresponding received signals from the sensor loops. The digital processor then performs FFTs on the corresponding received signals to provide respective received signal frequency spectrums. Next magnitude and phase values of the selected frequency in the respective received signal frequency spectrums are used to determine a qualitative state of the sensor loops. The selected frequency has a lowest detected ambient noise level, and the magnitude value is a normalized magnitude value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, John James Gartland, Richard Herman Blausey, Edward Louis Kerekes