Patents by Inventor James P. Fennelly

James P. Fennelly 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: 7460008
    Abstract: A tilt switch apparatus has an acceleration sensor or sensors, a temperature sensor, an auto-zero function or switch, a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, a communication port, a current source circuit, a current sink circuit, an alarm output, an input power connection, a power conditioning circuit, a housing, an optional visual tilt, zero, and power indicator. The CPU monitors the temperature sensor and applies correction factors to the acceleration sensor reading to adjust for predetermined variations due to changes in temperature. The tilt angle is determined using the temperature corrected reading of acceleration due to gravity. The alarm output is generated when the measured tilt angle relative to an established reference plane exceeds a programmed threshold angle for greater than a programmed amount of time. The alarm output is discontinued when the tilt angle is reduced below the threshold angle by a programmed hysteresis angle for greater than a programmed amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Inventor: James P. Fennelly
  • Publication number: 20070268148
    Abstract: A tilt switch apparatus has an acceleration sensor or sensors, a temperature sensor, an auto-zero function or switch, a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, a communication port, a current source circuit, a current sink circuit, an alarm output, an input power connection, a power conditioning circuit, a housing, an optional visual tilt, zero, and power indicator. The CPU monitors the temperature sensor and applies correction factors to the acceleration sensor reading to adjust for predetermined variations due to changes in temperature. The tilt angle is determined using the temperature corrected reading of acceleration due to gravity. The alarm output is generated when the measured tilt angle relative to an established reference plane exceeds a programmed threshold angle for greater than a programmed amount of time. The alarm output is discontinued when the tilt angle is reduced below the threshold angle by a programmed hysteresis angle for greater than a programmed amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: James P. Fennelly