Patents by Inventor James Patton

James Patton 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: 20130269636
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block at least partially defining a combustion chamber and a crankcase volume. The engine block defines an opening in fluid communication with the crankcase volume. An air-oil separator is mounted to the engine block at the opening and is configured to separate oil from blowby gasses flowing from the crankcase volume through the air-oil separator. A method of venting an engine crankcase volume is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Spix, Michael B. Fleck, Kenneth James Patton
  • Publication number: 20120097121
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a first lift control module and a second lift control module. The first lift control module increases lift of M valves of the engine to a predetermined valve lift during a period before disabling or re-enabling N valves of the engine. The second lift control module decreases the lift of the M valves to a desired valve lift during a period after enabling or re-enabling the N valves of the engine, wherein N and M are integers greater than or equal to one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Craig D. Marriott, Joel Cowgill, Matthew A. Wiles, Kenneth James Patton
  • Patent number: 7963443
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for mitigating signal noise at a wireless smart device reader are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method (performed at a wireless smart device reader) that includes receiving a signal from a wireless smart device and checking for an error in a portion of the signal. In response to detecting the error, an error flag is set in an error register to indicate the presence of noise in the signal portion. The error register is repeatedly polled in order to detect the setting of the error flag. In response to detecting the setting of the error flag, a command to eliminate the signal portion is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: ViVOtech, Inc.
    Inventor: James Patton
  • Patent number: 7608790
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wireless electrical control system for power tool and specifically to a wireless control device for a router. The electrical control system may include a handle suitable for manipulating a router. A switch and a wireless transmitter are disposed in the handle. Communicatively coupled to the transmitter is a wireless receiver capable of receiving the transmissions from the transmitter in the handle. In alternative embodiments the wireless receiver is disposed in the router itself or the receiver is disposed in an outlet unit, which is capable of electrically coupling to the router's electrical cord and an electrical outlet. The wireless receiver of the present invention is capable of controlling the flow of electricity to the electrical system of the router so that the router is capable of being altered from the switch mounted on the handle, thus allowing users to change the power setting while retaining secure control of the router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: James Patton
  • Publication number: 20090166419
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for mitigating signal noise at a wireless smart device reader are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method (performed at a wireless smart device reader) that includes receiving a signal from a wireless smart device and checking for an error in a portion of the signal. In response to detecting the error, an error flag is set in an error register to indicate the presence of noise in the signal portion. The error register is repeatedly polled in order to detect the setting of the error flag. In response to detecting the setting of the error flag, a command to eliminate the signal portion is issued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: James Patton
  • Patent number: 7494035
    Abstract: A pneumatic compressor capable of supplying compressed gas to a pneumatic tool. The compressor can be powered alternatively by either a battery or an AC power source. The compressor comprises a permanent magnet DC electric motor and circuitry for converting the AC power source to DC power. The compressor includes a receptacle for accommodating one or more of a plurality of batteries and includes circuitry for using batteries having different voltages. The AC power source may also be used to charge a battery connected to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: J. Michael Weaver, Barbara A. Rose, Mark W. Wood, Daniel U. Goodwin, Hung T. Du, Alan G. Phillips, C. Kerwin Braddock, James A. Patton, Michael A. Lagaly, Patrick G. Barry, Julie L. Jones, Deborah L. Harr
  • Publication number: 20080000317
    Abstract: A cable driven actuator and actuator method involve a movable link that is movable about a path by a cable connected to the link, and a movable support member having a cable routing element. The support member is movable in a manner to change a moment arm of the cable acting on the link to control torque applied to the joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: James Patton, Michael Peshkin, James Sulzer
  • Publication number: 20070059186
    Abstract: A pneumatic compressor capable of supplying compressed gas to a pneumatic tool. The compressor can be powered alternatively by either a battery or an AC power source. The compressor comprises a permanent magnet DC electric motor and circuitry for converting the AC power source to DC power. The compressor includes a receptacle for accommodating one or more of a plurality of batteries and includes circuitry for using batteries having different voltages. The AC power source may also be used to charge a battery connected to the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: J. Weaver, Barbara Rose, Mark Wood, Daniel Goodwin, Hung Du, Alan Phillips, C. Braddock, James Patton, Michael Lagaly, Patrick Barry, Julie Jones, Deborah Harr
  • Publication number: 20060143866
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for providing ergonomic grasping for a category of tool users. The assembly may be sized for ergonomic grasping by the hand of a user belonging to a category, such as large, medium, or small. The assembly includes a generally flat surface and a surface generally shaped for reception in a user's palm. The assembly of the present invention may be employed with a power tool or pneumatic tool, such as a hand held tool. A securing extension for securing the base to a tool is mounted on the generally flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Mike Lagaly, James Patton
  • Publication number: 20060113171
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wireless electrical control system for power tool and specifically to a wireless control device for a router. The electrical control system may include a handle suitable for manipulating a router. A switch and a wireless transmitter are disposed in the handle. Communicatively coupled to the transmitter is a wireless receiver capable of receiving the transmissions from the transmitter in the handle. In alternative embodiments the wireless receiver is disposed in the router itself or the receiver is disposed in an outlet unit, which is capable of electrically coupling to the router's electrical cord and an electrical outlet. The wireless receiver of the present invention is capable of controlling the flow of electricity to the electrical system of the router so that the router is capable of being altered from the switch mounted on the handle, thus allowing users to change the power setting while retaining secure control of the router.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventor: James Patton
  • Publication number: 20060075605
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for providing ergonomic grasping for a category of tool users. The assembly may be sized for ergonomic grasping by the hand of a user belonging to a category, such as large, medium, or small. The assembly includes a generally flat surface and a surface generally shaped for reception in a user's palm. The assembly of the present invention may be employed with a power tool or pneumatic tool, such as a hand held tool. A securing extension for securing the base to a tool is mounted on the generally flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Mike Lagaly, James Patton
  • Patent number: 7022924
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wireless electrical control system for power tool and specifically to a wireless control device for a router. The electrical control system may include a handle suitable for manipulating a router. A switch and a wireless transmitter are disposed in the handle. Communicatively coupled to the transmitter is a wireless receiver capable of receiving the transmissions from the transmitter in the handle. In alternative embodiments the wireless receiver is disposed in the router itself or the receiver is disposed in an outlet unit, which is capable of electrically coupling to the router's electrical cord and an electrical outlet. The wireless receiver of the present invention is capable of controlling the flow of electricity to the electrical system of the router so that the router is capable of being altered from the switch mounted on the handle, thus allowing users to change the power setting while retaining secure control of the router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: James Patton
  • Publication number: 20050288157
    Abstract: A pelvic support unit is coupled to a base by a powered vertical force actuator mechanism. A torso support unit, which is affixed to the patient independently of the pelvic support unit, is connected to the base by one or more powered articulations which are actuable around respective axes of motion. Sensors sense the linear and angular displacement of the pelvic support unit and the torso support unit. A control unit is coupled to these sensors and, responsive to signals from them, selectively control the displacement actuator and articulation(s). Wheel modules are independently powered to both rotate and steer, and, responsive to the control unit, are capable of rolling the exercise device in a direction of travel intended by the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Julio Santos-Munne, Alex Makhlin, Ela Lewis, Michael Peshkin, David Brown, J. Colgate, James Patton, Benjamin Rush, Doug Schwandt
  • Publication number: 20030188441
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wireless electrical control system for power tool and specifically to a wireless control device for a router. The electrical control system may include a handle suitable for manipulating a router. A switch and a wireless transmitter are disposed in the handle. Communicatively coupled to the transmitter is a wireless receiver capable of receiving the transmissions from the transmitter in the handle. In alternative embodiments the wireless receiver is disposed in the router itself or the receiver is disposed in an outlet unit, which is capable of electrically coupling to the router's electrical cord and an electrical outlet. The wireless receiver of the present invention is capable of controlling the flow of electricity to the electrical system of the router so that the router is capable of being altered from the switch mounted on the handle, thus allowing users to change the power setting while retaining secure control of the router.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: James Patton
  • Patent number: 5608769
    Abstract: A test circuit determines state of an electrical element supplied with alternating current and measures the duration of that state. The test circuit is connected to the element so that current flows to the test circuit when the element is in the state being measured. The test circuit rectifies the alternating current to periodic pulses, which are counted to determine the duration of the current and, thus, the state. The circuit is particularly useful for testing operation of a dishwasher pump motor that is interrupted periodically. The test circuit is connected to auxiliary contacts that open and close in correspondence with the operation of the pump motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Patton, Allen B. Daughtry
  • Patent number: D566707
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventors: James Patton, Eric Krantz
  • Patent number: D566708
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventors: James Patton, Eric Krantz
  • Patent number: D567238
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventors: James Patton, Eric Krantz