Patents by Inventor James V. Villa

James V. Villa 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: 10744658
    Abstract: Systems and methods determine locations of moving equipment in an area holding components to be moved. Moving equipment can relocate relative to the holding area to pick up components in the holding area from an origin and deliver them to a desired location or orientation. The moving equipment includes a device emitting a signal that is detectable where it hits components or other structures in a straight line or known path from the moving equipment. A human or computer can determine a position the moving equipment in the holding area from such signals. Devices can operate with visible light generators including LEDs, incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, and lasers and including lenses or reflectors to shape the light into detectable and high fidelity configurations. Automation components including a hardware processor, controller, and detector can operate moving equipment based on detected light, without human interaction or as a verification in human operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: James V. Villa, Brian S. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20200203031
    Abstract: Systems and methods determine locations of moving equipment in an area holding components to be moved. Moving equipment can relocate relative to the holding area to pick up components in the holding area from an origin and deliver them to a desired location or orientation. The moving equipment includes a device emitting a signal that is detectable where it hits components or other structures in a straight line or known path from the moving equipment. A human or computer can determine a position the moving equipment in the holding area from such signals. Devices can operate with visible light generators including LEDs, incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, and lasers and including lenses or reflectors to shape the light into detectable and high fidelity configurations. Automation components including a hardware processor, controller, and detector can operate moving equipment based on detected light, without human interaction or as a verification in human operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: James V. Villa, Brian S. Hunt