Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Fletcher
Jeffrey Fletcher 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).
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Publication number: 20240122629Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shigeru Tanaka, Edward Liou, Edward Fletcher Eyster, Jonathan Carver, Joshua Druker, Martin Leugers, Kurin Tu, Peter Lombrozo
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Publication number: 20240099746Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shigeru Tanaka, Edward Liou, Edward Fletcher Eyster, Jonathan Carver, Joshua Druker, Martin Leugers, Kurin Tu, Peter Lombrozo
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Patent number: 11933976Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of one or more head-mounted display (HMD) system components of an HMD system. The HMD components may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors or other types of detectors. The HMD system may be operative to detect corrupted position tracking samples, allowing such samples to be ignored, thereby improving the position tracking process. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of detectors. Control circuitry may process the sensor data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of one or more HMD components.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Evan Fletcher, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Joshua Mark Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Charles Lohr
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Publication number: 20160289926Abstract: A hydraulic system for a machine is provided including a first cylinder, a pump and an operator input device for entering a commanded rate of flow of hydraulic fluid to the first cylinder. A control valve operatively is connected between the pump and the first cylinder. A sensor is configured and arranged to provide signals relating to a first operating characteristic of the machine. A controller is in communication with the operator input device, the control valve and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a skill level of an operator of the machine based on a comparison of the first operating characteristic of the machine and a first threshold and to direct the control valve to provide hydraulic fluid to the first cylinder at an adjusted hydraulic fluid flow rate if the skill level of the operator is below a predetermined level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2015Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Alig, Conrad G. Grembowicz, Bradley Bomer, Jeffrey Fletcher, Karl Kirsch, Zhijun Cai
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Patent number: 9441348Abstract: A hydraulic system for a machine is provided including a first cylinder, a pump and an operator input device for entering a commanded rate of flow of hydraulic fluid to the first cylinder. A control valve operatively is connected between the pump and the first cylinder. A sensor is configured and arranged to provide signals relating to a first operating characteristic of the machine. A controller is in communication with the operator input device, the control valve and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a skill level of an operator of the machine based on a comparison of the first operating characteristic of the machine and a first threshold and to direct the control valve to provide hydraulic fluid to the first cylinder at an adjusted hydraulic fluid flow rate if the skill level of the operator is below a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Alig, Conrad G. Grembowicz, Bradley Bomer, Jeffrey Fletcher, Karl Kirsch, Zhijun Cai
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Publication number: 20150004574Abstract: A system and method for coaching an operator of an industrial machine improves operator skill levels by providing prioritized coaching to the operator. The system and method identify operations performed during the work session and compare each operation to a model of the operation to identify operations that differ substantially from the model. Each such operation is logged as a coaching opportunity, and the method and system prioritize the associated coaching sequences for presentation to the operator, e.g., based on (1) classification of the operation associated with each coaching opportunity; (2) significance of the operation associated with each coaching opportunity; (3) operator history; (4) manager preferences; and (5) error severity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Bradley K. Bomer, Zhijun Cai, Carl Darukhanavala, Vardhaman Lakhani, Kevin Dluzen, Jeffrey Fletcher, Drew Fehr, Owen Kolstad
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Patent number: 8034289Abstract: A water treatment process whereby heat is used and recaptured to pasteurize water and or sewage effluent. Contaminated waters are partially treatable utilizing bacterial and chemical processes; however some bacteria (e.g. Cryptosporidium and Giardia) are resistant to chemicals. The present process raises the temperature of the water to a desired pasteurization temperature and for a corresponding required length of time to destroy pathogens and viruses. A heat exchanger is employed to use the waste heat from the pasteurization tank to pre-heat the fluid entering the tank. After the initial heating of the tank, the pre-heating reduces the required heat to maintain the temperature of the tank. Make-up heat increases the temperature within a small temperature range. The make-up heat may be waste heat from a separate process.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Inventor: Jeffrey Fletcher
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Publication number: 20100116756Abstract: A water treatment process whereby heat is used and recaptured to pasteurize water and or sewage effluent. Contaminated waters are partially treatable utilizing bacterial and chemical processes; however some bacteria (e.g. Cryptosporidium and Giardia) are resistant to chemicals. The present process raises the temperature of the water to a desired pasteurization temperature and for a corresponding required length of time to destroy pathogens and viruses. A heat exchanger is employed to use the waste heat from the pasteurization tank to pre-heat the fluid entering the tank. After the initial heating of the tank, the pre-heating reduces the required heat to maintain the temperature of the tank. Make-up heat increases the temperature within a small temperature range. The make-up heat may be waste heat from a separate process.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventor: Jeffrey Fletcher
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Publication number: 20090004045Abstract: A water treatment process whereby heat is used and recaptured to pasteurize water and or sewage effluent. Contaminated waters are partially treatable utilizing bacterial and chemical processes, however some bacteria (e.g. Cryptosporidium and Giardia) are resistant to chemicals. Hence, the present process raises the temperature of the water to any desired temperature and for any desired length of time that would destroy most pathogens and viruses, including Cryptosporidium and Giardia, without the use of chemicals.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventor: Jeffrey Fletcher