Patents by Inventor Jeffrey M Fowler

Jeffrey M Fowler 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: 11874150
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a water meter assembly with a transition interface that includes a non-linear taper to minimize head loss. According to one implementation, the transition interface may include a non-linear outlet taper. In another implementation, the transition interface may include a non-linear inlet taper and a non-liner outlet taper. In still other implementations, the water meter assembly may include a transition interface with different outlet and inlet tapers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: NEPTUNE TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.
    Inventors: David Hamilton, Mahesh K. Matam, Jeffrey M. Fowler, John R. Scarborough, III
  • Publication number: 20240011810
    Abstract: A metering system uses an electronics assembly with a single transducer to determine flow rate. The meter assembly emits an ultrasonic beam from the transducer and splits the ultrasonic beam into a first partial beam and a second partial beam. The first partial beam is transmitted over a first path that returns to the electronics assembly, and the second partial beam is transmitted over a second path that returns to the electronics assembly. The first path goes over a first net distance of a measuring channel. The second path goes over a second net distance of the measuring channel. The meter assembly detects the return of the first partial beam and the second partial beam, measures a time difference between the return times, and determines a measurement of a fluid flow through the measuring channel based on the time difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Fowler, Mahesh Matam, David Hamilton, Nicholas Russell Winston
  • Publication number: 20220282794
    Abstract: An oscillating diaphragm valve is provided. The valve is configured such that, when the diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. The valve internals are formed as a single, enclosed piece, with openings provided only for supply and consumption. The pilot-operated diaphragm-type valve uses a return spring for the diaphragm that applies a biasing force to an outside surface of the valve internals. Additionally, an actuator is provided to selectively arrest the diaphragm in an open or closed position by applying force to a different outside surface of the valve internals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20220205548
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a pilot-operated oscillating valve including a diaphragm. The valve is configured such that when the diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. The oscillating valve may further include an actuator that can cause the valve to be arrested selectively in the open position or the closed position depending on a state of the actuator. The state of the actuator is switchable with a small expenditure of energy, enabling an extended duty cycle for a battery or other power source associated with the actuator. In some implementations, energy from the oscillating movement of the diaphragm may be captured to recharge the battery for the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Fowler, David Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20210333138
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a water meter assembly with a transition interface that includes a non-linear taper to minimize head loss. According to one implementation, the transition interface may include a non-linear outlet taper. In another implementation, the transition interface may include a non-linear inlet taper and a non-liner outlet taper. In still other implementations, the water meter assembly may include a transition interface with different outlet and inlet tapers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: David Hamilton, Mahesh K. Matam, Jeffrey M. Fowler, John R. Scarborough, III
  • Patent number: 10797421
    Abstract: A reader suitable for reading data from a printed memory device attached to a curved surface includes a flexible wiring assembly that can be repositioned from a first position having a first profile into a second position having a second profile. In the first position, electrical contacts of the reader do not electrically couple with contact pads of the printed memory device, while in the second position the electrical contacts of the reader electrically couple to the contact pads of the printed memory. In one implementation, the flexible wiring assembly includes a flexible underlayer that supports the plurality of electrical contacts. In another implementation, the flexible wiring assembly includes a rigid first portion and a rigid second portion that pivot about a pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Doody, Jeffrey M. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20200133298
    Abstract: Methods and systems provide infrastructure information including subsurface images captured by ground penetrating radar (GPR) carried by vehicles including mobile data processing devices. Computer readable data further includes location information for the subsurface images based on a location of the vehicle and can include GPS, images and video. The computer readable data can be wirelessly transmitted to a remote server for storage in a database and for retrieval by registered users for display of infrastructure information including subsurface images captured by GPR, based on the received and stored computer readable data. The subsurface images and the location information can be provided for infrastructure where changes are detected based on previously stored infrastructure information related to the location where the subsurface images are captured by GPRs and reported to the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Fowler
  • Patent number: 10510201
    Abstract: An electromechanical locking system includes one or more moveable locking elements and one or more actuators configured to move each of the one or more moveable locking elements between positions. The system includes a receptacle configured to receive a key, a sensor, a processor; and a computer-readable storage medium. The processor causes the sensor to scan the key and detect one or more features of the key, identify a first code that corresponds to the detected features of the key, and apply one or more functions to the first code to yield a second code. The second code includes one or more characters that each character corresponds to one of the plurality of positions. The processor causes the one or more actuators to move the one or more movable locking elements to the positions that correspond to the one or more characters of the second code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Fowler
  • Patent number: 10497521
    Abstract: A roller electric contact comprises a roller comprising a shaft and a plurality of conductive discs electrically separated by an insulating material. The shaft extends through a rotational axis of the roller. A housing comprises slots in which the shaft of the roller is positioned, the slots configured to direct a non-rotational movement of the roller. A plurality of leaf springs are disposed in the housing. The leaf springs comprise an electrically conductive material. The plurality of conductive discs are spaced on the roller so that at least one of the conductive discs contact each of the plurality of leaf springs. A plurality of conductive wires extend from the roller electric contact, each of the plurality of conductive wires making electrical contact with one of the leaf springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20190363471
    Abstract: A reader suitable for reading data from a printed memory device attached to a curved surface includes a flexible wiring assembly that can be repositioned from a first position having a first profile into a second position having a second profile. In the first position, electrical contacts of the reader do not electrically couple with contact pads of the printed memory device, while in the second position the electrical contacts of the reader electrically couple to the contact pads of the printed memory. In one implementation, the flexible wiring assembly includes a flexible underlayer that supports the plurality of electrical contacts. In another implementation, the flexible wiring assembly includes a rigid first portion and a rigid second portion that pivot about a pivot point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Doody, Jeffrey M. Fowler
  • Patent number: 10366555
    Abstract: An electromechanical locking system includes one or more moveable locking elements and one or more actuators configured to move each of the one or more moveable locking elements between positions. The system includes an interface configured to receive information from a keycard, a processor, and a computer-readable storage medium. The processor causes the interface to scan the keycard and detect one or more features of the keycard when the keycard is detected by the interface, identify a first code that corresponds to the detected features of the keycard, apply functions to the first code to yield a second code that represents one of the plurality of positions for each of the one or more moveable locking elements, and cause the actuator to move the one or more movable locking elements to the one or more positions that correspond to the second code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20190228603
    Abstract: An electromechanical locking system includes one or more moveable locking elements and one or more actuators configured to move each of the one or more moveable locking elements between positions. The system includes an interface configured to receive information from a keycard, a processor, and a computer-readable storage medium. The processor causes the interface to scan the keycard and detect one or more features of the keycard when the keycard is detected by the interface, identify a first code that corresponds to the detected features of the keycard, apply functions to the first code to yield a second code that represents one of the plurality of positions for each of the one or more moveable locking elements, and cause the actuator to move the one or more movable locking elements to the one or more positions that correspond to the second code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20190228602
    Abstract: An electromechanical locking system includes one or more moveable locking elements and one or more actuators configured to move each of the one or more moveable locking elements between positions. The system includes a receptacle configured to receive a key, a sensor, a processor; and a computer-readable storage medium. The processor causes the sensor to scan the key and detect one or more features of the key, identify a first code that corresponds to the detected features of the key, and apply one or more functions to the first code to yield a second code. The second code includes one or more characters that each character corresponds to one of the plurality of positions. The processor causes the one or more actuators to move the one or more movable locking elements to the positions that correspond to the one or more characters of the second code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20190009957
    Abstract: A flexible memory device including a flexible substrate, a plurality of contact pads, a plurality of lines and a first partially weakened portion of the flexible substrate. The plurality of contact pads are disposed on the flexible substrate. At least one contact pad of the plurality of contact pads forms at least one first tamper evident pad. The plurality of lines are disposed on the flexible substrate, each line of the plurality of lines connected to a contact pad of the plurality of contact pads. At least one line of the plurality of lines forms at least one first tamper evident line and is connected to the at least one first tamper evident contact pad. The first partially weakened portion of the flexible substrate is arranged across the at least one tamper evident line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Aaron M. Stuckey, Jeffrey M. Fowler, Amit Trivedi, Karl E. Kurz
  • Patent number: 9934415
    Abstract: A portable reader for performing an operation on an integrated circuit (IC) such as a printed memory. The portable reader comprises a body and a transparent head. The head is sufficiently transparent that the IC is visible through the transparent head. By detecting the IC through the transparent head, the portable reader may be aligned with the IC, and a contact module on the portable reader may be aligned and electrically coupled with contact pads on the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Fowler, Michael A. Doody
  • Patent number: 9928893
    Abstract: A circular memory device includes a plurality of bottom electrodes, a plurality of top electrodes, a ferroelectric layer, and a plurality of memory storage locations within the ferroelectric layer at a crossover point of each of the bottom electrodes and each top electrode. Contact pads of the bottom electrodes and top electrodes may include a perimeter that defines an annular sector that allows a memory operation to be performed on the circular memory device across a range of rotational positions. In an example implementation, the memory operation may be performed on the circular memory device regardless of the rotational orientation of the circular memory device relative to a reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Fowler
  • Patent number: 9715602
    Abstract: During admission to a location, a machine reader optically reads original machine-readable data on an original admission ticket and stores an original code based on the original machine-readable data and original user-specific information in re-writeable electronic memory on the original admission ticket while the original user is entering the location. The original user is then provided initial entry to the location. After the initial entry, a potential admission ticket is received at the location from a potential user. The machine reader optically reads potential machine-readable data on the potential admission ticket at the location, and the machine reader compares a potential code based on the potential machine-readable data and potential user-specific information to the original code stored in the re-writeable electronic memory on the original admission ticket. The potential user is provided re-entry to the location only if the potential code matches the original code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Fowler, Aaron M. Stuckey
  • Patent number: 8918027
    Abstract: A module installable in an electrostatographic printing apparatus includes a first housing suitable for retaining marking material, and extending substantially a width of a rotatable charge receptor. The first housing includes an input port and an output port. The module includes a second housing external to the first housing, the second housing forms a conduit between the output port and the input port. The second housing contains a quantity of marking material, the quantity being suitable as at least part of an initial fill of marking material for the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Fowler, Ian Harpur
  • Patent number: 8784946
    Abstract: A method feeds a continuous core of a print cartridge cleaning blade along a path. The path passes, in the following order, firstly through a coating bath or spray coating station, secondly by a curing station, thirdly through a cutter, and fourthly to a finisher station. Thus, the method herein coats portions of the continuous core that are in the coating bath/spray station with an outer covering. For portions of the continuous core that are adjacent the curing station, the method cures the outer covering of the continuous core; for portions of the continuous core that are in the cutter, the method cuts the continuous core into predetermined lengths; and for portions of the predetermined lengths of the continuous core that are adjacent the finishing station, the method finishes the outer covering of the predetermined lengths of the continuous core to produce a finished print cartridge cleaning blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Fowler, Steven C. Hart
  • Publication number: 20140178104
    Abstract: A module installable in an electrostatographic printing apparatus includes a first housing suitable for retaining marking material, and extending substantially a width of a rotatable charge receptor. The first housing includes an input port and an output port. The module includes a second housing external to the first housing, the second housing forms a conduit between the output port and the input port. The second housing contains a quantity of marking material, the quantity being suitable as at least part of an initial fill of marking material for the first housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. FOWLER, Ian HARPUR