Patents by Inventor John C. Stearns

John C. Stearns 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: 8268468
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that allows for effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The cell includes a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent mechanism having an offset C-shaped reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. A cover can be welded to the closed end wall of the container over the pressure relief vent mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Stearns, Robert E. Ray, Richard L Bouffard, Walter B Ebner, John O'Halloran, R. Justin Begg
  • Patent number: 8158280
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that achieves effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The electrochemical cell including a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent having a reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. The reduced thickness groove is formed having eight segments extending radially from a central location. A cover is welded on the end wall of the container via at least three welds, wherein the angular spacing between two adjacent welds is greater than 120°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Ray, John C. Stearns, Walter B. Ebner, Richard L. Bouffard, R. Justin Begg
  • Publication number: 20110111271
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that allows for effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The cell includes a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent mechanism having an offset C-shaped reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. A cover can be welded to the closed end wall of the container over the pressure relief vent mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: John C. Stearns, Robert E. Ray, Richard L. Bouffard, Walter B. Ebner, John O'Halloran, R.Justin Begg
  • Patent number: 7875376
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that allows for effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The cell includes a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent mechanism having an offset C-shaped reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. A cover can be welded to the closed end wall of the container over the pressure relief vent mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Stearns, Robert E. Ray, Richard L. Bouffard, Walter B. Ebner, John O'Halloran, R. Justin Begg
  • Publication number: 20070275294
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that allows for effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The cell includes a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent mechanism having an offset C-shaped reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. A cover can be welded to the closed end wall of the container over the pressure relief vent mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: John C. Stearns, Robert E. Ray, Richard L. Bouffard, Walter B. Ebner, John O'Halloran, R. Justin Begg
  • Publication number: 20070275295
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that achieves effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The electrochemical cell including a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent having a reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. The reduced thickness groove is formed having eight segments extending radially from a central location. A cover is welded on the end wall of the container via at least three welds, wherein the angular spacing between two adjacent welds is greater than 120°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Robert E. Ray, John C. Stearns, Walter B. Ebner, Richard L. Bouffard, R. Justin Begg
  • Patent number: 5980070
    Abstract: An improved pneumatically telescoping mast supported for pivotal movement in opposite directions is provided. The mast includes adjacent telescoping sections slidable relative to one another between retracted and extended positions. A pneumatic control system for displacing the mast sections between retracted and extended positions is also provided as is a system for pivoting the mast in opposite directions about the pivot axis between the horizontal and vertical positions. The mast includes a light source mounted at the other upper end of the mast which is capable of running on the same DC power source as the pneumatic control system and the mast pivoting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: The Will-Burt Company
    Inventors: John A. Hulse, John C. Stearns
  • Patent number: 5743635
    Abstract: An improved pneumatically telescoping mast supported for pivotal movement in opposite directions is provided. The mast includes adjacent telescoping sections slidable relative to one another between retracted and extended positions. A pneumatic control system for displacing the mast sections between retracted and extended positions is also provided as is a system for pivoting the mast in opposite directions about the pivot axis between the horizontal and vertical positions. The mast includes a light source mounted at the other upper end of the mast which is capable of running on the same DC power source as the pneumatic control system and the mast pivoting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: The Will-Burt Company
    Inventors: John A. Hulse, John C. Stearns
  • Patent number: 4761691
    Abstract: A video recording system employs an editing device to communicate schedules of instructions to a videotape recorder control system which, in turn, communicates selected ones of the instructions from the schedules to a time-base corrector so that the time-base corrector automatically controls and adjusts video signal parameters at the output of the videotape recorder in accordance with an appropriate one of the schedules. Operation of the system includes the steps of storing schedules of instructions in the editing device, communicating the schedules of instructions to a videotape recorder control system connected to a time-base corrector, storing time lines of the instructions in the videotape recorder control system, and operating the time-base corrector to manipulate video signal information at the output of a recorder mechanism according to the time line schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Ampex Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Stearns
  • Patent number: 4734791
    Abstract: A video recording and reproducing system provides an operator with the ability to view the status of all operating conditions of a system at one time. When it is desired to view the status, an operator generates a request for a display mode. In this mode, all of the operating conditions are displayed on the television signal monitor in place of normal television signal image information. Information regarding the status of each condition is presented to a character generator, which causes the appropriate status to be placed next to each condition listed on the monitor. All of the information relating to the configuration of the system is thereby provided to an operator at once, and can be viewed not only at the location of the system itself, but also at any remotely located monitors, such as those found in a control booth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Ampex Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Stearns, Michael D. Arbuthnot