Patents by Inventor John M. Parker

John M. Parker 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: 8608420
    Abstract: A self-attaching nut for attachment to a panel includes a central pilot portion having a bore therethrough, and having a substantially cylindrical outer surface. A flange portion surrounds the outer surface of the pilot portion, and the flange portion includes an annular groove surrounding the pilot portion. The annular groove has a substantially V-shaped axial cross section. The self-attaching nut further includes a plurality of spaced raised buttons formed on a surface of the annular groove. The spaced raised buttons are configured to substantially prevent relative rotation between the nut and the panel, and configured to aid in preventing pull-out of the nut from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Zdravko Kovac, Jeffrey C. Lewis, John M. Parker
  • Patent number: 8186920
    Abstract: A clinch element including a body portion having an annular lip portion projecting from an end face of the body portion including an arcuate free end and a frustoconical outer surface. One embodiment includes an annular lip projecting from both end faces of the body portion. A method of attaching the clinch element to one or two panels which includes driving the free end of the lip portion against an outwardly inclined frustoconical chamfered face of a die cavity, deforming the annular lip over the panel and a die member having a projecting piloting point and an annular die cavity surrounding the piloting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Shuart, John M. Parker, Robert G. Walker, II
  • Patent number: 8142125
    Abstract: A self-attaching nut for attachment to a panel including a central pilot portion having a generally cylindrical outer surface, a flange portion surrounding the outer surface of the pilot portion including an annular groove surrounding the pilot portion having a substantially V-shaped bottom wall and a generally planar panel support surface surrounding the annular groove. The panel support surface includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs extending into the annular groove, but spaced from the outer surface of the pilot portion. The grooves may be convex or concave or a combination of convex and concave grooves. In one embodiment, the nuts are rectangular and the back face include two pair of transverse linear grooves for interconnection by frangible wires in side to side relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Vrana, David M. Shuart, John M. Parker
  • Patent number: 8092131
    Abstract: A method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel including forming a clinch spacer having a body portion including an axial bore, an annular flange portion surrounding the bore and an annular barrel portion integral and coaxially aligned with the flange portion having a diameter less than the flange portion including an end face having an outer lip extending at an angle radially outwardly and axially from the end face; forming an opening in the panel; and driving the barrel portion through the opening in the panel against a die member having a generally V-shaped annular projecting lip which is driven against a second face of the panel, deforming the panel radially inwardly against the outer surface of the barrel portion and deforming the outer annular lip radially outwardly and axially against the panel, forming a secure installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Shuart, John M. Parker
  • Publication number: 20100276547
    Abstract: A low earth orbit system for beaming energy to earth includes a solar reflector that collects and focuses solar light onto a solar panel, transforming it into electricity to drive a diode pumped laser, which then produces a high-power laser beam that is directed to a receiver on the surface of the Earth via a diffractive lens. A steering system of optics and automated hardware controls the beam direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander M. Rubenchik, John M. Parker, Robert M. Yamamoto, Raymond J. Beach
  • Publication number: 20100209210
    Abstract: A self-attaching nut for attachment to a panel includes a central pilot portion having a bore therethrough, and having a substantially cylindrical outer surface. A flange portion surrounds the outer surface of the pilot portion, and the flange portion includes an annular groove surrounding the pilot portion. The annular groove has a substantially V-shaped axial cross section. The self-attaching nut further includes a plurality of spaced raised buttons formed on a surface of the annular groove. The spaced raised buttons are configured to substantially prevent relative rotation between the nut and the panel, and configured to aid in preventing pull-out of the nut from the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Zdravko Kovac, Jeffrey C. Lewis, John M. Parker
  • Patent number: 7698799
    Abstract: A method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel including forming a clinch spacer having a body portion including an axial bore, an annular flange portion surrounding the bore and an annular barrel portion integral and coaxially aligned with the flange portion having a diameter less than the flange portion including an end face having an outer lip extending at an angle radially outwardly and axially from the end face; forming an opening in the panel; and driving the barrel portion through the opening in the panel against a die member having a generally V-shaped annular projecting lip which is driven against a second face of the panel, deforming the panel radially inwardly against the outer surface of the barrel portion and deforming the outer annular lip radially outwardly and axially against the panel, forming a secure installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Parker, David M. Shuart
  • Patent number: 7664512
    Abstract: A geolocation system (10) includes an emitter (12), a plurality of collection nodes (14,16,18), and a control station (20). Each collection node includes a receiver (24) that is operable to receive signals transmitted from the emitter (12), generate a reduced data stream that includes only signal data, and communicate the reduced data stream to the control station (20) along with navigation data. The receiver (24) identifies signal data by detecting an energy level of the raw collection data. More specifically, the receiver (24) determines a bandwidth and a signal-to-noise ratio of each portion of the collection data, and identifies each portion as including signal data if both the bandwidth and the signal-to-noise ratio exceed predetermined threshold amounts. The receiver (24) includes a digital signal processing component (36) for performing calculations used by the receiver (24) to determine the bandwidth and the signal-to-noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: L3 Communications Integrated Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: Hyo K Chung, Phuong H Le, John M Parker, David L Reid, Mark A Robertson
  • Patent number: 7651401
    Abstract: The method of forming self-attaching female fasteners by rolling a continuous metal strip including a central pilot portion having parallel sides and flange portions on opposed sides, severing at least the pilot portion and cold forming the rectangular pilot portion into a cylindrical end portion. Wing-shaped radial portions are formed in the pilot portion which may be severed or remain for anti-rotation features. The strip may remain continuous, wherein the severed pilot portions are spread and the flange portions are thinned or the strip may be severed into discrete fasteners. The female fasteners thus include generally cylindrical pilot portions and rectangular flange portions which may include rolled grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Harold A. Ladouceur, John M. Parker
  • Patent number: 7626546
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detection and geolocation of multiple emitters that are emitting RF signal energy on a common frequency, and that may be implemented to separate, geolocate, and/or determine the number of emitters (e.g., radio users) emitting on a common RF frequency. Real-time signal qualification processing may be employed to continuously monitor and collect incoming receiver tuner data for signal activity and ignore irrelevant noise data. Each set of data blocks from an emitter transmission signal may be defined as an emission cluster, and a set of time difference of arrival (TDOA)/frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) pairs may be computed for each emission cluster with each TDOA/FDOA pair yielding a geolocation result. A statistical qualification method may be used to produce a final geolocation answer from each set of emission cluster geolocation results, and a geolocation error ellipse computed for the final geolocation answer of each emission cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems L.P.
    Inventors: Hyo K. Chung, Phuong H. Le, John M. Parker, David L. Reid, Mark A. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7597515
    Abstract: A self-attaching nut having a central pilot projecting from an end face of the body portion, an annular groove surrounding the pilot and an annular panel support face surrounding the groove, wherein the outer side wall includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches, each having an outer wall which extends from the bottom wall of the annular groove to the panel support face and the bottom wall of the groove includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs integral with either the outer or inner side walls of the annular groove having a radial end spaced from the opposed side wall and a top face inclined toward the bottom wall of the annular groove providing improved torque resistance and push-off strength. Alternating circumferentially overlapping radial ribs integral with the pilot and the outer groove wall and ribs which extend below the bottom wall of the groove are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Ward, Harold T. Woods, John J. Vrana, John M. Parker, Kerry V. Boggs
  • Patent number: 7591623
    Abstract: A self-attaching fastener includes a pilot portion having an outer side wall and is surrounded by an annular flange. The annular flange includes a planar end face defining a peripheral edge with a diameter greater than a diameter of said outer side wall of the pilot portion. The end face includes a plurality of first circumferentially spaced anti-rotation elements each having a planar top face spaced above the planar end face of the annular flange and a second plurality of second circumferentially spaced anti-rotation elements each having a planar top face spaced below the planar end face of the annular flange. Each of the first and second anti-rotation elements extend from about one of the peripheral edge of the annular flange and the outer side wall to a location spaced from the other of the peripheral edge of the flange portion and the outer side wall of the pilot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Parker
  • Publication number: 20090224957
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detection and geolocation of multiple emitters that are emitting RF signal energy on a common frequency, and that may be implemented to separate, geolocate, and/or determine the number of emitters (e.g., radio users) emitting on a common RF frequency. Real-time signal qualification processing may be employed to continuously monitor and collect incoming receiver tuner data for signal activity and ignore irrelevant noise data. Each set of data blocks from an emitter transmission signal may be defined as an emission cluster, and a set of time difference of arrival (TDOA)/frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) pairs may be computed for each emission cluster with each TDOA/FDOA pair yielding a geolocation result. A statistical qualification method may be used to produce a final geolocation answer from each set of emission cluster geolocation results, and a geolocation error ellipse computed for the final geolocation answer of each emission cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Hyo K. Chung, Phuong H. Le, John M. Parker, David L. Reid, Mark A. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7471245
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus operable to estimate the geolocation of a signal emitter. In some embodiments, the methods comprise acquiring collection data from a plurality of collector elements, computing a plurality of candidate geolocations from the acquired collection data, and applying a clustering analysis to the candidate geolocations to estimate the geolocation of the signal emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: L3 Communications Integrated Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: Hyo K. Chung, Phuong H. Le, John M. Parker, David L. Reid, Mark A. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20080232923
    Abstract: A self-attaching nut having a central pilot projecting from an end face of the body portion, an annular groove surrounding the pilot and an annular panel support face surrounding the groove, wherein the outer side wall includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches, each having an outer wall which extends from the bottom wall of the annular groove to the panel support face and the bottom wall of the groove includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs integral with either the outer or inner side walls of the annular groove having a radial end spaced from the opposed side wall and a top face inclined toward the bottom wall of the annular groove providing improved torque resistance and push-off strength. Alternating circumferentially overlapping radial ribs integral with the pilot and the outer groove wall and ribs which extend below the bottom wall of the groove are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: WHITESELL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard P. Ward, Harold T. Woods, John J. Vrana, John M. Parker, Kerry V. Boggs
  • Patent number: 7419344
    Abstract: A self-attaching nut having a central pilot projecting from an end face of the body portion, an annular groove surrounding the pilot and an annular panel support face surrounding the groove, wherein the outer side wall includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches, each having an outer wall which extends from the bottom wall of the annular groove to the panel support face and the bottom wall of the groove includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs integral with either the outer or inner side walls of the annular groove having a radial end spaced from the opposed side wall and a top face inclined toward the bottom wall of the annular groove providing improved torque resistance and push-off strength. Alternating circumferentially overlapping radial ribs integral with the pilot and the outer groove wall and ribs which extend below the bottom wall of the groove are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Ward, Harold T. Woods, John J. Vrana, John M. Parker, Kerry V. Boggs
  • Publication number: 20080180325
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus operable to estimate the geolocation of a signal emitter. In some embodiments, the methods comprise acquiring collection data from a plurality of collector elements, computing a plurality of candidate geolocations from the acquired collection data, and applying a clustering analysis to the candidate geolocations to estimate the geolocation of the signal emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: L3 COMMUNICATION INTEGRATED SYSTEMS
    Inventors: HYO K. CHUNG, PHUONG H. LE, JOHN M. PARKER, DAVID L. REID, MARK A. ROBERTSON
  • Publication number: 20080148544
    Abstract: A clinch element including a body portion having an annular lip portion projecting from an end face of the body portion including an arcuate free end and a frustoconical outer surface. One embodiment includes an annular lip projecting from both end faces of the body portion. A method of attaching the clinch element to one or two panels which includes driving the free end of the lip portion against an outwardly inclined frustoconical chamfered face of a die cavity, deforming the annular lip over the panel and a die member having a projecting piloting point and an annular die cavity surrounding the piloting point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: WHITESELL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Shuart, John M. Parker, Robert G. Walker
  • Patent number: 7383624
    Abstract: Method of forming a sealed joint between a nut (20) having a cylindrical pilot (22), an annular flange portion (28) surrounding the pilot and a re-entrant groove (32) and a panel with a die having an annular lip (62) which deforms a panel portion into the groove (32) and simultaneously shaves an outer surface of the pilot onto the panel. The annular groove in the flange portion includes an arcuately inclined outer side wall (36) and an inner side wall (38) arcuately inclined toward the flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley E. Wojciechowski, John M. Parker
  • Publication number: 20080120825
    Abstract: A method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel including forming a clinch spacer having a body portion including an axial bore, an annular flange portion surrounding the bore and an annular barrel portion integral and coaxially aligned with the flange portion having a diameter less than the flange portion including an end face having an outer lip extending at an angle radially outwardly and axially from the end face; forming an opening in the panel; and driving the barrel portion through the opening in the panel against a die member having a generally V-shaped annular projecting lip which is driven against a second face of the panel, deforming the panel radially inwardly against the outer surface of the barrel portion and deforming the outer annular lip radially outwardly and axially against the panel, forming a secure installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: David M. Shuart, John M. Parker