Patents by Inventor John Mercer

John Mercer 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).

  • Publication number: 20170144679
    Abstract: A locomotive control system and method of use operable to provide operational control of a locomotive ensuing the detection that the locomotive will enter a railroad switch having the point blades incorrectly positioned. The locomotive control system further includes a point alignment detection sensor being operably coupled to a railroad switch and the point blades thereof. A plurality of track transceivers are mounted adjacent to the railroad switch and extend outward from the railroad switch along the railroad track. At least one engine transceiver is provided and is operably coupled to a locomotive. A controller is included and functions to provide logic and control of the locomotive control system. The method provides monitoring of the point blades of a railroad switch and detection of the movement of an approaching locomotive having entered the detection zone and is operable to prevent movement through the railroad switch if damage will occur thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: John Mercer
  • Patent number: 9592842
    Abstract: A locomotive control system and method of use operable to provide operational control of a locomotive ensuing the detection that the locomotive will enter a railroad switch having the point blades incorrectly positioned. The locomotive control system further includes a point alignment detection sensor being operably coupled to a railroad switch and the point blades thereof. A plurality of track transceivers are mounted adjacent to the railroad switch and extend outward from the railroad switch along the railroad track. At least one engine transceiver is provided and is operably coupled to a locomotive. A controller is included and functions to provide logic and control of the locomotive control system. The method provides monitoring of the point blades of a railroad switch and detection of the movement of an approaching locomotive having entered the detection zone and is operable to prevent movement through the railroad switch if damage will occur thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: John Mercer
  • Publication number: 20160029735
    Abstract: A hat that is operable to reduce the surface temperature of the head of a wearer wherein the hat is configured to promote an airflow the wearer's head. The hat includes a body that is formed to create a cavity sufficient in size to accommodate a portion of a human head. A brim is integrally formed with the body and extends outward therefrom. A plurality of mounting members are present with a portion thereof being secured to the brim and a second portion extending inward into the cavity. The mounting members are operable to create a void intermediate the head of a user and the hat wherein the void is consistent in width from the lower edge of the body to the top area of the body proximate the crown of a head of a wearer. A mounting band is further included to secure the hat to the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: John Mercer
  • Patent number: 8501154
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to fructose-based radiopharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, precursors and methods for preparing same, and methods of using same for diagnostic imaging of cancer cells and non-imaging tracer studies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Chris Cheeseman, Frederick West, Tina Grant, Brendan Trayner, John Mercer, Andrei Manolescu
  • Publication number: 20130078184
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to fructose-based radiopharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, precursors and methods for preparing same, and methods of using same for diagnostic imaging of cancer cells and non-imaging tracer studies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Chris CHEESEMAN, Frederick WEST, Tina GRANT, Brendan TRAYNER, John MERCER, Andrei MANOLESCU
  • Patent number: 8293208
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to fructose-based radiopharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, precursors and methods for preparing same, and methods of using same for diagnostic imaging of cancer cells and non-imaging tracer studies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Chris Cheeseman, Frederick West, Tina Grant, Brendan Trayner, John Mercer, Andrei Manolescu
  • Patent number: 8142104
    Abstract: A support leg for a dowel sleeve, the dowel sleeve having a hollow open body at a second end spaced from one end of the body connectable to a construction plate. The support leg has a spigot engagable in the body, the exterior of which is engaged by an abutment face. The effective length of the support leg is adjustable by selectively detaching one or more leg member segments, each provided with a disc-like base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Connolly Key Joint Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: John Mercer, Mark Anthony Connolly
  • Publication number: 20110255920
    Abstract: A dowel sleeve has a tubular body with a mounting assembly at one end for releasable connection to a construction plate, and a leg support engagable at the other end for adjustable support. The construction plate has spaced non-circular holes. A first flange of the mounting assembly has a complementary profile, of smaller dimensions, to the non-circular holes, while a second flange has a similar profile, of larger dimensions, with its major-axis non-aligned with the major-axis of the first flange. The first flange is inserted through one of the non-circular holes, and the tubular body is rotated so the first and second flanges engage opposed faces of the construction plate. The leg support has a spigot engagable in the tubular body, the exterior of which is engaged by an abutment face. The effective length of the support leg is adjustable by selectively detaching ne or more leg member segments, each provided with a disc-like base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: CONNOLLY KEY JOINT PTY LTD
    Inventors: John Mercer, Mark Anthony Connolly
  • Patent number: 7967528
    Abstract: A dowel sleeve has a tubular body with a mounting assembly at one end for releasable connection to a construction plate, and a leg support engagable at the other end for adjustable support. The construction plate has spaced non-circular holes. A first flange of the mounting assembly has a complementary profile, of smaller dimensions, to the non-circular holes, while a second flange has a similar profile, of larger dimensions, with its major-axis non-aligned with the major-axis of the first flange. The first flange is inserted through one of the non-circular holes, and the tubular body is rotated so the first and second flanges engage opposed faces of the construction plate. The leg support has a spigot engagable in the tubular body, the exterior of which is engaged by an abutment face. The effective length of the support leg is adjustable by selectively detaching one or more leg member segments, each provided with a disc-like base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Connolly Key Joint Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: John Mercer, Mark Anthony Connolly
  • Publication number: 20100290988
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to fructose-based radiopharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, precursors and methods for preparing same, and methods of using same for diagnostic imaging of cancer cells and non-imaging tracer studies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Chris CHEESEMAN, Frederick WEST, Tina GRANT, Brendan TRAYNER, John MERCER, Andrei MANOLESCU
  • Publication number: 20100086351
    Abstract: A dowel sleeve has a tubular body with a mounting assembly at one end for releasable connection to a construction plate, and a leg support engagable at the other end for adjustable support. The construction plate has spaced non-circular holes. A first flange of the mounting assembly has a complementary profile, of smaller dimensions, to the non-circular holes, while a second flange has a similar profile, of larger dimensions, with its major-axis non-aligned with the major-axis of the first flange. The first flange is inserted through one of the non-circular holes, and the tubular body is rotated so the first and second flanges engage opposed faces of the construction plate. The leg support has a spigot engagable in the tubular body, the exterior of which is engaged by an abutment face. The effective length of the support leg is adjustable by selectively detaching one or more leg member segments, each provided with a disc-like base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: CONNOLLY KEY JOINT PTY LTD
    Inventors: John Mercer, Mark Anthony Connolly
  • Publication number: 20080111552
    Abstract: Arrangements, apparatus and associated methods are described for use in a multi-frequency boring tool locating system. The boring tool includes a transmitter for transmitting a locating signal at two or more selectable frequencies. One set of above ground procedures may be applied to the transmitter in order to change the frequency of the boring tool transmitter. Another set of procedures is applicable for changing the frequency during below ground drilling operations, for example, by subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll orientation sequence. An enhanced portable locator operates in a manual or automatic mode to receive locating frequency information transmitted from the boring tool transmitter including frequency updates. Boring tool transmitter, as well as above ground locator shutdown/restart procedures are described relating to multi-frequency operation. A tone detector is described which implements one or more digital match filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Guenter Brune, John Mercer
  • Publication number: 20080068019
    Abstract: An above ground locator includes an apparatus for determining the strength of the locating signal at a selected point relative to the boring tool. The apparatus includes an antenna arrangement configured for measuring the strength of the locating signal at the selected point along first and second orthogonally opposed receiving axes to produce first and second received signals. A phase shifting arrangement phase shifts the first and second received signals in a predetermined way to generate first and second phase shifted signals, respectively. Thereafter, a summing arrangement adds the first and second phase shifted received signals to generate an output signal which is a vector sum of the first and second received signals. In one feature, third and fourth signals derived from the first and second signals are used to eliminate balance point ambiguity which is present using the first and second signals alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventor: John Mercer
  • Publication number: 20080047750
    Abstract: A boring tool moves having a pitch orientation, a yaw orientation and a roll orientation and is steerable underground using the roll orientation. A maximum drill string curvature is established for steering. The boring tool is advanced over a path segment. An averaged roll characteristic is determined for movement of the boring tool along the path segment. A path segment pitch orientation is established based on at least one measured pitch orientation along the path segment. Using the maximum drill string curvature in combination with the averaged roll characteristic and the path segment pitch orientation, the yaw orientation is determined. The averaged roll characteristic is determined based on a series of incremental roll measurements that are spaced across the path segment. A set of coupled ordinary differential equations is used to characterize movement of the boring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: James Burrows, Guenter Brune, John Mercer
  • Publication number: 20080042652
    Abstract: A portable locator and method for establishing the location of the cable line in a region which includes at least one generally straight electrically conductive cable line extending across the region from which cable line a locating signal includes a first arrangement for measuring a local flux intensity of the locating signal at a first above ground point within the region with the portable locator in a particular orientation at the first above ground point. A second arrangement uses the local flux intensity to establish a cable line angular orientation which limits the possible directions to the cable line relative to the particular orientation of the portable locator at the above ground point. A third arrangement uses the measured local flux intensity to establish an actual direction of the cable line that is selected from the possible directions based on certain characteristics of the locating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Guenter Brune, Albert Chau, John Mercer
  • Publication number: 20070247162
    Abstract: A boring tool is moved through the ground in a region which includes at least one electrically conductive in-ground line and which is subject to static magnetic fields including the magnetic field of the earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: John Mercer, Albert Chau
  • Publication number: 20070193777
    Abstract: A drilling system performs underground boring using a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore. A monitoring arrangement, forming part of the system, includes a detection arrangement at the drill rig for monitoring at least one operational parameter to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool. A portable device forms another part of the system for receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device. A communication arrangement, for example using telemetry, transfers the data signal from the drill rig to the portable device. The operational parameter may be monitored for the purpose of preventing equipment failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventor: John Mercer
  • Publication number: 20070176842
    Abstract: Location determination is performed using a transmitter including an elongated generally planar loop antenna defining an elongation axis. The elongation axis is positioned along at least a portion of a path. A magnetic field is then generated which approximates a dipole field. Certain characteristics of the magnetic field are then determined at a receiving position radially displaced from the antenna elongation axis. Using the determined certain characteristics, at least one orientation parameter is established which characterizes a positional relationship between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The magnetic field may be transmitted as a monotone single phase signal. The orientation parameter may be a radial offset and/or an angular orientation between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The antenna of the transmitter may be inserted into a first borehole to transmit the magnetic field to a receiver inserted into a second borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Guenter Brune, John Mercer, Albert Chau, Rudolf Zeller
  • Publication number: 20070176603
    Abstract: Tracking a boring tool is performed within an underground region using a locating signal. The boring tool is moved through the ground during a series of distance movements such that potential movement of the boring tool during any one of the distance movements is less than a maximum movement value. A current positional relationship is determined for a current one of the distance movements based on: a last-determined positional relationship established for an immediately preceding one of the distance movements, certain orientation parameters, the maximum movement value and the determined signal strength of the locating signal in the current positional relationship. Target coordinates are accepted and a target position, based on the target coordinates, is included as part of the current positional relationship. The position of the target is unconstrained with respect to system geometry. Steering command features are provided along with steering warnings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Guenter Brune, John Mercer, Albert Chau
  • Publication number: 20070170908
    Abstract: Discriminating between a cable locating signal and a false cable locating signal is described. A reference signal, which contains a locating signal frequency impressed on it, is transmitted in a way which provides for detection of a phase shift between the locating signal and the false locating signal. Based on the phase shift, a receiver is used to distinguish the locating signal from the false locating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: John Mercer, Albert Chau